I wiped the corner of my mouth and shot back, "No, no—bad for your health."

Eli: "Reproduction is human nature. It’s not just harmless; it’s good for body and mind."

This veteran player was way too smooth. I was barely holding on.

"No, no, no," I refused firmly. "You can’t do that in public—it’s indecent."

"Oh~ So you *are* saying all sorts of... *play* is fine in private, huh~?" (licking her lips)

Too much. My heart couldn’t take it...

"Ahem. Gotta review my notes. I’ll update you later."

I didn’t dare check her reply. Fumbling, I closed QQ. Ugh… what if I couldn’t sleep tonight?

Come to think of it… what does it actually feel like for a girl…?

*Slap!* I smacked my own cheek.

"Waaah! Xiao Xi, what’s wrong?!" Xu Qianqian dropped her calculus textbook, rushed over, and grabbed my arm. "Don’t hit yourself! Look—your little hand’s all red!"

"..." I hit my *face* with my hand. Don’t make it sound like my face attacked my hand.

"No one’s perfect. Regret has no cure. Whatever silly thing you did, just keep moving forward!"

"Stop, stop, stop!" I cut in. "Why’s it getting weirder by the second?"

"Didn’t you do something silly?" Xu Qianqian blinked cutely. "Then why slap yourself?"

I shrugged. "Just felt fuzzy. Slapped myself to wake up."

…Okay, not a total lie. I *did* need to clear my head—stop my thoughts drifting to… *that*.

Lust is a knife hanging over your head.

But still… what *does* it feel like? Eli’s one point was right: reproduction is part of being human. Like showering or using the restroom—unavoidable. You face it someday.

"No, no—what am I even justifying?" I slapped my cheeks again. "Even if unavoidable… not *now*."

Xu Qianqian frowned. "Xiao Xi, what *are* you muttering about? Lately it’s all nonsense to me."

"Normal," I said flatly. "If you *understood*, would you keep failing exams?"

Xu Qianqian’s eyes lit up. "Ah! You meant *studying*! No wonder!"

"..."

Qin Xue returned that evening, arms full of books—another quiet day in the study room. Back in the dorm, she stayed distant. A nod. Not a word more.

This cold vibe… just like Boss Qin. Do all Qins share the same aura?

"Only two days till finals."

Right before bed, Xu Qianqian shook her head dramatically. I paused. "Yeah. Two days."

I’d expected the side-ponytail girl to suddenly vow to cram hard and avoid failing. Instead, she pouted, tears welling. "Time with Xiao Xi is almost gone… After exams, we’ll be worlds apart. Waaah…"

My lips twitched. "*Worlds apart*? You live in South America?"

"Just poetic exaggeration! Distance doesn’t matter if we can’t see each other," she sniffled. "Summer break… besides hangouts, only club gatherings!"

…So you won’t visit the shop? *Perfect.*

I’d feared her bursting in, hugging her boss tight in front of staff—dignity? Obliterated.

"Oh! The gathering!" Xu Qianqian gasped. "Don’t forget the club meetup the night exams end!"

"Got it, got it."

Dawn came not with sun, but vibration—my iPhone buzzing under the pillow.

Screen lit. New message.

Qin Ning: Not coming today. You handle it. Keys at the breakfast shop downstairs. Owner’s surname Wang.

…Huh?

I knew stunning Qin Ning trusted me—but *this* much? Day three, and she hands me the keys?

Alone. The whole building. Just me.

Uh-oh. A tiny thrill flickered in my chest.

Skipped thigh-highs. Pulled on loose socks, shoved feet into shoes, and bolted.

Second day of interviews. My second-to-last free day. Hope it brings results.

After tomorrow: finals (three days). Then shop opens. Candidates, come *now*. Passing my screening? Way easier than Qin Ning’s.