Chapter 24: Lovey-Dovey Couple Vibes, Meow?

A Crowded Event

Finally done with the photos, Ye Xinglan checked her phone’s album, satisfied with the incriminating shots of Eternal Star. She glanced at the line of people waiting.

“So many people want to take pictures with you?”

“Yeah, it’s the opening event. A big crowd’s normal.”

Ye Xinglan didn’t respond. She should be gloating over Eternal Star’s hard work, but seeing the long line, she felt a faint reluctance instead.

“Alright, next~”

Thankfully, the photo session wasn’t too complicated. The line moved quickly, and once it was done, Xiao Xi shifted to her regular server duties.

Ye Xinglan didn’t head home. Instead, she found a seat, ordered a coffee, and quietly watched Xiao Xi work.

Weren’t customers supposed to be kings? This was a perfect chance to figure out how to torment Eternal Star.

Xiao Xi threw herself into work, temporarily forgetting Ye Xinglan’s presence. After helping a customer find merch in the anime section, she turned to see Ye Xinglan approaching again.

“…What can I get for you, dear customer?”

Despite the awkwardness, Xiao Xi greeted her. Ye Xinglan patted her shoulder, acting like a boss inspecting work.

“Do you have any Eternal Star merch?”

Xiao Xi froze, sensing something off in Ye Xinglan’s smile… It must be her imagination, right? She’d fooled Ye Xinglan before; there was no way she suspected Xiao Xi was Eternal Star.

Then she remembered the battered Eternal Star merch in Ye Xinglan’s room. Was she buying more to destroy?

“Dear customer, Eternal Star’s merch is right here~”

Eternal Star had a wide range of merch, being a famous magical girl. Ye Xinglan eyed an Eternal Star poster on the wall and clicked her tongue in disdain.

“Xiao Xi, you know…”

She picked up a badge, holding it level with Xiao Xi’s face, speaking casually.

“I just realized [Eternal Star] looks a lot like you.”

“Huh… what? Why bring that up?”

“Look at her design—same silver-white hair and blue eyes as you.”

Ye Xinglan glanced between the badge and Xiao Xi, putting on a thoughtful expression.

Oh no! Xiao Xi barely kept her smile. Sure, it made sense, but most people wouldn’t jump to that conclusion!

Plus, she was in cosplay today, with a wig and colored contacts. Why would Ye Xinglan think of this now?

“Haha, that’s… a bit of a stretch, isn’t it?”

“Not really. I read that magical girls’ transformed appearances often resemble their real ones.”

“And you’re so defensive about me hating [Eternal Star],” Ye Xinglan said, patting her shoulder again. “What if there’s a chance…”

“No way!” Xiao Xi cut in. “Lots of people have the same hair color. It’s just a coincidence.”

“Lots of people have black hair too—like you. And the Blood Moon Witch. I wouldn’t say you’re her just because of that, right?”

Ye Xinglan smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Guess what?

“Oh, right—”

Looking at the row of Eternal Star merch, Ye Xinglan had a sudden thought.

“With her merch selling so well, she must’ve made a fortune. Maybe that’s why she retired.”

Xiao Xi: “…”

Xiao Xi fell silent. That last comment hit harder than all the others combined.

Ye Xinglan meant to smear Eternal Star as a money-grubber, expecting Xiao Xi to get mad. But Xiao Xi barely reacted.

Soon, Xiao Xi was called away to work elsewhere. Ye Xinglan couldn’t keep bothering her, so she returned to her seat and ordered a dessert.

At the counter, Su Ying studied Ye Xinglan’s face for a moment before something clicked.

“Oh, I knew Xiao Xi looked familiar during her interview! You two came here before, right?”

“Yeah, for a blind date.”

Su Ying let out a small, enlightened gasp.

“So, you two are…?”

“…A couple.”

It was the first time Ye Xinglan admitted it so reluctantly. Being “a couple” with Eternal Star was humiliating! But she couldn’t deny it in front of others…

Gritting her teeth, she noticed something on the back of the menu.

“What’s this?”

She pointed at the “maid service” option, curious.

“It’s where a maid spends time with you. You can make requests—within the maid’s comfort zone, of course.”

So, she could buy Xiao Xi’s time as her maid?

Ye Xinglan’s eyes lit up. She slapped her wallet on the counter. “I’ll take it!”

Maid Service Misadventure

Moments later, in the same corner by the window where they’d had their blind date.

“I order you to kneel, hold my foot, and call me Master.”

Looking at Ye Xinglan’s smug face, Xiao Xi’s mouth twitched, but she explained patiently, “Dear customer, maid service doesn’t include such extreme requests, nyah.”

Seeing Ye Xinglan’s disappointed pout, Xiao Xi thought, Did you actually think maid service included that?!

Was Ye Xinglan secretly a sadist?

“But I can feed you. Here, open wide~”

Xiao Xi scooped up some katsu rice, but Ye Xinglan didn’t budge.

“Where’s the attitude? The title? Is this how a maid serves her master?”

“…Fine. Master, please eat~”

Xiao Xi’s tone was resigned. Ye Xinglan finally accepted the service, grinning triumphantly.

One word: Satisfying!

Who’d have thought she’d get the mighty Eternal Star to call her Master? Too bad she couldn’t push further, or she’d humiliate Xiao Xi to the max!

Nearby, Su Ying, serving dessert to another customer, glanced over with concern, wondering if she should remind Ye Xinglan that maid service didn’t allow unwilling requests.

Maid service was just for light dining and chatting—no physical contact allowed. Su Ying knew some maid cafés offered more intimate services, but she respected Xiao Xi’s boundaries and wouldn’t push.

But no physical contact? Ye Xinglan was practically lying on Xiao Xi’s lap!

Then Su Ying realized she was overthinking. They were a couple—being a bit affectionate was normal. Why would she play third wheel?