Pig person? Director? Helper?

…No, what the teacher just said was definitely “zhǔ rén.”

In my vocabulary, only one term fits that pronunciation: “Master.”

I’m into maids and all, but since game voice acting’s mostly Japanese, hearing “Master” in Chinese threw me off… Huh. Though it does sound kinda nice in Chinese.

…

NOOOOOOOOOO!

That’s NOT the point! What’s with this title?!

Since when did I become her “Master”?!

Teacher Yang actually called me “Master”?

Is this some joke?

I pointed at myself dumbly, utterly bewildered. “Me? Your… Master?”

Then it hit me—this was a linguistic trap. Normally, saying that would let someone retort, “Yes, I am your Master,” to mess with me.

But Teacher Yang wasn’t joking. Dead serious, she stated: “Of course I mean you. You’re my Master. We’ve already signed a master-servant contract.”

“Wait, wait! What contract?! I don’t remember signing anything!”

At my protest, her face paled. One hand flew to her mouth; the other pointed at me.

“You… you just now…”

Before she could finish, the library door swung open.

A girl who usually shared the evening study sessions here stepped in—glasses, short ponytail. We’d never spoken, but I recognized her. She glanced at Teacher Yang and me sprawled on the floor, adjusted her glasses with a finger, and asked calmly: “What happened?”

Before I could react, Teacher Yang smoothly replied: “Oh, nothing serious. We just bumped into each other.”

Quick recovery. Natural expression. Lie rolled off her tongue. She’s clearly practiced at this.

“Your clothes?”

“Uh…”

Right. Teacher Yang had torn my uniform.

“When I fell, I instinctively grabbed him… and ripped his shirt. Haha… school uniforms these days are so flimsy.”

“…I see. Let me help pick these up. An Juncheng, could you lend a hand?”

“Huh? Oh! Right away.”

Hearing my name startled me. I hurried over to gather scattered papers.

She… knew my name? That’s rare. I figured only teachers remembered someone as invisible as me.

Since she knew mine, basic manners meant I should learn hers. While collecting papers, I stole a glance at the text above her head—ignoring the title for now, the name seemed accurate.

【Reincarnation-Type Childhood Friend】

【Bai Yuhui】

“…”

Bai Yuhui… weird name.

That title was even weirder. What’s “Reincarnation-Type” mean? Whose childhood friend is she? And she’s not even from my class. Didn’t expect titles like this outside our homeroom.

Plus, her title was blue. These things really come in all colors…

Ugh. Overthinking this’ll only cause trouble. Better pretend I saw nothing.

Bai Yuhui stacked the papers on the service desk. I did the same with mine.

“That’s enough. I’ll handle the rest. You two should study.”

“Understood. Thanks for your help, An.”

Bai Yuhui didn’t mention Teacher Yang’s sudden change. Was she ignoring it? Or… could only I see the teacher’s transformed state? Given her earlier rambling, the latter seemed likely. Only I could see it… like those titles.

Had I awakened some ability?

I’d ask Teacher Yang after class. She seemed to know a lot.

“It’s nothing. You’re welcome, Bai.”

My polite reply backfired spectacularly.

Bai Yuhui snapped her head up, eyes sharp as blades locking onto mine. “You… know my name?”

“Uh? Bai Yuhui, right? Did I get it wrong?”

Whoa. This reaction again?! Don’t tell me she’s another hidden-name case like Teacher Yang!

“No, Bai Yuhui is correct… But how do you know it? We’ve never met. You’ve never asked. So you heard it from someone? Why were you asking about me?”

She advanced, relentless. I retreated until my back hit a bookshelf, speechless.

“Uh…”

Why does everyone react like this?! Teacher Yang, now Bai Yuhui! It’s just a name—why make such a fuss?! And I didn’t even mess it up! Guess I can’t say titles—or names—freely anymore…

“You…”

“Sit down and study. Quietly, please.”

Teacher Yang’s timely interruption saved me.

