“He’s dirt poor, barely surviving on a few hundred bucks for living expenses. He works part-time on weekends and sets up stalls at night. Who is he trying to impress, acting so generous?”
“Over 2,000 yuan! He just loaned it out without a second thought!”
“And even if Wang Jie pays him back, it won’t be for a month or so. What happens if something urgent comes up in the meantime?”
“It’s not like he has parents to fall back on. He’ll survive either way.”
In the girls' dorm, Ning Chu muttered her grievances about Wen Yang’s decision to lend money. Her hand lay flat on a small desk as Lily carefully trimmed her nails.
Yan Xinya, sitting nearby with her chin propped on her hands, smiled and asked, “Are you worried about how hard he worked for that money?”
“Worried, my foot! He can spend his money however he likes.”
“Then why complain so much?”
“I’m worried he’ll run out of money and drag me down with him!”
The wolf-girl sighed. “You’re so stubborn~ Are you this tough when Wen Yang kisses you?”
A light blush crept up Ning Chu’s cheeks. She gave Yan Xinya’s shin a gentle kick. “I’m already mad, and you’re teasing me!”
“Then take all his money and manage it yourself, like before.”
Without hesitation, Ning Chu shook her head. “Why would I take his money? Back then, I was just worried he wouldn’t have enough to get by, so I mixed my finances with his to keep things under control.”
“And now you’re mad that he spends recklessly?”
“How was I supposed to know he’d be so generous... when he’s so broke?”
Ning Chu sighed in exasperation. It wasn’t that she had zero interest in his money, but when she was a man, she never wanted a girlfriend or wife who controlled the finances. Earning money but not being able to spend it freely? That was too miserable. Might as well stay single.
Now that she was a girl, she refused to become the kind of woman she used to resent.
“All done,” Lily said, letting go of Ning Chu’s soft hands.
“It’s even better than the nail salon!” Ning Chu said, admiring her nails.
Yan Xinya, proud as a peacock, put her hands on her hips. “Of course! My Lily is the best!”
“She’s not complimenting you. Why are you so smug?” Ning Chu teased, though her gaze shifted to the cup on Lily’s desk.
This time, the water in the cup didn’t seem to contain any odd substances. The octopus, however, still looked lethargic, seemingly smaller than before. The water itself had a strange tint.
Noticing her stare, Lily explained, “I soaked it in yellow wine.”
Ning Chu’s lips twitched. “Why don’t you just put it out of its misery?”
She was now convinced that Lily was merely studying the octopus rather than trying to turn it into some kind of pet. Otherwise, why would she torment it so much?
“No,” Lily said firmly. She hesitated briefly, then leaned closer to Ning Chu’s ear and whispered, “The magic will disappear.”
“Ohhh~”
So Lily couldn’t bear to part with the sexy magical girl outfit and her magic powers. The powers came from the octopus, and if it died, Lily would lose her magic as well.
If it were Ning Chu, she wouldn’t want to give it up either~
“This octopus is ridiculously resilient! It doesn’t eat anything and won’t die no matter what we do to it!” Yan Xinya said, marveling as she picked up the cup. “Nature is amazing. Such a tough little creature~”
“Too bad Lily won’t let me cut off a leg to taste it.”
The wolf-girl pouted, then suddenly changed the subject. “Why did Wang Jie need to borrow money anyway?”
“Well...”
Could she even say?
Knocking up a girlfriend before meeting her parents, let alone being of marriageable age, wasn’t exactly a badge of honor.
Ning Chu hesitated, her expression betraying her internal conflict. After a moment, she decided not to spill Wang Jie’s secrets. “He’s just short on money for something.”
“Ohhh~” Yan Xinya’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, but she didn’t press further. Stretching, she announced, “Time for class~”
Although Ning Chu hadn’t been in the girls’ dorm for long, the time spent earlier in the boys’ dorm ate into her two-hour lunch break.
Satisfied with her nails, she followed Yan Xinya out.
“Where are your afternoon textbooks?”
“They’re with Wen Yang.”
“Isn’t it Sister Qianqian’s English class? Another chance to nap~”
The three girls exited the dorm as the hallways buzzed with activity. Everywhere, vibrant young women rushed to prepare for their classes.
As they stepped outside, Ning Chu immediately spotted Wen Yang waiting under the shade of a tree across the way.
At the «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» moment, Wen Yang was surrounded by a group of enthusiastic girls. With his “cool and aloof” demeanor, he ignored their requests for his contact information, responding with indifference.
But the moment he saw Ning Chu, his icy expression melted into a warm smile. Like a golden retriever, he eagerly weaved through the crowd to meet her.
“Let’s go to class,” he said cheerfully.
“Hmph~”
Ning Chu crossed her arms and turned her head away, clearly displeased.
Even though she knew it wasn’t good to stay upset, she couldn’t help the resentment bubbling up as soon as she saw Wen Yang—especially with those girls swarming him!
How many times had she told him? Women who approached him out of nowhere were only after his body! Why couldn’t he just tell them off outright?
“I was wrong. It won’t happen again,” Wen Yang said, trailing behind her, his face full of apology.
“Do you want to hit me? Go ahead.”
“Or how about I cook you something nice tonight?”
A few words of apology, and Ning Chu’s anger began to dissipate.
Still, she pursed her lips and threw a couple of light punches at Wen Yang’s arm. When he didn’t react, she grumbled, “It doesn’t even hurt when I hit you...”
Wen Yang immediately clutched his arm, dramatically crying out in pain. “Ow, ow!”
“Idiot~”
Ning Chu nearly burst into laughter at his antics but tried to keep a straight face. “I was in a great mood, and you ruined it!”
“How about I make something delicious to make it up to you? What do you want to eat?”
“I’m not craving anything,” she replied, shaking her head.
“Cola? Ice cream?”
“I’m not helpless. If I want something, I’ll get it myself.”
Yan Xinya suddenly darted forward, grinning. “An apology should come with sincerity! These little things won’t satisfy a succubus’ appetite~”
Wen Yang froze, realization dawning on his face.
Of course, for a succubus, the best apology was to satisfy her big appetite.
Ning Chu’s face flushed crimson. She glared at the wolf-girl in embarrassment and snapped, “You’re crazy! Pervert!”
“What did I say? How is that perverted?”
As Yan Xinya dodged her strike, Ning Chu stumbled before breaking into a run after her. “Stop right there!”
“You must’ve thought of something dirty yourself!”
“I absolutely did not!”
Watching the two girls chase each other down the path, Wen Yang quickened his pace to follow. “Be careful not to fall!”
