"Sorry, I thought no one was inside, so I just..."

Lilina hurriedly apologized, but Elly wasn't having it.

"Can't you ask first? Do you think being the President's favorite in the Student Council means you can do whatever you want?"

"I didn't..."

Lilina hadn't expected Elly's hostility to run so deep. Even a tiny mistake was seized on relentlessly, leaving her feeling a little wronged.

"Now that you're the President's secretary, watch every move you make. Don't disgrace him!"

"I understand..."

Elly knew Scottia had ordered the council not to hassle Lilina. Seeing her lower her head, Elly held back from pushing further.

"Hmph. Listen well—I'm only saying this once. Forget it, and the President will punish you!"

Elly then began explaining Lilina's duties.

Soon, Lilina noticed that though Elly remained harsh, her instructions were thorough and precise.

So the Student Council really was different—grudges never bled into work.

In half an hour, Elly covered all tasks and how to handle every scenario.

"That's all. Clear? If not, I won't repeat it!"

"I remember perfectly. Thank you!"

Lilina bowed gratefully.

Elly fumbled awkwardly at the thanks.

"Hmph. Don't thank me. I just don't want your mistakes upsetting the President or tarnishing his name!"

So this girl's a tsundere!

Wu Yan, a seasoned player in romance, found it incredibly endearing.

At this rate, my harem's collecting every archetype...

Truly... blissful!

"Gurgle."

"Hmph. Mess up again and upset the President... hmph!"

"Yes, I'll be careful!"

"Good. Sort the remaining files. I'll check later!"

Elly dashed off like she had urgent business, not waiting for Lilina's reply.

"Eh..."

Lilina was caught off guard by her sudden exit, torn between amusement and exasperation. She patted Wu Yan's head.

"Alright, Little Dark, time to work."

"Gurgle!"

Wu Yan responded habitually, knowing roughly what came next.

He wanted to help—but he couldn't read a word!

OTZ!

Why couldn't the whole world speak Chinese? Novels and anime always do it that way!

Slammed the table! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Wu Yan could only watch silently as Lilina struggled with the documents. Her busy back made him feel low.

*Sigh.* How could he let his little loli work so hard? He couldn't help... unless...

He recalled last night's wind magic—it could lighten her load.

Wu Yan channeled his inner magic. Beside yesterday's fire Magic Array, a new one of equal complexity formed. He guided the energy along fixed paths, then released the spell.

"Whoosh!"

He forgot these weren't ancient bamboo slips from his old world...

"Yikes!"

Papers flew wildly in the gust—even Elly's neat stacks scattered.

Oh no!

"Little Dark!"

Lilina glared at Wu Yan. He knew he'd messed up and hung his head in shame.

Lilina took a breath, surveying the mess with a wry smile.

"Now we'll never finish on time..."

But she couldn't scold him harshly. She sighed. "Guess I'll get yelled at."

As she bent to pick up papers, two tentacles swept a pile onto the desk, clearing a patch of floor.

"Eh?"

Lilina hadn't expected Wu Yan to help—and realized they might still make it.

"Little Dark, just gather the files and stack them neatly. I'll sort them, okay?"

To be sure, she demonstrated stacking a pile. Wu Yan waved his tentacles in understanding.

The pair—one human, one beast—fell into sync.

Lilina sorted and categorized; Wu Yan collected scattered papers and stacked them within her reach.

Forty minutes later, all files were organized.

Lilina exhaled in relief. The extra mess meant more work, but Wu Yan's help saved her constant moving—and time.

She looked at Wu Yan, patting his head with a smile. "Little Dark, you did great!"

Wu Yan, his mistake forgiven, happily soaked up the small comfort.

Having such a healing girl truly was bliss.