"Sure, I can show you around, but what’s this ‘walking you like a pet’ nonsense?"

"What do you think you are?"

"Treating me like some pet?"

"For me, you’re a teacher in public and a fan in private."

*Sigh.*

Yun Mingxin typed back, rubbing his temples.

"Just act normal! Saying stuff like ‘walking you’ is weird—I’m not a pet!"

"Oh? I looked it up online. It said that in China, when a guy and girl walk together on campus, if the guy’s younger, he’s usually called a ‘little milk pup’."

"And guys like walking in front."

"Isn’t that just walking a pet? I was confused why you’d do that here. /s"

"I thought it was a local custom, like European cheek kisses."

Yun Mingxin almost typed: *Guys here do walk ahead, but I prefer following behind.*

Lately, he’d been massaging his temples way too often.

His blood pressure spiked.

*What cursed website did you even visit?*

*A guy and girl walking together on campus must be ‘led’? Older girl automatically owns a ‘little milk pup’ boyfriend?*

Guess his earlier impression—that Kujou Yukihime mastered Chinese culture—was dead wrong.

Even with his wild imagination, he couldn’t believe she was flirting with him on purpose.

...Though he *had* written that exact trope in his novel once.

Yun Mingxin’s thoughts spiraled.

"Whatever!"

Head throbbing, he gave up.

If this was fake, fine. But if real? He couldn’t just ignore her—she clearly knew nothing about Chinese customs.

At this rate, someone might trick her into eating malatang and vanish with her. He wouldn’t even know how to react.

*Fine. Consider this repayment for the lavender tea.*

"You really are a teacher? ...Never mind. Meet me tomorrow at the south gate of campus."

"Not teacher-like??"

"Then what *do* I seem like?"

"Some auntie? You think I’m old, don’t you? I knew it."

Yun Mingxin facepalmed. Ever since learning how she privately called Kujou Kana, he’d suspected this young miss had issues.

First: she took things *way* too literally.

"Impossible," he typed helplessly.

"Also, Yukihime—my point was clearly the *second* part."

"You sound shady. Do you find me troublesome?"

*Sister, you nailed it.*

Yun Mingxin almost cheered. With Kujou Yukihime’s looks?

Tomorrow on campus would mean trouble. Acquaintances would inevitably "casually" probe him:

*Who’s she? Her name? Number?*

Just like when he first dated Su Xiaoyue.

Even when they acted intimate, some clueless idiots still thought they had a shot.

...Though that annoying guy later dropped out. Yun Mingxin had clapped.

Most just asked if Su Xiaoyue had single friends.

*Dating a beauty is exhausting—especially when she’s close to you.*

"Then it’s settled. I’ll wait for you tomorrow."

What could Yun Mingxin do? He was just a poor, helpless student.

*Hope this ‘teacher’ realizes how eye-catching she is. Next time, pick a deserted spot.*

This was only the beginning.

He sighed softly. *Since the breakup, my peaceful days have been slipping away...*

His phone vibrated before he could dwell further.

*Since when did I switch to vibrate mode?*

Last night it was on ring. Had Kujou Kana changed it so the alarm wouldn’t wake him?

*Thoughtful.*

He answered. A bright, girlish voice chirped:

"Brother Mingxin! Good morning!"

Bai Ziyi sounded unusually energetic today—still melodious, but with a fresh, youthful spark.

"Morning. Why the sudden call?"

"Did Zhan Mengxi pull another stunt? I told you not to spoil her."

Yun Mingxin huffed. That girl? Slack off for a day, and she’d tear the house down.

(Except for art and sports. Everyone knew *that*.)

He’d actually planned to call about her earlier—distracted by other things.

"No, no! Mengxi’s been well-behaved. Very obedient."

"She said she hated rabbit, so I had the chef make braised rabbit. She ate four bowls! Great appetite."

"After checking, she *does* have a minor hairline fracture."

"But she’s been good."

Bai Ziyi praised her—though she’d wanted to complain.

Zhan Mengxi *had* been docile at their hospital, following every medical instruction.

No lies. Just facts.

(Still, hearing Yun Mingxin grumble about her made Bai Ziyi happy.

And wary.

If he badmouthed Zhan Mengxi to *her*, while Zhan acted like a wild monkey only around *him*?

That meant they were *close*.)

"All an act!" he added, trashing her again.

"So, Ziyi—what’s the real reason you called?"

"Oh! Right! I got so caught up chatting with you, I almost forgot."

"I need final reference material. Deadline’s the day after tomorrow. Please come to my house?"

"Just us two."

"Eh?"

*Inviting me to her house? No bodyguards? Is she not scared?*

"Is... is that a no?"

Her voice tightened—hiding disappointment beneath forced cheer.

"Of course not! I’ll come. Just don’t mind *my* mess. Are your parents home?"

"... ..."

Silence. Yun Mingxin’s stomach dropped.

*Shit. Did I hit a sore spot?*

"They’re... both gone..."

Her voice lost its lilt—flat, hollow.

Guilt clawed at him.

"I—..."

Before he could apologize, her tone bounced back, bright as ever:

"Those two bad eggs! Always working. I barely see them twice a year."

"Parents? Not home! Come anytime!"

Bai Ziyi grumbled.

Yun Mingxin nearly dropped his phone.

*Seriously? I was mentally drafting condolences while she played me?!*

*I swear—if you don’t make this up to me, I’m not stepping foot in your house.*

*Toying with my sensitive heart like that?*

"Oh! Brother Mingxin! My house just got a ton of new figurines! And the latest Xinhuo VR headset—there’s this horror game, ‘Wedding Grievance,’ looks fun!"

Yun Mingxin’s eyes lit up.

Three seconds of internal debate.

Then, solemnly:

"Thank you for the invitation. I’ll be there tomorrow—and I’ll meet all your requirements."