Ai Tutu.
Waking up in the arms of a barely known boy, Ai Tutu blushed instantly. She didn't understand how she'd agreed to this. Though she loved acting provocatively, playing the naive ditz, she wasn't actually stupid. Even if her beloved Sister Mu thought otherwise.
"How'd my little sun bunny sleep?" asked Mu Bai, not stopping the hug.
She'd learned his name only after already being hugged by him in bed. She'd never let boys hug her except her dad and brother, but this time, she gave in somehow. And even fell asleep cuddling him in the same bed...
"Let me go, the night's over." She squirmed awkwardly. But she didn't hurry to break free. It was so cozy with him...
"I never said I'd only hug you at night. I said I'd do it while sleeping." He smirked provocatively, hugged her tighter, and closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.
Ai Tutu puffed her cheeks. This guy was too bold! But also handsome and very strong. She didn't want to admit it, but he was definitely stronger than her big brother.
At least, her brother couldn't beat two peak Pack Leaders with a Mid-level mage's support. That said a lot, considering her brother was one of the country's top geniuses and would definitely break through to High level before 30.
And also... Ai Tutu wiggled her butt against something poking her. That aspect was fine too. She blushed. Truth be told, Asian guys around her didn't attract her much.
It started in childhood when she got curious about her brother and dad's dark skin, snuck her mom's phone, and searched "Black guys." Mom caught her and scolded her later, but she couldn't forget what she'd seen.
So as she grew up, her favorite tag on adult sites was BBC. But now, Ai Tutu bit her lip and wiggled her butt again. Maybe she'd have to switch it to BAC.
Because this guy's strength and boldness had touched her heart. It wasn't love yet, but definite attraction. And her family wouldn't object to serious relations with him.
The Ai Family, as a military family, valued strength above all and always based marriage choices on it. She'd avoided forced marriage so far as daddy's favorite and on great terms with the family heir brother, but if she brought a street guy home, they'd judge him by strength.
And let's be honest, she liked the idea of the strongest freshman as her boyfriend. She already imagined bragging to her classmates.
All that was left was to snag him for real, rising from cuddle pillow to girlfriend. Considering she'd clearly caught Mu Bai's eye – enough for a cute nickname – it wouldn't be hard.
And... wiggling her butt a bit more, Ai Tutu got her thoughts back on track. He was the first guy to prefer her over Sister Mu. She had no complexes, but knew she fell short in beauty and talent. So it flattered her that Mu Bai had eyed her from the start.
Maybe she liked that fact even more than his strength or BAC.
Waking up and teasing Ai Tutu a bit, I went downstairs, letting the girl shower in peace. I really liked her, but I wouldn't rush things.
Downstairs, Mu Nujiao sat in home clothes, sipping coffee. Glancing at me impassively, she kept watching TV.
"Yesterday, we didn't sign the rental contract. We can do it now." I tried to break the slightly awkward atmosphere for me. Even I felt a bit ashamed being seen as a lustful dog who'd dragged an unfamiliar girl straight to bed. Mu Nujiao silently nodded, lowered the TV volume, and pulled documents from her bag nearby.
The next half hour, we signed the rental contract where she agreed to pay one yuan a month, cook from fridge groceries, and clean the house. We left Ai Tutu's copies blank for her to fill herself – same terms.
After Ai Tutu came down, I left her to fill the form and went to shower. After changing, I joined the girls, who'd whipped up a simple breakfast.
"Mu Bai, where are you from? From the Mu Clan?" Curious Ai Tutu wanted more info on me. Mu Nujiao perked up her ears too.
"I used to be in it, but the branch head expelled me. I came from Bo City." Pure truth. Except my secrets, I had nothing to hide.
"Expelled?! You?! Has he lost his mind? You're a genius!" Ai Tutu was shocked. Even Mu Nujiao's brows rose – she was surprised too.
"Yeah, long story. First, I beat his adopted son..." I started telling an edited version of my clan relations. No need for them to know my family had Black Church members like mushrooms after rain.
So, chatting, we passed time till evening. I shared funny hunting tales, pet antics, even catching Chao He. I skipped Tang Yue for now, replacing her with a faceless Magic Court member.
Ai Tutu shared stories of her dad drilling officers and boasted about her brother, a year older and my age peer.
Mu Nujiao had little to share – chasing strength to control her fate, she constantly cultivated and trained. One slip, and she'd go from promising family youth to marriage bait sold high. Such was the ruthless world of magic families.
Evening, I suggested strolling the campus, but only Ai Tutu agreed. We hit nearby shops and a cafe. Call it a date.
We lived like that the whole week till first school day. Gradually meshing, chatting. With Mu Nujiao, we became good acquaintances, not friends yet.
But with Ai Tutu, romance was budding. Though no confessions, we were comfy together. She even climbed into bed first now. And her PJs got bolder daily.
Finally, September first. First school day, and the day I'd get my cultivation days in the Three-Step Tower!