I made a mental note to look into it later. Of course, I couldn’t just ask Cheng Xiaonan outright—that’d either expose my amnesia or make me seem totally heartless.

After all, I *am* Su Xiaoxi, a key member of the club. And from what I’d heard, I apparently earn the highest salary. How could I not even know our club’s reputation? If I admitted that, Cheng Xiaonan would chew me out.

“In that case, will there be training or rehearsals?” I seized the chance to ask. “My job doesn’t leave much free time, but I could take two days off if needed.”

“No need, no need,” Cheng Xiaonan said breezily. “Rehearsals are their job. Xiaoxi just needs to stand there looking gorgeous.”

Earn the top bonus for doing nothing but standing? No wonder the others would tear me apart.

“So… what role am I playing?”

“Hmm, this needs careful thought,” Cheng Xiaonan murmured, propping her cheek on her hand. A glistening strand of drool slowly trickled from the corner of her mouth. “Let me think…”

“Could you wipe that drool *before* you think?” I subtly leaned back a little. “I’m kinda scared.”

“Cough, cough! Don’t be scared! It’s just the hot pot—so fragrant it tickled my taste buds!” She hastily grabbed a tissue. “Okay, okay… what role suits Xiaoxi?”

I raised a palm in a firm stop gesture. “Clear rule upfront: swimsuits, mizugi, lingerie—none of that.”

“Eh… Eh? *Eh?!*”

She froze, caught off guard by my preemptive strike.

Spotting her about to protest, I added quickly, “Also, Lolita dresses and maid outfits are off the table.”

“Wh-why?!” Flustered—as if I’d read her mind—Cheng Xiaonan stammered.

“It’s scorching hot outside,” I said matter-of-factly. “You don’t want me drenched in sweat after two minutes, right?”

Cheng Xiaonan drooped for a second—then her eyes lit up. “So… a *skimpy* maid outfit would be fine, right?!”

“…”

Ugh. I shouldn’t have added that explanation. Why did I even bother?!

After mulling it over endlessly, Cheng Xiaonan still hadn’t decided. She finally clapped her hands. “Give me time to think. I’ll tell you once I’ve got it.”

“…”

Her serious tone only made my stomach sink deeper.

All meals end eventually. Surprisingly, no one asked me to pay the bill.

“You barely ate two bites—less than a kid! Making you pay would be cruel,” Cheng Xiaonan said. “We’re not monsters.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Xu Qianqian chimed in. “We’re human. Not monsters.”

…So you only agreed with the *second* part, huh.

Well, I wasn’t about to refuse free money. Stepping outside, we prepared to go our separate ways.

“Don’t wander far during break,” Cheng Xiaonan warned the group. “The event’s coming up—watch your skin. Break out with acne? You’ll be stuck on backstage chores.”

The others gave half-hearted nods and scattered.

Cheng Xiaonan grinned and sidled up to me. “Xiaoxi, heading home or back to campus? If you’re free tonight… wanna hang out?”

I subtly shifted Xu Qianqian between us. “No thanks. I start my part-time job bright and early tomorrow. Gotta rest the second I get home.”