Friday afternoon, P.E. class.
After two warm-up laps led by the P.E. teacher, Ning Chu flopped onto the grass, exhausted. She quickly pulled out her phone to check the screen.
Not seeing what she was hoping for, she sighed softly and leaned back to lie flat, staring blankly at the bright blue sky.
Yan Xinya walked over, standing beside her, looking down at her disheveled appearance. "Pull your clothes down a bit, will you? Aren't you worried your tattoo will show?"
Ning Chu tugged at the hem of her shirt, zipping up her jacket while stifling a yawn.
"Tired?"
"Yeah, didn't get to nap at noon."
"Why not? Scared they'll try something while you're asleep?"
That kind of thing was better left unsaid. If Zhang Shaoqing or Wang Jie overheard, it wouldn't be good.
Ning Chu pursed her lips without replying and turned onto her side to continue scrolling on her phone.
Normally, she spent most of her time reading novels, watching videos, or playing single-player mobile games. But in the past two days, chatting apps had become her main way to pass the time.
"Want to go get some bubble tea?" Yan Xinya squatted down, hands on her knees.
"No thanks. I've already had three cups just hanging out with you these past couple of days..." Ning Chu said with a yawn. "Aren't you worried about gaining weight?"
"Not at all! I'm naturally thin!"
Yan Xinya's so-called "naturally thin" was more like having too much energy. She was always running around chaotically. You don't see many huskies turning into fat pigs, do you?
Yan Xinya, completely unbothered, sprawled on the grass, using Ning Chu's legs as a pillow.
She yawned contentedly.
Ning Chu didn't mind, but the male classmates who didn't know the full story started shooting envious, jealous, and resentful looks her way.
Be envious~
I paid the price for this...
She raised her hand, the back of it shielding her eyes from the glaring sunlight. Her gaze rested on the delicate, poreless skin of her hand.
Every time she endured a punishment, her skin would improve slightly—softer, smoother, and more refined. Her features grew more delicate, and her beautiful peach blossom eyes became increasingly enchanting.
As for her chest... It might have reached its developmental peak. There hadn't been much change recently, though it still felt tender and slightly swollen.
Maintaining her current slender, youthful figure suited her just fine. Ning Chu didn't envy the exaggerated size that girls like Lily or Lin Li flaunted.
Speaking of Lily, she approached from a distance, her face calm as she sat down nearby. After glancing at the two of them, she lay down on Yan Xinya's legs.
"Move over a bit."
Lily scooted slightly, placing her legs under Ning Chu's head.
Now the three of them formed a triangle...
"Ning Chu, I don't think it's a good idea for you to keep sneaking into the girls' dorm at night. There's still a risk of getting caught," Yan Xinya suggested. "Why don't you just start wearing women's clothes?"
What kind of ridiculous idea was this?
"That girl who reported seeing a guy in the dorm said it made her feel unsafe, right? If you dress prettier than her, maybe she'll feel safe instead!"
"What kind of twisted logic is that..."
"Just try it! If you go in and out of the dorm at night in women's clothes, who'd even notice it's you without looking closely?"
Lily, who rarely spoke, added, "Get Lin Li to do your makeup."
"Exactly! With some makeup! Lin Li's makeup skills are top-notch!"
That Lin Li... If she asked that fox girl for help with makeup, she'd probably charge for it.
Even though Lin Li was clearly a rich, spoiled girl, she loved running side hustles. That sly merchant look of hers—her family must be in business.
Ning Chu didn't really mind the idea of wearing women's clothing. After all, with things like this, it's either none or countless times. Besides, she was already a girl now.
However, wearing women's clothes at school made her worried about rumors spreading in class about her being some kind of pervert.
"Let's talk about it after class," Ning Chu said, glancing at her phone once again. This time, her eyes lit up, and she quickly sat up, typing away on her phone with flying thumbs.
"Is it news from Wen Yang?"
"Yeah, he says he can come back earlier~"
Her voice naturally took on a higher, happier pitch.
Yan Xinya teased her, "Just a moment ago, you looked like you were about to pass out from exhaustion. But the second you hear your boyfriend's coming back, look at you all energized."
"What boyfriend?" Ning Chu muttered defensively, still focused on replying to Wen Yang. "I just dozed off for a bit earlier, that's why I'm more awake now."
"You've been dragging yourself through everything these past few days, but now you're suddenly lightning-fast when replying to messages."
Ning Chu felt Yan Xinya might have developed a knack for interrogating her and gave Yan Xinya an annoyed glare. "Stop spouting nonsense!"
"Such a stubborn mouth~" Yan Xinya shook her head in mock helplessness.
"Guess you'll only admit you like Wen Yang when you turn into a custard bun, with the filling spilling out," Lily suddenly remarked, unusually talkative.
Ning Chu stared blankly at Lily, momentarily failing to process her words.
But realization quickly dawned, and a wave of heat flooded her face. Her cheeks burned scarlet, the color spreading rapidly to her ears and neck. Her face was so hot it felt like steam could rise off it, and her head spun slightly.
"You..."
She looked at Lily's icy, expressionless face, utterly baffled as to how someone with such a cold demeanor could say something so risqué!
Yan Xinya, noticing Ning Chu's flushed face, belatedly realized they'd taken things too far. She burst into a silly giggle.
Lily, however, averted her gaze from Ning Chu's, maintaining her ice-cold goddess vibe while her mind was evidently full of lewd nonsense.
"I'm going to the restroom," Ning Chu said abruptly, standing up from the grass. She feared Lily might get carried away with her suggestive remarks and hurriedly fled the field.
She really couldn't handle someone like Lily.
When they'd first met, Lily had recommended "toys" to her. Back then, at least Lily's teasing had been limited to online chats, where reading suggestive text wasn't as mortifying. Now that they were more familiar, Lily openly voiced such things.
"Definitely a succubus," Ning Chu muttered as she slowed her pace after leaving the field.
She headed toward the school shop, frequently glancing at her phone to read Wen Yang's messages.
"He said he'd be back earlier, but how early? Tomorrow? Or the morning after?"
She mumbled to herself, but suddenly felt a scorching, possessive gaze fall on her back.
Her steps froze, and she discreetly reached for the hypnosis spray she carried.
That kind of stare... it had to be a pervert!
Though panic swelled in her heart, her recent training helped her gradually adapt to such startling moments.
Analyzing the situation rationally, her short legs definitely couldn't outrun a man. However, this was school grounds, and there were plenty of students and staff nearby. A pervert wouldn't dare act in broad daylight.
Taking a deep breath, Ning Chu gripped the hypnosis spray tightly and spun around sharply.
"Wen Yang?!"
She almost cried out in surprise.
"What, do I look that scary? Like you've seen a ghost?" Wen Yang stood a short distance away under the shade of a tree, hands in his pockets.
Seeing that familiar face, a sudden wave of emotion surged through Ning Chu, making her nose tingle. She quickly lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip lightly.
She couldn't let herself look too eager in a moment like this. Acting like a romance manga heroine—crying and laughing as she rushed into his arms—was way too embarrassing...
That's what she told herself. But in reality, she had already darted in front of Wen Yang. Glaring at him with hands on her hips, she scolded him, "Why didn't you tell me ahead of time?!"
"Uh..." Wen Yang scratched his head. "I wanted to surprise you, to see your reaction."
"What reaction could I possibly have?"
Ning Chu shuffled her feet a bit, moving even closer to him.
"I've been so happy while you were gone these past few days~"
She huffed, pretending to be disdainful, but her face suddenly turned crimson.
Custard... custard bun...