“Xiao Huan.”
Ju Zhenli released her embrace and stepped half a step back.
“Elder Sister Zhenli?”
Qin Huan tilted her head, uncertain of Ju Zhenli’s current state.
‘Qin Huan, a great victory meow!’
Miao Heavenly Emperor’s excited voice exploded in her mind.
‘Ju Zhenli’s affection level is maxed out meow! 100 points! Obsession degree dropped to 30 points meow! And it’s locked, it won’t rise again under normal circumstances meow!’
Qin Huan let out a long breath in her heart.
Finally…
She could barely count the first female lead as conquered.
“Xiao Huan.”
Ju Zhenli’s voice interrupted Qin Huan’s thoughts.
Qin Huan looked up, meeting Ju Zhenli’s eyes—eyes that were gentle in a way that felt almost unfamiliar.
“I’m sorry,” Ju Zhenli said softly.
“Huh?”
“I shouldn’t have used that APP on you.”
Ju Zhenli lowered her gaze.
“I was just… too afraid. Afraid that Xiao Huan would leave me. Afraid that Xiao Huan’s eyes would no longer be only for me.”
“Elder Sister Zhenli…”
“But I’ve figured it out.”
Ju Zhenli raised her head.
“What I want isn’t an obedient little dog. What I want is Xiao Huan, who shines on her own.”
She reached out, her cool fingertips gently tapping Qin Huan’s brow.
“Even if that Xiao Huan sometimes looks at others, sometimes shows a beautiful smile to others… that’s still a part of Xiao Huan.”
“As long as Xiao Huan remembers to come home, remembers that I’m here waiting.”
“That’s enough.”
Qin Huan stared blankly at Ju Zhenli.
Ju Zhenli had actually voluntarily revealed her Golden Finger.
It really seemed that her obsession degree had dropped a lot.
That meant Ju Zhenli would likely be in a state of no threat for a long time to come.
“So.”
Ju Zhenli withdrew her hand, resuming her elegant and composed posture, but the smile at the corner of her mouth was warmer than ever before.
“I won’t interfere with Xiao Huan’s band rehearsals anymore. Xiao Huan can smile at whoever she wants, be friends with whoever she wants. I won’t lock Xiao Huan up again.”
“But.”
A hint of cunning flickered in her eyes—something that had never appeared before.
“If Xiao Huan dares not come home, I’ll still come to catch you.”
Qin Huan stuck out her tongue, then spread her arms and threw herself into Ju Zhenli’s arms again.
She decided that from now on, in front of Ju Zhenli, she would act like a cute, obedient child, until the right moment came to fully complete Ju Zhenli’s conquest.
Ju Zhenli gently embraced her, her chin resting on top of Qin Huan’s head.
[Target: Ju Zhenli]
[Identity: Student Council President of Jinhai International University]
[Golden Finger Ability: Brainwashing APP (Development Level: 18%)]
[Affection Level toward you: 100 (Eternal Love)]
[Obsession Degree toward you: 30 (Locked, temporarily won’t change)]
[Evaluation: Now a gentle and reliable good woman meow!]
In the days leading up to the culture festival, Qin Huan’s life became regular and fulfilling.
Every morning, Ju Zhenli would send a chauffeur to take her to school.
In the mornings, if there were classes, she attended; if not, she went to the rehearsal room to practice with the band members.
At noon, Zuo Xi would drag her to the ramen shop in that small alley for tonkotsu ramen.
Sometimes Fu Lan would come along too.
The three of them would sit around the small table in the corner, listening to Zuo Xi talk about the stage moves she’d recently come up with.
During rehearsals, Guchuan Xing was still the same as always, saying weird things from time to time.
But ever since Qin Huan told her that Ju Zhenli had installed a surveillance camera in the rehearsal room, Guchuan Xing had noticeably restrained herself.
Fu Lan remained as quiet as ever.
During practice, she focused on playing the keyboard; during breaks, she sat in the corner reading a book.
