Wu Yan stood on the table, two tentacles tucked behind his back, gazing up at the starry sky at a forty-five-degree angle.

His eyes held unfathomable depth, as if mirroring the celestial stars, giving him an otherworldly aura.

Gurgle!

Over half a year! I’ve been in this other world for over half a year now!

Only today did I realize... I’m still a damn single dog!!

Thinking of other transmigrators with harems and kids, Wu Yan felt intensely unbalanced.

Gurgle?!

Why do others get a handsome face and an unflagging manhood upon arrival, while I’m not even human?!

Turning me into a Tentacle Monster—is this for shooting an uncensored adult anime?!

At this thought, sorrow surged in Wu Yan’s heart, instantly boiling into raging fury.

Gurgle?!

Where’s my torch? My sickle? Where’s my FFF Club?!

Wu Yan seemed to hear the FFF Club’s call.

“Burn those lovebirds alive!”

Gurgle!

Well said!

Tomorrow, I’ll grab my sickle, raise my torch, don my FFF Club uniform, and establish the FFF Club here! Let its glorious light shine across this realm!

“Little Dark, I forgot the change of clothes. Get them for me!”

Gurgle!

Got it!

Wu Yan’s face lit up. He extended a tentacle, deftly pulling Lilina’s pink pajamas from the wardrobe, then sniffed them.

Gurgle!

Mmm, the fresh scent of flowers and grass!

This is the one! Lilina washed it but hasn’t worn it yet!

Wu Yan vividly remembered Lilina’s refreshing scent. Unworn pajamas each had unique aromas: pink smelled of flowers, white of milk, and purple...

After Lilina wore them, the scent changed—emanating a strong, ahem, natural aroma!

Gurgle!

I’m coming, Lilina, hehehe!

Wu Yan dashed to a misty door, opened a crack, and slipped inside.

Three seconds later, he rolled out, a trail of nosebleed spraying behind him.

Gurgle!

I think... I need to change my plans!

This world is still beautiful. How could I bear to harm it?

Soon after, Wu Yan stood back in place, same pose and expression, except for the unstoppable nosebleed.

Gurgle!

I must devise a detailed plan to escape singlehood!

This plan shall be named “The Lilina Conquest Plan,” or “Wu Yan’s Singlehood Escape Plan,” or “The Unyielding Cry of the Single Dog Plan.” Codename: El psy congroo!

“Little Dark, come in! Time for your bath!”

Gurgle!

Coming!

Wu Yan thundered into the bathroom. Lilina’s panicked voice followed.

“Little Dark, why are you bleeding so much?!”

...

Bustling streets teemed with people.

Wu Yan hid in a corner, secretly watching Lilina shop. He pulled his collar up to cover half his face.

Wu Yan had transformed back to his male form. Seizing this chance, he devised a meticulous plan.

Plan One: Hero Saves the Beauty!

Every girl dreams of a hero. Though cliché, it works wonders.

Wu Yan thought: rescuing Lilina in crisis would leave a deep impression!

Perfect!

The crisis would be staged. He’d already found the perfect candidate...

Finally, Lilina walked down a quiet street. A hand shot from an alley, grabbing her inside.

Wu Yan’s heart leaped. The chance had come!

Dragged into the alley, Lilina grew alert. Absurd as danger seemed in the Royal Capital, she drew her Staff of Sorcery.

She turned to see her captor—and froze.

The figure was shorter than her, with striking silver hair and porcelain skin. A fearsome oni mask covered half their face.

“This road is mine! Pay the toll to pass, or face death without burial!”

Their voice was crystal clear, yet the words felt utterly bizarre.

The person before Lilina was Cilia.

Cilia gripped her sword tightly, staring intently.

This is my first task from Master. I must not fail.

Though Cilia didn’t know why Wu Yan ordered this, she wouldn’t question him. She’d simply obey.

Wu Yan had instructed: Lilina would resist. Cilia just needed to subdue her, then flee when he appeared.

“I wasn’t planning to pass this way.”

Lilina’s words stunned Cilia. Wu Yan hadn’t prepared her for this.

“Cilia, what are you doing?!”

Lilina stepped forward, removed Cilia’s mask, and asked curiously.

“Those lines were fun. Did you make them up as a surprise?”

“No. Master told me to say them.”

Watching this, Wu Yan nearly collapsed to his knees!

Cilia, did you really think a mask would hide you from Lilina?!

And those cringy lines—I was joking! Don’t memorize them!

“Master?!”

Hearing this, Lilina frowned.

Cilia hesitated. Remembering Wu Yan’s rule—never lie to friends—she spilled everything.

“Yes. Master ordered me to rob you today. He said...”

Oh no, Cilia! Don’t be so honest!

“How could your master demand this? He’s a terrible person!”

Ah, it’s over! Lilina hates me now!

Wu Yan trudged away, his back radiating utter desolation.

Forget it. I still have Plan B!

Wu Yan hid in a corner, chuckling darkly. All frustration vanished.

Watching Scottia approach Lilina, his smile grew wider.

Plan Two: Third-Party Praise!

Since Scottia knew Wu Yan’s identity, he tasked her as the messenger.

