Chapter 20: Buttering Up My Little Girlfriend, Meow?

A Guilty Conscience

Xiao Xi was now fully convinced. Ye Xinglan’s description was so precise that no ordinary person could know about her special form!

She hadn’t even told her teammates about it. No one else who’d seen that form existed—because every villain and monster who had was burned to ashes.

Well, except for one. The Blood Moon Witch had faced that form, but Ye Xinglan wasn’t her.

Xiao Xi now understood why Ye Xinglan hated Eternal Star so much. It was clearly a case of love turning to hate! From her tone earlier, Ye Xinglan’s resentment was bone-deep.

No wonder she believed every wild rumor about Eternal Star. With a preconceived “scumbag” image, she’d easily buy into any negative gossip.

Xiao Xi swallowed hard, a mix of nervousness and guilt for deceiving someone’s feelings washing over her.

At this point, admitting she was Eternal Star was impossible!

But shouldn’t she step up and take responsibility? Even if it wasn’t intentional, she didn’t want to be a scumbag!

Yet, she quickly gave a bitter smile in her heart, feeling unworthy of the thought.

How could a rich girl like Ye Xinglan fall for a broke nobody who couldn’t even pay rent? Take responsibility? With what?

Though they were living together, Xiao Xi knew her place. She never dreamed of some novel-worthy “domineering heiress falls for me” plot happening in real life.

Meanwhile, Ye Xinglan, worried her lie might be exposed, kept sneaking glances at Xiao Xi’s face. To her surprise, Xiao Xi looked pale and guilty.

Weird. Shouldn’t she be the guilty one for lying? Why was Xiao Xi acting guilty?

Then it clicked. Xiao Xi was an Eternal Star fan, so hearing her idol was a flop must’ve hit hard.

So, she’d bought it? Hehe, she really bought it! Her acting was pretty solid!

Overly Attentive

But two days later, Ye Xinglan sensed something off.

Xiao Xi had been too attentive lately, constantly bringing tea or snacks, acting suspiciously eager. Ye Xinglan almost wondered if Xiao Xi was pursuing her.

Take today, for example. Ye Xinglan was sprawled on the couch, gaming, when Xiao Xi quietly approached with a cup of tea.

“Xinglan, tired from lying there so long? Want me to massage your legs?”

“Huh? Uh, sure.”

Focused on her game, Ye Xinglan barely registered the question and mumbled a reply.

Only after finishing her round did she realize Xiao Xi was diligently massaging her legs, like a dutiful little maid.

Since taking responsibility wasn’t an option, Xiao Xi figured she could make up for it this way.

“Sigh…”

Ye Xinglan’s expression grew complicated as she signaled Xiao Xi to stop.

“Xiao Xi, you don’t have to do all this. I know what you’re up to.”

Xiao Xi’s heart skipped. What did she mean? Had Ye Xinglan seen through her identity?

Ye Xinglan patted her head. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone about you secretly playing with your little toy at night. You don’t need to butter me up.”

“Who the hell’s buttering you up over that?! I told you I wasn’t playing with anything!” Xiao Xi snapped, losing her cool.

“Okay, okay, you weren’t, you weren’t.”

Ye Xinglan waved dismissively, humoring her. She wanted to get back to her game—a new magical girl-themed one she’d found.

Xiao Xi stormed back to her room, just as her editor messaged her.

Financial Struggles

“The new book’s data looks good. We’ll push for a recommendation next week to see how it performs.”

Xiao Xi mentally cheered but asked her most pressing concern—money.

“You’re getting 300 yuan a month for signing, full attendance. Subscription revenue comes after you go premium…”

After a brief chat with her editor, Xiao Xi’s excitement faded. She realized she wouldn’t earn much from writing this month.

Her book had just launched, and going premium was at least a month away. That month’s royalties wouldn’t arrive until the next, meaning the 300 yuan signing fee wouldn’t cover her expenses!

Xiao Keke’s 500 yuan transfer still had some left. She could skimp on living costs, but with the end of the month nearing, next month’s rent loomed large.

She already owed Ye Xinglan an emotional debt. She didn’t want to owe rent too.

Joining the Magical Girl Association should come with a salary, but Xiao Xi was only nominally registered through Miss L’s maneuvering. Plus, she’d agreed to help in exchange for Blood Moon Witch intel—she couldn’t bring herself to ask her old teammate about pay.

To cover rent for the next two months, she needed a job that paid quickly.

With no other options, Xiao Xi opened a job-hunting app. This time, she had no demands for the job itself but added new conditions.

The workplace had to be close to home, with a lunch break so she could cook for Ye Xinglan.

Ideally, it’d be a half-day job, leaving time for Miss L’s tasks and her writing.

Writing wasn’t paying yet, but it was gaining traction, and she wasn’t about to give up. Who wouldn’t want an extra income?

But with these filters, wouldn’t finding a job be even harder?

Xiao Xi felt a headache coming on, but after applying her criteria, she was shocked to find one job that perfectly matched—a café server position.

And it was near South Street, so close to home!

Xiao Xi quickly contacted them and got a swift reply.

An interview this afternoon… Xiao Xi clenched her fist, psyching herself up. Keep at it, and life would get sweeter!

A Slighted Roommate

As Xiao Xi left her room, Ye Xinglan, lounging on the couch, called out.

“Xiao Xi, play games with me this afternoon. I found a fun one!”

“Oh, sorry, I’ve got something to do this afternoon.”

Ye Xinglan didn’t say anything, but she pouted, clearly miffed.

Tch, saying you’re not buttering me up? I agreed to keep your little toy secret, and now you’re brushing me off?