Chapter 33
Wee-oo, wee-oo. The sirens faded.
Within minutes several patrol cars rolled into the South District, sending a handful of half-dressed patrons fleeing from the little barbershop across the alley.
Yan Huan walked Bai Yi out of the bar and spotted Mrs. Zuo draped in a wool shawl, her face grim.
She frowned first at her daughter, who kept her head down, then at the smiling boy beside her.
Mrs. Zuo's eyes lit a fraction.
"Thank you for the trouble, Yan."
"No trouble at all, Auntie. I never expected to run into Bai Yi here—I'm actually a fan."
Mrs. Zuo glanced at Bai Yi in surprise, then chuckled.
"In that case I'll add you on Plane. Whenever there's an event, I'll be sure to invite you."
"You've got it, Auntie."
Mrs. Zuo cheerfully scanned Yan Huan's QR code; when she turned back to Bai Yi her expression chilled again.
"Get in the car."
"......"
Bai Yi nodded, but as she climbed in she looked once more toward the doorway.
Their eyes t; Yan Huan gave her a small smile.
Her own gaze flickered, then she disappeared inside.
The door shut, sirens rose, and the convoy pulled away, leaving Yan Huan on the doorstep, his smile slowly fading.
A black cat materialized on his shoulder.
ow-chan exhaled as the cars vanished.
"Her desire spiked so hard I almost had a heart attack, ow~"
"Yeah. That's why I grabbed the pudding ant for another table and handed it straight to her."
The custard hadn't been made for her, but the mood had turned dangerous; Yan Huan had changed course on the fly.
ow-chan tilted his head.
"So how did you know she loves singing?"
Yan Huan scratched the cat's ears.
"This morning she pulled a stunt. I tried guilt-tripping her the way I did Ye Shiyu, but it barely registered, so I switched tactics."
He headed back inside, explaining as he walked.
"I dug up her track record. She's done loads of variety shows and films—easy on the eyes, sure, but the reviews are... well, 'h.'
While she was on the phone with her mother, I overheard her say none of her current gigs are what she really wants. Yet when she talked to Sis Tong earlier, she said she still craves her mom's approval."
He glanced at ow-chan.
"People only beg for recognition over the things they've poured their hearts into. If her mom's arrangents aren't her choice, she wouldn't give them her all—and wouldn't care so much about praise.
But the songs we heard tonight? Lyrics, composition, arrangent, recording, vocals—she did everything herself. Low exposure, tons of work, yet she keeps releasing them. I'm certain singing is what she truly loves."
ow-chan's eyes widened.
"So you posed as her music fan, gave her the validation she craved, and that suppressed her Modifier—ow!"
"Exactly."
"Then she'll drop fragnts as fast as Ye Shiyu did. You're amazing!"
Yet Yan Huan looked anything but pleased. He sighed and rubbed the cat's head.
"It's not that simple. Rember, her mother doesn't approve of singing.
Who am I? A random passer-by. But that's her mom. Whose denial do you think weighs more? And I'm not even a neutral stranger—I'm probably the enemy she hates."
Back inside, he rolled his stiff shoulders.
"It's a stop-gap. Unless her mother changes her mind, or the public's praise drowns out her mother's rejection, the problem stays."
There was another way—becoming soone important enough to replace her mother's approval, like a lover—but he kept that thought to himself.
ow-chan blinked, wanting to help yet unsure what to say.
"ow~"
It gave a cute w and nuzzled Yan Huan's cheek with its fluffy head.
Yan Huan smiled faintly and looked around the bar. The place was peaceful again. Tong Yingying had another cigarette between her lips, clearly itching for a drag. Without thinking, Yan Huan plucked it away.
Normally she never protested, but this ti she reached out.
"Give it back."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Still smoking? You vowed to quit the day before yesterday, yet here we are. Carrying smokes and booze while claiming you're quitting—fighting fire with kindling?"
Tong Yingying sulked, leaning against a table.
"Yeah, yeah. A reeking drunk like can't compete with so sweet, fragrant idol. Did you see her cry? Like a drama heroine—so delicate, so sugary~"
Yan Huan nodded in agreent.
"True. If Auntie scolds you, all you do is toss stuff left and right. 'Toss this, toss that...'"
"I'll tase you, believe ?"
Tong Yingying brandished her stun baton; Yan Huan raised both hands, surrendering with a grin, and returned the cigarette.
"Fine. I'm wiped after dealing with her, and now you want to zap too. Here, if you're set on killing yourself slowly."
She didn't take it. Instead she declared,
"I want pudding."
"Make it yourself."
"Hmph. Who's the boss here? Want to dock your pay?"
