This Is a Very Long Chapter

Night

The Special Compound.

At a desk cluttered with books, Li Guanqi sat with one hand propping her chin and the other clenched into a fist pressed against her forehead, her expression troubled.

Worth mentioning—beside her was a cozy wooden nest housing a raven.

The bird poked out its jet-black head, tilting it curiously as it watched cartoons on the television.

While the average raven has the intelligence of a five-year-old child, this one’s cognitive abilities rivaled that of a teenager, paired with an astonishing memory.

Though it couldn’t speak, it fully understood human language. When its owner wasn’t home, it would even use the remote to switch to cartoon channels.

While the raven, affectionately called "Yaya," was engrossed in its animated entertainment, Li Guanqi was far from relaxed. Su Cheng hadn’t sent her any messages today—not even a single one. Normally, unless they were together, this wouldn’t happen.

"Yaya, go home for me."

After a long moment of contemplation, Li Guanqi finally made up her mind. She turned to the raven in its nest and spoke with deliberate seriousness.

Though reluctant to tear itself away from the TV, Yaya obediently flapped its wings, launching into the air and landing on the balcony. It glanced back at her, as if awaiting further instructions.

"Go see what he’s doing right now."

Frowning in thought, Li Guanqi added another command.

With a swift beat of its wings, Yaya took off again, vanishing into the night sky in an instant.

Li Guanqi’s gaze lingered on the book in front of her—though "book" might be too generous a term. It was more of a personal collection of notes, filled with her own worldbuilding.

[The Fundamental Laws of the Heroine]

For her, tasks like typesetting, printing, cover design, and binding were effortless.

The only thing that gave her pause was time.

She didn’t know if she had enough of it.

Would she be able to hand this book to Su Cheng herself?

……………………

Su Cheng’s Residence

Tonight, his home was filled with a sweet, intoxicating fragrance. Su Cheng sat on the sofa, idly flipping through TV channels before letting out a resigned sigh.

The sound of running water from the bathroom conjured images of a certain "bad woman" taking a shower in his mind.

"Junior~ Towel, towel~"

Suddenly, Liu Qingyue’s voice called out from the bathroom.

"Stop with the cliché tropes!"

Su Cheng’s face darkened as he turned toward the bathroom and snapped, "I saw you bring everything in there earlier!"

"Tch. No sense of romance."

A playful huff came from behind the bathroom door.

Su Cheng rolled his eyes. You’re the one with no sense of romance.

If she had the guts to walk out naked, he’d show her just how "romantic" he could be.

Before long, the bathroom door swung open, accompanied by a waft of fragrant steam. Liu Qingyue stepped out, draped in an oversized shirt that barely covered her shorts, leaving her fair legs exposed. Her cheeks were flushed from the hot water, making her look even more alluring.

"So, when are you making midnight snacks?"

She plopped onto the sofa beside him and tilted her head expectantly.

"I don’t do midnight snacks."

Su Cheng shot her a sidelong glance, noting how little caution she showed around him.

"Hmph. How boring. Good thing I brought my own."

With that, she bent over to rummage through her luggage, pulling out two boxes of chocolate sticks and two bottles of tea. She placed the drinks on the table and slid one of the chocolate sticks toward him.

"I don’t really eat at night—"

Before he could finish, Liu Qingyue cut him off. "You’re being difficult. I’ll get mad."

Her pout made it clear she wasn’t happy with his refusal.

Su Cheng exhaled in resignation.

"Fine."

He took a bite of the chocolate stick and washed it down with a sip of tea.

"Can you open a window? It’s stuffy."

The air was thick with her scent—something sweet and dizzying. Before her shower, Liu Qingyue had locked every door and window and drawn all the curtains, saturating the room with her presence. It was driving him crazy.

Instead of complying, Liu Qingyue scooted closer until barely ten centimeters separated them.

Su Cheng gulped and stood up, ready to retreat to his room before things escalated.

Suppressing everything will only hurt you in the long run.

But before he could take a step, her voice purred beside his ear.

"Don’t you want to talk?"

"It’s late. We have class tomorrow."

"But what about your reward?"

She pointed at the wall clock, its hands inching toward midnight—the start of a new day.

After a brief hesitation, Su Cheng sat back down.

Confessing wasn’t something he felt rushed about. After all, his senior was right here. But discussing love confessions in the middle of the night, alone with her, felt… inappropriate.

