The two entered Dormitory Seven one after the other.
Wang Sheng, Tang San, and the others had already returned. The moment Tang San saw Xiao Wu, he instinctively stepped forward to greet her—but stopped when he noticed Ye Qiu following behind her.
His gaze flickered suspiciously between the two.
Ye Qiu calmly returned to his bed.
Wang Sheng beat Xiao Wu to the question, blocking her at the doorway. "Sister Xiao Wu, where did you go?"
"What's it to you?" Xiao Wu shot him a glare. Still in a good mood, she didn't argue further. "I just went out for a walk."
"You went out?" Wang Sheng asked, then glanced at Ye Qiu. "Sister Xiao Wu… did you cry?"
"Cry? Who cried? Don't spout nonsense!" Xiao Wu snorted. How could the boss of Notting Academy admit something like that?
As for last time? That didn't count—she wasn't the boss yet!
Tang San, already suspicious, immediately noticed Xiao Wu's reddened eyes—and the faint handprint on Ye Qiu's face.
Once a novice in love started overthinking, there was no stopping him.
He rushed over, pointed at Ye Qiu, and demanded, "Ye Qiu! Did you bully Xiao Wu?!"
"…?" Ye Qiu froze. Why am I involved now? Did you cultivate your Purple Demon Eyes for nothing? Can't you see she was smiling when she came in?
His greatest fear was Tang San suddenly adding, 'You're courting death!'—that, Ye Qiu absolutely could not handle.
"How could I possibly bully her?" Ye Qiu denied quickly. If anyone had been bullied tonight, it was him. He had been forcibly kissed by a rogue rabbit.
Tang San wasn't convinced. "Then why are her eyes red? And where did that slap mark on your face come from?"
"Do rabbits ever not have red eyes?" Ye Qiu's lips twitched. "Would you believe me if I said… I slapped myself?"
Tang San sneered. "Heh. Do you think I'm stupid? I'm not like Xiao Wu—I won't be fooled that easily!"
Before Ye Qiu could reply, Xiao Wu finished arguing with Wang Sheng and walked over, just in time to hear that.
"What do you mean by that, Xiao San?" Xiao Wu stared at Tang San. "Are you calling me stupid?"
"Xiao Wu, that's not what I meant!" Tang San hurriedly explained.
"It'd better not be!" Xiao Wu huffed. "Otherwise Sister Xiao Wu will punish you!"
Seeing her spoiled, arrogant attitude, Tang San felt his heart melt. "Xiao Wu, tell me—did Ye Qiu bully you? I'll teach him a lesson for you."
"Xiao Qiu?" Xiao Wu tapped her chin thoughtfully. "When did he bully me?"
If anything, I'm the one who bullies Xiao Qiu… she thought, her face flushing slightly.
"No?" Tang San pressed on. "Then why are your eyes red? And the handprint on his face?"
"I got sand in my eyes, that's why I cried." She cupped her face, recalling something sweet. A smile bloomed on her lips.
"Hehe… and as for the slap mark—he did it himself!"
"You hit yourself?" Tang San felt his face sting. Is this some new method of courting girls?
Ye Qiu simply spread his hands and shrugged innocently.
"Xiao Qiu, are you alright?" Xiao Wu asked with concern.
"It's nothing. Tang San just asked a few questions."
"That's good…" Xiao Wu relaxed slightly. From what she'd seen of Tang San's hidden weapons, she knew his temperament—she was worried he might actually hit Ye Qiu.
Tang San sensed something was wrong.
Ye Qiu and Xiao Wu had always been close—but tonight, something felt different. Xiao Wu's gaze toward Ye Qiu was softer… gentler.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
"Xiao San, thank you for worrying, but I'm really fine," Xiao Wu said politely.
Thank… you?
Tang San felt as if his heart had been rewarded tenfold. She cares about me!
"It's fine, it's fine. I misunderstood Ye Qiu—my fault," he said earnestly.
"It's okay," Ye Qiu sighed. "It's my fault for slapping myself."
"Yes, it's all Xiao Qiu's fault!" Xiao Wu winked teasingly.
Tang San nodded in satisfaction. His concern truly hadn't been in vain!
Then he suddenly remembered something and picked up a food container. "Oh, right—Xiao Wu, didn't you say you weren't full? I brought a late-night snack!"
"Late-night snack?" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up instantly.
"Ye Qiu, come eat too—consider it my apology."
"Oh? What good stuff is it?"
...
The three sat around the table, staring at the food box.
Tang San opened it proudly. "Xiao Wu, look! Freshly roasted rabbit! I had the kitchen make it. I used to eat this all the time in Holy Soul Village—it's delicious!"
He spoke enthusiastically, completely missing Xiao Wu's stiff expression as her face darkened.
Ye Qiu, caught off guard, instinctively reached out.
"Ah! Ye Qiu!" Xiao Wu shouted, slapping his hand away. "You're not allowed to eat!"
Tang San brightened. "Great! Xiao Wu loves it!"
He pushed it closer. "Then eat more!"
"Ah! Tang San!!" Xiao Wu exploded, her crimson eyes blazing.
Poor Tang San was completely lost. "W-What happened?"
"I'll eat you! Get lost!" Xiao Wu cursed.
Then she turned sharply to Ye Qiu. "If you dare eat even one bite, I'm ignoring you!"
"Heh…" Ye Qiu laughed stiffly, fear-tears pooling at the corners of his eyes.
This chef's skills were truly outstanding.
"Xiao Wu… what's wrong?" Tang San asked weakly.
Not just Ye Qiu—even Wang Sheng nearby was swallowing his saliva.