Under Sister Rui Mengmeng’s lead, we arrived at her small bookstore.

“Granny Juzi, I’m back!”

“Ohohoho, little Meng’s home.”

“Mhm. Here’s the groceries you asked for.”

She pulled out a daikon radish from the plastic bag—the one that had “taught those ruffians a lesson.”

Behind the bookstore’s counter sat a kind old lady, Granny Juzi. She was Mengmeng’s neighbor, often minding the shop when Mengmeng was out.

Spotting us behind Mengmeng, Granny Juzi nodded warmly.

After brief greetings, Mengmeng closed the shop and led us to her living quarters behind the store.

The space wasn’t big—maybe forty to fifty square meters—but fully equipped. The toilet and bathroom were separate; Mengmeng clearly valued practicality.

Naturally, the rooms felt cramped with three of us inside.

“By the way, I still don’t know this girl’s name. I’m Rui Mengmeng.”

“I’m Yao Star妍. Just call me Xingyan, Sister Mengmeng.”

*Huh. Xingyan’s surprisingly friendly with girls she just met. Guess female friendships are a mystery.*

“Got it, Xingyan,” Mengmeng smiled, nodding. “You shower first. I’ll bandage Xiaohua’s hand.”

She guided me to the tiny area called the living room.

But Yao Xingyan slightly furrowed her brows, giving me a strange look.

“Don’t worry, Xiaohua’s hand will be fine.”

*Naïve Mengmeng. That look isn’t about my hand. I’d bet it’s about something else.*

“No, it’s not that…”

“What then? Ah—clean clothes? No problem. I’ll bring some later.”

“N-not that either…”

*Why can’t Mengmeng read that look?*

“She’s afraid I’ll peek!” I snapped, propping my chin on my uninjured hand and turning away with a scowl.

*Ungrateful brat. I saved her! Got injured doing it, even. After all that, she still won’t cut me slack? Seriously, after everything I’ve done for her?*

“Hehe, Xiaohua, so *that’s* the kind of guy you are.”

Mengmeng sounded oddly cheerful. I didn’t bother correcting her. “Obviously not. She’s just paranoid!”

*Even clay figurines have their limits.*

Willow然 at least knew when to back down, but Yao Xingyan? Hopeless.

Mengmeng just kept smiling, oblivious.

“Xingyan, relax. Xiaohua wouldn’t dare. Even if he *accidentally* saw something, he’d probably faint from excitement and forget everything after waking up.”

“…Why do I feel insulted?”

“So see? You’re safe. And with me here, Xiaohua won’t get a single chance!”

“Waaah—Sister Mengmeng!”

*She completely ignored me. And stop ruffling my hair! I’m a full-grown man, not a kid—though… honestly, it does feel nice.*

*Stare—*

*Crap. I let my enjoyment show.*

“Oh? That’s great then!”

Xingyan spun around and stormed off. Seconds later, the bathroom door slammed shut.

“Oh dear, she’s mad!” Mengmeng feigned surprise. I ignored her.

“Come on, Mengmeng, bandage my hand already! It’s killing me!” I clutched my injured hand dramatically.

Mengmeng covered her mouth, finally remembering. “Sorry!” She fetched a first-aid kit from a nearby cabinet.

Earlier, catching that blade bare-handed had sliced my palm—but I’d controlled the grip just enough to avoid deep cuts. No hospital trip needed.

As she bandaged me, she asked:

“How’d you end up with Teacher Cha, Xiaohua?”

“Huh?”

*So she noticed.*

Inevitable, really. Once Xingyan finished showering, she’d be recognizable anyway.

I summarized the after-school encounter, adding school context to clear her doubts.

But I left out my revenge plan entirely.

*Secrets stay safer with fewer people.*

“I see…” Mengmeng nodded, unconvinced.

My hand was bandaged—but I realized I was soaked too. Showering would ruin it.

Mengmeng hadn’t noticed either.

*Sigh. I’ll just be careful later.*

“I thought Xiaohua had finally grown up… found a girl he liked…” she murmured while putting the kit away.

*She’s not wrong, but she’s got the subject and object mixed up. It’s not that I like Yao Xingyan—it’s that I* need *her to like me.*

“Oh! Xiaohua, can you take clothes to Xingyan?”

“What?”

“I’m making ginger soup for you both. You caught a nasty rain—need to ward off the chill.”

“B-but… is that okay?”

*I don’t care, but Xingyan might get the wrong idea. And didn’t Mengmeng promise to “watch me”?*

“No problem! I trust you completely.”

Mengmeng thumped her chest with a grin.

The motion made her chest juggle, momentarily distracting me. Thankfully, she didn’t notice and headed to the kitchen.

“Xingyan should be done soon. Just grab a set from my bedroom drawer.”

I entered Mengmeng’s room on her request.

*First time in a girl’s bedroom.*

Back when I wrote novels, Elder Sister Liu欣 described these spaces for me. Seeing one firsthand? Prime research material.

*Note this down! Note this down!*

I whipped out my notebook.

The room was simple but tidy—though small, it had everything in its place. A lap desk sat on the bed, holding a laptop (no room for a TV). Dark carpet with crimson patterns covered the wooden floor. A wardrobe stood against the inner wall.

*Mengmeng trusts me enough to leave her room unguarded. Xingyan would’ve called the cops if I stepped near hers.*

*Being trusted… feels good.*