Besides, Ling Ning might come looking for him tomorrow. He’d left without a word yesterday, and she wouldn’t let that slide easily.

Unless absolutely necessary, he’d rather not let Liu Qingyue take the initiative.

"That’s more like it~"

Pleased, Liu Qingyue grinned like a child who’d won candy. Then, she leaned in, her breath warm against his ear as she whispered in a sultry voice:

"You rushed me back so urgently… What kind of reward did you have in mind?"

"Stop, stop, STOP!"

Su Cheng nearly jumped out of his skin.

His entire body burned with restless energy. A young man like him, alone at night with a teasing beauty who showed zero restraint—even a saint would crack under this pressure, let alone him.

"Keep it normal. Normal."

He took a deep breath, steadying himself, then fixed her with a stern look. "You know me—I’m a devoted, pure-hearted warrior of love. I don’t mess around with anyone but my girlfriend. If you keep pushing this NTR nonsense, I will get angry."

"Pfft—"

Liu Qingyue burst into laughter, covering her mouth as her eyes crinkled with amusement. "Then maybe I should test that purity with a midnight ambush. Let’s see if the ‘Pure Love Warrior’ stays chivalrous in bed."

"Hah! Try it, and I’ll have you retreating in defeat!" Su Cheng grabbed another chocolate stick and bit off half, chewing aggressively. "I’ll crush you so thoroughly, you’ll be begging for mercy!"

Just as he finished speaking, a sudden movement caught his attention.

Liu Qingyue had taken a chocolate stick between her lips, then—with deliberate slowness—dragged her tongue along it before sucking hard.

Gulp.

Su Cheng’s throat moved involuntarily.

This woman’s techniques are lethal.

"What? See something you like?"

She bit the chocolate stick in half and shot him a challenging look.

"Nothing, we'll talk about the reward during the day."

Su Cheng waved his hand, forcing himself to look away and dispel the strange thoughts from his mind.

"So eager—are you heading back to your room to tinker with something?" Liu Qingyue sized Su Cheng up with a thoughtful gaze. "Need any help?"

"If you're planning to play mahjong at night, you can call me for help too."

Su Cheng retorted irritably.

Seeing Su Cheng's comeback, Liu Qingyue lost interest and pouted slightly before leisurely retreating to her own room.

…………

The next day.

The so-called "night ambush" never happened. Su Cheng didn’t believe she had the guts to pull something like that anyway. Though Liu Qingyue might seem timid on the surface, if you peeled back the layers…

You’d find she wasn’t much different from any ordinary girl.

A proper maiden, through and through.

She’d blush, feel embarrassed.

She wouldn’t even dare to let him see her in a maid outfit.

So, Su Cheng slept soundly until morning. When he groggily wandered into the living room, he spotted a slender figure bustling in the kitchen.

"Good morning! I’m making breakfast for you."

Liu Qingyue, wearing an apron, embodied the image of a devoted housewife. She stepped out of the kitchen carrying a plate, a gentle smile on her face.

"What role are you cosplaying today?"

Su Cheng yawned as he headed toward the bathroom.

"Last time, I told your classmates I was already a married woman."

Liu Qingyue shrugged and twirled in place. "So now I’m trying out the role of a loving wife~"

She wore a simple yet elegant beige floral dress, paired with the apron, giving off the vibe of a young newlywed.

"As long as you’re happy."

Su Cheng shook his head and entered the bathroom to freshen up. When he returned, he and Liu Qingyue sat down at the table to eat breakfast.

"Thanks for the effort."

"Consider it rent for staying at your place."

"Fair enough."

As he spoke, he glanced down and noticed a fresh newspaper lying beside his plate. The sight was so jarring it felt surreal.

If a child suddenly walked out of a room while he sat there with his legs crossed, reading the paper, and Liu Qingyue busied herself in the kitchen—it’d be the perfect setup for a classic anime family scene.

"Did you go out this morning?"

Su Cheng eyed the newspaper’s date, raising an eyebrow.

"Mhm."

Liu Qingyue hummed in response, pouring a glass of milk and handing it to him. "I went to the fresh market and met some lovely housewives. They were so warm, it almost made me look forward to that kind of life~"

"Was one of them Cornelia’s mom?"

Su Cheng hesitated before asking.

"Yep. She even called me her little sister."

