Night had fallen.
Su Mo was staying at Xiao He’s place again tonight.
Compared to last time, things felt much more familiar now.
Su Mo was sitting on the bed chatting with Xia Qingqing when the door suddenly swung open.
Xiao He tiptoed in sneakily, clutching a pillow in her arms.
Su Mo immediately sensed trouble and sprang to his feet, eyes wary. “What are you doing?”
“I’m sleeping with you tonight,” Xiao He said with a grin, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“No, absolutely not. I’m not used to sharing a bed with anyone,” Su Mo tried to deflect.
Even though he was currently in a female body—eliminating any concerns about propriety—his soul was still 100% male. Taking advantage of others like this didn’t sit right with him.
…Even if part of him really wanted to.
Xiao He pouted. “Why not? We’re both girls, what’s there to be shy about?”
I’m not a girl!
Su Mo rubbed his temples. “Do all girls like sleeping together?”
“Aren’t you a girl too?” Xiao He blinked, not quite catching on.
Realizing he’d slipped up, Su Mo smoothly covered his tracks. “It’s different. You’re all little lambs, and I’m the big bad wolf. Can a wolf and a lamb sleep together?”
To emphasize his point, he mimed a wolf pouncing on its prey.
Xiao He’s eyes widened, her mouth forming a little “O” of surprise. “Wait… do you like girls?”
Su Mo smacked his lips. “Yep. Especially sweet little girls like you. So don’t go tempting me.”
Without his usual intimidating appearance, Su Mo’s “threat” came off more like playful teasing.
From Xiao He’s perspective, it was actually kind of cute—more “feisty” than frightening.
But his outright admission that he liked girls made Xiao He hesitate.
Is she lying just to avoid sharing a bed with me?
But what if it’s true? What if she tries something in the middle of the night? I like Brother Yang—I still want to marry him someday…
“Of course, if you don’t mind, I’d be more than happy,” Su Mo added, shifting over to make space. “After all, who could resist a plump little lamb right in front of them?”
Xiao He’s face flushed bright red, and she bolted from the room.
Heh. Got her.
A little reverse psychology goes a long way.
The night passed peacefully, and Su Mo spent it cultivating until dawn.
He had a return flight booked for the morning. After a quick breakfast, he said a hurried goodbye to Xiao He.
She had offered to skip class to see him off, but Su Mo refused.
His reasoning? “At your age, you should be focusing on school. Stop making excuses to skip.”
Xiao He: ←_←
This was his first time flying, and aside from excitement, he felt a tiny flicker of nerves.
Whoa, that acceleration is insane. So freaking cool.
By noon, Su Mo had already landed in Jingcheng.
He instinctively checked his phone but didn’t see any messages from the person he was hoping for.
Ye Qingyi’s profile had been silent for a long time.
Luckily, Xia Qingqing called him the next moment.
“Qingyi, are you here yet? I just arrived,” came Xia Qingqing’s voice, muffled as if she were eating.
“Yeah, just landed. Heading out now.”
“Great, I’ll wait for you at the exit. Look for the prettiest, cutest girl on the right side—that’ll be me.” Xia Qingqing let out a hiccup.
Su Mo couldn’t help but laugh. We know each other—why does this feel like a blind date?
A series of hiccups followed on the other end, suggesting she was seriously choking.
“Alright, see you soon. Drink some water before you suffocate.”
Su Mo hung up and started toward the exit.
Just then, a vaguely familiar figure brushed past him. Su Mo immediately recognized her—it was the expert auntie who’d helped him before. He quickly called out to her.
But she acted as if she hadn’t heard, vanishing into the crowd almost instantly.
Weird. It’s like I run into her every time I travel.
Unable to find her, Su Mo could only mutter to himself, lost in thought.
Oh well. She doesn’t seem like a bad person—she did help me before.
Outside the airport, Su Mo spotted Xia Qingqing waving at him from the right side of the exit, snacks swaying in her hand.
“Qingyi, I missed you so much!” Xia Qingqing leaped onto him like a koala.
“Hey, watch the PDA. You’re a girl—act a little more refined.” Su Mo peeled her off and set her aside.
Xia Qingqing clutched her chest dramatically. “Ugh, and here I bought you snacks. This is the thanks I get? So cold… Tsk, people change. You must’ve met some other woman in the capital…”
Su Mo massaged his temples. “Where did you even learn this melodramatic act? You sound like a whole pot of tea.”
Xia Qingqing huffed and refused to speak to him.
“I haven’t had lunch yet. Heard there’s a great barbecue place in the east of the city. Wonder if anyone wants to join me?”
Xia Qingqing scoffed.
Pfft. As if I’d fall for that.
Whoever goes is a dog.
……
Two hours later.
“Burp. This place is amazing. We’re coming back—burp—with Xiao Wan and Rou’er next time.” Xia Qingqing patted her slightly rounded belly, looking thoroughly satisfied.
Su Mo seized the moment to ask, “So what do you guys do all day? Don’t tell me it’s just eat, sleep, repeat.”
“Of course not! What do you take us for, pigs?” She widened her eyes indignantly. “We mostly focus on school. Missions are just extra.”
Sounds like they’re living the good life. Meanwhile, I’m running around like a headless chicken.
“Ever thought about finding something else to do?”
“You mean taking on more missions? Nah, I’m fine just meeting the basic requirements. No need to overwork myself.”
Su Mo had to admit she had a point. Not everyone shared his relentless drive—and not everyone could.
“Ugh…” Xia Qingqing suddenly sighed.
“What’s wrong? You were fine a second ago.”
In an instant, her energy drained away. “Qingyi… maybe I should start grinding.”
Su Mo raised an eyebrow. “What brought this on?”
Xia Qingqing shook her head, her expression bitter. “It’s Luo Xiu. He’s just like you—always pushing himself, either on missions or preparing for them. I haven’t seen him in ages.”
“Wait, are you two dating?” Su Mo’s expression turned mischievous, his inner gossip radar pinging.
“What? No! We’re just friends.” Xia Qingqing suddenly looked ready to murder someone. “That blockhead! I tried asking him out to eat, and you know what he said?”
Su Mo leaned in eagerly.
“He said I eat too much…” Xia Qingqing looked on the verge of tears. “It’s not like I was making him pay! He just had to show up! And it’s not like I eat that much… burp!”
She froze, then burst out laughing—only for it to turn into sobs as she flung herself into Su Mo’s arms.
“Qingyi, my stomach’s bullying me… sniffle…”