"If I weren’t free tonight, who’d even bother coming to this creepy place with you…" Haolin grumbled, trailing behind Wang Hong onto the library rooftop.

Compared to the brightly lit interior, the rooftop was noticeably dimmer.

Wang Hong pulled out his phone to light the way and led ahead.

"I’m truly grateful you’d help me with this, Senior."

"I still don’t get when you got into all this mystical stuff. That energy’d be better spent on Student Council duties."

"If this works out, I’ll absolutely work harder from now on! Please, Senior!"

"Alright, alright—so what exactly do I do?"

Wang Hong faced the direction of Tianhua Commercial District. "Senior, just stand here facing this way and silently count from one to six in your mind. Repeat it three times."

"That’s it?" Haolin asked, puzzled.

"Mm-hmm! Just follow my instructions—thank you, Senior! Ah, wait—let me hide first…"

Before he finished, Wang Hong froze completely, as if time had paused.

"Hey, Wang Hong! What’s wrong?"

Haolin shook him, but his body stayed rigid.

"Cut it out. You know I hate jokes. Wang Hong?"

"No use shouting. Even if you scream your lungs out, he won’t hear you."

A soft, childish voice echoed from the shadows. Haolin spun around—and saw a little girl step forward, dressed in an outfit far too mature for her age.

"Who are you?"

"Me? The one your junior was trying to summon. Correction—a Succubus."

Ling Luo snapped her fingers. A faint glow shimmered around them, revealing her clearly.

Haolin stared, utterly speechless.

"No need to gawk. Snap out of it!"

"Y-you’re really a Succubus? Why was Wang Hong looking for you?"

"Doubting this princess? Typical. Humans always react like this. Honestly, your junior didn’t brief you properly," Ling Luo said, arms crossed.

"What’s going on?"

"He summoned me last night—but annoyed me badly. We parted badly. Knowing he couldn’t call me again, he dragged you in."

"Ah… I’m really sorry."

"Don’t apologize for him. It’s none of your concern. He’s just hypnotized—I’ll lift it when I leave."

"Thank you for your generosity," Haolin bowed.

"Enough about him. Let’s discuss business."

"Please go on."

"You’ve already guessed, haven’t you?" Ling Luo smirked.

"If you didn’t want Wang Hong involved, you wouldn’t be talking to me. So—you have a proposal?"

"Sharp, Big Brother. No beating around the bush: want to sign a demonic contract with me to fulfill your wish?"

"Th-this… Is that rumor true?"

"Of course. *I* posted it. Too bad no one believed me," Ling Luo said smugly.

Humans really are like that—tell them the truth, and they still doubt it.

"So… wishes *can* come true?"

"Yes. But fulfillment depends on whether you can pay the price. There’s no such thing as a free lunch—you know that."

"Mm. Makes sense," Haolin nodded.

"Say, Big Brother… ready to share your wish?"

"First—promise me: if I can pay, will it *definitely* happen?" Haolin met the little demon’s eyes.

"I swear it as the Succubus Princess. Is that enough?" Ling Luo replied solemnly.

"I understand…"

Haolin took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. "I wish… for Jinghua to love only me. Forever."

Pfft—

Ling Luo nearly choked. *What is wrong with this couple?!* Even a wish felt like emotional warfare for a forever-alone soul like her. Cruel. Just cruel.

She’d taken a critical hit to the heart. All she wanted was to make a living—why force-feed her this saccharine love drama?!

Still, the senior’s possessive wording surprised her. If *both* sides act like this… something’s clearly off. Not the time to ask though. Sign the contract first—handle it like she did with the other senior.

Masking her turmoil with practiced poise, Ling Luo kept up the act.

"Not a difficult wish. Price is light. Here’s the contract."

She flicked her wrist. A glowing parchment appeared before Haolin.

"If you truly want this, place your hand on it. That seals the deal."

Haolin read it, hesitated only a moment, then pressed his palm down. As it vanished, he asked, "Done?"

"Yes. I’ll contact you when needed. Farewell for now."

"Wait—I don’t even know your name."

"Right! Call me Lady Lilim. I already know yours via the contract."

"Ah… okay."

"One last thing," Ling Luo fixed him with wide, stern eyes. "When he wakes up? You *never* saw this princess. Understood?"

"Y-yes! Crystal clear."

"No need to spell out how to explain it, right?"

"Nope! I’ve got it covered."

"Good. Sweet dreams. See you next time."

The little demon waved—and vanished. Darkness settled back. Wang Hong blinked, shaking off the trance.

"…Hide first. *Then* start counting."

He darted behind a nearby cooling tower.

"Senior! You can begin!" he called.

Haolin watched, speechless. A tidal wave of exasperation crashed through him—but he’d promised the demon. Play the part. For the junior. The contract was signed.

"Alright. Starting now."

He closed his eyes.