Liu Qingyue smiled faintly before continuing, "When she heard I was a newlywed, she insisted on meeting me at the park this afternoon to share some ‘wisdom.’"

"Just don’t let Cornelia catch you."

"I won’t get caught, don’t worry~"

Liu Qingyue brushed it off casually, as if Cornelia were nothing more than a naive girl.

Then again, she was now on sisterly terms with Cornelia’s mother. If they ever crossed paths, Cornelia would have to call her "Auntie."

……

After breakfast, Su Cheng prepared to leave for school.

"Come home early after class. I’ll have dinner ready."

Liu Qingyue tidied up the dishes while reminding him.

"Got it."

Su Cheng nodded slightly before turning and stepping out the door. Though it still felt a little unfamiliar, this kind of life wasn’t bad at all.

He had three things to take care of today.

First, properly say goodbye to the Hoshino siblings.

Second, deal with Ling Ning. After yesterday’s abrupt departure, she’d likely come looking for him.

And then there were Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan—why had they skipped swimming class just to wander into the woods and bump into him?

The third matter was the A-rank reward.

Should he get it from Ling Ning or his senior?

That was still up for debate.

For now, Su Cheng decided to wait and see. If Ling Ning sought him out, he could use her "treatment" as an excuse for another round!

…………

But the moment he stepped out of the apartment, he spotted a familiar black luxury car parked at the entrance of the complex. The window rolled down, revealing Li Guanqi’s impassive face.

Su Cheng tensed up and quickly wheeled his bike over, leaning in to whisper, "What are you doing here?"

Li Guanqi studied him carefully before replying, "Yaya’s missing."

"She’s gone?"

Su Cheng was startled but quickly reassured her, "Maybe she’s just out playing and lost track of time. She might come home on her own tonight."

"Did she return to your place?"

"No."

Su Cheng answered honestly.

"…………"

After a few seconds of silence, Li Guanqi sighed wearily. "Fine. I’ll head back to school first."

With that, she rolled up the window and signaled the driver to leave, leaving Su Cheng standing there in confusion.

Yaya was missing?

Su Cheng frowned. This was the first time something like this had happened. After a moment’s thought, he pulled out his phone and texted Liu Qingyue.

Not a Fan of Oranges: "Senior, leave the windows open. My pet crow might come home."

Liu Qingyue: "She came back last night."

Not a Fan of Oranges: "Huh?"

Liu Qingyue: "Forgot to tell you. Last night, she sneaked in through the window, and I caught her. She’s locked up now."

Su Cheng: "……"

Su Cheng let out a relieved sigh. Not wanting Li Guanqi to worry, he immediately pedaled hard, trying to catch up with the car. But the distance was too great, and he eventually gave up, opting to send Li Guanqi a message instead.

…………

Flame City Private Academy

The usual youthful energy filled the air as students exchanged morning greetings at the school gate.

Hoshino Mirai stood at her usual post by the school building, though her mind seemed to drift in and out of focus.

"Senior, cheer up!"

Su Cheng gave her an encouraging gesture before hurrying toward the building.

Hoshino Mirai snapped out of her daze, watching Su Cheng’s retreating figure before lowering her head and rubbing her cheeks vigorously, forcing herself to regain composure before resuming her duties.

…………

Entering the classroom, Su Cheng first glanced at Li Guanqi in the corner before scanning the room out of habit. Seeing only a handful of students present, he walked straight to Li Guanqi’s desk and tapped on it.

"Yaya’s home. No need to worry."

Su Cheng kept his voice low.

"I know."

Li Guanqi looked up briefly before returning to her book.

Since Su Cheng had already explained everything in his earlier message, Li Guanqi showed no surprise. Instead, she remained as unreadable as ever.

Not wanting to disturb her further—especially with others around—Su Cheng decided against teasing her.

Just as he sat down, Li Guanqi suddenly stood up and left the classroom. Almost immediately, two girls—Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan—appeared beside his desk.

"Senior Ling Ning said she’ll play against you at the same time this afternoon as yesterday," Zhao Yan said with a bright smile, her mature figure exuding an alluring fragrance, her golden hair giving her an almost radiant glow.

"Huh?"

Su Cheng froze, pretending to be clueless.

Noticing his reaction, Xuan Ying quickly explained, "After you secretly played against Senior Ling yesterday, she collapsed from mental exhaustion."

