“Excuse me… are you really from Lanxi City?”

Stared at by the girl’s wide eyes, Luo Ling couldn’t help but swallow hard, nerves tightening slightly. It wasn’t just her possible identity as a Demon Hunter—he’d simply never been looked at so intently by a girl his age before.

“The pretty lady’s talking to you! Snap out of it!” Pei Lin nudged him with his elbow, whispering.

“Ah—yes… I’m from Lanxi City… Um, is there something you need?”

“Do you remember a girl named ‘Xiao You’?”

A flicker of hope lit her eyes.

“No… I don’t recall…”

Though Luo Ling had no clue why Xiao You was so fixated on a cross-dressing guy nicknamed Xiao Luo, he genuinely drew a blank.

Xiao You’s hopeful gaze dimmed into disappointment. “Sorry… I must’ve mistaken you for someone else.”

“Um… mind if I ask what this is about? I’m a bit lost… Maybe I can help?” Luo Ling blurted out, softened by her dejected look.

“When I was little, I visited Lanxi City with my parents and met a boy named Xiao Luo… Hearing your intro—surname Luo, from Lanxi, even your face looks a little like him—I just wanted to check…”

“Could you have forgotten, Luo Ling?” Pei Lin chimed in.

“Uh… I’m not sure. Honestly, nothing comes to mind… Sorry.” Luo Ling fidgeted with his fingers.

“No worries—it’s my own thing. No need to apologize.”

They awkwardly dropped the topic. Piecing together Xiao You’s words and details, Luo Ling saw clear parallels between himself and her “Xiao Luo.” Even he wondered… but after racking his brain through every memory, nothing surfaced. He’d just have to wait and see.

His roommates stayed quiet—it was personal.

Slightly bothered but not obsessed, Luo Ling shrugged it off. Things unclear now would click later. (Truth be told? He was just lazy.)

After self-introductions, the homeroom teacher outlined the schedule.

As Southwind University enrolled many international students, freshmen skipped military training—replaced by a week-long orientation camp.

Luo Ling had no idea how lucky he was. Later, he learned other Chinese universities subjected freshmen to grueling drills so intense guys reportedly bought period pads. He’d dodged it effortlessly.

Side note: Succubi don’t get periods. Per Mom, their bodies stay battle-ready 24/7. Ling Luo found the explanation messy—but skipping period pads *and* that monthly hell? A solid silver lining.

The camp’s first activity: an afternoon lecture.

Nothing special. Students scrolled phones secretly, letting words go in one ear and out the other, counting down to freedom.

Post-lecture? Zero plans. First day of school: surprisingly chill.

At dinner, Luo Ling followed the crowd to the cafeteria’s third floor—and blinked in surprise. Decor noticeably nicer than floors one and two. (Prices? Slightly steeper.)

He queued with roommates at the rice bowl counter, ordered black pepper chicken rice, and joined them at their saved table.

“Mmm…”

Watching Luo Ling savor each bite with blissful focus, his roommates froze. Felt like watching a tiny animal eat—unexpectedly cute.

“Aren’t you eating? Why stare?”

“N-nothing!” All three hastily shoveled rice, pretending innocence.

Luo Ling hesitated. “Um… can I call you Qiu Long?” He glanced at the shortest dormmate across the table.

The boy swallowed. “Actually… my surname is Liangqiu.”

“Ah! Sorry.” Luo Ling pushed through the awkwardness. “How about Xiao Long?”

“Sure. What’s up?”

“You mentioned liking drawing during class meeting?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“You wanna learn too?” Pei Lin cut in.

“No—I just admire it. Would love to see Xiao Long’s work.”

Luo Ling’s old friend Li Zhenghan had studied art. Knowing how tough drawing was, he respected anyone skilled.

…Come to think of it, that lewd drawing Hanhan was finishing last month still isn’t out. Should nudge him later.

“No problem. I’ll show you back at the dorm. Just amateur stuff though,” Liangqiu Long said modestly.

…

“You call *this* amateur?!”

“No way!”

“Seriously, no way!”

After seeing Liangqiu Long’s art, the trio was floored.

“With this skill, you could enter art school…”

“No, really—it’s just a hobby. My family wouldn’t approve of art as a career…”

Silence fell. Family talk = no further words.

“Hey, Luo Ling—play LoL?” Pei Lin asked suddenly.

“Heard of it. Haven’t started.”

“No worries! We’ll show you the ropes.”

“Awesome!”

“Then log in already!”

Just as Luo Ling reached for his laptop, he froze. “Sorry—I just remembered something. Can we continue after I get back?”

“Oh right—you’ve been exercising evenings lately?”

“Y-yeah… exercise…”

“No problem. We’ll start without you,” Pei Lin said.

…

On the library rooftop, a girl stood facing east, eyes closed in quiet prayer.

Ling Luo landed softly before her, sizing up the one who’d summoned her.

Tall and graceful, silky hair flowing to her waist. Long lashes rested like butterflies on her lids; a high nose bridge framed her face. Lips of healthy pink—neither small nor large. Undeniably beautiful.

*Too bad not my type,* Ling Luo muttered inwardly.

Still… glad it’s a girl. Who *doesn’t* like a cute girl? Seriously.

But please—don’t get handsy like that girl last night. I really can’t handle it again…

The longer Ling Luo studied her face, the more familiar it felt.

The moment the girl opened her eyes—

Recognition struck.