"You taught the recipe, and yours is better. You really want my lumpy version?"
"I don't care. Food soone else makes always tastes better."
"Whatever you say."
Yan Huan chuckled; Tong Yingying humd, arms crossed, clearly pleased with herself.
That night the South District saw a small commotion, then returned to normal.
Thursday noon, freshman building, Yuanyue Academy—inside a girls' restroom stall.
"Xiao Muzi, does it look better like this?"
An Le studied her reflection, tugging at the new airy bangs she'd just cut.
The lifted strands revealed a face fresh and lovely without a speck of make-up.
After adding Spencer on Plane, the girl had said her old hairstyle was ghost-like and scary. An Le hoped a change might make sending letters to Yan Huan easier.
Perched on her shoulder, the little serpent flicked its tongue and rolled its eyes.
"First you let Spencer handle the bullies, now you obey everything she says? Have so backbone!"
An Le looked innocent, murmuring in her mind,
"But Spencer really is amazing. Park Seo-mun and the others haven't shown up since she beat them. And my hair did feel too heavy..."
Backbone was irrelevant; what truly bothered the serpent was her refusal to use the Modifier. With such a cheat and the world's smartest snake for counsel, she still dawdled.
No way. Ti to force her hand.
Xiao Muzi stayed silent, plotting.
"Fine, it looks okay. Aren't you going to check sothing out?"
"Check what?"
"Spencer's supposed to report to the student council at noon, right? Yan Huan runs the study group."
"Spencer doesn't like Yan Huan, so I'm not worried."
The serpent nearly fainted. It slapped her cheek with its tail.
"Are you stupid? She scored sixty-six—pig-level. You think she'll ekly accept tutoring? If she loses her temper and clobbers your precious Yan Huan, what then?"
"Xiao Huan... isn't mine yet."
An Le blushed crimson. Xiao Muzi felt its heart seize.
"This isn't the ti to argue ownership! Did you hear anything I said? Up! Let's go see what's happening!"
"O-okay..."
Only then did An Le timidly stand up.
Of course she understood what Xiao Muzi ant; she just wasn't dense like Spencer.
What held her back was a pinch of self-doubt and a fistful of fear. She couldn't look Yan Huan in the eye, so she kept stalling.
But Xiao Muzi had pushed the matter this far, so she left the restroom and tiptoed upstairs.
Student-council office... it's up here, isn't it?
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Her heart hamred faster. She slipped to one side of the corridor—this window offered a clear view of the passage outside the council door.
"What are you doing here? Go on!"
"I-I can't. I'll just watch from here."
"Ugh, kill now."
An Le bit her lip and spied across the way, but the office interior was invisible. Monts later Spencer clattered up the stairs with a swagger that disowned every relative she had. She kicked the door once, announcing herself.
To An Le's surprise, Spencer didn't go in—Yan Huan stepped out alone.
An Le's eyes widened; on her shoulder, Xiao Muzi's tiny serpent eyes mirrored her shock.
"You predicted that? How did you know they'd co out?"
"Eh? I didn't."
An Le rubbed her head, embarrassed, and Xiao Muzi went speechless.
Across the hall, Yan Huan folded his arms and pointed down the opposite corridor.
"Let's talk over there."
Only he was in the office right now, but Sakuramiya might return at any minute—she had ssaged the group that the cat was nearly healed and she'd be back by lunch. To keep Spencer and Sakuramiya from colliding, Yan Huan chose to hold the conversation outside.
Spencer frowned but followed, reluctant, as Yan led the way.
In the distance, An Le crept after them to a parallel corridor with a clear sightline.
"The e-mail I sent—you got it?" Spencer asked, hands in her pockets, smiling.
"You're in charge of this, so where's Sakuramiya?"
Yan Huan glanced back, expression frosty.
"This has nothing to do with her."
"Sure, sure."
He stopped at another corner and faced Spencer, all business.
"The Academic Affairs Office is clear: every week you must attend my study group twice in person, finish extra assignnts, and hand them to for grading and review."
Spencer gaped.
"I don't even do the howork the teachers assign. Now you want to do yours?"
"You'd better start."
She folded her arms and sneered.
"And if I refuse?"
"I'll forward your na to the office. They'll call your parents."
The sneer froze; Spencer looked away, suddenly uneasy, ruffling the back of her head.
"You promised one favor, rember? I'm using it now. Get out of that study group."
Yan Huan drew a slow breath, half exasperated.
Master, if this is you... how do you expect to be a pro?
He had never seen a delinquent try to dodge howork by cashing in a threat.
He considered for a second, then let a relaxed smile slip.
"All right. I'll try to get you excused."
