In the afternoon, Gong Xinyan kept her promise and didn’t come looking for me. I finally got to enjoy a leisurely nap in peace.

But I kept noticing Xia Xi’s behavior. She seemed friendly with everyone on the surface, yet she subtly kept others at arm’s length. Though it wasn’t obvious, fewer classmates approached her to chat that afternoon.

After school, I walked home with Xia Xi and we stopped by the supermarket to buy dinner ingredients.

When I got home, Bai Yu was already there. She sat on the living room sofa, not watching TV or using her phone, just looking unhappy.

“What’s wrong? Are you upset?” I asked as I walked over.

She frowned, shot me a glare, then huffed and turned her head away.

What’s she suddenly angry about… I was clueless. I carried the grocery bag into the kitchen first.

While cooking dinner, Bai Yu appeared at the kitchen doorway and called my name.

“Zong Jun!”

I turned down the heat and looked back. “What is it?”

“Do you have a girlfriend now?” Bai Yu asked, staring at me anxiously. Her chubby, baby-faced cheeks were puffed out, her lips in a tight pout.

I denied it immediately. “No, no! Who told you that?”

“The neighbors said they’ve seen you with a girl lately. You’ve been coming home super late too. You do have a girlfriend, right?”

“That’s not true at all.”

“You’re lying! If you think I’m a burden, I’ll move out right now.”

“What nonsense… How can you take care of yourself alone?”

“Hmph, I can support myself. Don’t worry about me.”

“But I’d be lonely. Besides, it doesn’t make sense to let you live alone.”

Bai Yu hadn’t expected that. She paused, then looked down shyly. “Lonely? Are you a kid, Zong Jun?”

“I’d be lonely. Without you, I’d hide in my cage like a neglected hamster and die of depression.”

I coaxed her like a child, reaching to pat her head, but she dodged.

“What kind of metaphor is that… Your hands are oily! Don’t touch my head.” Bai Yu glared unhappily. “You really don’t have a girlfriend, right? Don’t lie to me.”

“No, I don’t.” I asked puzzled, “Why is everyone asking this lately?”

“Everyone?”

“Never mind.”

Just as Bai Yu opened her mouth to say more, the doorbell rang.

“Hold on, coming!” I untied my apron and headed to the entrance.

I opened the door. Xia Xi stood there grinning. “Hehe, good evening, Teacher Chidori.”

“…What are you doing here suddenly?”

“My aunt’s working late. I’m here to mooch dinner. Hurry up and let me in.”

“Go beg elsewhere. A light novel writer’s house has no extra food.”

“Don’t be so heartless. I’ll let you grope my chest if you want.”

“Shut up already!”

While we argued at the door, Bai Yu stomped over impatiently. “Zong Jun, hurry up and cook. I’m hun—” She froze, eyes wide at Xia Xi, lips pursed in a low “hmm~”.

Bai Yu’s gaze wasn’t just unfriendly—it was pure suspicion.

Xia Xi recognized her instantly. “Wow, this is the daughter you mentioned? So cute!” Her eyes drifted down to Bai Yu’s chest, then she gasped dramatically. “How… is she really a middle schooler? You must’ve adopted her for this reason.”

Bai Yu stepped behind me, poking my back sharply. “Who is this person?” she demanded coldly.

“This is…” I almost blurted “the author of that perverted manga the student council president gave you” or just “a total pervert,” but both felt wrong. I choked on my words.

Bai Yu gritted her teeth, “Hmm,” then exploded. “I know! This is your girlfriend, right?”

“Absolutely not!” I denied instantly, glancing at Xia Xi for backup.

But Xia Xi just covered her mouth in mock surprise. “Am I already Zong Jun’s girlfriend? When did he confess? I’m so shocked!”

“Deny it now, damn it!”

Bai Yu flared up like a hissing cat. “Zong Jun, you big idiot! Lolicon! Pervert! Total pervert…”

“It’s not like that! Actually—” I grabbed Xia Xi and shoved her forward. “She’s Teacher Chidori!”

“…Lolicon? Huh?” Bai Yu froze, staring blankly. After a stunned pause, she shrieked, “Eh? EH? EH? EH? EH?”

“That’s right! She’s Teacher Chidori!” I declared loudly. Xia Xi looked up at me, startled. “Huh?”

I winked hard, hoping she’d catch on. She blinked, confused, then nodded slowly.

She puffed out her chest confidently. “Yep! I’m Teacher Chidori. I love big breasts the most!”

Don’t add extra crap, you damn flat-chested loli.

“R-Really? Truly Teacher Chidori? The author of ‘Midnight Record Book’?” Bai Yu stammered, still dazed, unable to believe it.

“A few days ago, I promised you’d meet her. Teacher Chidori lives next door, so when I said I know her well, it wasn’t a lie.”

Bai Yu snapped out of it. Her face flushed crimson like a starstruck fan. She rushed to grab Xia Xi’s hands. “The real Teacher Chidori… alive!”

Xia Xi was baffled. “Huh? Alive? Well, yeah.”

“Teacher Chidori, I-I’m Bai Yu, Zong Baiyu. I’m your loyal fan. I super-duper love your ‘Midnight Record Book’!” Bai Yu shook her hands excitedly.

“Oh~ I see~” Xia Xi grinned slyly, squinting at me.

“It’s so rude to have you visit. I should’ve come to you instead.”

Bai Yu apologized sincerely, but Xia Xi waved it off. “No problem! I came to mooch dinner anyway.”

“Ah, Teacher Chidori hasn’t eaten? Please stay! That good-for-nothing guy next to you cooks really well.” She shot me a glare. “Hurry up and cook!”

Me: “…”