Chapter 15: Lin Xin’s Guilt, Xiao Ma and Che Che

“Young miss, please wait a moment.”

The clear, sultry voice echoed just as the elevator doors were about to close.

Its gentle warmth was soothing, like a spring breeze.

But to Su Qi, on the verge of escaping with his heart pounding out of his chest, it felt like a judgment from the depths of hell.

‘What’s happening?’

‘Why is Wen Yin-jie calling me? Did she notice something?’

‘If she figures out my Crisp Wife ability, will my budding romance end before it even starts?’

‘No way, absolutely not!’

‘I have to play it cool.’

Clenching his delicate, pale fists, feeling the slight sting of his slender fingers, Su Qi mustered his courage.

To avoid being exposed, he lifted his head, forcing a natural tone. “Excuse me, sister, is something the matter?”

Though his expression was stiff with guilt, his transformed appearance was flawless.

His snow-white skin was as smooth as silk, almost tangible in its softness. His peach-blossom eyes sparkled like clear springs, with slightly upturned corners hinting at charm and playfulness.

Golden hair cascaded like a waterfall over his shoulders, shimmering faintly with his movements.

This stunning beauty masked the slight unnaturalness in his demeanor.

Even Wen Yin, a beauty herself, was drawn to his allure, overlooking the subtle awkwardness.

After a brief glance, she shook her head with a hint of regret. “Sorry for disturbing you, miss. I mistook you for a friend. You have a similar vibe.”

Hearing her warm words, Su Qi’s heart jolted, a faint sweat breaking out on his neck, thankfully hidden by his hair.

Truthfully, his Crisp Wife transformation was so drastic—almost a full metamorphosis, save for minor details.

Yet Wen Yin still noticed something.

‘Is this a girl’s sixth sense?’

‘Or does she pay such close attention to me that she sensed it?’

‘Hehe, that thought makes me a little happy!’

“No worries, sister. I’ll be going then.”

With a polite farewell, Su Qi forced calm, stepping out of the elevator in his black shoes.

Only when the doors closed and the display showed the elevator ascending did he exhale, patting his soft chest to ease his tension.

As he recovered from the close call, Wen Yin, inside the rising elevator, fell into thought, having just received a message from her college roommate.

‘Why did that girl give me a “Little Qi” vibe?’

‘Their height, figure, and even gender are different.’

‘Why, then?’

‘Am I so obsessed with eating Little Qi that I’m losing it?’

‘Or am I secretly into girls too?’

Ding-dong~

The elevator reached the sixth floor.

As the doors opened, Wen Yin spotted a familiar figure—her college roommate, Lin Xin.

“Hey, Wen Yin! I’ve got big news for you today. Any rewards?” Lin Xin grinned, her eyes glinting with a ¥ symbol.

Ignoring her money-hungry hint—Wen Yin already gave her plenty as the mall’s sixth-floor manager—she tucked a stray hair behind her ear.

Noticing other customers behind Lin Xin, she stepped out.

As she did, a fresh breath of air made her nose twitch, catching a faint, pleasant scent lingering in the elevator.

It wasn’t a commercial perfume—neither sharp nor overpowering.

Subtle yet comforting, it evoked a sense of serene contentment, relaxing her.

But as she savored it, her delicate brows furrowed.

‘This scent feels familiar. Where have I smelled it before?’

As she pondered, Lin Xin, miffed at her failed hint, sidled up, looping her arm through Wen Yin’s with familiarity.

“Wen Yin, you’re so cold. I called you here because I found your precious little brother, and you’re brushing me off?”

Interrupted by the mention of her “precious little brother,” Wen Yin set aside thoughts of the familiar-scented girl.

After all, she liked Su Qi, not that girl.

Her interest was only due to their similar vibes.

Following Lin Xin to the sixth-floor VIP lounge, Wen Yin glanced at the spirit item counters, hoping to spot Su Qi for a “chance” encounter.

But Lin Xin doused her hopes. “Wen Yin, stop looking. Your little brother left already. He just came to test his ability and bounced.”

Disappointed at missing the encounter, Wen Yin’s mood lifted at the news.

As his neighbor, she knew Su Qi had always longed to awaken an ability.

Now that he had, it fulfilled one of his wishes.

‘What ability did he awaken? I’m so curious!’

In the lounge, Lin Xin noticed Wen Yin’s heartfelt smile, knowing instantly she was thinking of her neighbor.

As a four-year roommate, Lin Xin pulled up the sixth-floor surveillance on her laptop while speaking. “Wen Yin, you and your little brother are so fated—both charm-types, though he’s support, and you’re attack.”

Seeing Wen Yin’s smile deepen, clearly smitten, Lin Xin asked a long-held question. “Wen Yin, if you like him so much, why not confess? I bet he’d say yes. If I were him, I’d fall for a warm, beautiful neighbor like you!”

Wen Yin didn’t answer immediately.

After watching Su Qi’s departure on the surveillance, she reluctantly shifted her gaze to Lin Xin.

With a seductive smile, a faint pink aura seemed to emanate from her, sweet and… suggestive.

“Little Qi’s still a month from adulthood. I’m worried eating him too soon might be too much for his body~”

As she spoke, her dark eyes took on a pinkish hue, alluring and enchanting. From under her conservative skirt, a heart-patterned tail slipped out, excitedly brushing her hand.

Hearing such lines and seeing her friend’s “charm + yandere” vibe, Lin Xin’s lips twitched.

Comparing Su Qi’s slight frame to Wen Yin’s voluptuous figure, she felt a pang of guilt.

‘Did I just push Su Qi into a fire pit?’

But before the guilt settled, Wen Yin’s gentle voice dispelled it.

“Lin Xin, pack up that spirit item dress Little Qi was looking at.”

“Got it, boss! You’re the best!!!”