Mu Nujiao and Ai Tutu

The setting sun cast a dusky haze over the bustling city.

After wandering around all day, Zhou Sining was tired. He found a roadside bench and sat down to rest.

When he looked up, he realized there was a school across the street.

Pearl Institute High School.

The best magic high school in Magic City.

Classes had just let out for the day. Tall, good-looking students streamed through the gates, and the shops nearby were packed.

Zhou Sining took a quick glance around. Most were midrange or upscale chain stores, offering everything from food and drinks to entertainment.

He scratched his head. "I didn't realize I'd wandered all the way here. School starts pretty early in Magic City."

Still, since he was here...

A big school in a big city really was something else. Even the uniforms were stylish, especially on the girls in the prime of their youth.

Several girls carrying food they'd bought crossed toward him. They walked past with smiles and found seats in a nearby park.

The park probably belonged to Pearl Institute High School too. It was furnished with plenty of tables and chairs, nearly all of them occupied now.

Zhou Sining only had to turn his head slightly and sweep his gaze across the park for his mood to lift.

Girls in the big city really were gorgeous!

Mo Fan had told him the truth!

"Sister Mu, hurry! There are still seats!"

A bright, lively voice caught his ear. Zhou Sining glanced over and saw a cute girl clinging to her friend's arm, practically skipping along.

The girl she called Sister Mu could only smile with fond exasperation, occasionally offering a reminder.

"Tutu, slow down. You'll trip."

Ai Tutu beamed. "Oh, I won't. Come on, let's sit here."

The lively girl took out two or three food containers and opened them one by one.

"I've been craving desserts from this place forever. I finally got some!"

"You little glutton. If you put that much effort into training, you'd probably be able to draw a Star Map by now," Mu Nujiao teased.

"Oh, desserts are way better than training. Besides, I need to eat before I have the energy to train." Ai Tutu stuck out her tongue.

Then she eagerly scooped up a spoonful and popped it into her mouth.

Mu Nujiao didn't argue. She picked up her spoon.

Her movements were graceful and poised. Her bare face was so beautiful it was hard to look away, and she carried herself with the cool elegance of an immortal descended to earth.

Yet the lingering baby fat in her cheeks lent her a cuteness at odds with that air of aloofness.

She's beautiful.

The corners of Zhou Sining's mouth lifted before he realized it.

Then he snapped out of it and smacked his forehead.

Damn it, what am I doing? They'll think I'm a creep.

He blinked hard, forced himself to get a grip, and cursed himself under his breath before looking up.

His gaze met Mu Nujiao's bright, almond-shaped eyes.

"!"

Zhou Sining's breath caught. He failed to notice the slight furrow in her brows.

"That guy's so rude. He's still staring at us... If the school hadn't made the seniors do two extra hours of meditation practice, we'd be home by now." Ai Tutu pursed her lips.

Her voice turned disdainful. "Don't tell me he's another one of Shen Feng's lackeys."

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She got up and marched toward Zhou Sining, looking ready for a fight.

"Wait, Tutu, don't be rash..."

Mu Nujiao couldn't stop her and could only hurry after her.

They covered the dozen or so steps quickly. By the time Zhou Sining came to his senses, the two beautiful girls were right in front of him.

One was lively, the other cool and reserved. The cute girl looked furious, her ample chest rising and falling with her breath. To have a figure like that at such a young age—her future held boundless promise.

The reserved girl was taller, with a more balanced figure. Her eyes were calm, and she looked as though she wanted no trouble.

"Hey! Don't you know it's rude to stare at girls?" the lively girl demanded.

But her soft, adorable face took most of the force out of it. She sounded more like she was pouting.

Besides, he had been staring at them.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," Zhou Sining said sincerely. "I'm sorry for bothering you both. I'll leave right away."

He stood up, ready to go.

That quick sequence left Ai Tutu dumbfounded.

Wait, that's not how this is supposed to go.

You're supposed to put on a smug smile and claim in some sleazy voice that this is a chance encounter. Then you tell us Shen Feng has admired Miss Mu for ages and hopes she'll meet him.

You're not supposed to apologize honestly and turn around to leave!

"Wait!" Ai Tutu called after Zhou Sining. "You're really not here because Shen Feng sent you?"

Zhou Sining looked baffled. "I don't know him. There's no one by that name among my acquaintances."

Ai Tutu narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you. The people Shen Feng sent before said the same thing, and they all ended up admitting they were his lackeys."

"That's enough, Tutu. He was just passing by, and he's already apologized. There's no need to keep after him."

Mu Nujiao tugged at Ai Tutu's arm.

He was clearly going to leave. Whatever the truth was, there was no point in pursuing it.

"Sister Mu, you're too kind. You said the same thing the last few times, and then one of them turned around and spread rumors that you were flirting with him." Ai Tutu grew worked up again as she spoke.

Mu Nujiao gave a soft laugh. "And he was disciplined for it. His confinement only ended two days ago."

Zhou Sining, standing off to the side, heard every word.

Sister Mu? Tutu?

It can't be that much of a coincidence, can it?

"You two..." Zhou Sining interrupted them. "Are your names Mu Nujiao and Ai Tutu? Mu Nujiao of the Magic City Mu Clan, whose brother is Mu Hua, and Ai Tutu of the Northern Border Ai Clan, whose older brother is Ai Jiangtu?"

"See, Sister Mu? What did I tell you? How would he know all that if he wasn't a lackey?" A triumphant little smile appeared on Ai Tutu's face.

Mu Nujiao's expression changed. She pulled Ai Tutu behind her.

She regarded him warily. "What's your name, and which family are you from?"

"Please don't misunderstand. I really was just passing by. I've only heard of you two." Zhou Sining regretted opening his mouth.

To make his words more convincing, he searched his pockets and pulled out his Ancient Capital No. 3 High School badge.

"Look, this is my school badge. My name's Zhou Sining. My name and class are on it."

Mu Nujiao took it and examined it carefully. The class and student number were written on the back. It didn't look fake.

"Wow, it looks so real. Since when did you lackeys get this clever?" Ai Tutu said with a grin.

"..."

Mu Nujiao didn't let that one comment sway her judgment.

She handed the badge back and studied him more closely. She had a good idea of the situation now.

"We were overthinking it. I'm sorry my friend said so many disrespectful things." Mu Nujiao's expression softened.

Ai Tutu wanted to say more, but Mu Nujiao stopped her.

As she watched him walk farther away, Ai Tutu looked puzzled.

"Sister Mu, he really isn't a lackey?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Someone whose entire outfit costs less than three hundred yuan would never get the chance to be one of Shen Feng's lackeys."