Vol2 Chapter 11: Forever

I can’t sleep…

No idea why, just can’t.

It feels… dangerous to fall asleep.

Maybe because it’s my first time sharing a room with someone.

“Senior Sister, you asleep?” Xia Mi whispered.

“Not yet, thinking about stuff,” Bai Ci said, staring at the ceiling, blanket up to her shoulders, hands tucked neatly inside.

“Thinking about Senior Lu?
No need to overthink—he looks at you like he’s totally smitten,” Xia Mi said softly.

“No… we’re just regular friends, nothing special,” Bai Ci paused.
“I’m waiting to eat his wedding candy.”

“Heh,” Xia Mi turned, eyeing the beautiful face and neat lashes beside her.
“Senior Sister, you know in anime, there’s a trope that’s super popular but often ends up a loser?”

“What?”

“Tsundere,” Xia Mi chuckled.
“These characters are usually the ones with the deepest bond with the protagonist, the longest history, the best shot at winning.
But after a series of stubborn denials, they lose the love war and end up crying alone.
We call them ‘loser dogs.’
I love watching tsunderes turn into loser dogs—it’s so thrilling!”

“What’s that got to do with me?” Bai Ci said.
“I’m not like that.”

“Senior Sister, you really don’t like Lu Mingfei?”

“I like him, but as a friend.”

“Ohhh—” Xia Mi dragged out the word.
“What if he confesses to you?”

Bai Ci went quiet, then turned to her.

“I don’t know.
Maybe I’d say yes, maybe not.”

“See, that’s it!” Xia Mi propped herself up, voice tinged with excitement.
“Just accept him!”

“Then, when he finds a girl he really likes, I’d step back and make it clear I have no feelings for him.”

Xia Mi’s flawless face froze, like she’d choked on something (think subway, old man, phone).
She let out a long sigh.

“If a girl who’s head over heels for Lu Mingfei shows up, all eyes on him, how would you feel?”

“I’d genuinely congratulate him.”

“Senior Sister, you’re so messed up…” Xia Mi covered her eyes, sounding exasperated.
“Fine, I’m done.
Sleep!”
After a pause, she added, “Don’t let happiness slip through your fingers, Senior Sister.”

“It won’t.
I know what I’m doing.”

“Whatever you say, Senior Sister.” Xia Mi waved, turning over.

Bai Ci stared at the ceiling…
Would a girl really fall for Lu Mingfei?

Maybe, but it definitely wouldn’t be her, right?

Two lives lived, over thirty years combined.
She used to be a boy like him—how could it happen?

Growing up without parents, her withdrawn personality made her a target for bullying and mockery.

People seemed wired to reject anything different.
She never understood what she’d done wrong—was being different a crime?

Over time, she hated herself and, eventually, ended it all.

No parents, bullied—she’d gotten used to it.
Her last life was the same: no parents, no kindness.

This life was better.

Though she was a girl now, she had loving parents.

Still no friends, but at least she had her mom and dad.

Then they died in a car crash, on a day with pouring rain…

If everyone saw her as an outcast, what was the point of living?

Then one day, she found a reason to live—a silly, clumsy reason.

Lu Mingfei was a great friend, her first friend, her most important friend.

The formula for never parting was to stay friends forever.

She’d read online that after a breakup, you can’t even stay friends.

Lost in thought, she drifted off.

—

When Lu Mingfei woke, Chu Zihang was tapping away at his laptop.

“Senior, what’re you playing?”

“Norma assigned me Xia Mi’s orientation tasks.
I’m organizing materials,” Chu Zihang said, expressionless.
He rarely played games, though he’d joined a few during Lionheart events.
“We’re in Chicago for seven days, leaving next week.
Breakfast’s on the table—eat up.
After your mission, you can relax a bit…”

“Mission?
What mission?”
Lu Mingfei glanced at the milk and bread.
Xia Mi was munching bread on the couch.

“There’s a black Maserati waiting at the hotel entrance, Illinois plate, CAS001.
The person inside will brief you.
Eat, then head down.”

“Oh.”
Lu Mingfei chewed bread, stirring his milk.
“Has Bai Ci woken up?”

“This mission’s yours alone.
Bai Ci and I will handle Xia Mi’s orientation.”

Lu Mingfei eyed Chu Zihang, thinking, Bet you’re planning to handle it all yourself, leaving nothing for anyone else to worry about.
Such a mom type.
Chu always took charge of everything he noticed, whether you needed it or not.
Normally, such a meddling personality would annoy people, but he never messed up, and his earnest face made it impossible to stay mad.

“Senior Lu, Senior Lu,” Xia Mi sidled over, nudging him with her shoulder, her face sly.
“Last night, I tested Senior Sister’s vibe.
Guess what she likes?”

“Spill it!”

“Not enough sincerity, Senior,” Xia Mi grinned, feigning a scheming villain.
“When you two get married, I’ll be a bridesmaid.
Better give me the fattest red envelope for my efforts.”

“Obviously!
If I pull it off, you’ll be the MVP, Master Xia!”
Lu Mingfei played along, all flattery.
“Master Xia, teach me how to win her!”

“First, stop being so shy around her.
Pining forever won’t cut it—just go for it!
You think she’s a cold, S-rank queen?
She’s just a simple, love-starved masochist who can’t say no to you.
Best move is to date her, test the waters, then chip away at her defenses.
Once you’re in bed whispering sweet nothings, you could tie her up with a bow, hang her from the ceiling, and whip her—she’d probably thank you for unlocking her kinks!”

Lu Mingfei covered his face, thinking, How’s a girl this pretty so pervy?
Are you one of those bubbly good girls who secretly binge romance movies at midnight, eyes heart-shaped, losing it over love?
Her words shocked him, but her behavior made sense—she was a wild one.

“Sis, you don’t get embarrassed saying this?”

“What’s there to be shy about?
I’m pretty mature,” Xia Mi stuck out her tongue.
“I’m practically ten thousand years old.”

“Wow, you are a monster.”

“Not a monster!
A cute little witch!”