Chapter 2: There’s Another Expert?!

Right at this moment of razor-sharp tension.

Qiu Mian’s brain—previously flooded with nothing but “I’m screwed” on repeat—suddenly, under crushing pressure, went click. Like some bizarre switch had been flipped.

“I’ve decided!”

Either way, she was doomed!

Running away physically clearly wasn’t an option!

In that case—

She took a deep breath, plastered the most bashful smile she could muster onto her face, and wriggled just a little out of the black-haired girl’s embrace from behind—though not completely free.

Please let all that knowledge I picked up online actually work!

Then, under the watchful eyes of both girls, she first turned toward the black-haired one still holding her and spoke in the sweetest, most exaggeratedly cutesy tone she’d ever produced in her entire life.

“I like you the most too! It’s so wonderful to see you again!”

With that, she threw her arms around the other girl in return, even going up on tiptoe to plant a loud mwah right on her soft cheek.

The touch was plush. Fragrant.

Wait—what am I even doing?!

My first kiss!

…But it’s a girl, so it doesn’t count, right? Doesn’t count! Mental prep complete!

The black-haired girl visibly froze.

A flicker of stunned disbelief appeared in her eyes, and the arms wrapped around Qiu Mian slackened unconsciously.

Seizing the opening, Qiu Mian slipped out like an eel. In a flash, she bolted straight toward the fox-masked girl at the doorway—who had gone stock-still, dark aura practically solidifying around her in pure rage, dinner knife trembling in her grip.

“And you!”

Just as the masked girl seemed about to raise the blade in fury, Qiu Mian threw herself forward fearlessly. She latched onto the arm holding the knife, rubbed her cheek against the luxurious sleeve, and unleashed another barrage in that same syrupy, delicate voice.

“I received all your love too! I’m super touched! I love you so much! I’m really sorry for making you worry earlier!”

Without missing a beat, she leaned in and planted another quick, crisp mwah on the smooth side of the fox mask—roughly where the cheek would be.

Mua!

The sound rang out especially clearly on the quiet rooftop.

The masked girl: “…”

Her entire body seemed to hit pause.

Even the roiling black aura around her froze in mid-swirl.

The hand gripping the knife hung motionless in the air. Her other hand instinctively rose to touch the spot on the mask that had just been kissed.

Yes! Success! Hard CC!

Probably only lasts a few seconds though!

But—

Without a moment’s hesitation, Qiu Mian spun on her heel and ran!

She sprinted toward the iron door leading downstairs at the absolute maximum speed this frail body could manage.

“Bye-bye, you two! Talk later—!”

She squeezed sideways through the narrow gap, dashed down the dim stairwell, heart hammering wildly in her chest.

Plan successful! I’m a genius! Sure, I might die horribly later, but whatever—escape first, consequences later!

The stairs spiraled downward. The light grew dimmer with every step.

She didn’t dare look back, terrified that the two girls’ stun would wear off and they’d come charging after her.

Just as she rounded the corner to the next landing, thinking she might finally be safe for a moment, she leaned against the wall to catch her breath—

Tap.

A soft, delicate sound of high heels meeting concrete echoed up from the shadows below.

Qiu Mian’s panting cut off instantly. She stiffly lowered her gaze.

In the shadowed platform at the stairwell’s turn, a third girl had appeared at some point—standing silently.

She wore an exquisite formal evening gown completely out of place in this school building, its long skirt flowing like liquid.

Her long hair was elegantly pinned up, exposing the graceful line of her slender neck.

The girl tilted her head slightly upward, looking at the frozen Qiu Mian on the stairs. A gentle smile curved her lips.

In her hand, she held a cup of steaming… red tea?!

“Oh my,” the girl said. Her voice was like the most beautiful cello, softly reverberating through the empty stairwell—yet it made every single one of Qiu Mian’s hairs stand on end again.

“It seems my adorable little bird didn’t just fly out on her own…”

“She’s also having quite a lot of fun, isn’t she?”

The girl took a slow sip of her red tea and lifted her lashes.

“But playtime is over now.”

“It’s time to come home, darling.”

Qiu Mian: “…”

There’s—

Another—

Expert?!