Qiu Mian collapsed wearily onto the bed.
The feeling of bodily weakness surged up far more noticeably once her mind relaxed.
Yet her brain simply refused to stop turning.
Fox mask is in Qing Shui You’s hands, but Qing Shui You doesn’t look like the person on the rooftop at all… Is it a disguise? Or are there multiple masks? Or is Qing Shui You merely the keeper?
The Drama Club… might be a good entry point.
But how do I approach? Would someone with “Qiu Mian’s” personality suddenly show interest in acting? It feels too abrupt…
And Xia Qingkong… just what exactly does she want?
She irritably fished her phone out of her pocket.
“Qiu Mian’s” phone had a sleek, minimalist design and contained almost nothing extra, with only a handful of contacts.
She was swiping the screen aimlessly when a new-message notification suddenly chimed.
It came from an unknown number—a friend request.
The remark was simple and direct.
“I’m Xia Qingkong~ Qiu Mian classmate, sorry about today!”
Qiu Mian stared at the request, finger hovering over the screen, hesitating for several seconds.
Add her? Or not?
If she added her, it would be easier to gather information, but the other girl might also become even more “clingy”…
If she didn’t add her, given that personality, she would probably show up at the door tomorrow anyway…
After weighing the pros and cons, Qiu Mian finally frowned and tapped “Accept.”
The instant the request went through, Xia Qingkong’s messages poured in like a flood.
“Accepted! That’s wonderful!”
“Qiu Mian classmate, have you eaten?”
“That Qing Shui classmate from the Drama Club today looked so shy, but she seems like a really nice person?”
“By the way, I noticed you staring at that spot for a long time. Are you interested in acting? (curious face)”
Qiu Mian’s temple throbbed as she read the rapid-fire messages.
She carefully chose her words and replied in the shortest, coldest way possible to maintain her persona.
“I have.”
“Not interested.”
Sent.
Xia Qingkong replied almost instantly.
“Eh~ Really? But I saw you staring at that mask for ages! (sneaky laugh)”
“That said, the mask really is exquisite, like an antique or a high-end handicraft.”
“Oh right! I just remembered—I got Qing Shui classmate’s contact info! She said if you’re interested you can add her and ask about the club details!”
Immediately afterward, a contact card appeared. The avatar was a timid little rabbit peeking from behind leaves, and the nickname read “Qing Shui You.”
Qiu Mian’s heart skipped a beat.
Xia Qingkong… actually took the initiative to ask for the contact and even forwarded it to me?
Is she genuinely warm-hearted, or… did she notice something?
Before she could think deeper, the next message arrived.
“But Qing Shui classmate seems especially shy with strangers. Typing might make her even more nervous than speaking. When you talk to her, Qiu Mian classmate, maybe be a little… gentler? (smile)”
“Okay, I won’t disturb your rest anymore! See you tomorrow! (waving)”
The chat ended just like that.
Xia Qingkong sent nothing more, her abrupt stop leaving Qiu Mian slightly surprised.
She really is just… finding it interesting and helping out on a whim?
Qiu Mian stared at Qing Shui You’s contact card on the screen, finger hovering above it.
Add it? Or not?
Add it. This is probably the only clue I have right now. Through her I might learn more about that mask—or even meet the real owner…
As for Xia Qingkong’s “be a little gentler”… Hmph, I’m obviously “gentle” with everyone.
With that thought, Qiu Mian’s finger was about to tap down—
“Jie-jie, dinner’s ready.”
The door flew open without any warning. Qiu Kui stood in the doorway holding a bowl of soup and spoke softly.
She seemed in an excellent mood and had completely forgotten to knock.
“——!”
Qiu Mian, who had been fully focused on her phone and still mentally plotting schemes, jolted violently at the sudden voice and door movement. Her hand shook and the phone nearly flew out of her grasp!
She jerked her head up. The unusually serious expression on her face had no time to settle. Her eyes, widened from shock, crashed straight into Qiu Kui’s gaze with zero defense.
“Ah!” Qiu Mian let out a low cry. In a panic she snatched the phone and instinctively flipped it screen-down onto the bed. Her frantic movements made it look as if she were hiding something shameful.
Her heart pounded like a drum. Her cheeks burned faintly from the fright and a trace of inexplicable guilty conscience.
She—she came in without knocking!
Qiu Kui standing at the door was also stunned by her sister’s exaggerated reaction.
She looked at her sister—cheeks tinged with light red, eyes watery, appearing even more vividly adorable than usual because of the scare.