However, Qin Huan noticed that she would occasionally sneak glances at her with those light purple eyes, only to quickly look away when caught.
She looked like a curious little kitten, making you want to reach out and pet her head.
And Qin Huan actually did just that…
The days passed one by one.
The band’s chemistry grew better and better, and the song Hustle and Bustle, Our City became more and more complete with each rehearsal.
Meanwhile, Su Lingling’s dessert business was also thriving.
Miao Heavenly Emperor complained to Qin Huan almost every day, saying that Su Lingling looked completely obsessed when making desserts.
The refrigerator was stuffed with all kinds of trial products, from macarons to tiramisu to cheesecake to pudding.
‘Qin Huan, I’ve already gained two pounds meow,’ Miao Heavenly Emperor said in a mournful tone.
‘Su Lingling’s mom said these test products can’t go to waste, so they all went into my stomach meow. If this keeps up, I’m done for meow.’
‘You could just not eat them…’
‘But the stuff she makes is really delicious meow! I can’t control myself meow!’
Qin Huan rolled her eyes internally.
This gluttonous cat would eventually get as fat as a real semi-trailer.
And so, time quietly slipped away.
Before they knew it, the culture festival arrived.
That evening, after rehearsal ended, Qin Huan packed up her bass and was about to head out for dinner with Zuo Xi and the others when her phone suddenly vibrated.
It was a call from Ju Zhenli.
“Elder Sister Zhenli?”
“Xiao Huan, is rehearsal over?”
“Yeah, just finished.”
“Don’t leave yet. Come to the student council office. I have something to show you.”
Qin Huan said goodbye to Zuo Xi and the others, slung her guitar case over her shoulder, and headed toward the student council office.
The door to the office was slightly ajar.
Qin Huan pushed it open gently.
Ju Zhenli sat in the president’s seat.
A document was spread out on the table in front of her.
When she saw Qin Huan come in, she looked up, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips.
“Xiao Huan, come sit.”
Qin Huan sat down in the chair across from her, looking curiously at the document on the table.
“Elder Sister Zhenli, what’s this?”
“The performance schedule for the culture festival.”
Ju Zhenli slid the document over to Qin Huan, her long fingers lightly tapping a line.
“Look here…”
On the schedule for the third day of the culture festival, in the column for the final act, it clearly read: Starfall.
“The third night of the festival is the closing performance. There are thirteen acts total, and you guys are the last to go on stage.”
Ju Zhenli’s tone was calm.
“You’re the final act of this year’s culture festival.”
“Elder Sister Zhenli…”
Qin Huan opened her mouth but found no words.
Jinhai International University’s culture festival was always known for its high standards.
The closing performance each year attracted a huge audience—not just students from the school, but also many from other schools and media outlets.
And the final act was the highlight of the entire show.
“The Instrumental Music Club was originally scheduled to close.”
Ju Zhenli folded her hands and propped her chin on them.
“But I thought this year, it should be Starfall.”
“But… we’re just a band that’s been together for less than a month…”
“So what?”
Ju Zhenli tilted her head, a hint of matter-of-fact pride in her brown eyes.
“You have a passionate lead singer, a serious keyboardist, a skilled drummer, the best bassist, and a great original song. Not having you close would be a travesty.”
Qin Huan felt her eyes welling up.
Ju Zhenli had actually used her authority like this…
For her sake…
“Elder Sister Zhenli…”
“So, promise me one thing.”
Ju Zhenli stood up, walked over to Qin Huan, and bent slightly, placing her hands on the armrests of the chair.
Those brown eyes were right in front of her, reflecting Qin Huan’s slightly flushed face.
“What… thing?”
“On the day of the performance, on that stage, become the most dazzling person of the entire culture festival.”
Ju Zhenli reached out and gently ruffled Qin Huan’s hair.
“Then, after the show ends, I’ll be waiting for you backstage. We’ll go home together.”