Chapter 17: What a coincidence!!!
“Boss Su, do you remember me? I missed the night market last weekend due to a mission, but I was there the week before and the one before that! Do I ring a bell?”
“Boss Su, your skin is so flawless—how do you maintain it?”
“Boss Su~~”
At the entrance of Lin Yin Mansion’s Building 3, after encountering a familiar figure, the atmosphere shifted from the slightly oppressive vibe with Lin Xue to something lively, almost noisy.
But despite the barrage of friendly, enthusiastic loli chatter, Su Qi didn’t feel at ease—instead, he grew more nervous.
The reason was simple.
The more he looked at this delicate, freckle-free girl with elf-like ears, the more familiar she seemed.
Her height, voice, and those white sneakers screamed An Xiao Ling, his classmate!
‘The Cangyou Wildcat Team has my classmate?!’
‘Isn’t Class 18 supposed to be full of unawakened slackers?’
‘How is An Xiao Ling part of this team?!’
‘And why is she, who’s always hostile to me in class, so friendly to my “Boss Su” persona?’
It was all too strange.
Overwhelmed by her rapid-fire questions, Su Qi’s mind blanked, unsure which to answer or how.
Thankfully, a playful voice cut in, saving him.
“Hey, An Xiao Ling, Boss Su’s here for an interview. Don’t scare her off. Let’s head upstairs and talk.”
Lin Xue grabbed Su Qi’s hand on one side and An Xiao Ling’s on the other, leading them into the apartment building.
Out of An Xiao Ling’s sight, Lin Xue shot Su Qi a sly wink, her fluttering lashes saying, See? Told you a fake name was a good idea.
Her “praise me” look left Su Qi with mixed feelings.
Gratitude? Sure.
Without her earlier nudge, introducing himself as “Su Qi” to the team could’ve sparked suspicion from An Xiao Ling, potentially exposing him.
The result was worth thanking her for.
But as a senior and team member, Lin Xue had to know An Xiao Ling was his classmate from Class 18.
‘Couldn’t she have warned me?’ Su Qi fumed inwardly.
‘Such a mischievous streak!’
Grumbling aside, as Lin Xue pulled him into the elevator, Su Qi began pondering a fake name.
Since his transformed self was a beautiful girl, the name needed to be feminine and easy to respond to.
Soon, he settled on one.
With the surname Su and no better ideas, he doubled it—Su Su. Pretty and feminine.
Ding-dong~
The elevator chimed, arriving at the 15th floor.
“Su-jie, we’re here! This way!” An Xiao Ling chirped, hopping out and eagerly guiding Su Qi to Room 1501.
Lost in thought about his pseudonym, Su Qi hadn’t noticed the building’s layout earlier, only that it was luxurious.
Now, stepping out, he was stunned.
The floor had two elevators but only two apartments.
‘Two elevators for two units? That’s insane!’
‘The public space must be huge, and the property fees astronomical!’
His Crisp Wife ability kicked in, turning him into a budgeting housewife.
Click~
An Xiao Ling opened Room 1501’s door.
“Boss Su, I’ve got slippers ready for you! Welcome to the Cangyou Wildcat Team! Hey, you lot, stop watching TV and come out!” she huffed, hands on hips, clearly annoyed no one greeted them.
Her commanding presence in the team’s base relaxed Su Qi.
From part-time jobs due to Su Lulu’s coma, he knew rigid, stifling teams were draining.
An Xiao Ling’s energy suggested the Cangyou Wildcat Team was a lively, approachable workplace.
Swish swish swish~
As Su Qi swapped his shoes for the cute bunny slippers An Xiao Ling offered, rapid pattering came from the living room.
Looking up, he saw three cats—white, black, and gray—dart around the corner.
“Wow, Xiao Bai, Xiao Hei, Xiao Hui, are you here for me?” An Xiao Ling grinned, crouching with open arms.
But to her shock, the cats slipped through her embrace.
Meow meow meow~
They raced to Su Qi, clinging to his legs, looking up with pleading eyes.
Surprised, Su Qi hadn’t expected his charm boost to work on cats.
Curious to test his ability and fond of animals, he smoothed his JK skirt and crouched gracefully.
The cats, thrilled, leapt onto his shoulders, arms, and chest, nuzzling affectionately.
“Giggle, that tickles! Stop it!” Su Qi laughed.
“Boss Su, you’ve got a rare cat-magnet vibe! Hi, I’m River Hero—call me Hao-ge,” a low, flirty male voice said.
As a guy, Su Qi cringed at the tone—typically used by boys trying to impress.
Looking up, he saw a tanned, muscular teen in a sleeveless shirt, dragon tattoos peeking out, rubbing his hands as he approached.
Halfway, An Xiao Ling blocked him, hands on hips. “Haozi, no hitting on Boss Su!”
Hearing “Haozi,” the teen snapped back, “Haozi? Call me River Hero!”
“What Hero? You’re just a big rat!” she retorted.
“Get lost, you pervy elf girl! Go write your yuri novels!”
“Who’s a yuri girl?! Su-jie, don’t listen to him!”
As they bickered harmoniously, Su Qi, surrounded by soft cats, marveled at the team’s lively vibe.
But Hao-ge’s jab about An Xiao Ling’s yuri novels sparked a thought.
‘An elf-ability user who writes yuri novels?’
Suddenly, things clicked.
An Xiao Ling’s recent hostility—stepping on his foot—started after he lied to Mo Yu, claiming to be the author of a yuri novel on Boluobao.
‘Is An Xiao Ling the actual author?’
In that novel, the heroine was recently seduced by a young, married bento vendor.
Coupled with An Xiao Ling’s excessive friendliness to his “Boss Su” persona, Su Qi shivered.
‘Is “Boss Su” the prototype for that character?!’
‘No way it’s that coincidental!!!’