Sunday Evening, November 22

Yufei Han had arrived early at the agreed restaurant, idly scrolling through her phone while waiting for Qinmu. Outside, the rain hadn’t let up, falling nonstop. Such gloomy weather always got on her nerves. She couldn’t resist sending another message to Qinmu—her fourth one—but still no reply.

Meanwhile, Qinmu was still on her way. Qingyu had insisted she wear a dress for this meeting with Yufei Han. She felt awkward but was adjusting her mindset, trying to look feminine enough to pull off the outfit. The heavy rain had emptied the streets. A cold gust made her hands tremble slightly. What a pain to go out for dinner in this awful weather.

But she couldn’t skip the date. Qinmu instinctively pulled out her phone. Four messages glared back:

"Nangong Qinmu, have you left yet?"

"Nangong Qinmu, you’re not still at home, are you?"

"Qinmu, you’re so slow."

"Hurry up or you’re dead!"

Typical impatient brat. It wasn’t even eight yet—why rush? Qinmu grumbled inwardly but quickened her pace.

The restaurant wasn’t far, so she arrived soon. Yufei Han waved at her from inside.

"Gorgeous! I’ve been waiting forever," Yufei Han teased. "You look amazing today—are you going full-time as a girl now?" She’d never seen Qinmu in such a proper dress before; it instantly highlighted her youthful charm.

"If it weren’t for my sister’s orders, I wouldn’t be out like this," Qinmu muttered. "Luckily, no one here knows me. Shouldn’t cause trouble."

A waiter handed them menus. Qinmu quickly checked off several dishes and passed it to Yufei Han, cutting off her words. Yufei Han’s eyes widened. "Whoa, you ordered this much? Can you even finish it?"

"I’m not worried about finishing," Qinmu said. "I was just thinking we needed more people. Speak of the devil." She pointed to the entrance. A short girl with long red hair stood there, wearing a black baseball cap and yellow down jacket, staring intently at them.

Qinmu had spotted this mysterious, hat-wearing figure lurking outside when she arrived. She hadn’t expected it to be *her*—and now the girl had even slipped inside to spy. But Qinmu had already seen through it.

Realizing her cover was blown, Tu Shen yanked off her hat and swaggered straight to their table. Yufei Han stared in surprise. The red-haired girl wasn’t stunning or super cute, but she moved with such confidence, like she owned the place. Yufei Han couldn’t process it.

"Who are you?" Yufei Han snapped.

Tu Shen smiled like royalty. "Who am I? The girl sitting across from you is my wife. So I have every right to monitor your every move."

Yufei Han bristled. "Hold up—I don’t know your deal with Qinmu, but claiming her as your wife in public? Is that fair? Can I call her *my* wife too?"

Sensing the challenge, Tu Shen declared, "Qinmu was my desk mate. I knew her first—and I was the one who discovered she’s a girl. She belongs to me."

"Big deal!" Yufei Han shot back. "I’m her guildmate online. We’ve known each other three years. Beat that?"

Qinmu watched them bicker, too lazy to mediate. She signaled the waiter to take the menus and settled back. Why join a war when you can stay neutral? Not worth the hassle.

"Online friends? Qinmu and I sit together intimately every school day. Can you do that?" Tu Shen retorted.

"Oh, you think that’s impressive?" Yufei Han scoffed. "We’ve met in person—meals, movies, amusement parks. Shared memories. What about you?"

Tu Shen smirked. "Please. I took Qinmu’s first kiss. You’ll never have that privilege. Admit defeat, green-haired brat."

"Who you calling green-haired brat? It’s just a kiss!" Yufei Han snapped. Qinmu, still lost in thoughts about tomorrow’s basketball game, was caught off guard as Yufei Han leaned in and lightly brushed her lips against hers.

Tu Shen gasped. "Shameless! Doing that in public!"

Qinmu was stunned. She hadn’t even joined their fight—and now this? Luckily, the restaurant was quiet. Otherwise, it’d be mortifying.

Yufei Han grinned triumphantly. "See? Now we’re even. You wouldn’t dare do that. So who’s Qinmu’s wife now?"

Watching their argument escalate toward a catfight, Qinmu intervened. "Stop! I’m not anyone’s wife. Cut it out. Food’s coming—can’t you two behave?"

Yufei Han sneered at Tu Shen. "Red-haired flat-chest. No wonder Qinmu dislikes your awful temper."

Tu Shen fired back. "Green-haired brat. You’re ‘better’ than me? But Qinmu says you’re annoying too."

Qinmu tapped both their heads lightly. "Enough! I said stop arguing. Can’t we just eat peacefully?"

They glared but stayed silent.

Qinmu paused. "How about this: whoever’s best behaved gets a gift from me. Deal?"

Both perked up instantly. "What gift?" "A gift from Qinmu? I want it!"

"Secret," Qinmu said mysteriously. "After dinner, I’ll decide who wins. Then you’ll know."

Silence fell. Mission accomplished. But Qinmu couldn’t fathom why they fought over her. This meal should’ve been harmonious—without her, they’d be throwing punches by now.

The three ate wordlessly. After a while, the quiet grew awkward. "Why’s no one talking?" Qinmu muttered, having forgotten her promise. They just picked at their food, stiff and stubborn. She’d wanted a nice outing, but this felt all wrong. She finished the meal in silence and paid the bill.

Afterward, both girls stared at her expectantly. Qinmu had nearly forgotten. "Movie? My treat. We rarely get out—why so quiet?"

Tu Shen burst out, "The gift! Who won?"

Yufei Han added, "Yeah! I’ve held back long enough. Spill!"

Qinmu sighed, pulling two mismatched crystal pendants from her pocket—meant for HuiXiang. "Here. Just promise not to fight every time you meet. That’d make me happy." They beamed, clutching the pendants. Simple trinkets, but precious because Qinmu gave them.

Qinmu smiled faintly. "Let’s watch a movie. I won’t have time tomorrow."

Out of respect for her, they forced harmony. At the cinema, three girls sat together—Qinmu trapped in the middle, arms tightly hugged by both sides. A sight to make any guy envious.