Arriving at Wanwen Bookhouse, Qin Yu first discreetly scanned her surroundings to ensure no familiar faces were within sight. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
What would people think if they saw me buying this kind of book?
It wasn't that I enjoyed the intense, borderline-over-the-top "closeness" between young girls in this genre. I simply admired the author's nuanced and powerful writing style, which explored the contradictions between impulse and reason, blending artistic merit with readability, and evoking such visceral... no, narrative resonance.
Admittedly, some passages did make me blush crimson, though such elements were merely ornamental, not the primary focus.
But what would others think?
Take Keqing, for instance.
"Qin Yu, you—you're reading this kind of book? The harm it could inflict on young people is immeasurable! I strongly advise you to find books that cultivate your character instead..."
Or Yanfei.
"Eh? You read this kind of book? No, no... personal preference, I get it, I get it! Don't worry, I won't tell anyone! But if you're harboring any... ideas about me, that's a no-go!"
Or Ningguang.
"Come to my chambers tonight."
No, no, Ningguang would never say something like that!
Take Ganyu, for example.
"Ah... this... um... it's quite... peculiar... Do you like this kind of book?"
Hu Tao? Qin Yu couldn't even imagine it.
Ugh, just imagining these scenarios is awful! I definitely can't tell anyone else about this. If I did, my life might as well be over!
Or maybe I'm just overthinking things...
Still, it's better to be safe than sorry. Staying hidden is definitely better than being exposed.
With that thought, Qin Yu headed for the bookshelves.
The Citrus Within was shelved in the romance section. She remembered the author's latest work was also in the same genre...
Found it! Qin Yu's heart leaped with joy as she pulled out a book.
Phantom Thief White Cat, by the pen name... Hmm, yep, that's it.
(Spynote: Same Universe lol)
Excellent! Qin Yu clenched her fist in quiet excitement. She'd heard almost universally positive reviews of this book.
A deeply moving tale, worthy of a 9 or even a 10 out of 10.
A significant improvement over the author's previous work, especially in the vivid descriptions of physical intimacy...
I might as well check out a few other books while I'm here.
Qin Yu took a cheerful step forward, only to suddenly feel a heavy weight press down on her back and shoulders.
Ugh?! What's going on? Harassment? No, wait... this feeling... could it be...?
The familiar sensation instantly made Qin Yu tense up, instinctively clutching the book to her chest.
"Guess who?" a warm, moist voice whispered in her ear.
A faint blush rose on Qin Yu's cheeks as she tilted her head slightly. "H-Hu Tao?"
Evaluation: D-
"Bingo! It's me! Congrats on guessing right, Director Hu Tao wants to give you a reward!"
The person Qin Yu least wanted to encounter had appeared.
And no matter how she thought about it, Hu Tao's reward was bound to be anything but normal.
Forcing a smile, Qin Yu said, "No need. This is just natural—I could never mistake you, Hu Tao. Since it's natural, there's no need for a reward."
Hurry up and let go!
"Hmm~ Still as glib as ever, but what's really on your mind?" Hu Tao maintained her embrace from behind, playfully poking Qin Yu's cheek.
Evaluation: D
How annoying. Stop poking me! Just as Hu Tao suspected, Qin Yu grumbled inwardly.
Which was precisely why Qin Yu blurted out, "No, no!"
"Really?" Hu Tao teased.
"Absolutely nothing! If you really want to know... I'm just happy to see you, Hu Tao. I just wish you wouldn't cling to me so suddenly—it startled me a bit." Qin Yu offered a half-truth.
Happy? Not at all. She was buying an important book, and if anyone found out, the consequences would be unimaginable.
How could she be happy in this situation?!
Hu Tao suddenly realized, "So, as long as I don't surprise you, I can cling to you?"
"Ahahaha, well, that's..."
Stop playing word games.
Qin Yu felt the warm presence pressed against her back, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Hu Tao should be satisfied by now. She should let go, right?
Better yet, just let go already.
