Although today’s head pats were still nice, Han Youwei felt they weren’t quite as satisfying as yesterday’s. She couldn’t figure out why, so she just gave up trying to understand.

Han Youwei stole a glance at Chuyun. Hehe, she wanted lots and lots more head pats today. After all, Chuyun had promised her she could ask for as many as she liked. Han Youwei wasn’t a fool—she’d make the most of this perfect chance.

Seeing Han Youwei so content after the petting, Chuyun finally breathed a sigh of relief. This head-patting game was really wearing him out. Besides, it couldn’t go on like this. If someone spotted them, he’d die of embarrassment at school.

But Chuyun couldn’t think of a good solution right now. He’d just have to stay extra alert for the time being.

First, he’d take Han Youwei to the cafeteria. Chuyun took her small hand and left the classroom, heading straight for the dining hall.

....

...

..

They’d barely stepped inside when a voice sent icy chills down Chuyun’s spine from behind…

Shiqi? What was she doing here…

“Chuyun! Who is she?!” Xia Shiqi’s voice cracked like a whip. “Why are you holding her hand?!”

Xia Shiqi had just arrived at the cafeteria with her best friend Shu Xiaoyue when she saw Chuyun holding another girl’s hand. Fury boiled inside her. She hadn’t even held hands with him at school! Where had this sneaky cat thief come from?!

Shu Xiaoyue saw Xia Shiqi about to explode like a mini volcano. She quickly pulled her aside and whispered urgently, “Shiqi, calm down. Remember what I told you?”

Shu Xiaoyue was utterly exasperated. Ever since Xia Shiqi had tearfully confided in her that day, she’d taken pity and cooked up a plan. From what she knew, her best friend’s current mess was all thanks to her short temper—easily exploited by that girl Lin Waner.

To help Xia Shiqi win over her brother, Shu Xiaoyue had brainstormed endlessly and offered tons of support, like yesterday’s scheme. After all that effort, they’d only just taken the first real step forward yesterday.

The only hiccup now was Xia Shiqi’s temper, which still flared up occasionally—like right now. Shu Xiaoyue had done all she could; these outbursts were rare now.

“Xiaoyue, I’ve been so good lately! I just couldn’t hold back this time—look, he’s holding hands with another girl!” Xia Shiqi insisted she’d been perfectly behaved. But seeing Chuyun with someone else made her see red.

She’d decided: tonight, she’d drain him completely dry. No more energy for him to wander around flirting. She hadn’t even dealt with that homewrecker Lin Waner yet, and now this cat thief appeared. The more Xia Shiqi thought about it, the more determined she became to exhaust him utterly.

Shu Xiaoyue sighed helplessly. “Just don’t argue with senior, okay? You’ve worked so hard to fix things with him. And watch out for Lin Waner too.”

“Fine, I wasn’t planning to argue anyway!”

“Good. Let’s go over then.”

Chuyun watched, utterly confused, as his sister was dragged away and then pulled back. He plastered a bright smile on his face as she approached. “Shiqi! Fancy meeting you here?”

This was a full-blown crisis. Chuyun never expected to bump into his sister here—or for her to catch him holding Han Youwei’s hand. He had no idea how to explain.

Ahead loomed his glaring sister; behind stood Han Youwei, looking pitifully lost. Chuyun knew he had to handle both their feelings carefully. But how? He was drawing a blank.

Wait—Chuyun suddenly remembered: if Shiqi was angry, the system should deduct affection points. He hadn’t heard any alert just now. Did that mean she wasn’t actually mad?

Golden ticket!

Happy? Points up. Angry? Points down. Clever Chuyun realized this affection system was his easy win.

But why hadn’t points increased when Han Youwei enjoyed her head pats? Or this morning when he’d hugged Shiqi? Maybe no strong happy emotions?

Chuyun wasn’t sure, but that didn’t matter. The key was the anger penalty—he could use it to gauge Shiqi’s real mood. Clearly, she wasn’t furious now. So he just needed to play along with her.

While Chuyun was lost in thought—

Xia Shiqi let out a cute huff. “Chuyun, spill it! Why were you holding that girl’s hand?”

She hadn’t planned to fight, but a little pouting was essential. She wouldn’t be Xia Shiqi otherwise.

“This…” Chuyun hesitated. No excuse felt right.

“Shiqi, come on, don’t blame senior,” Shu Xiaoyue cut in gently.

“Hmph. Fine, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything—for Xiaoyue’s sake.” Xia Shiqi had only wanted to vent her little tantrum. Now that it was out, she took the offered exit. She wouldn’t get jealous over hand-holding—she’d already held his other hand, after all.

Still, where had this cute, slightly airheaded cat thief come from? Probably no real threat. Xia Shiqi decided to let it slide; she didn’t want to ruin things with Chuyun over some harmless girl.

She’d wait until Chuyun was completely hers. Then she’d chase away every woman around him—especially that homewrecker Lin Waner. She’d make Chuyun kiss her right in front of Lin Waner and watch her break down.

Just imagining that NTR scene made Xia Shiqi feel a little damp.

Chuyun shot Shu Xiaoyue a grateful look as she defused the tension. What a kind-hearted classmate.

Since Shiqi wasn’t angry, Chuyun figured it was time to change the subject.

“Oh, Shiqi, shouldn’t you introduce your pretty classmate here?”