The loud clattering of Mahjong tiles mixed with Yan Xinya's excited shouts filled the air. Zhang Shaoqing sat in front of the projection screen with a look of utter resignation, mechanically pressing the controller buttons.
He couldn’t understand why people of all ages—from seventy or eighty-year-olds to this group of twenty-something girls—were so obsessed with Mahjong.
They played for hours, getting more and more energized as the afternoon wore on. Even Qianqian, who claimed she didn’t know how to play, was now jumping up in excitement every time she won a hand.
"This group of women is really loud," Zhang Shaoqing muttered, flopping back onto the couch and rubbing his aching ears helplessly.
The sky outside had started to darken. Through the living room's large windows, he could see the sunset slowly descending over the ocean, painting the horizon with a brilliant red hue.
The sound of the elevator doors opening reached them, disrupting the girls in the middle of their game.
Yan Xinya briefly looked up from the table and saw Ning Chu entering with two large pillows in her arms, her slippers slapping softly against the floor.
"Back so soon?" she asked.
"Soon?" Ning Chu paused, glancing at the clock on the wall. "It's already past six. Didn’t we say we were going to the hot springs tonight?"
"Six already?! No wonder I’m so hungry!" Qianqian also realized, "Feels like we barely played a few rounds..."
"Hu."
They heard Lily’s calm voice mixed with the sound of Mahjong tiles being knocked over, followed by Yan Xinya’s exasperated shout, "How did you win again?!"
"Let’s tally up how much we lost," Yan Xinya stood up with her hands on her hips, proudly declaring, "I only lost seven bucks!"
"I’ve lost over a hundred..." Qianqian sighed in defeat.
Yet the new player, Qianqian, was particularly smug. "I actually won a few bucks! My luck is amazing!"
"It’s just beginner’s luck! After the hot springs, we’ll keep playing!" Yan Xinya teased.
Seeing the girls diving back into Mahjong talk, Ning Chu looked over at Zhang Shaoqing, confused. "They’ve been playing all afternoon?"
"Damn, it’s so noisy," he muttered.
"Why is Mahjong even fun?" he complained. "It’s just something old people play."
After spending an entire afternoon being surrounded by women’s chatter, Zhang Shaoqing now clearly felt the difference with Ning Chu.
Although Ning Chu was a woman, she didn’t share the same loud, chaotic energy as the others. Her slightly masculine energy and easy conversation felt more like talking to a close friend than a group of over-excited women.
Talking to Ning Chu felt more like talking to a buddy.
They exchanged a few more words before Ning Chu, clutching the dolls she had won, walked toward the guest bedroom. Zhang Shaoqing paused the game and got up to walk over to Wen Yang.
With a teasing grin, he nudged Wen Yang’s shoulder, "So what did you two do all afternoon? Can’t have just been shopping, right? I didn’t see you guys buy anything."
Wen Yang was holding only a bag of clothes—dresses he bought for Ning Chu on the way back.
Seeing Zhang Shaoqing’s lewd smile, Wen Yang immediately understood what he was implying. He rolled his eyes. "We didn’t really shop."
"Ha~ That’s a good one!" Zhang Shaoqing laughed.
"We went to an internet cafe and duo-queued," Wen Yang /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ning Chu’s terrible at the game... she can’t carry at all."
"......"
Zhang Shaoqing wanted to speak but couldn’t. He had never seen a couple go on a date to an internet cafe to duo-queue for ranking.
He wanted to do that, but he imagined Qianqian, the cat-girl, would probably punch him out.
"You didn’t suggest going to the internet cafe, did you?" Zhang Shaoqing suppressed his jealousy and insulted Wen Yang, "You’re such a typical guy."
"Obviously it was Ning Chu who suggested it," Wen Yang replied, with a faint smile.
"......"
Wen Yang followed Ning Chu into the guest room. Though the house was spacious, the guest room was small, barely fitting a nightstand and a bed. The narrow hallway could only fit one person at a time.
Ning Chu placed the two plush dolls on the nightstand, turned her back to the door, and bent down to rummage through her bag for her swimsuit, preparing for their evening at the hot springs.
She heard Wen Yang enter the room, but before she could say anything, she felt a light tap on her rear.
"Want to try the dress? If it doesn’t fit, we can still return it."
"It’ll fit fine! My mom always says I’m the perfect clothes hanger."
After returning to Lily’s house, Ning Chu’s tail, which had been tightly wrapped around her thigh, finally relaxed and hung down by her calf, curving into a gentle arch.
She found her swimsuit and turned to ask, "When are they going to the hot springs?"
"They didn’t say, still talking about Mahjong," Wen Yang replied.
Ning Chu glanced at the open door, then quickly dashed to close it, pulling Wen Yang to sit down beside her, her face slightly tense.
"What’s wrong?"
Ning Chu grabbed Wen Yang’s arm and warned him, "The hot springs might have some female characters from the book we read, just be careful."
"I don’t really remember much," Wen Yang responded.
"Just be cautious. Don’t let some girl attack you when we’re at the hot springs," she said, looking conflicted and lowering her gaze.
The best course of action would be to follow the story and steal the spotlight from the female characters.
But the hot springs were mostly outdoors, and even as a succubus, she didn’t have the courage for that. It could be too risky, especially if they were caught.
Wen Yang, seeing her dilemma, couldn’t help but grow more excited. His eyes brightened with anticipation, and his desire began to show.
But Ning Chu, sensing his thoughts, slapped his thigh, breaking his train of thought. "Don’t think too much! It’s never going to happen!"
"Ning Chu! Wen Yang! We’re ready to go to the hot springs!" Qianqian’s voice echoed from the hallway, quickly followed by Yan Xinya’s scolding.
"Hey! Qianqian, be quiet, can’t you see they closed the door?"
Ning Chu froze for a moment, her face heating up. She stuffed her swimsuit into the bag, stood up, and opened the door.
The sudden opening startled Yan Xinya. "Did we disturb you?"
"What are you thinking about with that weird look?" Ning Chu asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing~ I was just worried Qianqian would be the third wheel," Yan Xinya responded, brushing off the awkwardness.
Ning Chu raised her bag. "I’m ready. We can go anytime."
"Don’t forget to bring a towel. We have to shower before the hot springs," Yan Xinya said, heading toward the bathroom. "I’ll get one for you! There are plenty of unused towels here!"
As Yan Xinya left, Qianqian turned around and noticed Ning Chu giving her a strange look, which made her feel a little guilty. "What’s with the stare, Ning Chu?"
Seizing the rare opportunity for some privacy, Ning Chu grabbed Qianqian’s neck, pulling her aside.
"What’s up?" Qianqian asked.
"Don’t use magic to eavesdrop on me and Wen Yang tonight! At your age, why aren’t you using your magic for something useful?" Ning Chu whispered with a teasing grin.
"I wasn’t... I was doing something important! You’re the one I’m focused on!" Qianqian replied, flustered.
Ning Chu smiled mischievously and gently pinched Qianqian’s chubby little face. "You’re still figuring me out, huh?"
"Now I know! It hurts~" Qianqian squeaked, giggling despite the playful punishment.