Just as she was about to speak, Hu Tao leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "I'm really happy to see you too, you know. Here's a reward—huff—"
The warm breath tickled her ear, sending a sudden, strange sensation coursing through her body like an electric shock, leaving a lingering heat.
Evaluation: C-
"W-waah!?" Qin Yu's face flushed crimson as she couldn't help but let out a startled cry.
Fortunately, no one seemed to notice the commotion. Even those who glanced over reflexively quickly turned away.
Qin Yu breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness it's not crowded right now... But this was a bookstore! The thought made her uneasy.
"Hu Tao, please don't do things like that in a bookstore."
Hu Tao released her grip with satisfaction, smiling. "Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. Hmm, you're definitely interesting, Fishy Treasure."
Huh?
"But everything I said is true, you know."
Qin Yu twisted a strand of her hair. "O-oh, I see."
Evaluation: C
Hu Tao found Qin Yu surprisingly easy to read at times. Her unconscious little gestures and the faint blush that rose on her skin betrayed her current mood.
I wonder if anyone else has ever noticed these signs, and if they've ever pointed them out to her? Hu Tao mused. If Qin Yu were alerted to these habits, she'd probably start consciously suppressing them.
That wouldn't be good.
So even though Hu Tao had noticed them from the start, she never mentioned them.
"Of course! By the way, are you thinking of buying that book?" Hu Tao asked, hands on her hips, glancing at the book in Qin Yu's arms with a smile.
Just as I expected, she'd ask! I can't let her know about this book!
Hu Tao had always been incredibly curious. If she hadn't read it yet, she'd probably buy it to find out what it was about.
Ah, here's an idea!
"Eh? No, I was just curious when I saw it. But after flipping through a few pages, I realized it's not really my type..." Qin Yu said, turning her back to Hu Tao and using her body to block the gap on the bookshelf.
Then, as if just noticing something, Qin Yu turned her head. "Hmm? Hu Tao, isn't that someone from the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor over there?"
"Where, where?"
Just as expected, Hu Tao's attention was immediately diverted by Qin Yu's words.
Now's my chance!
At record speed, Qin Yu slipped Phantom Thief White Cat back into its original spot, then grabbed a different book from several shelves away and cradled it in her arms.
The cover colors matched perfectly.
"Oh, that's just Zhongli. Aiya, he loves wandering around during the day, just like the old man. Peeking here, looking there, and then sitting down for tea for ages."
Huh? She actually saw him? I was just making small talk... Qin Yu was slightly surprised.
Still, this place wasn't too far from Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, so it was normal to see someone from her workplace.
Now brimming with confidence, Qin Yu thought, With my flawless execution, there's absolutely no way anything could go wrong.
Even if Hu Tao asked to see the book.
In fact, she should ask sooner rather than later. After all, she'd looked rather suspicious earlier, and Hu Tao might be wondering what she was reading. If she could dispel Hu Tao's suspicions this way, all the better.
"Oh, by the way, let me take a look at that book of yours too."
Hmph, go ahead. There's nothing to hide anyway.
With a beaming smile, Qin Yu handed the book to Hu Tao. "Here you go."
Hu Tao took it and glanced at the title.
"Hiss—"
What's wrong? Why the sudden gasp?
"Aiya, you really can't judge a book by its cover! I never expected you, Qin Yu, to be curious about this kind of book. I've heard lately that people with unexpected sides are considered more charming. I guess that's true."
Huh? What's so strange about this book?
Truth be told, I just grabbed books with matching covers in a hurry without checking the titles... Could it have a really weird name?
Anxiously, Qin Yu asked, "What's wrong with this book?"
"You're asking me what's wrong? Well... look."
Hu Tao, her face flushed with curiosity, held up the book and turned it around so the title faced Qin Yu directly.
[ Her Strawberry Mark ]—the words were printed boldly across the cover.
W-what is this?! Cold sweat broke out on Qin Yu's brow, her fingertips turning icy. All she felt now was endless regret—she should have paid more attention to the title.
........Still, it's kind of interesting.
Maybe I'll secretly buy this one later and check it out.
Of course, just to kill time!