Generally, third-party praise works wonders.

If Scottia spoke well of Wu Yan, Lilina would subconsciously form a good impression.

Slower than Plan One, but more reliable!

To persuade Scottia, Wu Yan had promised a favor.

Thinking of it, he winced—but for Lilina, worth it!

Wu Yan saw Scottia stop before Lilina, then slowly open her mouth.

“Lilina, the guy who killed your father last time asked me to tell you: he likes you.”

Then Scottia turned and walked away. Away. Away...

No—

Wu Yan collapsed to his knees, face etched with despair.

The gist was right, but don’t be so blunt!

And why include “killed your father”?!”

Wu Yan was on the verge of tears. He saw Scottia’s meaningful smile as she left.

Deliberate. Absolutely deliberate!

Wu Yan finally realized: Scottia did this on purpose!

Ahhh! After promising a favor, this is how you repay me?!

But Scottia would never let him retract it. He couldn’t welsh—truly a bitter pill.

Is this losing everything in the process...

Wu Yan saw Lilina’s flushed face—a clear sign of rage.

It’s over. Over...

Wu Yan left, utterly dejected, ignoring Plans C through G.

Walking down a path of disappointment, his future felt pitch black.

Wahhh... Am I doomed to be a single dog forever?!

Suddenly, Wu Yan remembered his other transformation—and his eyes lit up.

Perhaps... I could try a female form and go yuri... Ah, no! Have I sunk this low?!

Wahhh...

Wu Yan despaired over his own moral integrity!

Ah, so painful! I wish a car would hit me!

Eek—

A little girl’s scream pierced Wu Yan’s ears.

He turned to see her terrified, a car speeding toward her.

Wu Yan’s eyes gleamed.

A car to crash into—ah, no! A girl to save?!

Though under ten, she was still a girl. At least the hero part would work. Today wasn’t wasted.

“Girl, don’t be scared—ah, little sister, don’t fear! Big brother’s here to save you!”

Wu Yan accidentally revealed his inner creep, then salvaged his gentle image.

He took a giant stride, stood before her, and lifted the speeding car with both hands.

Wu Yan flicked his hair, feeling incredibly cool, then turned to her.

“Little sister, see? Big brother eliminated the danger.”

“Monster—”

Seeing him lift the car—disproportionate to his size—the girl screamed “Monster!” and ran off, eyes red.

Caw—caw—

Wu Yan felt crows flying overhead; his smile froze.

Damn it! Not even a thank you, and calling me a monster!

Hmph, since you’re young, I’ll let it slide!

Wu Yan set the car down. The occupants were shaken but didn’t scream “monster”—or he’d have snapped!

“Be more careful next time!”

“Y-yes, monster... ah, brave sir is right!”

A dozen black lines appeared on Wu Yan’s forehead. The driver sped away.

What did I do to deserve this today?!

“Um...”

As Wu Yan kicked stones in frustration, a familiar voice from behind froze him stiff.

He slowly turned. Sure enough, it was Lilina.

Done for!

This was Wu Yan’s first thought.

Wu Yan figured Lilina had come to settle the score with him—he felt utterly done for!

Sure enough, Lilina stood with her head bowed, brimming with pent-up anger. Wu Yan’s heart hammered wildly, as if about to burst right out of his chest.

“You…”

Oh no, oh no! I’m getting publicly called out here! Waaah, this is broad daylight on the street—I’ll be infamous by tomorrow!

Wu Yan already pictured tomorrow’s headlines: “Perverted guy tries winning a girl’s heart through shady means, exposed and scolded publicly.” God, I’d be the ultimate cautionary tale!

He even imagined future classrooms dredging up his case as a warning: “Stay vigilant—guys like this chase girls with underhanded tricks, just like him, just like him, just like him…”

Those words echoed endlessly in Wu Yan’s mind, drowning him in shame.

Lilina took a deep breath, steeling herself, then spoke.

“Do you… like me?”

Her face flushed crimson the moment she finished.

Wu Yan froze. This wasn’t what he’d expected—it might still be salvageable!

“No, no, no! It was all Cilia and Scottia’s nonsense!”

Wu Yan covered his face, scrambling to explain.

“I see…”

Lilina seemed to relax slightly, yet a trace of regret lingered in her eyes.

“You saved my mom and the whole town. I wasn’t sure whether to accept your feelings—I believe relationships shouldn’t be built on gratitude alone. But seeing you shield that little girl without hesitation… it moved me. I guess I misunderstood.”

Wu Yan stood dumbfounded. Something felt terribly off.

“Thank you for saving everyone. I’ll repay your kindness someday. I’ve got things to do today, so I’ll take my leave.”

“Okay…”

Wu Yan’s thoughts had nearly frozen solid. He waved stiffly, snapping back to reality only after Lilina vanished into the distance.

I think… I just missed a golden opportunity…

Aaah! What the hell did I say?!

Waaah… in the end, I’m still flying solo…

Huh? When did I grab this torch? Right—back in my original world, today’s Valentine’s Day!

Anyone celebrating, just holler! I’ll crash your bonfire party to spice things up—I’ll even bring my own firewood, hehehe…