Chapter 176 – Want to Play a Round?

Before long, Huang Haiyao arrived, followed by Zhao Xinning.

Zhao Xinning was not only the band’s manager but also their sole audience before a performance.

A professional-grade audience, no less. If the band had anything to improve, she would attentively point it out.

At that moment, she sat below the stage watching Lin Xi and the others rehearse.

At the same time, she asked the Queen of Curses to determine whether Su Xiangxue and Huang Haiyao harbored any special feelings for Lin Xi.

Surely they could not end up in the absurd situation where all three members of the band were in love with Lin Xi, could they?

After examining them, the Queen of Curses said,

“Those two are fine.”

“What do you mean by fine?”

“They admire her, but it is not that kind of affection.”

Zhao Xinning understood. “I see.”

Su Xiangxue and Huang Haiyao were safe. Yang Shanshan was the enormous hidden threat.

Zhao Xinning simply could not see why such a meek, hesitant girl was so confident that Lin Xi would inevitably be hers.

“Perhaps Yang Shanshan has another side no one knows about,” the Queen of Curses said.

If Zhao Xinning wanted to discover Yang Shanshan’s hidden side, she would have to stab her with the Cursed Blade.

Now was obviously not the time to make a move…

The four people onstage finished a song. Zhao Xinning applauded enthusiastically.

“That was wonderful!”

“There were no problems at all. If you perform this well at the school anniversary, you’ll dazzle the entire audience!”

“Dazzle the entire audience is a bit much,” Lin Xi said. “I’ll be happy as long as everything goes smoothly.”

“Your guitar playing keeps getting better and better, Xi. As expected of you.”

“Hahaha! I practice this thing every day. It’d be hard not to improve,” Lin Xi said without the slightest modesty. “If I keep practicing, I’ll probably be able to play this song with my teeth.”

That was how confident she was.

Of course, she was not yet skilled enough to play the guitar with her teeth…

“Xinning, how is your class’s play, Cat-Ear Maid Cafe, coming along?”

“It’s almost ready. I still have to go work on it later.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing you in a Maid outfit.” Lin Xi was eagerly anticipating Angel-sama’s Maid costume. “We absolutely have to take a picture together.”

Zhao Xinning’s cheeks reddened. “Honestly, don’t set your expectations so high.”

“Of course I’m excited,” Lin Xi said. “I’ve never seen Xinning dressed as a Maid before.”

The Queen of Curses spoke inside Zhao Xinning’s mind.

“Is she always this good at flirting with girls? No wonder so many of them like her.”

Zhao Xinning: “…”

“She’s not flirting. Xi is completely innocent. Those women are the wicked ones. They’re pests who have set their sights on innocent little Xi.”

The Queen of Curses had no comment.

Now that she knew how much Lin Xi was looking forward to it, Zhao Xinning resolved to become the prettiest, cutest cat-ear maid in Lin Xi’s eyes!

She would have to work even harder.

“Xi, I’m leaving. We’ll have to walk home together another day.”

“All right. Go take care of your work.”

The other three knew how close Lin Xi and Zhao Xinning were.

Su Xiangxue and Huang Haiyao considered the two of them the very model of childhood sweethearts.

Only a few minutes after Zhao Xinning left, Xia Xun arrived at the activity room.

She had also come as an audience member, hoping for an early look at Lin Xi’s performance.

Su Xiangxue and Huang Haiyao silently felt their stomachs twist. As spectators to the romantic drama, they thought Lin Xi and Xia Xun made an excellent pair too.

The spectators only needed to place their bets. Lin Xi had far more pressing matters to consider.

For example, whether she should accept Xia Xun’s invitation to spend the night after rehearsal.

Lin Xi had promised to stay at Xia Xun’s home once or twice every week. She could not go back on her word.

In the end, she obediently followed Xia Xun home.

“Why do I feel like a human trafficker…?” Xia Xun suddenly said on their way back. “I’ve abducted you and taken you home.”

Lin Xi: “…”

“So that’s why I’ve felt strangely uneasy. I was about to be abducted and sold.”

“Nonsense.” Xia Xun grabbed Lin Xi’s hand. “I only abduct. I don’t sell. How could I ever sell you?”

Holding Lin Xi’s hand, Xia Xun happily led her through the front door.

The moment they were inside, Xia Xun took off her school uniform jacket.

“Lin Xi, let’s play a round first.”

Lin Xi: “…”

Uh… that map had barely begun to unroll before the dagger came out.

At least give the reveal some buildup! Had Xia Xun gone from joking to deadly serious in an instant???

Seeing Lin Xi’s flushed face, Xia Xun immediately realized what she was thinking. “I meant play a round of a game!”

“Of course… if you want to play a round of something else… then… we can go to the bedroom…”

“I want to play a video game!” Lin Xi declared firmly.

“Got it! I’ll set everything up.” Xia Xun bustled around preparing the game, snacks, and drinks.

Lin Xi looked around. “Xia Xun, where’s Little Mi? Isn’t it home?”

“I told it to stay at the Countermeasures Bureau building. Today is just for the two of us. Little Mi isn’t allowed to interrupt.”

Lin Xi: “…”

Am I being a little unfair to Little Mi???

Little Mi: Haki Xi, you only just realized that?!

And so, Xia Xun and Lin Xi began their time alone together.

They played a round of a game first. Then Xia Xun personally cooked for Lin Xi.

She had practiced her cooking for a long time precisely so it would shine on an occasion like this.

Lin Xi did not have to lift a finger. All she had to do was wait for dinner.

Thor took care of her at home, and Xia Xun took care of her here. Lin Xi thought it would be perfectly natural for her cooking skills to deteriorate if this continued.

After finishing the delicious, nutritious dinner Xia Xun had prepared with such care, Lin Xi entered the bathroom and settled in for a long, comfortable soak.

“This is heavenly.” Lin Xi felt relaxed in both body and mind. “The huge bathtub at Xia Xun’s place is fantastic. I’ll ask her for the link later and buy one for home.”

Nothing felt better than a luxurious soak after an exhausting day.

Of course, it was best enjoyed alone… Lin Xi had immersed herself completely in the bath. When she opened her eyes again, Xia Xun was standing in front of her, wrapped in a towel.

Lin Xi: “…”

Before she could say anything, the crimson-faced Xia Xun tugged off the towel.

The Magical Girl’s flawless body appeared before her, and Lin Xi shrieked.

“Xia Xun, what are you doing?!”

“Nothing. I came to take a bath too,” Xia Xun said.

“I’m not even out yet! Why did you come in?” Lin Xi covered her eyes.

“So we can bathe together, of course.” Xia Xun spoke as though the two of them had arranged it in advance. “Why do you think I bought such a large bathtub?”

Lin Xi realized she had fallen into a trap!

Xia Xun’s attacks truly came from every direction!

Lin Xi kept her eyes covered, but she could hear Xia Xun entering the bathtub with perfect clarity.

“I… I’ll get out first.” Lin Xi started to rise, but Xia Xun immediately pressed her back down.

Then Xia Xun asked in a voice dripping with temptation,

“Want to play a round?”

“Right here…”