Chapter 42:An Xiaoling’s Suspicion
“Did you see yesterday’s Lin City news? The Braves found a new spiritual item in the Fourth Plane, supposedly Tier 4.”
“I saw it, but I’m skeptical. Usually, the Braves’ leader speaks directly after expeditions, but this time it was just media. Could it mean heavy losses? Maybe even casualties?”
“Huh, that makes sense.”
In the laid-back Class 18, waiting for class to start, students had more freedom than ability-focused classes, leaving time for gossip. Today, they buzzed about the Braves’ expedition.
Amid the chatter, Su Qi sat quietly, mood heavy after learning Mo Yu was injured. Listening to the class discuss the Braves while staring at his WeChat chat with Mo Yu, his thoughts wandered.
Two days ago, at Lin Yin Manor’s Adventurer’s Guild, Su Qi had seen the Braves, including a magical girl, depart for the Fourth Plane amid cheers. Mo Yu had mentioned relatives visiting that day. Connecting this with the class’s speculation about the Braves’ rough expedition, a strange feeling nagged him. Too coincidental?
Though curious about Mo Yu’s possible link to the magical girl, Su Qi’s Crisp Wife-induced sensitivity shifted his focus to his friend’s well-being. Glancing at the bento he’d made, knowing its healing properties, he typed: “A-Yu, no class this afternoon. I’ll bring lunch to your place—you can’t take care of yourself with a twisted ankle.”
After a brief “typing” delay, Mo Yu replied with a touched puppy emoji and his location, agreeing to meet. Su Qi felt a spark of excitement. Despite being desk-mates since junior high, he’d never visited Mo Yu’s home due to distance. The thought of venting recent events in a private setting thrilled him.
To maintain his “novelist” cover with Mo Yu, and since he hadn’t checked “his” novel lately, Su Qi opened the Radish Bag app with ten minutes before class. Clicking An Xiao Ling’s yuri novel, he was shocked—twenty new chapters in three days? Is An Xiao Ling on a writing spree?
Checking the comments, his forehead twitched.
CatLovesFish: The wife-like big sister’s appearing a lot lately. Love it!
EndlessSheng: Yuri vibes are great! Transforming into different types sounds fun.
SihaSiha: How about the wife in a swimsuit? Or a white-haired loli? Loli supremacy!
JiuYue: Reminder, the internet isn’t lawless. Taking the above for questioning.
The comments about a “wife-like big sister” gave him chills. Having just used his Crisp Wife ability with the Wildcats, he couldn’t help but wonder: Is this character based on me?
Exiting the comments to resume reading, he didn’t notice a petite figure enter the classroom—An Xiao Ling, the novel’s author. As an ability user, she’d planned to skip school but came to earn credits, write, and confront Su Qi, the “fake author” she’d promised to “stomp” after meeting “Susu-jie.”
Spotting Su Qi, she froze. After the “novelist” drama, she’d kept tabs on him. In just a day, his skin was fairer, his features softer. Though his appearance was still boyishly handsome, something felt different, eerily reminiscent of Susu-jie.
Shaking her head, she dismissed it. No way my favorite Susu-jie is like this annoying guy. I must be tired from over-writing. Deciding to rest tonight, she eyed Su Qi’s small white shoes, planning a playful stomp. But a familiar, gentle food aroma stopped her.
As a loyal “Susu Bento” customer, she recognized the disposable box on Su Qi’s desk. Unlike cheap 10-20 yuan bentos, Susu’s 300-yuan bentos used premium packaging. Why’s it here? Susu-jie only sells on Sundays. A coincidence? Why would he buy such an expensive box?
Then she noticed his phone—identical to Susu-jie’s old, slightly masculine one from their WeChat exchange. One coincidence is fine, but two?
Her eyes narrowed, suspicion growing. Is Su Qi… connected to Susu-jie?