The night had grown deep, and the sky above the suburban school shimmered with scattered starlight.
Even in her drunken state, Yan Xinya remained lively, causing a scene as she ran around campus. Her alcohol tolerance was mediocre, and she became rowdy when drunk, displaying questionable behavior. In contrast, Lin Li drank a considerable amount without any visible effects. Meanwhile, Ning Chu and Lily could only sigh in relief that their "prison sentence" at the KTV was finally over.
"Xinya! Time to head back to the dorm! It's almost eleven!"
"Coming, coming!"
Hearing Ning Chu call her, Yan Xinya ran back to the group with a flushed face, her silly grin making her appear a bit foolish. "It's almost ten already! Where's my birthday gift?"
"I didn't prepare one; you didn't mention it beforehand," Ning Chu replied, tugging on the hem of Yan Xinya's jacket like a leash to lead her toward the dorm. "I'll get you something in a few days."
What should she give a girl for her birthday?
Lipstick? Clothes? A bag? Skincare products?
But Ning Chu had only recently become a girl herself and couldn't even distinguish lipstick shades. Her knowledge of skincare extended to face wash, she had worn women's clothing only twice, and she had never even touched a handbag.
Since she hadn't known Yan Xinya for long, she had no idea what the latter might like.
Perhaps a cute or funny pillow? Something like a funny meme face?
Ning Chu glanced over at Lily and Lin Li, intending to consult them for advice.
But Lin Li shook her head. "I just found out about it today, so I didn't prepare anything either."
"Same here," Lily agreed.
"I even remember all your birthdays!" Yan Xinya exclaimed, swaying unsteadily and speaking with the silly tone of a drunkard. "Ning Chu's birthday is November 12th! It's next week!"
Well, of course. You're the vice Class Monitor, after all.
At the start of the school term, the Class Monitor and Vice Class Monitor had collected and organized student information. Perhaps there was still a backup file on a computer. If Yan Xinya had been paying attention, it was natural for her to remember Ning Chu's birthday.
But now the question arose: had Yan Xinya remembered, would Wen Yang?
Ning Chu's steps faltered, and her mood became slightly uneasy. Although Wen Yang claimed to like her, he was, after all, a guy. Would he really pay attention to such details?
She instinctively began finding excuses for him in her mind.
Besides, birthdays weren't important. She hadn't celebrated one in years.
She gave herself a reason not to care.
By now, it was late at night, and the dormitory's main doors had long been locked. Returning through the front entrance would likely result in a scolding from the dorm supervisor, who might even register their names for disciplinary action.
Thus, the four of them, like thieves, snuck around to the back of the dorm building. One by one, they squeezed through a gap in the iron fence and tiptoed back into the dorm.
As soon as Yan Xinya got inside, she didn't bother showering or changing her clothes. She rushed to her bed, and within less than a minute, her snores filled the room.
"She was so hyper just moments ago," Ning Chu muttered as she shrugged off her jacket and sat down in front of her computer, casually opening a game. "You two can shower first."
Girls usually took longer to shower. By the time Lily and Lin Li finished, it would probably be over half an hour.
Ning Chu pulled out her phone but saw no new notifications.
Wen Yang had said they'd continue chatting later...
But after hours of waiting, even as she returned to the dorm and was ready to rest, he still hadn't sent a single message.
Resting her chin in her hand, Ning Chu's finger unconsciously refreshed the messaging app.
Why hadn't Wen Yang replied yet? Was he asleep?
Ning Chu glanced at her phone screen again, frowning in displeasure.
"Texting Wen Yang?" Lin Li walked over and peered at her phone from behind, stifling a laugh. "His last message was hours ago. What's the point of refreshing over and over?"
Ning Chu turned to glare at Lin Li, but her face immediately flushed as she noticed Lin Li's outfit—or lack thereof—and she stammered while lowering her head.
What?! Is it normal for girls to lounge around the dorm in just their underwear?
At least put on a nightgown!
"What are you getting so shy for? Anyone would think you're still a little virgin~" Lin Li teased nonchalantly, leaning against Ning Chu's desk. She rested her chest on her hands while her long, bare legs sprawled out in a way that was impossible to ignore.
Ning Chu turned her head away awkwardly, but her eyes betrayed her as they darted back to Lin Li's legs and chest.
Whoa! Those legs are so long! And slender!
And her breasts are... really big... really white... The bra barely covers anything!
Instead of stirring any lingering masculine thoughts, Ning Chu found herself feeling a pang of jealousy and envy.
Sensing her thoughts, Lin Li's fox tail swayed playfully. "Hey, remember what I mentioned before? Take some candid photos of Wen Yang—something a bit... revealing—and give them to me. I'll make a photobook out of them and sell it. We'll do a 70-30 split."
"There's a lot of money to be made among Wen Yang's fan club!"
At that, Ning Chu suddenly looked up and asked, "How many people are in your fan club now?"
"About a hundred or so~ A vast blue ocean of opportunity!"
What?! So many?!
Wasn't it just a dozen or so before?
"After the sports meet, a lot of girls got to know about Wen Yang. The fan group I set up has almost 200 members now."
Ning Chu's face turned green. She frowned and asked, "Are there any particularly special or really pretty girls in there?"
"Me!" Lin Li declared smugly.
"..."
"If you won't give me Wen Yang's private photos, why should I tell you anything?" Lin Li rolled her eyes. "We're supposed to have an honest partnership. You can't just take advantage of me for nothing."
"I'm not doing it." Ning Chu shook her head firmly.
There was no way she'd take photos of Wen Yang for this. If those photos were leaked, the entire school's supporting female characters might flock to him.
Besides, who knows if someone might use Wen Yang's photos for... questionable fantasies? Especially someone like Lin Li, a yandere in disguise! Too creepy!
"All done!"
Lily walked into the dorm wearing a camisole nightgown. Her cheeks were still slightly flushed, and she quickly climbed into bed.
"Okay, my turn."
Lin Li clicked her tongue in annoyance at the failed business deal, grabbed her nightgown, and headed toward the balcony.
This was the first floor, and the only cover outside the balcony was a few bushes. Yet that vixen wasn't even worried about being seen!
The dorm quieted down, save for Yan Xinya's snores and the sound of running water from the bathroom.
Ning Chu rested her chin in her hands, staring blankly at her computer screen.
She started missing Wen Yang again... She wanted him to play a game with her tonight, duo queueing like usual.
She'd grown used to worrying daily about Wen Yang's "virginity," constantly strategizing how to handle the next supporting female character in the story. She'd also grown used to Wen Yang occasionally taking care of her...
Without that familiar presence nearby, she felt an inexplicable emptiness. She needed something else to fill the void, but nothing could satisfy her tonight. Boredom crept in, and she couldn't shake off her sense of loss.
Her head felt empty, her body weak. Playing games or reading novels couldn't lift her spirits.
Suddenly, her phone lit up.
A surge of excitement coursed through her, and she grabbed her phone eagerly—only to see it was just a notification for her phone bill.
"So boring..."