Chapter 12: So Reluctant

“This is my place.”

Yixin Xue stopped walking.

“Wow…”

Ling Yuan started to feel uneasy. This was a newly built complex, with many units still unoccupied.

From outside, the building Yixin Xue lived in was pitch black. Either the residents weren’t home, or she was the only one who’d moved in…

“Well, Class President, I won’t come in…”

Ling Yuan forced a smile, trying to stay calm.

“Come in and sit for a bit. No one’s home.”

Yixin Xue flicked on the lights, revealing a minimalist apartment. Though it was as sparsely furnished as Ling Yuan’s place, it somehow felt much cozier.

“But…”

Ling Yuan hesitated.

“It’s fine. I promised you a reward, didn’t I?”

Yixin Xue pushed him inside with a mysterious smile.

Bang—

The door slammed shut behind him.

Worse, she locked it.

“Uh… Class President… just sitting, right…?”

Ling Yuan swallowed hard.

Closing the door was normal, but locking it?

What was that about!?

It was like she was afraid he’d escape.

“Yup. A wet, soft reward~”

Yixin Xue licked her lips, winking at him before heading into another room.

Wet… soft… reward?

[What was that look just now!?]

Ling Yuan stood frozen at the door, clutching the kitten, his heart pounding as he stared in the direction she’d gone.

Licking her lips… was she talking about a kiss…?

No way the class president would do something like that…

And that kind of thing? Even less likely…

Ling Yuan shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He looked down at the kitten and muttered to himself.

“She’s kind of scary, but I can’t quite put my finger on why. You be careful.”

“Meow…?”

“Here’s your reward.”

Yixin Xue appeared beside him out of nowhere.

[Why don’t you make any noise when you walk!?!]

Her sudden presence startled him. Regaining his composure, he saw she was holding out an ice cream.

“Well? Wet and soft, right?”

She flashed a mischievous grin, teasing him.

“Your face is so red. Thinking about something else, huh?”

“No way! I’m a proper guy!”

Ling Yuan scrambled to defend himself.

“Uh-huh, sure.”

Yixin Xue nodded thoughtfully, then brought the ice cream to his mouth.

“Come on, open up~”

“Nah, the cat might see…”

Ling Yuan stepped back to keep his distance.

“…”

[What kind of nonsense logic is that!?]

“Put it back in the fridge. I’ll eat it when I head out. Got a hairdryer?”

“Yup, yup.”

“Then I’ll dry the kitten’s fur. You grab some old clothes to line its nest and mix some goat milk in a bowl.”

“Got it.”

Yixin Xue perked up and headed to her bedroom to find clothes.

Girls probably have tons of clothes, right?

Finding one should be easy.

That’s what Ling Yuan thought as he stepped into the bathroom. Then his phone rang.

His sister.

Seeing her name on the screen, he sighed softly and answered.

Her voice came through, tinged with a sob and endless grievances.

“Wah… Big Brother hung up before Yan Xi could finish… What kind of heartless brother does that…?”

“I was holding the cat. It wasn’t a good time to talk.”

Ling Yuan explained helplessly.

“But I’m at your place already! I waited forever, and you’re not here! Where are you…? Are you on a date with some girl?”

“No way. I’m dropping the cat off at a classmate’s place. They’re willing to take it. What are you even thinking?”

Ling Yuan rubbed his forehead, exasperated.

“Ohh, okay. Then I’ll wait for you at home! I can treat you to barbecue tonight!”

“Barbecue? Sure. But I’ll be back a bit late.”

“No problem. I’ll wait for you, hehe.”

He could tell Yan Xi was thrilled.

Ling Yuan could only manage a resigned smile.

“Alright, see you later.”

“Mm-hmm, bye, Brother!”

He pocketed his phone, letting out a relieved sigh, then turned on the hairdryer, gently running his fingers through the kitten’s fur to dry it.

“Being human is exhausting…”

The kitten looked up at him, confused, as he muttered to himself.

“Done drying?”

Yixin Xue leaned against the doorway, watching him, her white hair slipping over her chest.

“Yup. You ready?”

“All set, as you said.”

She stepped aside, pointing to a corner of the living room.

A makeshift nest made from a cardboard box, lined with thick clothes, looked cozy. A bowl of goat milk sat in the corner. The kitten, smelling the milk, buried its face in the bowl and started lapping.

With everything sorted, Ling Yuan wiped the sweat from his brow.

“Alright, Class President, I’m heading out!”

“Hm… you’re leaving without doing anything else?”

Yixin Xue looked disappointed.

“…?”

Ling Yuan was dumbfounded.

“What else… is there to do?”

He was a proper guy! No way he’d do that kind of thing!

“Nothing, really.”

Yixin Xue waved it off casually.

“Just go then!”

[Is this guy asexual or something? If I were him, I’d definitely do something.]

“Okay… My family’s waiting for me to eat, so I’ll head out.”

Yixin Xue’s place felt like a lion’s den. Ling Yuan didn’t want to stay a second longer, already turning toward the door.

Behind him, Yixin Xue was lost in thought.

[If I did that to him now, would he refuse to come tomorrow? Hmm, tomorrow I’ll find a way to tie him down. Yup, that’s the plan.]

“Uh, Class President… can you unlock the door? Your lock’s kinda fancy…”

“Oh, right.”

Yixin Xue shrugged helplessly and opened the door for him.

“See you tomorrow, Class President.”

Ling Yuan waved.

“Yup, see you.”

He’d barely taken a few steps when he heard a soft murmur behind him.

“I’m so reluctant to let you go alone.”

His lips twitched. He turned back mechanically.

“Uh… Class President…”

But the door had already closed quietly, leaving no chance to ask.

Behind the door, Yixin Xue leaned against it, pouting unhappily.

“So reluctant, so reluctant…”