Zhao Yan added, "Yesterday, the equestrian instructor came looking for you at the swimming pool because your horse was out of control. He wanted you to calm it down, but you were absent. So, we searched the whole school for you and ended up finding Senior Ling Ning unconscious."

"Yeah, she asked us to pass the message to you," Xuan Ying confirmed with a nod.

However, they left out the detail that the reason they had gone to the grove in the first place was because Li Guanqi had subtly guided them there—leading them straight to that desolate patch of woods.

"I see. Thank you for letting me know," Su Cheng replied with a polite smile.

"No problem."

"It was nothing."

Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan exchanged glances, both breaking into cheerful smiles. But then Zhao Yan leaned in closer, her expression turning slightly sheepish as she asked, "Um… would it be possible for us to watch this afternoon?"

"?"

Watch what?

Su Cheng immediately grew wary. He shook his head and explained seriously, "The reason we played in secret is because the outcome isn’t something others should know about. I hope you can understand."

Disappointed that Su Cheng, like Senior Ling Ning, refused to let them observe, Xuan Ying and Zhao Yan could only leave dejectedly. Su Cheng watched them return to their seats before shifting his gaze to the corner of the room.

Li Guanqi had just returned.

She sat there as poised as ever, a book held delicately in her hands, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her features were sharp and flawless, her legs clad in black stockings slender and elegant—like a work of art.

He felt a surge of pride.

"Hm?"

Just then, his sharp eyes noticed dark circles under Li Guanqi’s eyes. Though she had concealed them with makeup, a closer look revealed their faint presence.

Did she not sleep well?

Was she so worried about Ya Ya staying out all night that she couldn’t rest?

The thought crossed Su Cheng’s mind.

He silently cursed the foolish bird for causing trouble and resolved to give it a proper scolding when he got home.

…………………………

Meanwhile

Inside a dark cupboard, a crow lay bound tightly with ropes, its beak sealed shut, unable to move a muscle. The pitch-black space offered no visibility—only the sounds from outside provided any clues about what was happening.

Last night, it had been about to sneak back in through the window to check on things when, out of nowhere, a strange woman had captured it, tied it up, and shoved it into this cupboard.

It had spent the entire night trapped inside.

It had no idea who this woman was.

But one thing was certain—she must be the stepmother its owner had brought home.

The kind of wicked stepmother often seen in cartoons!

She even abused small animals.

Just how vile could a person be?

At the thought, Ya Ya, already weakened, shivered as if struck by a sudden chill.

It missed its carefree life as a bird…

Click—

The sound of the cupboard opening was followed by a flood of blinding light. Ya Ya instinctively shut its eyes, but then the rich aroma of food hit its nostrils.

It opened them again.

Standing above it, a cold-faced stepmother crossed her arms and looked down with an icy gaze. "Hungry?"

Ya Ya blinked.

With its beak taped shut, blinking was all it could do.

"If I untie your beak, you’re not allowed to make any annoying noises," the stepmother—Liu Qingyue—warned before grabbing the crow by its wings and tossing it onto the floor. She removed the tape from its beak and shoved a slice of meat into its mouth.

"Gah—!"

It let out a distressed cry but couldn’t break free.

Its protests grew quieter and quieter until only faint gurgles remained, gulping down the meat and lapping up the broth as if starved for ages.

Soon, it collapsed onto the floor, completely spent.

Liu Qingyue patted its head approvingly before musing aloud, "Hmm… I wonder how crow meat would taste in soup?"

She tapped a finger against her chin. "Maybe I’ll make some for Su Cheng tonight. He’d probably enjoy a nice bowl of crow-blood vermicelli soup."

Ya Ya trembled violently at the threat and flapped its wings in a desperate attempt to escape. But the ropes only tightened further, leaving it completely immobilized.

"Such a clever crow," Liu Qingyue remarked with amusement, crouching down to stare at it.

"You’re called Ya Ya, right?"

She continued, "Since you’re so intelligent, killing you would be a waste. If you obey my orders, I’ll let you go. How does that sound?"

Ya Ya tilted its head at her before nodding.

"Good. You’re smarter than you look."

Liu Qingyue smirked and pulled out a bayberry-flavored candy from her pocket, holding it out. "Here. Eat this."

"Caw?!"

