"Ahem, don’t sweat the details. Just give me a straight answer—yes or no?"

I never knew I could spin lies so effortlessly. Without any prep, I’d conjured up a cute little sister out of thin air.

"You’re not lying to me?"

Seeing the confused look in Yushan’s eyes, I knew he was hooked. Sure enough—he was desperate for a girlfriend. I knew him too well.

"Why would I lie? What’s in it for me?"

"Alright… Have your sister add me tonight. We’ll… chat."

"Absolutely. Leave it to your bro."

My scheme worked. I turned away and couldn’t help but smirk.

But the moment I turned, I spotted Class Rep Hanhan standing at the classroom door, her icy gaze locked onto us.

Her piercing stare sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. Had she overheard us?

So what if she did? School rules ban dating *on campus*—not outside. Even if she’s meddlesome, it’s none of her business.

"Su Su, come here."

Class Rep Hanhan’s lips moved slightly as she whispered my name. Logically, it should’ve been drowned in classroom noise—but the Fox Demon’s possession sharpened my senses. I heard every word.

"Class Rep Hanhan, what do you need?"

Totally unguarded, I dumbly walked to the door, clueless about what was coming.

"Su Su… have you encountered anything strange lately?"

Her question froze me. How could I answer? *Everything* these past two days had been weird.

But could I say it? Exposing the Fox Demon wouldn’t just risk my life—it might drag others down with me.

"N-nothing. Why do you ask?"

"Just asking."

She frowned, sizing me up, then pulled a yellow paper from her pocket. Grabbing my arm, she pressed it firmly into my palm.

"Keep it. Don’t ask why."

She turned and walked straight to her seat. I couldn’t shake the feeling… she knew something.

After school, the Fox Demon stirred awake. I hadn’t planned to mention the paper—but she acted like she already knew. "Show it to me."

"Do you know what this is?"

[Just a common exorcism talisman. Passed down through generations.]

She dismissed the yellow paper with a shrug, then casually folded it into a paper airplane.

"Come on! Show some respect for the talisman, you demon!"

"Why does Class Rep Hanhan have this?"

[In this era, humans with spiritual energy are mostly descendants of ancient cultivators. Bloodlines diluted over generations… but some relics survive. This talisman’s at least two hundred years old. Hmph. Seems she *likes* you—giving you something this precious.]

Guilt surged in my chest. She probably sensed the Fox Demon’s aura on me… worried… gave me her heirloom for protection.

But she didn’t know *I* was the "demon." And I’d been scheming to drain *her* energy for freedom. Sigh… I’m such a scumbag.

[Guilty? Relax. This queen doesn’t harm innocents lightly. Losing spiritual energy just blocks cultivation—big deal in our time, trivial now. Don’t carry guilt for me.]

She softened her tone, sensing my turmoil. But… was she *coaxing* me?

"I hope you keep your word. Or else…"

[Oh? Or else what?]

"Or else I’ll tickle my own feet—and tickle *you* to death!"

[Hahahaha… you really are adorable.]

She laughed. I forced a chuckle back, but my mind raced: *Do I need a backup plan? What if she betrays me?*

"I’ve got my deskmate to chat with tonight. What’s the plan? I can’t pretend to be a girl."

"Forgot about *this queen*? You think *you* need to dress up?"

Uncontrollably, my lips shaped a seductive, honeyed voice—so alluring it sent shivers straight to the bone.