"Let me tell you, our English teacher is someone we know—her name’s Qian Qian. As long as you don’t completely fail your finals, she can help you out."
"And the political science teacher? He’s too lazy to take attendance during lectures, so you can skip those."
"If you can’t wake up in the morning, just find someone to mark you as present. Most professors don’t care, except for the really strict ones."
"And also—"
Wen Yang sighed, cutting Ning Chu off mid-sentence. "Stop leading her astray."
With a warm smile, he turned to Xi Xi. "Don’t listen to her nonsense. In university, it’s all about self-discipline. Don’t end up like her, cramming the night before finals."
"Oh~"
Xi Xi froze, her cheeks turning red as she looked down, embarrassed.
Ning Chu, ever vigilant against bad women and cunning foxes, instantly grew alert. For a young girl like Xi Xi, Wen Yang’s gentle and handsome demeanor was a potent weapon.
She shot a wary glance at Xi Xi’s flushed ears, then gave Wen Yang a sharp kick under the table.
Stop charming girls!
Wen Yang let out a helpless sigh, choosing to stay quiet and focus on the lecture.
Their subtle interaction didn’t escape Xi Xi’s notice. Flustered, she buried her face in her arms, only to have the wolf-girl beside her lean in.
Yan Xinya, though less energetic than usual, her eyes tinged with a faint redness, still had a mischievous glint as she whispered, "Do you like Wen Yang?"
"No!"
"Then you’re doomed. Ning Chu is like jealousy personified~" The wolf-girl puffed her chest proudly. "I was the one who set them up! They’re a match made in heaven! So many girls have tried to go after Wen Yang, but none of them could beat Ning Chu. You’d better give up early~"
Xi Xi, face burning, buried it deeper into her arms, refusing to respond.
Honestly, what seventeen-year-old wouldn’t feel a flutter in their heart after meeting such a kind and sunny guy?
Too bad he was taken—and by someone so formidable that even a succubus couldn’t outlast him. Last night, Xi Xi had overheard... certain noises. When they abruptly stopped, she had genuinely worried that Ning Chu might have passed out.
But seeing her lively and energetic today, Xi Xi could only respect her stamina.
"Are you talking about me?" Ning Chu suddenly leaned over, staring suspiciously at Yan Xinya.
"Of course not!"
"Hey, are you feeling unwell today?"
Ning Chu gave Yan Xinya a once-over. Something had felt off about her since the moment she walked into class. It finally clicked—Yan Xinya hadn’t launched herself at Ning Chu for a cuddle like usual.
Although Ning Chu didn’t have a wolf’s keen nose, her experience was more than enough to notice the signs. With a knowing smirk, she let out an exaggerated "Oh~."
If it weren’t for the newcomer keeping everyone slightly reserved, Ning Chu and Lily might have already started teasing Yan Xinya.
"What’s with the 'Oh~'? It’s just a normal biological phenomenon," Yan Xinya muttered, sulking. She hadn’t expected to fall into heat so soon after discussing the mating season over the weekend.
Lowering her voice, she added, "I think Xi Xi might have a crush on Wen Yang. Shouldn’t you be getting jealous?"
"I don’t!" Xi Xi blurted out defensively.
"Don’t worry," Ning Chu said lazily, stifling a yawn. "Even if you do, Wen Yang wouldn’t be interested. You’re too young."
"I’m seventeen already..."
Yan Xinya smirked, "She means your AA cup."
Ning Chu, recalling Xi Xi’s transformation, quietly corrected her, "Not AA—probably an A."
"..."
"Speaking of which, is the fox-girl in your dorm acting strange yet? What about Qian Qian?"
Yan Xinya shook her head. "It doesn’t all happen at the same time. That would be chaos. It could be anytime over the next two months."
What a shame. Yan Xinya had really been looking forward to seeing Zhang Shaoqing drained to the point of collapse during Qian Qian’s heat.
"Oh, then Lily must be disappointed," Ning Chu chuckled.
Xi Xi didn’t quite follow their conversation. Glancing toward Lily, she saw the succubus wearing her usual icy expression, diligently taking notes and completely ignoring the chatter.
Compared to Ning Chu and Yan Xinya, Lily’s aloof, snow-lotus-like demeanor made her seem like an untouchable goddess.
So cool and beautiful!
"By the way, Xi Xi," Ning Chu whispered, nudging her shoulder. "Lily’s your colleague... er, coworker."
"Her? Lily is contracted as a magical girl? Why?"
Not wanting to reveal Lily’s penchant for studying tentacle monsters as potential toys, Ning Chu quickly echoed Lily’s earlier justification: "She said someone needs to systematically study these demonic creatures."
Xi Xi’s eyes lit up with admiration. Before Ning Chu could finish, she exclaimed, "So Lily signed the contract knowing the dangers ahead? That’s so brave!"
"..."
"I only became a magical girl because I thought magic was cool. I got tricked by Xiao Hei. But Lily... she’s on a whole other level!"
Glowing with excitement, Xi Xi tugged at Ning Chu. "What wish did she make when she signed the contract?"
"Uh... I never asked."
It only now occurred to Ning Chu that magical girls could make a simple wish upon contracting.
She turned toward Lily, about to ask, but Xi Xi stopped her ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) with a hushed, "Lily is paying attention to the lecture. Ask later!"
"???"
Why does it feel like you have some weird misconceptions about Lily? And what’s with calling her “Lily-jie” all of a sudden?
Ning Chu stared at Xi Xi, confused.
"Is Xiao Hei with Lily?"
"Definitely not. If it were, I would’ve seen it by now."
"Then where did it go? Visiting family?"
While the two of them whispered, occasionally glancing her way, Lily finally turned to look at them. She caught Xi Xi staring at her with a mix of awe and nervousness, even mouthing, "Jiayou, Lily-jie!"
Lily’s brain froze for a moment. She quickly looked away, her expression remaining cold and stoic, though her thoughts were in turmoil.
What’s going on?
This is only my second time meeting her, isn’t it?
As her mind raced, Yan Xinya’s wolf ears perked up, delivering yet another piece of unwelcome news.
"Lily, what did you do yesterday?"
"Hm?"
"I heard a bunch of people saying you posted risqué pictures in the group chat! Why didn’t you send any to me? Was it a new set?"
Lily’s expression stiffened further.
Luckily, she had deleted the pictures quickly enough. They probably hadn’t been saved, right?
If screenshots existed, her icy goddess image would be utterly ruined!
Realizing there was no evidence, Lily relaxed slightly. "It’s fine."
Sooner or later, people would forget. She’d still be the renowned Ice Queen of the university.
If the worst happened... well, there was always magic.
They can all just lose their memories!