Ya Ya recoiled in horror. As a crow, it had an acute sense of smell—especially for sour scents, which it detested. Any crow would instinctively flee from such a smell.

It frantically turned its head away.

"Not eating?"

Liu Qingyue narrowed her eyes and suddenly produced a kitchen knife, its sharp edge glinting coldly as she pressed it against Ya Ya’s neck.

Feeling the blade’s threat, Ya Ya panicked and hastily snatched the candy from her hand, swallowing it whole before nodding vigorously in submission.

"That was a slow-acting poison I developed," Liu Qingyue explained, putting the knife away. "You’ll need to come back to me for the antidote every six hours. Otherwise, your body will rot from the inside out."

"Caw? Caw?!"

Ya Ya’s eyes widened in shock, staring dumbfounded at this cruel stepmother. It couldn’t fathom why she would do something so extreme.

Liu Qingyue gave it a sidelong glance. "If you want the antidote, keep your beak shut. Don’t tell anyone about me, and don’t let anyone know what happened to you. Otherwise… well."

With that, she untied Ya Ya and strode off without another word, leaving it to believe whatever it wanted.

As her figure vanished, Ya Ya remained frozen for a moment before quickly fluttering out of the room through the window, determined to return for its antidote—two doses, just to be safe.

It never once doubted the poison’s existence.

Why?

Because this woman had locked it up all night.

And after all… it was just a crow.

………………

Liu Qingyue sat on the sofa, humming a cheerful tune in high spirits. She took a bayberry-flavored candy from her pocket and tossed it into her mouth, savoring the sweet taste. After a while, she stretched lazily and stood up, her graceful figure and languid demeanor exuding an irresistible charm.

Glancing outside at the bright morning sun, she noticed the clear weather and decided to head toward Su Cheng’s bedroom. As soon as she opened the door, she flung herself onto the bed, greedily inhaling the lingering scent of Su Cheng on the sheets.

Next, she inspected the bed for any unusual stains. Finding the sheets still pristine, she sighed in disappointment before stripping the bed and carrying the sheets, quilt, and pillowcases to the balcony. There, she carefully fluffed the quilt with her hands, increasing its loft and warmth by trapping more air inside.

After finishing these mundane tasks, she applied an intentionally aged makeup look before stepping out, appearing older than usual.

…………

Flame City Private Academy.

First period had just ended.

Su Cheng sent a message to Li Guanqi.

"Not a Fan of Oranges": "Meet me at the lawn at noon."

His intention was to persuade Li Guanqi to get some rest, but to his surprise, she declined.

Li Guanqi: "I already promised to have lunch with them today."

"Not a Fan of Oranges": "Your dark circles are almost impossible to hide. You should rest today."

Li Guanqi: "I can’t. I already agreed."

Reading this, Su Cheng sighed and turned to look at Li Guanqi in the corner of the classroom. She was holding a small mirror, carefully examining her complexion and overall fatigue.

This prompted Su Cheng to stand up and walk toward her. As he passed her desk, he lightly tapped it with his fingers.

Noticing this, Li Guanqi put away her mirror and stood up, following him.

The two arrived at a secluded corner of the hallway.

"What is it?" she asked.

Su Cheng lowered his voice. "You know what."

A flicker of complexity passed through Li Guanqi’s beautiful eyes. She pressed her lips together and remained silent, refusing to answer.

"Then how about you come to the lawn after lunch?" Su Cheng suggested.

He believed this conversation needed to happen face-to-face.

Li Guanqi looked up at him, about to refuse—she had plans to use the printing and binding equipment elsewhere at noon.

But before she could speak, the sound of flapping wings suddenly filled the air, followed by a dark shadow lunging toward them. Both froze in surprise.

By the time they reacted, the crow—Ya Ya—had already landed midair in front of Li Guanqi. She instinctively reached out, and Ya Ya settled onto her arm.

The crow looked utterly pitiful, as if it had suffered great injustice, nuzzling its head against Li Guanqi’s wrist in distress.

"Why didn’t you come home last night?"

Seeing the culprit behind Li Guanqi’s sleepless night, Su Cheng immediately scowled and interrogated the bird.

"Don’t scold it."

Li Guanqi gently rocked her arm to soothe Ya Ya while turning to Su Cheng. Though she didn’t know exactly what had happened, she was certain it had something to do with Su Cheng’s household.

