Vol2 Chapter 32: Thermos

Cassell College, Dormitory

“Want to come back with me?”

“No way.” Bai Ci’s tone was serious.

“Don’t you want to visit home? Everyone will welcome you. You’d live as the young lady of the Gen family, happier than ever before.”

“I’ve got school.”

Chisei Gen paused. “Is that really what you want?”

“Really. I really want to stay at Cassell.”

Bai Ci’s gaze was resolute.

“You sure it’s not because of him?”

“Maybe… a little because of him…”

“You like him?”

“A little.”

She looked down, fidgeting with her fingers.

“…” Chisei covered his face. “You really won’t come back with me?”

“Brother… I really want to stay here…” she mumbled, head bowed.

Chisei stood stunned for a few seconds, then sighed helplessly, placing a hand on her head and ruffling her hair.

“Summer break… come home for a visit. I’ll be waiting.”

If he couldn’t stop his sister from being “stolen,” better to avoid seeing it—out of sight, out of mind.

“Mm.” Bai Ci nodded firmly.

“Here’s my number. Call me when you’re coming home, and I’ll send someone to pick you up.” Chisei scribbled his number on a piece of paper and handed it to her. He shifted, as if to leave, but stood up slowly.

“Brother, wait.”

“What?” Chisei said casually. “I’ve got a lot to handle back in Japan.”

“Want to take a photo together?” Bai Ci held up her phone. “I’ll send it to you.”

Chisei nodded.

They stood side by side. Bai Ci made a peace sign, and Chisei mirrored her.

She looked at the photo, emailing it to him.

“See you, Brother.”

“See you.”

Chisei stepped outside, pulling out his phone to view the photo. Seeing Bai Ci’s bright smile next to his own expressionless face, he chuckled softly.

His sister was actually pretty cute.

Moments later, the door knocked again.

“Surprise!”

When Bai Ci opened the dorm door, several handheld confetti cannons exploded with a bang-bang-bang, followed by a chorus of familiar cheers.

Crimson, lake blue… colorful paper bits fluttered down like a vibrant snowstorm, covering her hair.

“Feeling touched? Surprised?” Xia Mi winked at Bai Ci. “Our brave S-rank finally defeated the Board’s lackeys, defending Lionheart’s honor! As a reward, her friends are throwing a grand feast to celebrate the hero’s triumph!”

Bai Ci froze, warmth flooding her heart. This felt… really nice.

“Congrats.” Zero grabbed Bai Ci’s hand, silently pulling her inside and pushing her onto the bed. “Stay here.”

Zero said it with a straight face, then darted to the kitchen to help Xia Mi cook. Soon, the table was laden with a lavish lunch—mismatched dishes like braised sea bass, mapo tofu, and spicy shredded potatoes, all Chinese classics.

“Hehe, Zero and I made this. Try it!” Xia Mi grinned, brimming with confidence. “Just home cooking, but I’m sure it’s amazing!”

“Her cooking’s always great. You know I just washed the veggies,” Zero said.

“What do you think, Senior Sister?” Xia Mi beamed. “If you’re touched, you can cry now. I don’t mind lending you my shoulder.”

She wiggled her shoulder playfully.

“No need.” Bai Ci smiled softly.

The three sat around the small table, each claiming a side—Xia Mi across from Bai Ci, Zero beside her.

“To celebrate our S-rank crushing the Board’s villains, cheers!” Xia Mi raised her beer.

“Cheers!”

They clinked glasses, drinking together, the scene lively enough to call it a banquet. Even Zero, the ice queen, cracked a faint smile with the clinking glasses.

“Oh, I made extra. We’ll send some to Senior Lu later,” Xia Mi said, finishing her drink and giving Bai Ci a sly look. “He did pretty well this time.”

Lu Mingfei and Bai Ci’s “thing” was practically an open secret at Cassell. Everyone loved to tease them about it. Zero picked up on it soon after meeting them, and Xia Mi, ever the wingwoman, was always scheming. Half the school thought they were an item—some said Lu Mingfei had a crush, others claimed Bai Ci was just too stubborn to admit it.

“Send it.” Bai Ci downed her drink.

“Senior Sister, stop playing cool. You were crying when Senior Lu stood up for you! Everyone at Cassell knows you like him!” Xia Mi teased.

“W-Was it that obvious?” Bai Ci mumbled.

“Very.” Zero nodded, taking a bite of rice.

“So, Senior Sister, if you really like him, confess tonight! They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Senior Lu’s not picky about food. Imagine: a hungry guy, late at night, and a cute girl shows up with a thermos, blushing, handing him a steaming bowl of food. Even the densest guy would feel something! I’ve packed it for you—take it to him after we eat!”

“Mm.” Bai Ci felt like she was bubbling over with emotion. How could there be such an amazing junior sister? Probably one-of-a-kind. She slowly picked up a piece of chicken and placed it on Xia Mi’s rice. “Thank you…”

She was reluctant to part with these friends. The thought of college ending, everyone going their separate ways, filled her with sadness.

—

Meanwhile, Lu Mingfei was drinking with Fingel.

“Wow, Junior Brother, do you know how cool you were?”

“Stop it, please!” Lu Mingfei covered his ears in agony, wishing he had extra hands to hide his embarrassed face.

“‘If you want to take her, fine. Beat me until I can’t stand, or simpler… kill me.’” Fingel mimicked him dramatically, his expression solemn and heroic. “That line was epic! It shut Andrew and Solomon up!”

Lu Mingfei was practically rolling on the floor in embarrassment. Just hearing it gave him goosebumps. He wanted to dig a two-bedroom apartment into the ground, crawl in, and live as a shut-in forever.

He didn’t know why he’d gotten so fired up, spouting such cringeworthy words.

“But thanks to you, everyone sees Bai Ci as a hero now,” Fingel said cheerfully. “When Andrew left, he passed the dorms, and students pelted the investigation team’s cars with tomatoes, eggs, and yogurt—like some infamous villain in ancient times. It was wild! I threw a whole basket of eggs!”

Lu Mingfei was about to reply when a knock came at the door. Who’d visit at this hour?

He grabbed his jacket and opened the door.

A girl stood there, a clover hairpin in her hair, holding a thermos. She wore a white silk nightgown, fluffy slippers, and a green school uniform jacket draped over her shoulders. Her long black hair was braided, falling softly, her skin almost translucent in the moonlight, her delicate collarbone visible. Lu Mingfei stared, stunned.

“Lu Mingfei… I brought you food,” Bai Ci said, raising the thermos with a smile.

She’d planned to dress more formally—she’d never appeared before him in pajamas. But Xia Mi stopped her, saying, “No, go like this. Don’t add a single layer. This soft, sweet look—who wouldn’t fall for it?” Zero nodded, adding that Lu Mingfei was an easy mark. Girls could use a bit of cunning—it was fine to show certain things to the right person.

“You… haven’t slept yet?”

Lu Mingfei took the thermos, still dazed.

“I usually stay up late,” Bai Ci said, biting her lip as she looked at him.

“Lu Mingfei, can I ask you something?”

“What?” He held the thermos, meeting her gaze.

“I… you… um… goodnight!” She bolted.

Xia Mi and Zero sighed softly.