Yi Xiao saw the little demon before him flash a terrified expression—and felt his suspicion click into place.

"Are you…"

"I am…" Ling Luo’s gaze drifted away.

"You’re the little girl who gave me her seat this afternoon, right?"

Headphones. Her face. Her voice. Every detail pointed straight to the girl he’d met at the bubble tea shop.

*Phew. I thought he recognized my real identity. Thank goodness,* Ling Luo sighed inwardly.

Since she hadn’t fully shown her relief, her expression looked oddly conflicted. To Yi Xiao, it seemed his question had flustered her—and doubt crept in.

"Uh… did I say something wrong?"

"Hmph." Ling Luo crossed her arms. "Reluctant as I am to admit it… you mortals aren’t half bad. You actually saw through my disguise."

*Lucky he didn’t ID me as Luo Ling. Better play along—admit I’m the girl from earlier. Safer. Cleaner. No stray guesses. Better safe than sorry.*

"So… you really are…"

"Yep. I’m the one who gave you the seat at the bubble tea shop."

As if confirming his thoughts, Ling Luo shifted before his eyes into the human girl’s form. Yi Xiao’s certainty deepened—this was surreal, not some cheap magic trick.

"This disguise helps me move around human society," she explained, then flicked back to her little demon form—wings and tail proudly visible. "This is my true self. A genuine demon. No fakes."

Keeping wings and tail hidden long-term felt stiff. Unless necessary, she preferred them out.

"Um… I believe you’re a demon now. But about this afternoon—I still want to say thank you," Yi Xiao said, voice still tense but steadier. Gratitude mattered, even for non-humans.

"Just a whim. No need to thank me." She smirked. "Still, I was surprised *you*, big oaf, were the one who summoned me. Maybe it’s fate."

"Yeah… never expected the kind little girl from earlier to be a demon. Feels surreal. But thanks are still due."

Outwardly polite, Yi Xiao’s mind raced: *A demon? Can’t introduce her to Luo Ling… what a pity.* Had Ling Luo heard that, she’d have bonked him square on the head.

"Hehe. If you *really* want to thank me… sign this demon contract."

A sly smile. She conjured a near-blank parchment scroll from thin air.

"Ah, this is…"

"A demon contract. Sign it, and I’ll grant your wish." She swayed the scroll with a tempting lilt.

"Wait—how is *me* signing to get *my* wish granted… thanking *you*? Sounds like *you’re* the one gaining," Yi Xiao frowned.

"Foolish mortal. Think free lunches exist? Wishes cost a price—and that price is what *I* want."

*So that’s how it works…* Made sense. Yi Xiao never believed in windfalls anyway.

"Then… what’s the price?" he asked, curiosity peeking.

"Depends on the wish. Tell me yours. Given our fateful connection, I’ll state the price first—you decide after. So?"

"Uh… I…"

"Mm?"

"Can I stand up? My legs are kinda numb from squatting…" Yi Xiao mumbled sheepishly.

Ling Luo nearly facepalmed. *All that dramatic buildup… for this?*

"Fine, fine. Stand already."

*He’s my deskmate. No need to be harsh.*

"Thanks."

Yi Xiao rose, stretched his legs, and gathered his thoughts.

*Should I sign… to date Xiao Yue?*

"If I say my wish… c-can you *really* make it happen?"

Suddenly, the little demon floated up to eye level. Yi Xiao jolted back.

"What’s with the jumpiness?!" Ling Luo snapped—she’d nearly flinched too.

"Sorry! You just… floated up so fast…" Yi Xiao apologized hastily, terrified of offending the tiny terror.

"Tsk. Don’t like me floating? Then *you* keep squatting."

"No no! Thank you for your kindness!"

"Back to business. Wish difficulty varies. Conquering the world? Never. Too messy. Price? Unpayable."

She paused. "But simpler wishes? Easy. Like becoming a couple with a certain girl? Piece of cake. Price? Light."

She caught the flicker in his eyes and fanned the flame: "Wait… you like someone, don’t you? Is *that* your wish?"

"Ah… y-yeah…" No point hiding it now. "I… want to confess. But I’m scared of rejection. Is there… a 100% success method?"

"Yep."

"R-really?!"

"Sign the contract. I’ll handle everything. So—your answer?"

She waved the scroll again, feeling oddly like a salesperson. *Well… not far off.*

"I… I’d still like to hear the price first."

"Mm. Wise choice. See for yourself."