Chapter 6: A Meager Budget and a Hopeful Dream

For Luo Su,

Money was the biggest issue. After rent and transportation, her monthly living expenses left a pitiful 13 yuan per day for food.

“Morning cost one yuan…”

“Lunch took eight yuan… my pocket’s left with…” Luo Su did a quick mental calculation, realizing tonight she’d go hungry again. “Phew, life’s tough.”

Lunch was eaten at school.

In her last shred of pride, Luo Su opted for a classic meat-and-veggie combo, even though the school offered free rice and soup…

Luckily, she wasn’t too picky and could stomach most foods—except… snail noodles!

Those were… the devil, straight from hell.

“Phew…”

Luo Su sighed, tidying her desk to head out for dinner. Being a day student had its perks.

At noon and evening,

There was a specific window to leave campus, letting her enjoy a bit of time that was hers alone.

“Luo Su’s going out to eat again!”

Gao Ye spotted her, excitedly jogging over and slinging an arm around her shoulder. “Grab me a lean meat soup from the school gate, will ya? The cafeteria food’s barely edible!”

“Sure.” Luo Su nodded.

She rarely turned down requests like this—the more she spent at a shop, the longer she could justify lingering in their seats.

“Counting on you, see ya tonight!”

“…”

Luo Su glanced back at the campus. Gao Ye was already heading to the dorms with a few buddies, chatting and laughing.

“I wonder…”

“When this kind of life will end…”

Luo Su felt a bit down. She swore she’d never make random wishes again. Well… if she got one more wish, pretend she didn’t say that!

Pouting,

Empty-handed, Luo Su walked through the bustling streets. In this megacity, home to twenty percent of the world’s population, “a sea of people” wasn’t an exaggeration.

“I wonder…”

“If there are other succubi in this world besides me… Am I really the only one?!”

Luo Su raised her arm.

Under the evening sunlight, her little tail lazily swayed. It tickled… a strange sensation.

“But,”

“If I’m the only one, that’s kinda cool, too.”

The world was vast,

It wouldn’t stop turning for one person’s absence. So, being the only one in this sea of people? That was something to get excited about!

“Two lean meat soups, one small, one large.”

“Got it, kid, take a seat inside!”

Luo Su hung her head, settling into her usual spot—the restaurant’s corner. She quietly pulled out a small mirror, holding it in her hand.

The little figure in the mirror was super cute!

“Heh heh…”

Luo Su’s lips curved up unconsciously. “If I’d started out as a girl… that wouldn’t be bad either!”

After all… she was really pretty.

“Hi.”

“?!?!” Luo Su’s hand shook, the mirror snapping shut in her palm. She looked up in a panic, meeting Jiang Ning’s smiling eyes.

“…W-what now?”

“Nothing… just happened to run into you.”

Luo Su pouted, tempted to say, “You think I believe that?” But… she had a nagging feeling of being seen through. Thankfully, Jiang Ning didn’t keep bothering her.

After dinner,

Luo Su brought the extra portion to Gao Ye, casually glancing around the classroom. Good, as a new student, Jiang Ning hadn’t stayed for evening study.

“Feels like life’s gonna get wild from now on.”

“Huh?”

Gao Ye was slurping his lean meat soup, nearly splashing his uniform as he looked up. “Wild? Don’t tell me you’re already with…”

“No way!”

Luo Su gritted her teeth. Gao Ye and his wild imagination. She muttered to herself, “Even if I were looking, I’d want someone gentle.”

“Such a shame.” Gao Ye took another slurp.

Luo Su: “…”

What’s with that gloating tone?

After finishing homework and spacing out for a bit, it was soon 9:30 p.m., time for evening study to end.

There weren’t many day students in the class.

Luo Su patted Gao Ye’s shoulder, smugly spreading her hands with the same gloating tone. “Dad’s heading out, won’t wait for you to come home for dinner.”

“Get lost!” Gao Ye said, jealous.

“Hmph.” Luo Su strolled out of the classroom, pleased.

In an instant, the warm, bright classroom gave way to the cool autumn night, with only a few stragglers left.

“Phew…” Luo Su fell silent.

Glancing back instinctively,

The classroom was still full, students chatting loudly about fun stuff amidst the brief chaos.

“Why’re you still here? Miss your dad~” Gao Ye’s cheeky remark snapped Luo Su back to reality.

“Your dad’s off to sleep.”

Luo Su turned, swinging her arms confidently. “Keep reading your books, and don’t forget—Old Xu might pop by later!”

“Damn it!” Gao Ye’s grumbling curses echoed behind her.

Luo Su was delighted.

The school gate was right by the nearest bus stop.

At this hour, it should’ve been quiet, but in a big city, the bus was packed with exhausted workers from late-night shifts.

The air in the bus was heavy with tired silence, everyone’s heads bowed as if their voices had been drained. Luo Su barely snagged a window seat.

She didn’t mind the bus’s vibe,

Just gazed dreamily at the neon lights outside, savoring the gentle evening breeze from the window. This must be what freedom felt like!

But she had more important things to do!

Last night, she’d somehow gotten full in her dream. She needed to figure out why. If she could crack it, she might save on breakfast money, maybe even lunch…

—Ahem, stop, stop.

Luo Su shook her head, tossing the increasingly absurd thoughts out. “It’s decided. Get home, shower, and go straight to bed!”

Then… feast happily in her dream. Chicken drumstick or duck? Nah, both! But hopefully, it wouldn’t taste like eggs again.

Jogging off the bus,

Luo Su didn’t even bring her backpack home, rushing into her place. It was cramped, but it felt oddly safe.

“Haa…”

Leaning against the door, she slid to the floor, taking a long, deep breath. Her fingers gently curled around the soft little tail on her wrist, giving it a sudden tug—

In a flash of silver light, her body felt weightless. Her waist-length hair brushed her collarbone… trailing to the floor.

Maybe this form was her true home?

Nah, forget it…

If she ran into a thug in real life… she’d be toast!

Shaking her now-normal-length cute tail, probably because she saw it the most, it was the part of herself Luo Su liked best so far.

…

Steam from the shower still lingered on her hair.

Luo Su eagerly curled into her blankets. She carefully spread out her treasured “poster” by the bedside, her pink tongue unconsciously licking her lips.

“Please…”

She clasped her hands, praying devoutly, “This time, let it be a good dream.” Pausing, she blushed and added softly, “And… please, no meeting that female thug.”