So, as she comforted the crow, she glanced at Su Cheng and tentatively proposed, "I’ll go home with you after school."

Before she could gauge Su Cheng’s reaction, Ya Ya suddenly squirmed in her arms, causing her to look down at the bird. She missed the subtle shift in Su Cheng’s expression.

Su Cheng, momentarily stunned, quickly masked his surprise and nodded calmly. "Then join the Practical Club’s afternoon session. We can leave together afterward."

Just then, the bell for the next class rang.

Li Guanqi continued soothing Ya Ya as she reassured Su Cheng, "I’ll come find you after next period."

Su Cheng remained where he was, watching the interaction between the girl and the crow with deep concern.

Li Guanqi was coming to his house in the afternoon.

This was trouble.

The moment they returned to the classroom, he sent a message to Liu Qingyue.

……………………

Morning classes finally ended.

With nothing planned for lunch, it was time for Penguin Prince mode.

Though he had already prepared to sever his social ties, Penguin Prince was Penguin Prince—what did that have to do with Su Cheng?

In the eyes of the Hoshino siblings, there might be some connection, but fundamentally, they were two separate identities.

Su Cheng was Su Cheng.

Penguin Prince was Penguin Prince.

So, just in case, he wanted to say a proper goodbye.

Leaving the classroom, he headed straight for the rooftop—only to run into a familiar figure on the stairs.

Despite it being lunchtime, when students usually flooded toward the cafeteria, this girl descended the stairs alone. The surrounding students either quietly stepped aside, deliberately avoided her, or stood still, afraid of disturbing her.

She moved with effortless grace, her steps poised and elegant, her demeanor detached from the mundane world around her. But the moment her gaze landed on Su Cheng, a ripple of emotion flickered in her eyes.

Su Cheng, standing not far from her, froze when he saw her.

Then he remembered—he was supposed to attend the Go Club at noon.

"Let’s go."

Ji Qingyi’s tone was indifferent.

Su Cheng nodded and fell into step beside her.

Ji Qingyi glanced at him sideways. "What is it?"

She seemed to notice his hesitation and took the initiative to ask.

Su Cheng opened his mouth, then closed it again, shaking his head. "Nothing."

Ji Qingyi arched a delicate brow, displeased. "That expression doesn’t suit you."

"Well…" He hesitated before finally mumbling, "I have something to do at noon today…"

He had forgotten to inform her in advance. Luckily, he ran into her—otherwise, he would’ve stood her up. The thought made him feel guilty.

"Is that all?"

Ji Qingyi’s voice carried a faintly teasing lilt as she side-eyed him. "If you’re busy, then go ahead."

Su Cheng blinked in surprise before exhaling in relief, offering her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

"No need."

Ji Qingyi waved a hand dismissively, her tone calm. "You are my—"

But she abruptly stopped mid-sentence, then quickened her pace as if to leave.

Su Cheng, however, wasn’t having it. Leaving a sentence unfinished was pure torture. He sped up to keep up with her, pestering her relentlessly.

"President…"

"What were you going to say?"

"Don’t leave me hanging like that."

"Finish your sentence!"

…………

"Enough."

Unable to tolerate his nagging any longer, Ji Qingyi finally spoke up.

Su Cheng immediately stopped, standing obediently in place.

"I was going to say you are my friend."

She paused again, as if searching for the right words. After a few seconds, she met his gaze and continued slowly, "But that doesn’t quite cover it."

Hearing this, Su Cheng stood rooted to the spot, completely stunned.

"...What?" he asked blankly.

However, Ji Qingyi didn’t stop, walking away without another word and leaving him frozen in place, lost in thought.

"Friends... but more than that?"

Hmm…

…………

Hoshino Mirai stepped out of the school building, heading to the cafeteria for lunch. She clutched her ever-present notebook in her arms, accompanied by a few classmates, giving off the unmistakable aura of a popular girl.

As she left the building, she instinctively glanced up at the rooftop—a habit of hers. But today, the sight made her pupils shrink in shock.

Her entire body stiffened, her breath quickening as she stood rooted to the spot.

There, perched on the rooftop railing, was a penguin holding a knife in its beak. It stood motionless like a statue, as if defying the heavens and time itself, unwilling to budge even in the face of death.

"Hoshino, what’s wrong?"

"Yeah?"

Her two companions noticed her strange behavior and followed her gaze toward the rooftop, only to find it empty—nothing but the overcast sky above.

