Zhou You pulled his hand back from Chen Tangtang’s sudden hug. He hadn’t meant to be caught off guard—he’d been ready, but she always struck the exact moment his focus slipped.

Maybe it was like how fools never catch colds. She probably had some uncanny sixth sense.

Chen Tangtang shuddered at a trace of malice, brows furrowed as she glanced around warily. Zhou You shifted his attention to Ning Mengmeng.

The girl who’d confessed to him before.

“Mengmeng, about what happened earlier—”

“Brother!” Ning Mengmeng cut him off. At their current intimacy level, rejection was inevitable. She couldn’t let that happen.

Her shoulders trembled. Glistening teardrops slid from behind her bangs down her cheeks to her slightly pointed chin.

“Please… don’t say it. I’m begging you.”

“…”

Zhou You narrowed his eyes, scanning the area. No one was approaching. Coincidence? Still, Ning Mengmeng was very likely Sister Mo’s niece.

What a small world.

“Let’s take a walk alone.” Zhou You switched to a practiced gentle tone, affectionately ruffling Ning Mengmeng’s hair before leading her toward another campus section.

He brought her to a quiet, secluded spot and smiled while appraising the girl pretending to be an innocent little rabbit.

“Stop crying. I know you’re not that pure.”

“S-sob… huh?” Her choked whimper hitched. She lifted her head, eyes wide and timid like a rabbit peeking from its burrow.

“I… I’m not scheming.”

“Really?” Zhou You crouched slightly, gaze burning straight into her soul.

Ning Mengmeng’s composure cracked. She stepped back, mind swirling into chaos.

*Brother… he really saw through me?*

*What do I do? What do I do? What do I do…*

“I-I’m sorry! I was just scared you’d reject me.” Three parts sincerity, seven parts pretense—she trembled and pressed closer. “Mengmeng would do anything for Brother.”

Here we go again.

A thought flickered in Zhou You’s mind. He kept smiling. “Anything?”

“Mm.” She nodded firmly. Her bangs fluttered, revealing glimpses of her flushed face. “Anything. I’d even become Brother’s ***.”

“…”

Zhou You blinked slightly at those three words, then leaned in with a deeper smile, gently brushing her bangs aside.

“Then you’re my toy now.” Naughty girls needed guidance—no straying. After all, she was Youzi’s friend, an adorable girl who clung to him. A little extra care wouldn’t hurt.

Ning Mengmeng’s eyes flew wide. Crimson flooded her cheeks. Had Zhou You not held her hand, she’d have vanished on the spot.

She’d skipped straight from classmate to girlfriend to wife… and landed squarely as “toy.” Talk about fast-tracking the endgame.

“Mm… I’m Brother’s…”

Zhou You studied her, then naturally took her hand. “We’ll talk later. First, take me to Sister Mo.”

“Sister Mo?” Ning Mengmeng murmured, then froze in shock. “Brother… you’re my aunt’s online friend?”

Seeing Zhou You nod, she frowned briefly before relaxing. Didn’t matter. Aunt was president of Hangzhou City Z University (HZU); Brother was a student. Student-teacher romance? Still in high school, she couldn’t quite grasp it—university wasn’t high school.

“I’ll take you to Aunt right now!” Ning Mengmeng hurried. Aunt Ning Moxin had been waiting.

They reached the faculty building. Ning Mengmeng led him upstairs with ease to the fifth-floor president’s office.

“The president’s office?” Zhou You blinked. He thought he’d be more surprised. Guess he was getting used to it.

Knock, knock, knock~

“Come in.” Her voice washed over him like clear spring water, instantly calming any turbulent heart.

Zhou You stepped inside. A faint tea scent filled the air. An ethereal woman knelt in ancient-style robes before a tea set, utterly unlike modern attire.

Sleeves rolled up, fingers more translucent than jade gripped the purple clay teapot. She poured tea, lifted her gaze toward the door—long lashes and a crimson mole beneath her left eye weaving an unforgettable charm.

A woman impossible to forget.

“Xiao You is here.” Ning Moxin smiled softly, gesturing. “Sit. Let’s talk.”

After Zhou You sat, she turned to Ning Mengmeng, tone unchanged. “Mengmeng, go take a stroll outside.”

At that gentle voice, Ning Mengmeng’s body trembled. Childhood memories surged unbidden.

Aunt Ning Moxin… a terrifying woman to her.

“Y-yes.” Stiff and awkward, she retreated. Zhou You watched, thoughtful. Maybe Sister Mo wasn’t as gentle as she seemed?

Naturally. As HZU’s president, she couldn’t be some submissive, obedient figure.

“Tea.” Ning Moxin offered a cup.

Zhou You accepted, sipped lightly. He knew tea well enough to appreciate it.

“You’re rare—one who truly savors tea here,” she said, lifting her own cup. “Others either want something… or want *me*.”

Sister Mo was startlingly direct.

“I’m just a carefree college student. No desires right now,” Zhou You replied honestly. Sure, he felt a flicker of normal male appreciation—but that was all. He’d met plenty of charming older sisters lately.

Ning Moxin set down her cup. “I knew I hadn’t misjudged you. Xiao You, you’re exceptional.”

She paused inwardly. *Mengmeng isn’t quite worthy of Xiao You.* The moment she saw them enter chatting warmly, pieces clicked. No wonder her “well-behaved” niece—tolerated for two years—had lately whispered, “The time has come.” Her crush had finally broken up.

Hands resting on her knees, wide pipa sleeves flowing down her straight legs, she spoke plainly:

“I see you and Mengmeng are close. I have a request. In return, I’ll help you.”

“Please say it, Sister Mo.”

“You’ve noticed my niece is… unusual. Help me guide her. Even if you… ‘break’ her in the process, it’s fine.”

Zhou You froze. Should he mention the “toy agreement” he’d already made with Ning Mengmeng?

*After all… your niece is already my personal toy.*