Succubus

"Club recruitment?"

Lin Yu bit his chopsticks, his eyes lighting up. He raised his hand, pointing at Lv Pengchao, Wu Zhen, and Lang Hua—who was still standing to the side without sitting down—before sweeping his arm in a wide circle.

"This one, this one, and this one."

"These are all freshmen. Hardly any of them have joined clubs yet. You can go recruit them."

"Plenty to meet your quotas."

"As for me? Forget it."

"Not interested."

The cute girl had been all sweet smiles a second ago, but the moment her gaze shifted to Sun Pengju and the others, the light in her eyes dimmed instantly, replaced by a look of disdain—as if she were staring at trash.

Then, when she turned back to Lin Yu, she swiftly reverted to that innocent, adorable demeanor, cooing in a spoiled tone:

"Aww~"

"They're no good!"

"They don’t meet our club’s standards."

"Our club needs someone like you—tall, handsome, and full of character!"

"Pleeease?"

"Join our club, okay?"

As she spoke, she grabbed Lin Yu’s forearm, her small but perky chest pressing dangerously close to his arm.

Lin Yu had been tolerating this the entire time.

The way they’d gotten so close?

He’d endured it.

Their endless chatter?

He’d put up with that too.

But when they started getting handsy?

That was where he drew the line.

Lin Yu yanked his arm back and shot to his feet in one swift motion.

His sudden movement startled the two girls, leaving them staring blankly, unsure what he was about to do.

In the past, faced with a situation like this, Lin Yu would’ve already been groveling at their feet, treated like some desperate simp they could summon and dismiss at will...

Ugh.

That was way too far in the past.

After his transmigration, but before meeting Qing Mo, Lin Yu would’ve at least cursed them out so badly they’d forget which way was north—if not outright decked them.

But because of what happened with Qing Mo, he was genuinely wary now.

Even though he was seething inside, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger.

After taking a few deep breaths to steady himself, Lin Yu glared at the two girls—who, by all logic, shouldn’t lack for admirers—and said sternly:

"Let me repeat myself."

"I have zero interest in your club."

"And zero interest in you."

"Now, can you leave?"

When they just stood there, dumbfounded and unmoving, Lin Yu impatiently grabbed his tray and prepared to relocate.

"Whatever."

"You stay here. I’ll find another spot."

With that, Lin Yu walked off, tray in hand, leaving the group to exchange bewildered looks.

Settling at an empty table, Lin Yu ate while mulling over the bizarre events of the past few days.

The pick-up attempts from the day before yesterday could’ve been chalked up to those two having peculiar tastes. But today’s pair...

Lin Yu rubbed his forehead hard, sensing something off.

This was nothing like high school.

Back then, he’d always been the one initiating things—whether by helping or provoking—which led to messy emotional entanglements.

Now? He hadn’t done a thing, yet girls were clinging to him left and right.

It made no sense!

Unless...

Lin Yu picked up his phone, his reflection on the black screen showing a hazy but undeniably handsome profile.

Unless completing the high school "plot" had secretly granted him some superpower—like turning him into an incubus?

Lin Yu clicked his tongue, deciding it was far more likely these girls were just blind.

Shoveling a few more bites into his mouth, he concluded it wasn’t a big deal.

Sure, the situation was weird, but manageable.

They normally hit on him; he normally rejected them.

No issues. Everything was still under control.

Before he could finish his meal, Lang Hua, Lv Pengchao, and Wu Zhen came trotting over, expressions complicated as they stared at him in silence.

Lin Yu bristled under their gaze. "What’s with the staring? Got a problem?"

Lang Hua’s face was a mix of agony and desperation, as if Lin Yu were his last lifeline.

"Lin Yu."

"Brother Yu!"

"I’m begging you."

"Please tell me you’re rich."

"Pleeease!"

Taking in Lang Hua’s distress and considering his own available funds, Lin Yu humored him with a nod.

"I’d say I’m moderately well-off."

Lang Hua exhaled in relief, looking like he’d just been saved from drowning.

Lin Yu ignored the trio’s odd behavior and went back to eating.

Meanwhile, Lang Hua pulled out his phone, presumably scrolling through the campus belles info group again.

Sure enough, after a while, he read aloud:

"Gu Xinran, third-year, Archaeology major, track-and-field team star. Multiple provincial competition awards."

"Romance history: Zero relationships since enrollment. Many suitors, male and female, all rejected. Reason unknown."

"Luo Xiaoxiao, second-year, Chinese Literature major, cheerleading squad member. Sweet and innocent type."

"Romance history: Zero relationships since enrollment. Reason unknown."

As Lang Hua recited the details, Lin Yu’s frown deepened. Things were getting stranger.

Yesterday’s pick-up duo made sense—both second-years, both Medical majors, same club.

But today’s pair? No connection whatsoever!

One a third-year, one a second-year.

One in Archaeology, one in Chinese Lit.

Different clubs too. So why team up to hit on him?

Really weird.

And on some gut level, Lin Yu felt today’s pair and yesterday’s duo were linked somehow.

But with too few clues, he couldn’t pinpoint what was tying them together...

After some thought, Lin Yu decided to run an experiment—to rule out one absurd yet plausible possibility:

That this wasn’t the work of destiny.

Wolfing down the rest of his meal, Lin Yu left the trio behind and headed to a quiet spot outside the cafeteria to wait.

Before long, an ordinary-looking girl with glasses rounded the corner, walking toward him.

As she neared, Lin Yu sprang up, blocking her path with an outstretched arm.

"Hey there, gorgeous. Wanna get to know each other?"

He raised his eyebrows suggestively, deliberately pitching his voice into a sleazy drawl.

The girl didn’t answer. She turned and walked away.

???

Lin Yu was baffled.

What was that?

If she was shy or repulsed, at least give a response!

Having already thrown dignity to the wind for this experiment, Lin Yu wasn’t about to let his subject escape. He caught up in a few strides, cutting her off again.

"Come on, don’t be shy."

"Want to get to know me, sweetheart?"

Lin Yu asked with a grin.

The girl, blocked once again, crossed her arms and shook her head repeatedly, her refusal unmistakable.

Undeterred, Lin Yu took another step forward, wanting to make absolutely sure. "Hey, beautiful," he pressed, his tone teasing. "You sure about that?"

Slap!

The sharp sound of the blow echoed through the deserted tree-lined path, leaving no doubt about the girl’s feelings.

Watching her retreating figure, Lin Yu absently touched his stinging cheek.

Worth it.