Bai Yuhui looked like she wanted to argue, but she just pursed her lips and walked away.

Phew. Lifesaver, Teacher Yang.

Before leaving, she shot me one last look—complex, unreadable—then headed to another shelf. I grabbed the next volume of last night’s manga and settled into my usual spot.

The library table had six seats per side. I always took the innermost one; Bai Yuhui usually sat diagonally opposite—the farthest spot.

But today, she sat right across from me.

She flipped a few pages of her book, holding it up… though her eyes weren’t on the text.

Stare…

Only two of us were studying tonight. Usually, four or five came. Where was everyone?

Don’t skip out *today* of all days! We might not know each other, but we’re comrades in library exile!

Stare…

Seriously… read your book. Why stare at me? Do I have flowers growing on my face?

Stare…

“…………”

Teacher! Someone’s drilling holes into me with their eyes!

Stop looking! I’m not some zoo exhibit! This stare is prickling my skin! It’s just a name—I didn’t even get it wrong! You know mine too! Double standards much?!

Huff… This is infuriating!

Ugh! So annoying!

I wanna scream!

Spill every ridiculous thing that’s happened today!

I’ve had it! What even is my life?!

Of course, if I actually screamed, I wouldn’t be An Juncheng.

Just internal screaming then. Let her stare. Pretend it’s a mannequin.

Used to being ignored, this blatant attention made me deeply uncomfortable. My skin crawled.

Couldn’t focus. Her gaze felt physically sharp. Maybe “killing with a look” is real… or I’m just paranoid. Either way, it sucked.

After a while, the irritation faded. Time heals all wounds… I cleared my head, dumping all the chaos. Ignoring problems really does lighten the load. There’s truth to “ignorance is bliss.”

If I could just go home and sleep soundly tonight, tomorrow would be fine!

Yeah. A good night’s sleep… sleep… *sister*!

AHHH! I forgot about *that*!

I came to the library to avoid going home! How did I blank on something so critical?!

If Xinran sneaks into my room again tonight, forget sleeping—I’ll lose my mind!

Done for. Genuine nervous breakdown incoming.

I clutched my head in silent despair, dreading facing my sisters after class.

Only hope: Mom or Dad is already home…

My thoughts spiraled again. Gray hairs multiplying… Only now did I realize how blissfully ordinary my old life was. What had I ever complained about?

A slip of paper slid across the table into my view.

I looked up. Bai Yuhui was the only one nearby.

Probably demanding why I knew her name. Ugh! Not now! It’s just a name—why obsess over it?!

Grumpily, I unfolded it.

Not what I expected. No interrogation about her name. Just a question that made zero sense:

What the…?

No context. No clues.

Dream about what? I hadn’t slept last night! Well… I passed out after that UFO hit me, but I didn’t dream…

Frowning deeply, I glanced at Bai Yuhui.

She’d removed her glasses. Undone her ponytail. Her gaze held desperate hope.

That’s when I noticed how pretty she was… a gentle, next-door-neighbor charm.

She clearly awaited a “yes.” But I hadn’t dreamed. I don’t lie—even if it crushed her.

I shook my head.

Bai Yuhui’s face drained of color. Her fingers gripping the book trembled slightly. Her pearl-like teeth bit her lower lip, holding back… something.

Then she collapsed onto the table, face buried in her arms.

…Hey. Is she crying?

She didn’t lift her head until the bell rang.

The moment class ended, I stood and reached toward her… I don’t know why. Some instinct urged me to comfort her.

I walked over, gently patted her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“…sniff…”

A sniffle. She lifted her head, hastily wiping tears, then grabbed her bag and fled without looking back.

She… really cried.

I had no clue why, but guilt stabbed my chest. Instinct screamed: *Chase her! Grab her hand!* But I stayed frozen. For some reason, I knew—even if I ran, I’d never catch her.

Did my answer make you cry? Why do I feel… familiar with you, stranger?

Bai Yuhui… who are you?