Chapter 21: Opening

The next day, Bai Feifei and Ye Xiao Xiao headed to a “jungle point” called school, ready for duo mode.

Bai Yao woke multiple times, struggling to breathe under Ye Rou’s weight. Each time she pushed Ye Rou off, only for her to inexplicably roll back on.

It felt odd. After pushing Ye Rou away once more, Bai Yao stayed awake.

She caught Ye Rou red-handed, their eyes locking.

“Oops~ Caught by Yao~”

“…”

Ye Rou showed no urgency at being caught, instead looking at Bai Yao expectantly.

Bai Yao’s urge to scold her fizzled out.

What could she do with her best friend?

Spoil her, of course.

“Alright, I won’t hold last night against you. Now let go.”

“Yao, why so cold?” Ye Rou pouted, aggrieved. “My heart burns for you, but you never respond. It hurts~”

“…”

Bai Yao met Ye Rou’s captivating peach-blossom eyes.

Confirmed: Ye Rou was that kind of woman!

Expressionless, Bai Yao shoved Ye Rou off, standing to leave the room.

An accident happened.

Her skirt’s waistband was loose. As she stood, it fell.

“Ah!!!”

“Yao, don’t be scared—I’ll protect you!”

Ye Rou leaped off the bed, reaching out with mischievous hands. Bai Yao slapped her.

Smack!

A red palm print bloomed on Ye Rou’s fair face.

The slap stunned her. She’d sneakily undone the waistband, sure, but this?

It stung, piercing her heart.

She loved Bai Yao so much, yet this was her response.

Tragic!

“Ye Rou!”

Bai Yao yanked her skirt up, glaring furiously.

She was livid!

She treated Ye Rou like a sister, and she pulled this prank?

“…”

Ye Rou clutched her face, lips pursed, eyes teary and pitiful as she looked at Bai Yao.

Bai Yao opened her mouth to scold her but saw Ye Rou’s aggrieved expression and softened.

Fine, she’d slapped her. They were even.

“Next time, we’re done!”

Bai Yao threw out what she thought was her harshest threat. To Ye Rou, it was adorable.

A threat? More like a spice in their dynamic, making things tastier.

As Bai Yao left, Ye Rou’s gaze fell on the pillow.

Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, she buried her face in it.

A faint fragrance hit her, and she inhaled deeply, entranced.

“Yao’s scent~ Still so lovely~ I want to get closer to her~”

Ye Rou lay still, savoring Bai Yao’s lingering aroma.

Downstairs, Bai Yao was cooking noodles. Ten minutes later, her voice called up.

“Ye Rou, breakfast!”

Reluctantly, Ye Rou left the room filled with Bai Yao’s scent.

At the table, Ye Rou schemed how to deepen their bond.

She wanted to break past their usual dynamic.

Two bowls of noodle soup, two poached eggs.

How to get closer to Yao?

Steal her noodles, saying one bowl’s not enough?

But Yao made a big bowl already—that excuse wouldn’t fly.

Got it!

Ye Rou quickly ate her egg, staring at Bai Yao’s.

Feeling the intense gaze, Bai Yao glanced over while biting her egg.

“Why’re you staring? Toothpaste on my face?”

She spat the egg into her bowl, wiping her mouth.

Ye Rou’s gaze shifted—definitely on the egg.

Uncertain, Bai Yao waved the egg side to side. Ye Rou’s eyes followed.

What a glutton. No wonder she grew to 1.8 meters.

Bai Yao placed the half-eaten egg in Ye Rou’s bowl.

“Here, greedy cat.”

Ye Rou grinned, popping the egg in her mouth.

She didn’t swallow, chewing slowly, savoring it.

Trying to taste Bai Yao in the egg.

Sadly, it was just egg—no trace of Bai Yao.

After breakfast, Ye Rou left, citing work.

In a secluded spot, she touched the magical ring on her left ring finger.

“Oh Shadow Hunter, wandering the rift of reality, walk alone for me, let eternal night consume all!”

A black magic circle formed beneath her, rising through her body.

“My lovely spider lily~ Hope you remember me~”

The Greedy Witch skipped formalities, teleporting to Bai Yao’s home.

As a witch, she didn’t overthink.

Witches were seen as vile, so she’d lean into it.

But with restraint—she couldn’t let her precious spider lily wilt under pressure.

Watching Bai Yao wipe furniture, Greedy trailed silently, then spoke abruptly.

“My lovely spider lily~ Need help?”

“Who!”

Bai Yao spun, her hands swiftly pinned above her head.

The grinning woman before her was unforgettable.

The Greedy Witch!

“What do you want?”

“Wanna know?” Greedy’s eyes gleamed with predatory delight. “Kiss me, and I’ll tell you~”

“No way!”

Last time, Bai Yao was helpless. Not this time.

“In the solitude of the spider lily, heed my will… Mmph!”

Her ring glowed crimson, but before the incantation finished, Greedy silenced her with a kiss.

True to her name, Greedy savored Bai Yao’s taste.

Seconds later, she floated back.

“Such a shy little flower~ Need your big sister to take the lead?”

Greedy raised her left hand, thumb brushing her wet lips, cheeks faintly flushed.

“You jerk!”

Bai Yao’s face burned, furious.

This damn witch stole a kiss!

Damn, damn, damn!

Enraged, Bai Yao transformed.

“In the solitude of the spider lily, heed my will, let karmic flames burn through illusions!”

“She transformed—this is big~”

Greedy darted out of the living room, Pride close behind.

Ten thousand meters above ground, the two witches clashed in a spectacular battle.

“Puppet theater, curtain up!”