Yanxi the cat stretched extravagantly inside her carrier, bathed in warm sunlight that made the whole bag cozy. Anyone inside would’ve felt sleepy too.
“Her… name is Xinxin Miao?” Lingyuan looked utterly baffled. “Why such a weird name?”
“Mmm…” Yixinxue nodded firmly. “My sister named her…”
“Creative.”
The cat slept soundly, so adorably it made you want to wake her up.
*How can someone her age sleep so much? Get up and party!*
“Stop staring at the cat. Look at me instead, okay~?” Yixinxue hid the carrier behind her back, gazing at Lingyuan with doting eyes. “I wish you’d only have eyes for me.”
“That’s… kinda tough…” Lingyuan scratched his head. “What do you want to eat, class rep? You barely had lunch—just a cup of milk tea?”
“Changing the subject again.” Yixinxue deflated. She pouted. “Are you… not into 3D girls? Even sitting on you gets no reaction?”
“Just not interested in the real world right now.” Lingyuan gave a bitter smile.
He *was* interested—but fear outweighed any thrill. Yixinxue wasn’t full-blown yandere yet… but with Yanxi around, it was only a matter of time.
“Handsome, want to see hair ties? Cheap and pretty.” An old lady’s voice made them turn. She sat on a tiny stool in a street corner, a cloth spread before her piled with colorful hair accessories. “Your girlfriend’s so lovely—she’d look even prettier with one.”
“They’re all nice.” Lingyuan crouched down, eyes wide with awe. Yanxi never tied her hair, so he knew little about hair ties. Yixinxue avoided them too—styling her long hair each morning was already time-consuming.
“Did you make all these yourself, Grandma?”
“Yes, all handmade. See anything you like? Grandma’ll get it for you.” Her warm smile felt like sunshine.
Lingyuan looked up at Yixinxue. “Which one do you want, class rep?”
“Ah… you’re buying me one?” Her eyes widened in shock. “I… don’t need it. Hate tying hair—it’s troublesome…”
“But it gets in your way when you eat, right?” Lingyuan nudged his chin. He’d noticed her constantly tucking strands behind her ears during meals. Yanxi always carried a hair tie for that.
“It’s fine…”
“Okay…”
*Stubborn.*
Lingyuan shrugged and scanned the stall again—until a silver bell caught his eye. A simple red ribbon threaded through it made a hair tie. It reminded him of an anime heroine’s style.
*This might suit Yixinxue.*
“I’ll take this one.” He pointed at the bell.
“!?” Yixinxue stared. “For Xinxin Miao’s collar?”
“No—it’s for you. Turn around.” After paying, he gestured for her to turn. “I’ve got a cute, practical style in mind.”
“Huh?” She turned obediently, letting him handle her long hair.
The moment his fingers touched her snow-white strands, Lingyuan froze.
*Whoa! This is what white hair feels like!?*
Softer and silkier than black hair!
*I wanna keep touching it…*
Her hair carried a faint lavender scent—probably her shampoo. It smelled amazing. He fought the urge to bury his face in it. *Gotta stay professional.*
He gathered her hair, tied the ribbon a fist-and-a-half from the ends, and even added a bow.
“Done.”
The silver bell and pale red bow made her milk-white hair glow. As her hair slipped from his hands, the bell chimed—clear and sweet.
“How is it?”
“Is this… your gift to me?”
“I guess so?”
Joy flooded her heart like ripples on spring water.
“I love it. Thank you, baby~”
Yixinxue rose on tiptoes and pressed her pink lips to Lingyuan’s cheek.
The sudden kiss hit like a storm, making his heart lurch.
“A reward~” She winked one crimson eye and stuck out her tongue playfully.
*Oh… punishment is kissing… reward is kissing too…*
*Wait—punishment is tongue-kissing? Reward is just a peck?*
Seeing Lingyuan stunned, Yixinxue arched one eyebrow. “Not enough reward? Want to come to my place?”
“No no no—it’s perfect!” Lingyuan waved his hands frantically. He *dared not* go to her house. Last time, he’d woken up tied to her bed after “mysteriously” falling asleep.
She’d looked so… unsatisfied when he left.
*Terrifying.*
…
Dusk fell. Sunset’s glow faded, washing the world in hazy twilight as night descended. Neon lights burst to life, painting the city in dreamy colors.
“Really not coming over~? I promise a *big* reward~” Yixinxue teased before the bus arrived.
“Maybe next time. Seriously.” Lingyuan shook his head with a wry smile.
First, he couldn’t handle her “rewards.” Second—Yanxi was coming over tonight. If he wasn’t home? Chaos.
He sighed deeply.
*Life is exhausting.*
Especially when you drift through it with no purpose, no drive for anything but games.
“Bus 17’s here. I’m off!” Yixinxue’s fiery eyes sparkled.
“Ah… okay.”
“Eh? A goodbye kiss!” She puffed her cheeks. *How can he just stand there like wood?*
“I… refuse.”
“Ugh.” Her pout grew. “One kiss! Or I’m not leaving!”
“Fine, fine…” Lingyuan leaned down reluctantly.
But before his lips touched hers, Yixinxue darted out her tongue. He stumbled back.
“Class rep… that’s not ‘one kiss’…”
“Heh. Doesn’t matter. Come here~” She grinned mischievously. “Or I’ll follow you home.”
“Fine—but no tongue…”
“Hmph. So many would kill for this.” She pecked his lips, then pouted. “Don’t think I’ll forget today’s debt. I’ll collect double payback later.”
