When Mo Qiu got home that evening, the first thing she did was take a shower.

She'd run two laps with Bai Chen and worked up a sweat. The sticky, clammy feeling had bothered her all afternoon.

After her shower, Mo Qiu stepped out of the bathroom. As she passed the full-length mirror, she couldn't help stopping to look at herself.

She wore only a white shirt, just long enough to cover her thighs. Her skin, warmed by the hot water, was fair with a faint blush.

Her long, wet hair hung loose down her back, with a few unruly strands clinging to her cheeks.

The girl's dull eyes stared straight at the black hair in the mirror. She tried lifting it with one arm and muttered:

“This is kind of in the way.”

Now she understood why some girls were always complaining about their long hair in summer and wishing they could cut it short.

All that long hair covered her neck and let in no air at all. It was even worse when she exercised and it whipped around everywhere. It felt like someone was pulling her hair from behind, and she couldn't feel safe at all.

Should she cut it off?

Mo Qiu pinched a lock of hair between her fingers, and Bai Chen's radiant smile appeared in her mind.

What if he didn't like short hair? Wouldn't that be a loss?

Mo Qiu always felt that her body wasn't quite enough to attract him.

After giving her hair a quick rub with a towel, Mo Qiu got down to business.

Her secret bento plan hadn't gone all that well, but she had still managed to get Bai Chen's clothes.

And he gave them to me himself. It's not like my progress with him has been zero.

Mo Qiu lived alone, and to save money, she didn't have a washing machine or a spin dryer. She hand-washed all her clothes.

She made a point of setting Bai Chen's clothes aside for special treatment, and even added extra detergent.

“According to the latest information from the Demon Hunter Organization, their investigation into the case has made further progress. We ask all residents to be patient and limit the number of times they go out at night.”

The evening news played on the computer in her room. Its voice drifted into the bathroom, almost drowned out by the sound of water and clothes rubbing together.

Mo Qiu washed them again and again, until the yellow-brown stains no longer reflected in her dull eyes.

The next day, Mo Qiu went to school as usual. As always, she made herself invisible in class and secretly kept an eye on Bai Chen.

He was his usual sunny, cheerful self. He'd gotten along with all the students around him and looked as busy as ever.

She'd spent a long time thinking in bed last night, and now she had the next step of her plan.

If Bai Chen came to her first and asked about his clothes, she'd say she'd forgotten to bring them.

After what she'd done with his clothes in front of him yesterday, Bai Chen's not-so-bright brain was sure to make him anxious to get them back.

That would give Mo Qiu the perfect excuse to invite him over, leaving the two of them alone together.

Then all she'd have to do was tease him a little. What chance did this little virgin have against her?

Mo Qiu wasn't actually going to seduce him into bed this soon. That would turn them from friends into friends with benefits, and in her experience from her previous life, that kind of relationship rarely lasted.

The things you want but can't have are the most wonderful.

Mo Qiu had even prepared several different plans for how to respond. Whether Bai Chen was shy or made the first move—or even got so horny he tried to force himself on her—she could handle it perfectly.

Just imagining the future savior, desperate for her and kneeling before her, made the corners of Mo Qiu's mouth rise. Her full thighs squeezed together, her black stockings rubbing against each other.

At the same time, Bai Chen, who'd been chatting happily, suddenly felt a chill run down his back.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He had the feeling someone had just been staring at him with a creepy gaze. He looked around, saw no one, and put it down to his imagination.

The first class ended.

Bai Chen, come find me already.

The second class ended.

I know you really want your clothes back. You don't have to be shy.

The third class ended.

Why hasn't he come yet? Is he just pretending to be calm?

The fourth class ended.

...Still nothing.

Whenever Mo Qiu secretly glanced over at Bai Chen, he was either laughing and chatting with his friends or carrying his textbook to the teachers' office.

Every time he left his seat, Bai Chen never came toward hers. He wouldn't even spare her a glance.

This isn't how I thought it would go.

It wasn't until the last class of the morning ended and her classmates started sprinting the hundred meters to the cafeteria that Mo Qiu finally couldn't sit still any longer.

Bai Chen was about to leave too, but luckily Lao Zhu struck up a conversation with him first, buying Mo Qiu a little time.

“You don't have time again tonight? You're such a busy guy.”

“I can't skip work.”

“You haven't even graduated yet. Why are you acting like some uncle scrambling to make a living?”

Bai Chen just smiled at that, thinking to himself that making a living wasn't the only reason he worked.

Just as he was about to stand, he suddenly noticed someone behind Lao Zhu.

“Hi, could you move aside?”

“Of course, no pro—”

Hearing a girl's voice, Lao Zhu turned around, ready to show off his gentlemanly manners—then met those eyes.

The girl's eyes were like an abyss. As Lao Zhu gazed into it, the abyss gazed back at him.

Lao Zhu instantly broke out in goosebumps and hurriedly laughed awkwardly. “Uh, Lily from the class next door wanted to study together. I'd better get going!”

