Lin Yue steadied herself, whipped out her phone, and started snapping pictures of the crime scene—her poor, mutilated wardrobe. “Thanks, Tingting. You’re a lifesaver.”
Yu Tingting waved her off. “Oh please, I barely did anything. If I was really useful, I’d have caught Xu Liuxia in the act and livestreamed her getting arrested.”
Just then, a shrill, cackling laugh echoed from the hallway. It was Xu Liuxia ,her voice as grating as a rusty bicycle bell. “Hey, did you see that hot guy downstairs? He looks like he walked straight out of a manga! I’m going down to get his number—think he’ll give it to me?”
Liu Jia chimed in, laying it on thick. “With our Xu Liuxia looks? He’d be crazy to say no!”
Yu Tingting’s eyes went wide. She mouthed at Lin Yue, “She’s here early! Hide! If she sees you, she’ll go full psycho again!”
But Lin Yue just slipped her phone into her pocket and hit record.
The door burst open. strutted in, her lips curled into a sneer the second she saw Lin Yue. She kicked a chair aside and slammed her suitcase down like she was declaring war.
“Xu Liuxia , did you cut up my clothes?” Lin Yue asked, voice calm but firm.
Xu Liuxia tossed her hair and scoffed, arms crossed. “Yeah, so what? Who knows which guy’s bed you had to climb into for those rags. You take up space in our dorm—I’m just cleaning up trash!”
Yu Tingting couldn’t hold back. “Xu Liuxia , have some decency! You’re out of line!”
Xu Liuxia rolled her eyes so hard they nearly fell out. “Mind your own business! I’m just telling the truth. She’s a homewrecker, and I’m not wrong!”
Lin Yue’s fists clenched, but she kept her tone even. “Xu Liuxia , for the last time: My clothes are as clean as I am. Your boyfriend broke up with you because you’re dramatic and he’s a player. Please stop with your persecution complex and bullying, okay?”
“Green tea witch! Still pretending?!” Xu Liuxia screeched, suddenly lunging and grabbing Lin Yue’s hair. “Who are you calling dramatic, huh?!”
Suddenly—BAM!—the grip on Lin Yue’s hair vanished. Xu Liuxia and Liu Jia both flew backwards like they’d been hit by a supernatural bowling ball, landing two meters away, groaning and clutching their backsides.
Huiqian stood behind Lin Yue, his eyes golden and wild, claws out, looking like he was about two seconds away from going full beast mode. “Don’t touch her,” he growled, voice low and dangerous.
Xu Liuxia ’s lips trembled. “You… you’re all monsters!”
Lin Yue’s chest began to glow—she was about to become the world’s first human disco ball. She clutched her heart, backing away, and saw Huiqian’s claws growing longer. He was teetering on the edge of a full transformation.
He turned to her, voice dead serious, “Lin Yue, can I eat them?”
“No, Huiqian! Not here! Let’s go home, right now!” Lin Yue didn’t even bother with her clothes. She grabbed Huiqian’s hand and ran for her life, dragging her supernatural boyfriend out of the dorm and leaving a trail of shocked faces in their wake.
The new semester had barely started, and already the school forum was blowing up with gossip.
Rumor had it that the infamous “homewrecker” and “fox spirit” Lin Yue had landed herself a new boyfriend—a drop-dead gorgeous young man who was so clingy, he followed her everywhere. There were even photos: Huiqian, in a simple white T-shirt, napping on the back row of the lecture hall, sunlight turning his skin into porcelain, his lashes so long they could have swept the floor.
The comments section was a battlefield. Some people were drooling with envy, others were green with jealousy, and a few were openly plotting to “steal” Huiqian for themselves. Of course, there were also the usual trolls: “Lin Yue must be some kind of fox demon to snag a guy like that!” and “Her bed skills must be next-level to land such a hottie!” One comment, obviously from Xu Liuxia ’s account, declared, “Lin Yue is a fox spirit who uses magic to seduce men!” But it was quickly buried under a pile of eye-roll emojis and sarcastic replies.
Lin Yue logged out, sighing, and glanced at Huiqian, who was sprawled on the sofa watching TV with the remote upside down. She hesitated, then said, “Huiqian, from now on, you shouldn’t come to class with me.”
He looked up, totally confused. “Why?”
Lin Yue hesitated, guilt gnawing at her. “No reason. The apartment’s right next to campus. I’ll come straight home after class. It won’t affect you.”
Huiqian just stared, looking more lost than a puppy in a thunderstorm. Lin Yue, feeling like the world’s worst girlfriend, fumbled in her pocket and pulled out two candies. “Here, have some candy, okay?”
For the first time ever, Huiqian shook his head and looked away, his ears drooping (if they’d been visible). He looked so forlorn, Lin Yue almost took it all back and promised to bring him to every class forever.
Later, at a coffee shop, Yu Tingting grilled her over a latte. “So, spill. What happened in the dorm? I swear I saw your man snap his fingers, your chest went ‘biu!’ and Xu Liuxia and Liu Jia flew like they were in The Matrix. Are you two from the future? Secret agents? X-Men?”
Lin Yue stirred her coffee, chin in hand, and sighed. “Tingting, I honestly don’t know how to explain it. Please, just… don’t ask.”
Yu Tingting shrugged. “Fine, but tell me about that hunk of yours. You’re living together, right? When did you land such a hottie? You’re amazing, Yue! Does he have a brother? Cousin? Even a neighbor? Hook me up!”
Lin Yue opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her mind was a mess—she didn’t even know what her relationship with Huiqian was, or what she hoped it could be.
“I don’t know. I think I really like him…” she admitted, “But he doesn’t know anything. We’re just… stuck together by fate.”
Yu Tingting rolled her eyes, then plopped two huge shopping bags on the table. “Here, I brought you all the clothes and shoes you had left. I’ll bring your books tomorrow. And seriously, Yue, have some confidence! You’re already living together—if he’s not into you, he’s got a funny way of showing it!”
Lin Yue managed a laugh, feeling a little lighter. Maybe, just maybe, life with a supernatural roommate (and maybe boyfriend?) wouldn’t be so bad—even if it came with the occasional supernatural disaster and campus-wide gossip storm
Chapter 07
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