“Back already?”

Lu Huai opened the door. The takeout bag in his hand had vanished—probably being savored right now by a certain 168cm-tall beauty with a scar on her chest…

Or maybe not. After all… she’d cooked her own meal.

But… she’d probably eat it anyway?

What a pathetic, boring thought. The moment their eyes met, it felt like they both instantly understood each other’s unspoken tension. Guilt-ridden, Lu Huai hastily shoved the takeout into her hands and retreated to his room in utter embarrassment—barely waiting for her to speak a word.

No real reason. Just… the sheer cringe of it made his skin crawl.

That sneaky, hesitant vibe made it impossible to say calmly: *“You haven’t eaten? I got you takeout. Don’t go hungry.”*

He *wanted* to deliver that cool, straightforward protagonist line—but let’s be real, he absolutely couldn’t.

So he bolted.

Running away felt far more decisive than knocking. He hadn’t planned what to say if caught… but embarrassment was almost certain. Call it the intuition of an 11th-tier master in *Jian Dan Qin Xin*.

Before he could catch his breath—

A young woman’s voice cut through the quiet. Without it, Lu Huai might’ve forgotten someone else lived here.

He turned instinctively.

Nearly lost control of his nose.

Not *that* dramatic… but a faint warmth really did trickle near his nostrils.

The scene hit him with brutal directness.

Su Xiangrong stood by the bathroom door, fresh from the shower, toweling her damp hair.

In a dark tank top, her delicate collarbone and fair skin glowed like a siren’s allure. The snug fabric hinted at hidden curves. Men always imagined what lay beyond the visible: a gentle valley here, proud peaks unseen.

Her slender legs gleamed under the living room light, calves still dewy with water droplets.

And the critical detail… *critical*… Su Xiangrong wore *his* slippers.

Not noteworthy—but he noticed. Instantly, his gaze locked, just for a heartbeat. He looked away fast, but the fluster was obvious. Embarrassing.

“You refused to shower together earlier,” Su Xiangrong said with a playful smile, “and now you stare at your older sister like that? I’d be troubled.”

She didn’t seem bothered. Truthfully, she enjoyed how a pure-hearted boy’s eyes widened at her fleeting charm.

Her tease snapped Lu Huai back.

“Uh… sorry…”

He mumbled, already scanning for escape.

Since when wasn’t his own home a safe fortress? Was his bedroom the last sanctuary left?!

He edged toward his door.

Su Xiangrong, lips curved, effortlessly blocked his path.

Lu Huai nearly crashed into her—not a charging foul, but colliding with the ball-handler.

He froze. Voice shaky, cheeks flushed, ears burning.

“M-move… aside…”

She studied his genuine panic. Ruled out “my charm rivals Venus.” So why *this* flustered?

“Little Brother Lu… you seem… off.”

“I…”

He stepped back. She stepped closer.

Trapped against the wall, he looked like a lost girl under a starless sky.

Su Xiangrong straightened slightly. Her chest hovered close, radiating allure and mystery.

*Damn this tank top… Wait—how did it come to this?*

“I hope this is the real you…”

“Huh…?”

Something shifted. Her tone. Her expression.

Su Xiangrong—dressed provocatively, figure stunning—now wore a shadowed look. *Did I do something wrong?*

“I live alone. I’m… not easy to get along with,” she said, voice edged with warning, eyes sharp as if dissecting him.

Lu Huai’s mind raced. *What triggered this? Is this her true self?*

“I won’t be reduced to an object for lewd thoughts or teenage lust. You never know what I carry. A fruit knife? Scissors…”

A stray hair tickled her cheek.

He couldn’t move to brush it away.

Her scent filled the air—but all he felt was irrational tension.

*She’s warning me. Guarding herself.*

Her eyes, clear as gemstones, pierced straight through him. Every tempting curve seemed within reach—but he knew: one, he’d never touch. Two… she might *actually* retaliate.

“If you understand and accept this… we can coexist peacefully. Right, Little Brother Lu?”

She lifted his chin with a finger. Smiling.

Lu Huai shivered. *A demon.*

“…Understood.”

*What I really want to say is: Protect me.*

*Wait—I’m the one in danger?! Being threatened and forced to “understand”? Unfair!*

“Mm~ Smart. First step toward friendly negotiations. Here’s to a bright tomorrow.”

She released him. Stepped back.

Smiling, the darkness vanished—as if the eerie moment had been an illusion.

But Lu Huai knew: beneath that gentle, enchanting smile lay a heart as prickly as a hedgehog’s spines.

Some sensitive souls curl like snails. Su Xiangrong? She flashed cheer first, then revealed thorns—just enough to warn.

*A girl living alone… maybe understandable. But no, this isn’t “gap moe.”*

He glanced at her lingering smile. Shivered again.

*Sure enough… the prettier the girl, the scarier she gets.*

*Click.*

The door closed.

Su Xiangrong, scrolling on the sofa, glanced at the shut door.

The boy hadn’t protested, blamed her, or raged. Unexpected.

*Softer than I thought. Hothouse flower.*

*Maybe my tactics were too harsh for his age…*

She reflected—lightly. Then smiled faintly at her phone.

“Kinda cute.”

Back in his room, Lu Huai needed calm.

*Post on Moments:*

*“Thought I got a lively, charming roommate. Turns out she might be the heroine of a dark, deep, cruel (D.D.C.) novel. Help.”*

He messaged his mom: *“Mom, this roommate feels dangerous. My life’s at risk!”*

Reply from across the ocean: *“Keep reading nonsense novels, I’ll cut the home Wi-Fi.”*

“…”

Lu Huai sighed.

With a heavy heart, he turned to neglected tasks—like writing.

Best way to focus? Music. But someone was outside. He chose headphones.

Marshmallow: *Accompany You to the End of the World*.

Words flowed unusually smooth today—chaos had stirred something in him.

Done. Tomorrow was weekend; no remedial classes for a second-year high schooler yet. *Next week? Maybe not.*

He’d savor this rare break. Pull an all-nighter.

*If staying up late hurts… go full all-nighter.*

As he opened his game, a notification flashed.

*From [The Cutest Female Knight in the Entire Server].*

A 20-second voice message. Text below:

*“Brother Feihua~ I recorded this just for you! You’ll love it~”*

*What now?*

Desensitized by today’s weirdness, Lu Huai braced himself, lowered volume, and played it.

*Nani? Doushite? Has this world abandoned me? Really? Kami-sama, you’re so cruel! Chikushou! But even a baka like me must have a reason to exist. Yatta! I will protect Ojou-sama’s most beloved 2D world! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!*

“…”

Lu Huai realized—he’d still underestimated the world’s absurdity.

Or overestimated his shame tolerance.