Back at the dining table, the club president finally added a chair for me. Naturally, she placed it right beside her own—so close that compared to everyone else’s spacing, we were like two fingers glued together.

Well, at least I had a chair… no need to sit on someone’s lap.

Don’t get the wrong idea—sitting on laps isn’t cute. That “riding” position everyone whispers about? Yeah, the uke sits on laps too.

“Xiaoxi, here—this crispy sausage is for you.”

I watched silently as she dropped it into my bowl, a faint wistfulness settling in my chest.

“Here, this quail egg.”

“And this shrimp dumpling.”

I couldn’t take it anymore. “Sister Xiaonan… I’m… I’m an adult.”

Why only childish snacks? I’m an adult! I love spicy beef, duck intestines, and mushroom dishes too!

“An adult?” Her eyes flicked instinctively toward my chest. “Doesn’t look like it.”

…Unbearable.

Thankfully, she only served a few bites. Once I finished, I’d get to my favorite—blanched duck intestines. Or so I thought. After two mouthfuls…

“So full…”

My petite stomach couldn’t handle more. I set down my chopsticks and quietly observed.

Everyone else seemed used to it; only I was shocked by my own appetite. I shifted slightly aside and pulled out my iPhone.

After logging into QQ, messages flooded in.

“Boss Xi! Exams over? Coming to the shop tomorrow? Awesome!”

—that bold tone? Definitely Ye Xiaoshuang.

“Sister Xiaoxi, hope your exams went well! (Heart)”

—adorably cute? Xu Wei, no doubt.

“Tomorrow we meet~ Does Lady Xiaoxi want a little… *meet-and-greet gift*~?”

—teetering on the edge of appropriateness? Ai Li, obviously. Honestly, I’m impressive—I recognized them all without checking IDs.

Scrolling through, everyone had messaged… except *that* boss surnamed Qin. Not a single word!

Oh right—she doesn’t use QQ. Switched to WeChat. Sure enough:

“Exams done? Don’t forget to arrive early tomorrow.”

At least she remembered… Seriously, not even a “good luck”? A token courtesy would’ve been nice.

After everything, I’d pinned Qin Ning as the classic tsundere—cold outside, warm inside; sharp tongue, soft heart. Only difference? She’d never blush.

Thought it. Would never say it. After a pause, I tap-tap-tapped: “Mm, done. I’ll be there early tomorrow.”

*Beep beep beep*—reply instantly: “Hope *someone* doesn’t claim they can’t get up tomorrow morning.”

That was a special case!

“…Just an accident. Won’t happen again.”

The moment I sent it, a voice whispered beside my ear: “What’re you up to, Little White Rabbit? Chatting with someone?”

Eep… uh. Swallowed the squeak with reflexes worthy of legend. Phew—almost squealed cutely in public.

“Just casual chat,” I deflected. “Anyway, I’m full.”

Club President Cheng Xiaonan eyed me suspiciously. “Could it be… Xiaoxi’s chatting with a lover?”

“No way!”

And why “lover”? Shouldn’t it be “boyfriend”? Did she already assume I’d date a girl?

…Honestly, not wrong. *Cough* As a tough guy, dating guys? Nope. Not happening.

“Really?”

“True,” I admitted when evasion failed. “It’s my summer job boss.”

“Summer job?” Her eyes dimmed. “Why work? I can take care of you.”

“…Don’t joke. It’s not just about money. Besides, don’t we have that event?” (Lie. It was 100% about money.)

“It’s a semi-commercial cosplay event,” she explained. “A new sponsor’s hosting a comic con in our small city this summer and invited us as guests.”

Huh? Guests? Is our club actually famous?