Qiu Kui’s heart felt as if gently tickled by a feather. An unfamiliar emotion welled up inside her.
She stood there holding the soup bowl, forgetting to move, simply staring dazedly at Qiu Mian.
Qiu Mian recovered first and immediately realized her current appearance completely shattered the “vicious older sister” persona!
She should have worn a cold face and scolded Qiu Kui for not knocking, or used an even more impatient tone to chase her out.
Yet looking at those clear purple eyes fixed unblinkingly on her, and at the steaming bowl of soup whose aroma was already drifting over, the rebuke on her lips somehow turned into a helpless… soft complaint.
“…Next time remember to knock before coming in. You startled me.”
The tone was not scolding at all. It sounded more like a coquettish pout.
The moment the words left her mouth, Qiu Mian herself froze.
What kind of tone was that?!
Qiu Kui was also stunned.
Jie-jie… spoke to her in this tone?
No impatience, just very ordinary, and even carrying a hint of… softness? Exactly like earlier on the way home when she told her to rest early…
Her eyes lit up with a whoosh. The corners of her mouth curved upward uncontrollably, revealing a somewhat silly smile.
“S-Sorry, Jie-jie!” She apologized at once, but her voice held no fear whatsoever—only pure delight.
She carefully placed the soup bowl on the small table beside her. Then, afraid Qiu Mian might get angry, she quickly added, “I-I’ll definitely remember to knock next time! Dinner is ready. Jie-jie, come eat quickly!”
With that she turned and trotted out of the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
Qiu Mian was left sitting alone on the bed, facing the newly closed door and the faint lingering fragrance of soup in the air, completely dazed.
…Did I just… do it again…?
And… Qiu Kui’s reaction just now…
Qiu Mian covered her face in frustration.
Yet strangely, the moment she recalled how Qiu Kui’s eyes had brightened and the joyful smile she wore, the anxiety caused by her “persona collapse” seemed to be quietly washed away by another emotion.
Whatever… Let’s eat first.
She adjusted her expression, forcing herself to turn “cold” again, then walked out of the room.
Dinner was simple but delicious.
The two sat facing each other and ate in silence.
Yet Qiu Mian’s thoughts had already drifted far away.
She took small sips of soup.
The Drama Club… should I add Qing Shui You or not? After adding her, how do I ask? Straight up about the mask? Too abrupt. Indirectly?
And Xia Qingkong… Isn’t her behavior today a bit too “friendly” and “proactive”? According to the original work, the female protagonist and villain should be in opposition, their conflict gradually escalating.
Even if my transmigration and acting caused the first clash to be milder than expected, it shouldn’t have turned into this… proactively adding me as a friend, helping me get contact info, even a little… teasing me?
This feeling… isn’t right. The plot direction seems to have veered off track.
If even the protagonist’s line has deviated, then my pitiful bit of “foreknowledge” advantage will go completely to waste, won’t it?
At that thought, Qiu Mian’s heart felt stifled.
The spoon unconsciously stirred the soup in the bowl.
Opposite her, Qiu Kui was completely immersed in a kind of tipsy happiness.
She ate in small bites, occasionally stealing a quick upward glance at Qiu Mian, who seemed lost in thought, then hurriedly lowering her head again. Yet the corners of her mouth kept curving upward uncontrollably.
Jie-jie just now… didn’t scold me…
Even told me to rest early…
Although she was still cold to others during the day, Jie-jie is protecting me, right? Just like before…
Some fragmented, blurry scenes flashed through her mind—it seemed like a very long time ago, similar situations had happened.
Jie-jie actually… has never changed, has she?
She just expresses it in her own way…
This realization filled Qiu Kui’s heart with a warm, fuzzy glow. Even the green vegetables in her bowl suddenly tasted especially delicious.
She ate with greater relish than usual, completely failing to notice that Qiu Mian had barely touched her chopsticks. She remained immersed in her own little world, secretly peeking and secretly giggling to herself.
The meal ended with both of them harboring their own thoughts in a subtle, quiet atmosphere.
When Qiu Kui cleared the dishes, her movements carried a light, rhythmic bounce.
Qiu Mian returned to her room, picked up her phone again, and stared at Qing Shui You’s contact card on the screen. After hesitating for a long time, she finally gritted her teeth and sent the friend request.
One step at a time.
First, secure the clue right in front of her.
As for the plot deviation… she could only adapt as things developed.
After all, surviving and finding the killer was the most important thing right now.
Everything else… could be left to take its natural course.