[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Military training starts tomorrow. Everyone ready?

Silence hung over the group chat. After half a minute, someone finally spoke.

[Cowboy Shorts Lanlan]: Senior… that topic switch was way too forced.

[Ningning Doesn't Know]: I said it was sent to the wrong group—and recalled. No original topic ever existed.

Recalled means erased. Totally reasonable, right?

[Princess Dress A Jin]: But we saw it, Senior Bai! You said you met an insanely cute loli today…

[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Just a random compliment. Like mindlessly scrolling and sending a meme.

[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Example: (#LOL). Seriously, do you think I’d ever make that face?

The juniors pictured their elegant senior’s lips curling into a cold smirk.

A shiver ran through them in unison.

[Princess Dress A Jin]: Got it, Senior Bai. We understand.

[Cowboy Shorts Lanlan]: Still… Senior, won’t you comfort Xiao Yi even a little?

[Ningning Doesn't Know]: What happened to Xiao Yi? Did she fall?

[Princess Dress A Jin]: …

[Cowboy Shorts Lanlan]: …

*(How could you not know? Our group already has a loli junior—ranked #1 on the Moe Loli Ranking—and you openly praise another loli? So cruel.)*

But Senior Bai lived up to her ID: zero guilt, zero remorse.

[Twin Tails Xiao Yi]: It’s okay… I’m fine… sniff.

[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Fine. I’ll bring you an extra bottle of milk tomorrow.

Happy now?

After confirming everyone was prepped for training, Bai Ningning added a few reminders, closed the QQ group, and stretched with quiet satisfaction.

*What a caring, gentle, kind, and generous senior I am.*

Time to head home.

Walking back, Bai Ningning mentally tallied her wins: helped a junior with gorgeous legs in black thigh-high socks submit commuter paperwork; joined a new club as core member; saved "Man Zhi Yi Zhi" and repaid a debt; met an absurdly cute artist loli.

If tonight went smoothly and she got proper sleep? Perfect day.

Her gaze darkened slightly.

Tonight’s homecoming… tricky.

But as long as she kept her adorable cherry lips sealed? Usually fine.

Goal: avoid getting scolded. Success.

…

Dusk hadn’t fallen yet—around six—when Bai Ningning stepped into her courtyard home.

Qin Yue lounged on the sofa watching TV. She glanced up as the girl entered.

“Home this early?”

“Mm.”

A cold reply. Bai Ningning walked straight to her room.

Her tonight mantra: follow rules, speak less, avoid trouble.

*Follow rules*: Curfew was 9:10 PM. She arrived at six. Surprise.

*Speak less*: Mission in progress.

Qin Yue frowned inwardly. *What’s with this little ‘green tea’? Home early but acting reluctant, barely speaking…*

“You okay?” Qin Yue asked. “Something happen at school?”

“No.”

In her room, Bai Ningning changed into pajamas—wait, why did her chest feel cool?

Ah. Qin Yue swapped all her pajamas for collarless ones.

…Actually kinda comfy.

She flopped onto the bed, hugging a pillow, AC breeze on her skin, phone in hand. Bliss.

But Qin Yue’s suspicion deepened.

“What’s really wrong?” Qin Yue sat beside her. “Club issue? Couldn’t find a new one?”

She knew about the Tea Art Club incident—earlier than Bai Ningning. Revenge plans meant thorough background checks.

Bai Ningning’s cherry lips twitched. She slapped a hand over her mouth.

*If “None of your business” slips out… goodbye sleep tonight.*

Assuming silence meant confirmation, Qin Yue pressed: “Worried the new club might lose points next year?”

“No,” Bai Ningning finally spoke. “Clubs don’t lose all points for underperforming. At worst, they merge.”

*(And merged points go to you anyway.)*

“What about the Tea Art Club…?”

“Violated core values,” Bai Ningning said flatly. “Point deduction punished members—not the club’s quality.”

University clubs are hobbies. No mandatory output. Only the Tea Art Club preached messed-up ideals and walked straight into the muzzle.

Qin Yue opened her mouth—then the living room phone rang. She left.

Bai Ningning exhaled deeply.

*Big Sister’s gone. Time to check the little loli’s updates.*

No misunderstanding: as senior and clubmate, she *should* understand this junior who shared traits—not just a loli face, but social awkwardness too.

Opening [Nene-chan Almost Done]’s profile, Bai Ningning noticed the difference: awkward offline *and* online.

[Please don’t shake the window to rush me. Thank you.]

[Almost done. Thanks!]

[Not ready. Sorry.]

[Nearly ready. Sorry.]

[Starting XXXX boss’s commissioned artwork tomorrow.]

All posts: pure art updates. Zero rants, zero casual chatter. Uniquely quiet.

In the art album, Bai Ningning saw stunning skill—clean lines, harmonious colors, characters and scenes both soothing to the eye.

Only flaw? Every character’s bust size… disappointingly modest. Even the girls.

*Maybe she has no reference to practice with,* Bai Ningning mused—and let out an involuntary chuckle.

Qin Yue reentered just then. Hearing that bell-like, girlish laugh, her heart softened.

She leaned close, whispering into Bai Ningning’s ear: “Laughing so sweetly… what’s so funny?”

Too late to cover her mouth. The words escaped—

“Definitely not you.”

Silence. The air turned thick.

Bai Ningning stiffened. Quick correction: “I’m looking at the little loli.”

*Rules mean honesty.*