In a whoosh, the days flew by.

Right now, Qiu Li’er had two things on her mind: her Saturday meeting with Detective C, and the Magic-Martial Tournament kicking off next week for a full fortnight.

As for the main quest 【Requiem of Souls】… no rush. It had no time limit anyway, and without Detective C’s help, cracking it was near impossible.

The night before Saturday, Yuenina asked seriously:

“Little Fox, you’re *sure* the meeting’s at East District Library?”

The East District Library stood tallest in the district—a gleaming silver spire of 222 floors, housing a vast ocean of books, a true “Ocean of Knowledge.”

Bustling daily, especially on weekends, its crowds could swallow someone like Qiu Li’er, barely over 1.5 meters tall, in a blink.

Qiu Li’er nodded obediently: “Mm-hmm. Two p.m., at the park by the library entrance—under the seventh tree counting from right to left.”

Nan Shi and Yuenina exchanged a glance and nodded.

“Per plan,” Yuenina said, “we’ll tail you all day tomorrow for safety.”

“Even if she had ill intentions,” Nan Shi added, “she wouldn’t dare act near the library.”

“Um… I don’t think she’s *that* bad,” Qiu Li’er murmured meekly.

She’d chatted plenty with Detective C lately. Eccentric, yes—hot-headed like a unreasonable older bro when angry, sweet and polite when calm.

Qiu Li’er had met internet friends like this before—masters of rapid mood shifts—and felt a strange familiarity.

Yuenina slammed the table, standing up flushed: “The price is an *offline meeting*! No matter how skilled she is, her character’s rotten to the core!”

Qiu Li’er scratched her head anxiously.

*If I explain—it’s just a system quest, not Detective C’s fault, she just wants lewd pics—they’ll think this lewd Little Fox staged it all. For my reputation… sorry, Detective C. You keep the blame.*

“Exactly!” Nan Shi declared, standing firm beside Yuenina. “You’re *our* dearest Little Fox! Lewd pics? Fine—but only for us!”

Yuenina whacked her head. “Nonsense!”

Qiu Li’er shot her a puzzled look, a trace of guilt stirring.

*She’s right… hoarding precious lewd pics instead of sharing with best friends? Immoral.*

Overthinking it, Qiu Li’er whispered shyly, “Well… not entirely impossible…”

“…”

Yuenina sighed, whacking Nan Shi again. “Look what you did!”

“Sorry!” Nan Shi apologized sincerely.

*Is Little Fox’s brain fuzzy today? Nan Shi’s fault or hers?*

Yuenina shook her head. “Enough. Tomorrow—how do we disguise ourselves?”

“Follow secretly,” Nan Shi said plainly.

“I mean *identities*…”

“Oh~ *That’s* what you meant, Nini.”

Nan Shi chuckled, arm sliding around Yuenina’s waist, breath warm against her flushed ear: “Obviously—we’ll be a couple madly in love.”

*A couple?*

Qiu Li’er’s eyes lit up. *Perfect!* Public cuddles with Yuenina—kisses, snuggles, nuzzles… blur act and reality… until things naturally progress. Plan set!

“What couple?! Little Fox, ignore her!” Yuenina squirmed, ears burning. “Hmph… all sweet talk.”

“So you *want* me serious?”

Nan Shi pulled her closer. Bouncy warmth pressed through fabric, stealing Yuenina’s breath.

“Huff… you lewd cow…”

“And you’re a flat-chested kitten~”

Watching them flirt shamelessly, Qiu Li’er tilted her head. “You’re *really* going all in?”

Yuenina pouted. “Fine by me! I fear nothing!”

Nan Shi smirked. “Same.”

“Then—” Qiu Li’er held up two fingers, smiling sweetly. “How about we all go to the church tomorrow… and get married?”

Here, churches issued marriage certs—welcoming same-sex and group unions alike. True love blessed by divinity; pass the trial, and hold a ceremony.

“…Huh?!”

The joke stunned them. Gazing at Qiu Li’er’s innocent smile, their minds flickered: *Marrying this cute fox girl… blissful married life…*

*Wait—we’re minors! Can’t even get certified!*

Relief washed over them.

“No no, we’ve got business tomorrow!”

“Just joking, Little Fox! Don’t mind it!”

“Oh…” Qiu Li’er shrugged. She’d been joking too.

Nan Shi, feeling awkward, released Yuenina and cleared her throat. “Ahem~ So, Nini… pretend to be my girlfriend tomorrow?”

“Whatever,” Yuenina sighed. After *that* marriage tease, pretending felt trivial. Cuddling? They’d already done some.

But night wasn’t just for cuddling—sleep mattered too. For tomorrow’s mission, rest was essential.

Cuddling *was* draining, after all.

Lights out. Yuenina plotted protecting Little Fox. Nan Shi schemed protecting *and* teasing Yuenina.

Qiu Li’er drifted off dreaming of Detective C—a beautiful, elegant older sister.

Zzz…

Dawn broke. Weekend bliss began with sleeping in till noon.