"I-It’s nothing. You guys go ahead."

Hoshino Mirai took a deep breath, forcing down the excitement bubbling inside her. She feigned calm before hugging her notebook tighter and jogging toward the school building’s staircase.

Her friends exchanged puzzled looks but eventually shrugged and continued toward the cafeteria.

Carrying the notebook while running made it hard to keep her balance, and Hoshino Mirai tripped on the stairs. She managed to catch herself with her hands, but her knees scraped against the ground, tearing her black stockings and drawing blood.

Ignoring the pain, she tried to get up quickly—until a familiar voice called out to her.

"Hoshino, are you okay?"

She looked up to see her class monitor standing over her. Still, she pretended everything was fine, standing up with a soft smile. "Thank you, but I’m fine."

"But you’re bleeding. Should I take you to the infirmary?"

"No need. A band-aid will do."

Hoshino Mirai quickly refused, glancing down at her injury. The cut was deeper than she thought, and blood was still trickling out. Without another word, she stepped past the monitor. "I have something to take care of."

Leaving the confused monitor behind, she hurried off.

But when she reached the rooftop, she found the door locked. Frustrated, she pulled out her phone and called her brother, Hoshino Yikui, explaining the situation and asking him to bring the key.

With her knees still bleeding, she couldn’t go anywhere else. After hanging up, she dabbed at the wound with a tissue.

A few minutes later, Hoshino Yikui arrived, his face full of concern. "Little sis, what happened?"

Instead of explaining, Hoshino Mirai snatched the key and instructed, "Bro, guard the door."

Before he could react, she unlocked the rooftop door, slipped inside, and locked it behind her—leaving her bewildered brother standing outside.

…………

"Haaah…"

The moment she stepped onto the rooftop, Hoshino Mirai eagerly scanned the spot where the penguin prince had appeared earlier. But this time, there was nothing—just the vast, empty sky stretching above her.

"Did… did he leave?" she murmured, disappointment creeping into her voice.

Her head drooped, eyes glistening with unshed tears. A wave of sadness washed over her, and her vision blurred as the tears threatened to spill.

"What happened to your knee?"

A deep, slightly raspy voice spoke from behind her—reminiscent of Su Cheng’s, yet carrying the unmistakable authority of royalty.

Hoshino Mirai stiffened before whirling around.

There, standing behind her, was a black-and-white penguin, waddling toward her with an adorably clumsy gait.

"Prince Tianze!!!"

She gasped, choking on her own excitement. Covering her mouth, she stared at the penguin with sparkling eyes.

Even after so long, he was still the same—dopey, endearing, and irresistibly cute.

"Does it hurt?"

The penguin stopped beside her leg, gently patting her stocking-clad calf with his flipper, concern written all over his face.

At that moment, Hoshino Mirai felt like a child finally seeing a parent after a long time. Her lip trembled, and the tears she’d been holding back streamed down her cheeks.

"It hurts… so much…"

All the pent-up emotions she’d been suppressing came pouring out—not just from the injury, but from everything she’d endured until now.

"Here, sit down. Let me take care of it."

The penguin conjured a cushion out of thin air, placing it on the ground for her. She obediently sat, stretching her legs out in front of him.

With a nod, the penguin began explaining, "I recently picked up some healing potions during my adventures in Runeterra. They’re perfect for wounds like this."

"Runeterra?"

Hoshino Mirai’s eyes widened like an eager child’s, admiration shining in her gaze. "Where’s Runeterra? I’ve never heard of it! And… that potion must be really valuable. You don’t have to use it on me. I can just go to the infirmary later."

"It’s cheap—only 50 QB. Here, let me apply it."

The penguin pulled out a red potion, but the moment it appeared, it slipped from his flipper, rolling across the ground before coming to a stop.

Silence.

Embarrassed, the penguin tried to bend down and pick it up, but his stubby flippers and awkward posture made it impossible. After a clumsy struggle, he lost his balance and face-planted at Hoshino Mirai’s feet.

Then—

Without a word, he laboriously pushed himself back up.

The two stared at each other, the awkwardness thickening. Finally, Hoshino Mirai couldn’t hold back her laughter.

The penguin scowled. "Stop laughing!"

"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!"

She burst into unrestrained giggles, pointing at the fallen potion.

"Want me to pick it up for you?"