The relief on his face—like he was finally rid of her—made Spencer bristle.
Still, howork every week or parents on the phone...
Better to burn the favor.
She nodded curtly and turned to leave, but Yan Huan called her back.
"One thing: I'll try, but if the school says no, that's it. Whatever happens, you delete the photos. We're square."
"What?"
Spencer's eyes flared, fang showing.
"You're using up my favor without even guaranteeing the result?"
"Not much choice, is there?"
He shot her a look of open dislike.
"Who told you to score sixty-six? You're miles below the next-to-last student. If you'd hit even average marks we could negotiate. As it stands, I'll do my best."
"Are you calling stupid?"
"Aren't you?"
His gaze flicked up and down, as though asuring her against soone else in his mind—Sakuramiya the Vice-President, probably.
Right, Sakuramiya the perfect student against Spencer the failure, not even worth a single strand of her hair.
Veins throbbed at Spencer's temples; she had no idea she'd walked straight into Yan Huan's trap.
"Heh. Changed my mind, Yan Huan."
"aning?"
"I'm not using the favor. I'll join your study group."
"You're going back on your word?"
"Yep. I'll attend every session. And that favor—save it. You'll see."
Yan Huan didn't flinch. He simply pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it over.
"What's this?"
Spencer blinked, took the note—then stared.
A reading list:
Three Years of High School, Two Years of Mock Exams
Mathematics Master—100 Drills
Grammar & Reading in One Volu
"???"
Spencer's jaw slackened, fang glinting at Yan Huan's deadpan smile.
"Fine. Bring every workbook on that list before Monday. If even one is missing—well, you know what happens."
Spencer ground her teeth, glaring at the handso boy who had sohow beco her mortal enemy.
Just wait, Yan Huan. I'll get you for this.
"Hmph!"
She spun on her heel and stalked off.
Yan Huan's face remained frosty, radiating equal irritation.
Far down the hall, An Le caught none of the words yet felt the chill in the air.
"Did they... have a fight? Xiao Huan looks so angry..."
She had no idea Yan Huan had staged the entire tantrum to bait Spencer.
She bit her lip, anxious.
One was the childhood friend she'd grown up with; the other, a brand-new friend. She didn't want them at odds—especially not if it made Xiao Huan this upset.
Xiao Muzi sensed her agitation and perked up.
Opportunity?
He swallowed his excitent.
"Want to cheer Yan Huan up?"
"I do... but I don't dare go to him. Maybe I'll find Spencer later and ask her not to fight with him."
"Idiot. Do you think she'll listen to you?"
"..."
True—Spencer seed the type to do exactly as she pleased.
"I have an idea."
"Ah, Xiao Muzi, you have a plan?"
"Dummy. Didn't I tell you before? You can manipulate others' pleasure. Happiness is just another form of pleasure. Just give him a little taste of it—easy."
"R-really?"
Xiao Muzi gave a soft hum and coaxed gently, "Of course. And it's not a bad thing, right? You just want Xiao Huan to stop being so angry. Maybe you can even stop him and Spencer from fighting."
An Le swallowed. Sothing inside her stirred.
Yes... I'm not doing anything wrong. I just want to make Xiao Huan a little happier.
So...
Should I try?
"How do I use that power?"
Finally—finally—she took the bait!
In that instant, Xiao Muzi transford into Sun Wukong played by Huang Bo, barely suppressing its excitent as it explained, "Just imagine it in your mind. Then lock onto him and try giving him a small dose of pleasure."
Imagine?
An Le focused her thoughts, and an invisible ripple spread outward, forming a perfect circle fifteen ters in radius.
Within that circle, An Le's eyes instantly locked onto countless targets.
But she only wanted Xiao Huan to feel joy.
So she concentrated, fixing her gaze on Yan Huan.
Two streams of red and white mist appeared, floating in the air as if waiting for her command. An Le looked puzzled. Xiao Muzi quickly added, "The red mist manipulates pain. Inject red, and they'll feel pain. The white mist controls pleasure—use it the sa way."
So... give Xiao Huan a bit of white mist?
An Le thought this, then guided the white mist toward Yan Huan.
But because it was her first ti, the mist moved far more lightly than she'd expected. She lost control for a mont, and far too much white mist surged into him.
"Ah! I-I added too much!"
An Le clapped a hand over her mouth. Beside her, Xiao Muzi's jaw dropped in shock.
Sis...
You're even bolder than I imagined!
The next second, Yan Huan—who'd been heading back to the Student-Council Office—froze mid-step, as if sensing sothing.
Then a flood of electric current rushed up his spine and crashed into his brain.
"Wham!"
Done.
Totally done!!
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