Chapter 24: Really So Upset

“Hm… why so quiet~?”

Yixin Xue stuck out her tongue playfully.

“Tch.”

Ling Yuan clicked his tongue.

“Class President, your image in my eyes is completely shattered.”

“Oh?”

She wrapped her arms around his neck, asking gently, “So what am I to you now?”

“You’re… you’re…”

His mind flashed to anime scenes. Yixin Xue was… was…

“Hm?”

“A yandere.”

Her face showed surprise.

“Yandere…? Me? No way~”

“How is it not…?”

Recalling the earlier scene, his heart still raced. He desperately wanted to escape, but she had no intention of letting him go.

“Of course not. I’m not that crazy~ I just…”

She was slightly shorter, seemingly delicate, but somehow had the strength to pin him against the wall.

“I just really, really like you~ Wouldn’t it be great if we were together~?”

“Why are you so strong…?”

He closed his eyes in fear, letting her press her face into his chest.

“I studied karate for two years in Japan~ If I didn’t train, how could I ace PE?”

[Damn, she’s a martial artist?]

His father taught him grappling as a kid, but he’d forgotten it all. He could handle a street fight, but actual combat?

No way…

Losing would be humiliating, especially if she knew he’d learned grappling.

This confirmed one thing: he was doomed. Against her, he had no chance.

“Really~ You’re so resistant. Am I that much worse than your paper waifus?”

She let go, displeased, and asked seriously, “You know the difference between what you can touch and what you can’t, right?”

“Uh… even so… touching’s not okay…”

He stole a glance at her chest. The teasing glimpse was undeniably tempting.

Control your desires… I’m a decent guy…

“Oh, just touch. I’ll help you.”

She grabbed his hand, guiding it toward her chest.

“No, no, no! Class President! I’m leaving, I’m really leaving!”

He yanked his hand back, frantically pressing the elevator button, slipping through the moment it opened.

“See you Monday!”

“Bye-bye~”

She waved gently until the doors closed.

[My gosh, what crazy things did I do tonight!?]

Yixin Xue crouched, clutching her head. Recalling her actions, her long-suppressed shyness flooded her face.

“Good thing he didn’t agree to more…”

Her blush deepened, spreading to her ears and neck.

“Otherwise, it’d be too fast, and I’d be exposed…”

The white-haired girl sighed softly. Showing any fear would mean losing the upper hand forever, right?

“Meow?”

Xinxin Meow sat by the door, white tail curled around its paws, mewing softly, confused by her words.

“I don’t want to be the weak one, even in love. I have to be in charge.”

She stood, picking up Xinxin Meow.

“Calling you Xinxin Meow feels weird. You like it?”

“Meow~”

“Ugh, it’s like calling myself…”

She pouted sulkily.

“Tomorrow’s Sunday. I’ll take you to the mall for treats and get you a vet checkup.”

***

“Tch, why’s my phone off?”

Ling Yuan turned it on, puzzled, then saw Yan Xi’s flood of messages. Dread hit him.

[I’m screwed. No good awaits me at home.]

Maybe sleep on the street tonight… or…

– Ling: You there?

– Lan: ?

[Good bro, replying instantly this late.]

– Ling: Can I crash at your place tonight?

– Lan: You and the Class President fighting?

– Lan: Don’t spoil women. Just break up!

– Ling: Idiot, we’re not even together. Break up what?

– Lan: You know what I mean. Say you’re done, and she’ll beg you to stay! I won’t let you down, so no crashing here, or you’ll sink deeper. Go, face the storm! Show her you’re not to be messed with!

Ling Yuan was floored. What was this guy on about? What was he imagining?

Before he knew it, he was at his building. The walk home felt oddly short…

He glanced nervously at his floor. Thankfully, the apartment was dark—looked empty.

Probably went back to our foster mom’s, right?

He hoped so.

Creak—

The door groaned as he opened it. No response from inside.

“Guess she’s really gone.”

He sighed in relief, tension easing.

“So tired—”

The lights snapped on. A figure appeared beside him.

“You’re late, Big Brother.”

“Holy—!”

He nearly fell over.

“I thought you went back!”

Yan Xi’s eyes dimmed.

“No way. Come eat.”

She turned to the dining table.

“I ate out already.”

Her body froze.

“Oh… You must hate my cooking… It’s always bad, but today’s different… It’s really good… I’ve never done this well… I worked so hard…”

“Uh…”

“I get it. You think I’m annoying… I won’t cook for you anymore… I’ll leave now…”

Her voice choked, tears welling up, barely held back.

She’d never felt so wronged…

She called him that afternoon, and he hung up… then turned off his phone…

Her overactive imagination conjured countless scenarios, landing on—Brother doesn’t like her anymore! Yixin Xue stole him!

“I’ll eat, I’ll eat! Don’t overthink. I’d never refuse your cooking.”

He hurried over, patting her head.

“I didn’t know you made dinner…”

“But I messaged you, called you, and you ignored me!”

She couldn’t hold back. Her heart ached, tears streaming like a broken dam.

She’d never been so hurt…

“I was in class, couldn’t use my phone.”

Not knowing what to say, he pulled the sobbing Yan Xi into his arms, soothing her.

“Won’t happen again. Sorry… Don’t cry…”

[What the hell happened this afternoon?]