"What if I say something wrong or act inappropriately without even realizing it... what then?"

Who cares about that? Besides, aren’t you a veteran in the bachelor world? It’s not your first time—why the hell are you so nervous now?

"Didn’t I already list everything you need to watch out for?"

"W-well, I still feel a bit uneasy. What if I get so nervous my mind goes blank and I forget everything?"

Jiang Xiaoyao pitifully tugged at Chen Yuzhe’s hand, swinging it back and forth. "Come on, just stay and keep me company. If anything goes wrong, you can help smooth things over, right?"

Hmph. So I’m just her tool now. And she acts so entitled about it—Jiang Xiaoyao, you’re something else.

Chen Yuzhe rolled his eyes subtly, then reluctantly agreed, staying by the door with her.

By now, most anime club members had arrived. Gu Chengjin was the last one missing. Chen Yuzhe frowned, wondering if something unexpected had happened to him.

Luckily, just as the meetup time approached, Gu Chengjin finally rushed over, looking winded.

"Sorry..." He stopped before them, panting heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. "Traffic jam... I parked far away and ran here. Got delayed."

Chen Yuzhe paused, then asked cautiously, "If I may ask, what car do you drive, junior?"

"A Land Rover Range Rover LWB."

Figures.

This wasn’t even downtown, and the roads were narrow. Of course a Land Rover would get stuck! Overtaking would be impossible.

Jiang Xiaoyao nudged Chen Yuzhe’s arm discreetly. "How much does a Range Rover cost?" she whispered.

"Top model? Three or four million yuan?"

Jiang Xiaoyao’s eyebrows shot up.

"Ah, that’s my dad’s car, not mine," Gu Chengjin quickly added, scratching his head shyly. "I don’t really like driving. Unlike my dad, I wouldn’t spend that much on a car. Traffic jams, no parking spots—I prefer taking the subway."

He wasn’t showing off his wealth at all. Chen Yuzhe was genuinely surprised; he’d assumed all rich heirs adored luxury cars.

"No worries. We haven’t started yet—you’re right on time, junior," Jiang Xiaoyao said warmly. "Let’s head in now."

Jiang Xiaoyao and Gu Chengjin walked inside chatting and laughing. Chen Yuzhe trailed behind lazily, ignoring Jiang Xiaoyao’s earlier request to monitor her behavior.

Just as the pair entered the lounge, Chen Yuzhe froze at the doorway.

Someone carrying a fruit tray had stepped out—and their eyes met directly.

Chen Yuzhe stared. The other person stared back.

"S-senpai?"

It wasn’t that Chen Yuzhe had never seen Xinyu before. The situation was just... indescribable.

The moment she spotted him, Xinyu subtly tugged at her skirt hem, shielding herself with her arm. Her face flushed crimson with utter embarrassment.

"Don’t... don’t stare at me..." she whispered, her voice trembling like a mosquito’s buzz.

Yes.

Today’s Xinyu.

Was in a maid outfit.

A flood of question marks exploded in Chen Yuzhe’s mind.

What’s this about? Is Xinyu cosplaying too? Who decided this? Did she volunteer? I thought she was working part-time as a waitress—why this outfit?

And honestly, Xinyu suited the maid dress far better than he’d ever imagined.

Her petite frame, wrapped in the frilly Western-style uniform, looked like she’d stepped straight out of an anime. Especially those slender white legs in thigh-high stockings, the hem she kept tugging down that barely covered her knees, her blushing pink cheeks, and that side-parted bob paired with the maid headband...

She resembled Onodera Kosaki from Nisekoi, Tsukiko Izumino from The "Hentai" Prince and the Stony Cat, or Ichigo from DARLING in the FRANXX.

Damn. Who could resist this look?

The otaku in the club must’ve had multiple collective heart attacks by now.

"Ugh... d-don’t stare..." Xinyu’s voice grew urgent, her lips pressed tight.

"Cough cough." Chen Yuzhe turned his head away.

I’m a short-hair enthusiast, but this outfit alone won’t make me lose my cool.

Impossible! I, Chen Yuzhe, have backbone.

Even if I starve to death out here, or jump off this building, I’d never act like those creepy otaku snapping photos!

As Chen Yuzhe pulled out his phone, Xinyu’s face burned redder. "Eep! Senpai, don’t take pictures!"

Well, so much for that.