“What a shame… She was such a perfect contract candidate…”

Having reverted to her human form, Ling Luo kicked a small pebble away in clear annoyance. She still wore her baseball cap and carried the black backpack that looked oversized on her petite frame.

“We were *so* close! That Shi Wuyou really had to show up at the worst possible moment!”

She’d prepared thoroughly—even set up a repellent barrier—but it all fell apart at the last second. No wonder Ling Luo’s mood was foul. Still, one thing nagged her: *How did Shi Wuyou even find me?*

“Logically speaking, today’s… ahem, *contract venue* was decided on the spot. She shouldn’t have known,” Ling Luo muttered.

Since their fallout happened on the library rooftop—and Shi Wuyou knew that fabricated urban legend—Ling Luo assumed she might check there. So she’d hastily picked a new spot for her scheme… only to get caught red-handed. Infuriating!

Annoying as it was, Ling Luo refused to dwell on it. Finding the next target came first—lunch break was short, and Wubu Quan practice awaited that afternoon.

…

Tucked in a quiet corner on the campus’s east side lay a seldom-used alley. Weathered walls on both sides bore deep traces of time.

Two figures—one tall, one short—now stood within its silence.

“Big sis, wanna sign this contract with me?”

Ling Luo had spent minutes sweet-talking another girl, just wrapping up the… *ahem*, business introduction.

“Um, I…”

“Don’t sign it!”

Shi Wuyou’s voice cut in sharply.

“Who… are you?” the girl asked hesitantly, thick lenses glinting, hiding her expression.

“Uh… I’m a student here,” Wuyou replied.

Wuyou studied the girl—braided pigtails, thick glasses, utterly plain clothes—and could only think *plain*. Not unkindly; “simple” was the kindest word.

“Ugh, *you* again?!” Ling Luo snapped, displeasure practically stamped across her face.

“Do… do you two know each other?” the bespectacled girl whispered.

“No!” they chorused.

“Oh… I get it…”

“Get *what*?”

“N-nothing…” The girl shrank back.

“I *will* stop you from signing contracts and harming others!” Wuyou declared, voice firm with conviction.

“Meddlesome busybody…” Ling Luo grumbled.

*If only her charm aura worked on Wuyou…* She could’ve sweet-talked her into obedience—or even made her a clueless assistant. But no—Wuyou’s magic-immune constitution was a headache. Winning her over would waste the whole lunch break. Zero contracts signed? Not worth the effort.

After weighing options, Ling Luo chose retreat. But first—

“So… you’re dead set on ruining *this princess’s* plans?” Her voice turned icy, laced with unnatural authority.

The sudden shift startled the girl; moments ago, Ling Luo seemed just a playful kid.

Wuyou felt the chill too but steeled herself. “Yeah. And I’ll keep my word!”

“Hehe… Try me,” Ling Luo smirked—a villain’s dangerous grin. Wuyou’s skin prickled; goosebumps rose.

“Big sis—”

“Y-yes?” The girl jumped at the call.

“Fate will bring us together again.”

Crimson light flared in the little demon’s eyes.

“Don’t look!” Wuyou yanked her hand over the girl’s glasses.

Seconds later—gone. Again.

*Why run?* A supernatural being, vastly stronger than humans… yet fleeing *twice*? Something felt off.

“Are you okay?” Wuyou asked, pushing doubts aside.

She needed witnesses. Last time, the girl’s memories were wiped. But she’d learned: avoid the crimson glow, keep your memories. *This time should’ve worked.*

“Please… help me stop that little demon.”

“Little demon? What demon?”

“She just asked you to sign a contract!”

“Contract? What contract?”

Wuyou froze. *I blocked the light… so why…?*

“Sorry, I’m heading back to my dorm… I try to understand, but… you city folks say things I just can’t follow…”

The girl left. Wuyou stood rooted, disbelief etched on her face.

*Where did I go wrong…?*

---

“Shi Wuyou *was* guarding against the crimson light…” Ling Luo mused while scanning for a new target. “Too bad—that was the *wrong* answer.”

Truth was, the Demon Eye’s charm gave humans zero warning. The crimson glow? Pure flair—added just for style. Who knew that flashy touch would become the perfect smokescreen?

Plus, activation only required *one glance*. No need for sustained eye contact. Ling Luo had *made* the girl look—planting the false rule most wouldn’t crack quickly.

“But *how* does she keep finding me? Like I’ve got a tracker… Is she some human radar?” Ling Luo frowned. “If she finds me *again*… something’s definitely fishy.”