With that, he took off like a shot, leaving Bai Chen behind before he could get a word in.

Take me with you!

Realizing there was no escape, Bai Chen could only turn back to Mo Qiu, looking a little awkward.

“Mo Qiu, you didn't bring me a bento again, did you?”

Mo Qiu tilted her head at that. “Do you want one? I can bring you one tomorrow.”

“No, no, there's no need to go to all that trouble. I'll just eat in the cafeteria for a while.”

Relieved to have dodged a bullet, Bai Chen sat back down. He couldn't help taking another close look at her eyes. No matter how many times he saw them, he thought they were beautiful.

“About the clothes you gave me yesterday...”

“Oh, those? No rush. Just give them back after you've washed them.”

With such a sensitive girl, Bai Chen thought he was being considerate enough.

Mo Qiu didn't see it that way at all.

No rush? Are you kidding me?

Bai Chen was about to say goodbye and head to the cafeteria when Mo Qiu planted both hands on the two desks between them. Startled, he dropped back into his seat.

If he hadn't leaned back in time, Mo Qiu's nose would've bumped into his face.

“W-what are you doing now?”

“I'll return your clothes tonight.”

“But I've got work. I really don't have time after school.” Bai Chen gave a helpless laugh.

I see. You think that means I'm out of options?

“I'll wait for you.”

Mo Qiu's words left Bai Chen stunned.

“Tonight. Come find me when you're done.”

“Does it have to be like this?”

“It has to.”

“O-okay, fine.” Bai Chen rested a hand on her shoulder. “Let's add each other on WeChat. I'll set a time and place for tonight, all right?”

Once she agreed, Bai Chen tore a page from his notebook, quickly wrote down his contact information, and handed it to her.

At first, Mo Qiu didn't realize anything was wrong. Getting Bai Chen's contact information along with his clothes was an unexpected bonus.

It wasn't until the girl returned to her seat with the note in her hand that she suddenly realized what was off.

Wasn't I supposed to invite him over? How did it turn into him asking me out?

Her bad feeling came true. Bai Chen had picked a spot on the street, nothing like what she'd imagined.

So devious. Seriously, so devious.

After getting home, Mo Qiu hugged her knees and stared gloomily at Bai Chen's WeChat profile picture for a long time.

He's a guy, but he's using a cute-girl avatar. He must have an alt account where he dresses as a girl and lures guys in.

But don't think that means I can't do anything about you. Just wait for your punishment.

If she tried to change the location again now, Bai Chen would definitely get suspicious. So Mo Qiu brought the clothes and arrived at their meeting place fifteen minutes early.

Night fell. The streetlights on either side of the road blinked on one after another, and the buildings across Wind Chime City lit up.

Mo Qiu sat alone beside the roadside greenery, the traffic reflected in her eyes.

“Hey, young lady, are you all right?”

A passerby struck up a conversation with her.

“Are you lost, or did you run away from home?”

“Neither. I'm waiting for someone.”

“I see. You should head home soon. The nights in Wind Chime City haven't been safe lately. You're more likely to run into trouble on your own.”

Mo Qiu nodded goodbye to the passerby, unconvinced by his warning.

Of course I can tell. The streets should be bustling at this hour, but the recent string of murders has everyone on edge.

There weren't many fewer cars on the road, but there were clearly fewer people on the streets. Most of them were still going around in groups.

Mo Qiu, all alone, stood out. The spot she'd chosen was poorly lit, making it hard to notice anyone in that corner.

She liked dark little corners like this, but she wasn't in such a good mood now.

“Bai Chen, you're so late.”

Several minutes had passed since their agreed meeting time, and Bai Chen was still nowhere to be seen.

All Mo Qiu had received was a message from him saying the shop was really busy and he might be late.

Late is fine. As long as he comes.

Mo Qiu kept waiting. Whenever a new face appeared in the distance, she'd picture Bai Chen's face over theirs, then look away when it didn't match.

Bored, she even plucked a little yellow flower and started pulling off its petals one by one, murmuring:

“He'll come, he won't, he'll come, he won't...”

When the last petal landed on “he won't,” Mo Qiu pursed her lips and messaged Bai Chen, who was half an hour late.

“Sorry, I just got a free moment. I'm heading over now.”

“Wait where you are, and be careful.”

“I'm almost there. I'll be there soon!”

He sent that many messages. Is he really worried about me?

Mo Qiu put her phone away. Her legs had gone a little numb from sitting so long, so she stood up and took a couple of steps.

“Little miss, why haven't you gone home yet?” another passerby asked, concerned.

“I...”

Mo Qiu was just about to brush him off when she noticed a suspicious figure stop behind him.

That presence...!

The suspicious figure's body rapidly swelled. Claws and fangs sprouted, and his eyes turned bloodred.

He charged at them at incredible speed. As he passed, the yellow flower's petals scattered and fell.

Claws sliced through the air. White uniform fabric fluttered through the air, blood sprayed, and the clean clothes were stained red