Last night, sparse rain and sudden gusts;
deep slumber failed to shake off the wine’s lingering trace.
Qin Yue woke up.
Truth was, during her twenty-four hours of rest, she’d stirred awake intermittently. Each time, utterly exhausted and too lazy to rise, she’d doze off again moments later.
Only now—sleepiness fully gone, fatigue mended by time, clarity returning to her mind—did she feel truly awake.
She did gentle stretches in bed to loosen joints and circulate qi, then got up for a light meal, letting strength seep slowly back into her limbs.
Not bad. Her body was stronger than she’d imagined.
Qin Yue headed upstairs and found Aunt Zou.
“Stock extra ingredients for that soup from last time,” she instructed. “Make me a fresh pot today. Quickly.”
Aunt Zou blinked in confusion. “Young Miss… you just woke up. Are you planning to… again?”
“I have my reasons. Just do it.”
After twenty-four hours of reflection, Qin Yue had it clear: that “little green tea’s” arrogance came from barely exerting herself in battle—low stamina drain, high regeneration.
A war of attrition? Qin Yue couldn’t win. So she’d seize initiative: strike fast, strike hard, leave no room to recover.
Top-tier endurance? Water Dragon Soul? One burst attack to wipe her health bar clean. Regen won’t save you then.
“But Young Miss,” Aunt Zou said carefully, “Miss Bai Ningning isn’t home… and neither is Second Young Miss Qin Xin.”
Qin Yue stiffened. “Why? Where’d she go?”
(Sister’s absence? Whatever.)
Aunt Zou sighed. “It’s Monday, Young Miss. They’ve gone to school.”
Right. Monday. College classes.
“Tsk. Fine.” Qin Yue clicked her tongue. “Send me her schedule later.”
Gotta check which afternoon that “little green tea” had free.
…
Monday morning. Freshmen had first-period class; sophomores started second. By the time Bai Ningning sat down for breakfast, Qin Xin was already gone.
*Left in such a hurry.*
Bai Ningning ate slowly, then strolled to campus.
“Da Baiyuan, you’re glowing today,” Guan Qian said. “Seriously radiant.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah—your skin’s dewy. Weekend treat yourself extra well?”
Bai Ningning paused. Battling Qin Yue through what felt like three hundred rounds… yeah. Kinda fun.
(Also kinda sore.)
Class began. They fell silent.
Same material as last week—barely review for Bai Ningning. After half-listening, she lost interest.
Bored, she checked her phone.
First, the freshman-help group. The four new girls were already complaining:
[Thu/Fri packed solid. Freaking out—no morning readings, but otherwise just like high school.]
[OMG, evening self-study too?!]
[One calc class = two others. I’m dead.]
*Yep. Freshman year. Transition semester. Meant to feel like high school.*
[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Hang in there. Sophomore year gets lighter.
Then, a DM from the club:
[President Lingyin]: Free Wednesday afternoon?
[Ningning Doesn't Know]: ?
[President Lingyin]: Recruitment runs Wed–weekend. Can you help if free?
Bai Ningning almost declined—hot, tiring—but owed Lingyin a favor. No solid excuse.
[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Gotta check with my girlfriend first. If I don’t need to go home, I’ll come.
[President Lingyin]: Check with…?
*In a nearby classroom, the curvy girl blinked.* Wait—college student… still needs permission? She’d confirmed Bai Ningning had no boyfriend. *Unless…* Seemingly chill, Lingyin wasn’t that progressive. “Checking in” meant parents… or a boyfriend. *Huh. On this, she’s even less open than her junior Tian Di and Brother Tian.*
Bai Ningning typed calmly. Previous chats showed Lingyin was “in the know”—unlike bland Qin Xin.
[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Need my girlfriend’s okay. If Wednesday afternoon’s free, might go home to roll in the sheets.
Lingyin shot upright.
“Student,” the professor adjusted his glasses, “raise your hand if you have a question.”
“Sorry…” She sank back down.
Heart hammering.
*G-G-GIRLFRIEND?!*
[President Lingyin]: Girlfriend?! A date?!
[Ningning Doesn't Know]: Yep. If free Wednesday afternoon, probably rolling in the sheets.
Lingyin nearly leapt up again.
*Girls together…? Anime stuff! But real?! Right here?!*
She recalled Bai Ningning’s slight tension during their talk—then visible relief when asked only for a maid dance.
*What did she think I wanted?!*
Panic climbing her throat, she closed the chat.
[Lingyin]: YOU THERE?!
[Tian Di]: Here! What’s up, Sister Lingyin?
[Lingyin]: Meet me this afternoon! Urgent consult!
Bai Ningning, seeing no reply, assumed agreement.
*Good. Reasonable.*
She pulled up her schedule. “Does afternoon class take attendance?” she asked Guan Qian.
“Spot-checks sometimes,” Guan Qian recalled. “Last semester, skipper still got decent scores. Professor’s lenient.”
Bai Ningning slung her tiny backpack over her shoulder.
“Then I’m heading home.”
Why stay? No roll call = no class.
