*Thump thump thump…*
The bathroom door suddenly rattled under sharp knocks.
“What now?” Lixin called out impatiently, mid-shower.
“…………”
Silence answered.
“What’s wrong with you people? Seriously.”
Lixin instantly figured it was those two pulling pranks again. She ignored it.
“Hah… Since I’m here, might as well finish my bath… Let them mess around.”
*Haaah…*
Soaking in the tub, exhaustion melted away. Her old habit of dozing off kicked in…
*Mmm…*
Right on the edge of sleep…
***THUMP THUMP THUMP!***
“GYAH!”
Lixin jolted upright—pure gut reaction, no one’s fault!
“What do you *want*?!” she snapped. Were they insane? They’d pushed her to shower, then harassed her while she did!
*Hehe… She’s mad.*
Outside, Cleyna stifled giggles behind her hand.
“What are you doing? Seriously, stop—we’ll really piss her off,” Qin Fan whispered, nerves fraying.
“Shh!” Cleyna pressed a finger to her lips, eyes wide. “Keep it down! She’ll hear you! Man up, will you?”
*Man up?! I’m a guy harassing a girl in the shower—I SHOULD be scared!* Qin Fan screamed internally.
“Hey! I heard that! What’re you scheming out there?!” Lixin hadn’t caught their words, just muffled murmurs. Wrapping a towel tight, she stormed toward the door…
“She’s coming! Abort! *Now!*” Cleyna hissed.
“O-okay!”
Hearing movement inside, Cleyna yanked Qin Fan away without a sound.
***CLICK!***
The door flew open. Lixin glared at the two—one sprawled on the floor, the other on the bed.
“What?” Cleyna’s innocent act was flawless. If Qin Fan hadn’t been right beside her, he’d have believed it.
“…………”
Unshakable. Lixin shifted targets.
***SHINK—!***
Her dead-fish eyes locked onto Qin Fan like daggers.
“Why’re you staring…?” His wounded tone was genuine—he hadn’t actually *done* anything.
But Lixin didn’t buy it.
“Out with it. What were you two doing?”
“I… we were just watching TV! Waiting to shower after you…”
“Eyes darting. Voice shaky. Fingers fidgeting. You’re hiding something!” Her gaze sharpened—this was bigger than it seemed.
Cleyna’s hand clenched.
*Damn it, don’t crack…*
“You came out half-dressed! What’d you expect? I’m a normal guy!” Qin Fan blurted—the perfect excuse.
Lixin glanced down. True…
“No pranks! I’ll be out soon!” She slammed the door.
*Damn, Qin Fan. That was flawless!* Cleyna motioned to continue, but he stopped her.
“?”
He pointed at the bathroom door, then mimed someone pressed against it, listening.
*Oh.*
Cleyna got it.
Inside, Lixin had indeed pressed her ear to the door after closing it. Only when silence confirmed no mischief did she relax back into the bath.
She wouldn’t trust them easily—not after today. Cleyna had zero shame when it came to pranks.
“Go ahead. She’s lowered her guard.”
“Sharp kid. As her childhood friend, picking you as a teammate was solid~”
*Uh…*
“Just help me with one thing…”
………………………………………………………………
*Haaah…*
Lixin finished bathing, drained the tub, and reached for her clothes. But…
*Thump thump thump…*
Knocks echoed again.
*Hmph.*
Ignoring them, she dressed faster.
*I’ll sneak out and catch them off guard!*
One minute later—fully dressed, the last knock fading seconds ago—
*Heh heh…*
She flung the door open…
Pitch black? Who turned off the lights?
Stepping out, she took two steps forward. A barely visible thread of light—undetectable except in darkness—zipped to the bathroom switch. The last glow vanished.
“WAH!”
Hands slapped her shoulders with a theatrical *Boo!*
“WAAAAAH—!!!”
………………………………………………………………
Qin Fan flicked the lights on, staring at the botched prank’s aftermath.
Cleyna stood frozen, head tilted. A black pistol was lodged in the wall behind her. Lixin crouched on the floor, shoulders shaking with sobs.
*Yeah… this’ll be messy.*
*(Phew… Made it. Time to wrap up this slice-of-life arc…)*
