As Dugu Yan dragged herself back to the hotel, a gloomy cloud practically hovering over her head, she caught sight of a familiar figure sitting by a street food cart, munching away with the enthusiasm.
There he was. Tang Yin. Blissfully chewing, eyes half-lidded in satisfaction, clearly having the time of his life while she was busy marinating in frustration.
A vein popped on her forehead.
How dare he be happy when I'm clearly not?
For a split second, she genuinely considered walking over and swiftly kicking him straight in the crotch. No deep reason behind it. She was just willful like that.
She marched over, Crossing her arms, she glared at him with all the regal disdain she could muster, tilting her head back and peering down her nose like Boa Hancock scowling at commoners.
"Well, looks like someone's having the time of his life," she said coldly, eye twitching.
Tang Yin glanced up mid-bite, blinked, chopsticks still in his hand. His eyes met hers for half a second before he promptly looked away—back to his dumplings, chewing with relish.
What does she want this time? he thought, eyes narrowing. I didn't offend her, did I? No… can't be. Is this about her poison? Or did I forget something? Is it—wait—
He squinted at her sideways. No, this wasn't about the poison. This felt... personal.
And with the way she was shooting daggers at his lower half, he had a sudden, powerful urge to cross his legs.
Dugu Yan narrowed her eyes, stalking toward him with the grace of a predator. Tang Yin, now fully seated and legs tightly crossed, raised a brow and tried to sound braver than he felt.
"What do you want?" he asked, voice almost steady. "And don't think you can bully me—"
She slid to a halt in front of him, her expression unreadable.
Uh-oh.
"Pfft… Hahaha!" Dugu Yan suddenly burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. The sheer confusion on Tang Yin's face only made her laugh harder.
Tang Yin's expression: "…"
'What is up with this willful girl?' he wondered silently. 'Is it the breakup? Has she finally lost it?'
Not that he'd ever say that out loud. He enjoyed living.
Her laughter finally settled into giggles, and seeing the sour look on his face seemed to calm her storm. She plopped down into the seat beside him without hesitation, waving at the vendor.
"Boss! One plate for me too. Put it on his tab," she said cheerfully, pointing at Tang Yin.
He stared at her, dumbfounded. Then exploded.
"Dugu Yan! Don't think you can bully me! Don't underestimate the power of a common man!"
She turned to look at him, eyes gleaming with mockery, her lips curling in a smirk.
"Common man? You?" she scoffed. "Please. Don't think I don't know you're dating three girls at the same time. And none of them are even remotely ordinary."
Caught red-handed, Tang Yin wisely shut his mouth and focused on his dumplings like they held the secrets of the universe.
That only made Dugu Yan smirk wider.
Now she was even more interested in him.
Staring at him thoughtfully, Dugu Yan tapped a finger to her chin, eyes twinkling with wicked delight. She needed entertainment. And he, poor soul, was within bullying range.
A smirk curled her lips.
Without warning,she burst into crocodile tears, sniffling pitifully with exaggerated sobs.
Tang Yin, who had been halfway through a dumpling, froze. His brow twitched.
'What have I gotten myself into… he thought'. He already saw the trap, but like a man walking into a rickety bridge he couldn't avoid, he played along anyway.
"Y-You! What's wrong with you?" he asked, feigning flustered panic at the sight of a crying girl.
Seeing him squirm made Dugu Yan light up inside. She sniffled dramatically. "Sniff… My boyfriend dumped me…sniff…"
Tang Yin blinked. Then said with admirable (fake) sincerity, "Boyfriend? Who in their right mind would break up with you?"
Dugu Yan wiped an imaginary tear. "Yu Tianheng. Captain of our Emperor Team."
Tang Yin stared at her like she'd said her boyfriend was a cabbage.
"Him? That guy? That guy is gay as hell. How did you even become his girlfriend?"
Dugu Yan choked, mid-sob, and shot him a glare.
"Hmph! That guy pestered me for over a year. I finally said yes three months ago—only to find out he's having an improper relationship with his uncle!"
Tang Yin's face twisted. Then:
"PFT—HAHAHA!"
He burst into helpless laughter, wheezing and clutching his sides.
"Bad luck, huh?" he managed between gasps. "My condolences… my deepest condolences."
Her expression darkened.
Tang Yin's chuckles faded under the weight of her growing murderous aura.
"…Seriously though. Condolences."
Dugu Yan's mood soured further. "So? How are you going to make it up to me?"
Tang Yin paused. Thought about it. Then offered, "Realgar powder mixed with alcohol can neutralize your poison. Consider that my gift of goodwill."
He stood up, intending to pay and vanish.
But her hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.
Not so fast.
Tang Yin frowned. "Dugu Yan, don't think you can just be willful with me—!"
She yanked him down and, without warning, kissed him on the cheek.
Tang Yin froze—completely stunned—right before she bit him.
"OW—!"
She let go, smiling wickedly as she stood and strutted away.
"You're welcome," she called back, her hips swaying proudly. "I'll see you in two months."
Tang Yin sat there, dumpling in hand, stunned, slightly violated, and more than a little impressed as he watched her swaying hips.
"…What just happened?" he muttered.
"I didn't even have to make a move was she captivated by my charm" thought Tang yin smugly. After all even Tang san couldn't impress this girl in the main story.
Tang Yin leisurely returned to his dorm and plopped onto his bed contentedly—today had been a massive success.
At midnight, Flender wandered sadly, watching Shrek Academy. Over two decades of hard work were about to be taken by his good brother, but still he chose to comply for the students' sake.