"I, uh… actually came here to pick out a gift for tomorrow’s meeting. Since you’re here, let’s just buy it now—go ahead and choose whatever you like, no need to be shy."

*He wore that smug “I’m rich enough to take care of you” look… Yep, guys always try to act generous in front of girls they like. I knew Yu Shan’s family situation well—he’s usually tight-fisted to a fault, and now he’s putting on this ridiculous rich-boy act.*

"Hahaha… Thank you so much! But I don’t need cosmetics—I was just browsing and happened to grab a few things. See? All done!"

By then, the shop assistant had brought everything she’d picked. Big bags, small bags—three full loads. Yu Shan froze, dumbfounded. He’d planned to show off in front of me, but this clearly blew past his budget.

"You bought all this?"

Yu Shan wiped cold sweat from his brow and forced a smile.

"Ah… but it’s too much for me to carry. You’ll help me, right~?"

Hands clasped behind my back, legs kicking lightly without my control—true Fox Demon style, using my burly male body to strike absurdly cute poses. *I felt a little disgusted inside… but Yu Shan was totally eating it up.*

"Yes, yes! I’ll carry them!"

Finally getting to flex his machismo, Yu Shan snatched the three bulky bags from the clerk and strode over with an effortlessly cool air.

"Where do you live? Let me walk you home."

"Sure~" the Fox Demon cooed sweetly through my lips.

*Sis, your character shift is way too fast! One second you’re a shy little girl, next you’re agreeing to go home with a guy you just met? Don’t you worry what he might do?*

*Perfect. I was stressing how to get him to a hotel room—and now he delivers himself. Lucky kid. Drain him dry today, and half your mission’s done.*

Her voice echoed in my mind, buzzing with excitement. *Was she really that eager to suck his spiritual energy dry?*

*Yu Shan… don’t blame your buddy. You’re just too naive. What girl invites a guy home on the first meet? Classic honey trap—and you still don’t see it?*

*"Don’t go too far later… I’m scared I won’t handle it."*

I still vividly remembered last time—even absorbing an ordinary person’s energy felt wild. How much more intense would it be with someone brimming with spiritual energy like him?

"Huh? What’d you say?"

Yu Shan, walking beside me, caught my muttering and jumped in: "Tired? Hungry? Thirsty? Need a break?"—chattering nonstop.

*So this is what they call a simp?*

*Nope. Gotta spice it up—otherwise, the energy extraction won’t be enough.*

After that thought, she steered my body straight into a nearby convenience store.

"You look tired carrying all that. I’ll grab water. Wait here—don’t move."

"Mm."

Yu Shan nodded obediently, rooted to the spot.

She did take a bottle… but instead of leaving, she ducked into the women’s restroom.

*"What are you doing?! This is the women’s restroom!"*

Even inside the stall, my heart hammered. That auntie who frowned at me on the way in—did she notice? Would she call the cops thinking I’m a creep?

*My demonic energy’s low. This blood curse will stir his spiritual energy awake.*

She bit my index finger. No blood—just a faint red glow. Without pause, she traced an unreadable symbol onto the bottle. The glowing mark seeped slowly into the plastic.

*Phew… Exhausting.*

I gasped, drenched in sweat, limbs heavy like something vital had been drained from me.

*"What is this?"*

*A Fox Demon’s blood curse. Uses your bloodline power—not much demonic energy needed. Effect? Makes the target obsess over the caster, spiritual energy boiling nonstop. Layman’s terms? Consumed by lust.*

*…So it’s basically a love potion. Why sugarcoat it?*

*"Don’t mess this up."*

I instinctively covered my butt and crept out of the stall.

"Here, you must be tired. Drink up and rest."

Sitting on a park bench, I tossed him the cursed bottle and sipped from my own.

"Thanks."

He didn’t drink. Just gripped it tight, staring.

"You’re welcome… drink it soon."

"Wait… not thirsty yet…"

"…Fine. Take your time."

No point forcing him. In this heat, he’d drink eventually.

"Ran… all the way… three whole blocks… finally found you… huff… huff… YU SHAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

We both jolted and turned—there stood Class Rep Hanhan, soaked through, her silhouette sharply outlined by clinging clothes.

"Class Rep?! N-no! Not a date! Just… ordinary friends! Please don’t misunderstand!"

Yu Shan shot up. One slip here meant academic ruin—he knew it. Spotting her sweat-drenched face, he thrust the water bottle toward her.

*…Hmm. Things are about to take a very unexpected turn.*