On campus, Zhang Jin walked off on her own. She didn’t care about autographs—she’d just wanted a chance to cozy up to Lin Wanqing.

  Not even graduated yet, she’d already learned the hard way how crucial connections were.

  And then that idiot Li Yingjun screwed it up. She should’ve gone alone, ditched the moron.

  If he hadn’t just bought her a bag, Zhang Jin would’ve kicked him to the curb ages ago.

  “Xiao Jin, I’ll definitely get you that autograph next time!” Li Yingjun panted, scrambling to catch up.

  “I don’t want it anymore.”

  “Huh? Sorry, it’s all my fault.”

  “If you can snag that song Xu Nuo sang, I’ll forgive you.”

  “Uh… I’ll try.”

  If she could get her hands on his song… Zhang Jin could already picture herself blowing up.

  With that in mind, she turned back and ran straight into Xu Nuo.

  “Xu Nuo!”

  “Hm?” Xu Nuo stopped, intrigued, wondering what nonsense they’d spew next.

  “Xu Nuo, that song of yours is great. Can I have the copyright?”

  Xu Nuo burst out ughing. She’s got some nerve.

  Who gave her that kind of confidence?

  “If you give me the copyright, I’ll be your girlfriend.”

  “???” Xu Nuo was floored. “Sis, didn’t I just reject you this morning?”

  Zhang Jin tugged her colr down, fshing a hint of pale skin, and hiked up her already tiny skirt with her right hand.

  Li Yingjun’s eyes nearly popped out—until Zhang Jin gred at him.

  Afraid Xi Yangyang won’t notice, but scared Fei Yangyang will. (A pyful nod to *Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf*, meaning she’s teasing openly but doesn’t want the wrong guy ogling.)

  Li Yingjun coughed twice. “Xu Nuo, your song’s decent, but you don’t have the chops. Let Xiao Jin sing it. It’s probably worth 20,000 bucks—I’ll give you 30,000 for the rights.”

  “Plus, Xiao Jin’s offering to be your girlfriend. Miss this chance, and you’ll never find a girl this good again.”

  Xu Nuo stared at the bizarre duo—a pyer and her pdog—feeling his stomach turn.

  “30,000? You tossing coins at a beggar?”

  “I’m telling you, don’t be ungrateful,” Li Yingjun said coldly. “I’ve already signed with a big company. Two and a half years of training, and I’ll debut. Sell it to me, and I might even throw you a bone ter.”

  “Heh, so impressive.”

  “Xu Nuo, I’ve given you two chances already,” Zhang Jin snapped, growing impatient. She tugged her colr lower. Xu Nuo didn’t even gnce, but Li Yingjun couldn’t stop staring.

  Xu Nuo had had enough and was about to put them in their pce.

  Then a soft, airy voice came from behind. “Xu Nuo, what chances?”

  He turned to see a figure bundled up tight—hat and mask, only her eyes peeking out. Most wouldn’t recognize her.

  But Xu Nuo clocked those legs instantly.

  Familiarity, that’s all.

  “Why’re you here?” he asked.

  Before Lin Wanqing could answer, Zhang Jin’s face soured. “Who are you?”

  “None of your business.”

  “Hmph, covered up like that? Probably too ugly to show your face,” Li Yingjun jumped in, defending his goddess.

  Lin Wanqing pulled off her hat and lowered her mask, revealing a fwless face.

  She said ftly, “Xu Nuo’s song is mine now.”

  Xu Nuo’s eyes flickered with awe, marveling at how the universe had favored her.

  “Lin Wanqing! Why are you here??” Zhang Jin gaped, incredulous.

  Li Yingjun shrank back, silent.

  The memory of calling her ugly hit him, and his heart pounded.

  Lin Wanqing ignored them, chuckling as she pulled out her phone and dialed. “Sister Liu, can you check if any entertainment companies recently signed a guy named Li Yingjun? Yep, thanks.”

  Li Yingjun’s face went wild. “Sorry, Queen Lin, I didn’t mean it like that!”

  “No need to expin.” She waved him off, giving him a disdainful look.

  Li Yingjun’s expression darkened as he prepared to bolt.

  Her phone rang. “Hm, Brilliant Entertainment? Got it. Sister Liu, give them a heads-up—this guy’s got character issues.”

  Li Yingjun panicked, lunging for her arm, but Xu Nuo blocked him.

  “Chill out.”

  “Stay out of this!” Li Yingjun snapped, struggling, but Xu Nuo held him like a squirming chick.

  “Queen Lin, I’m sorry! Please, let it slide this time—have mercy!”

  Meanwhile, Zhang Feng was on his own call. “Xiao Zhao, it’s Zhang Feng from Modu Media.”

  “You signed a guy named Li Yingjun, right?”

  “No big deal, just a heads-up—his character’s shady.”

  Two minutes ter, Li Yingjun’s phone buzzed. He picked it up, pale as a ghost. “Manager Wang…”

  “Don’t call me that, Li Yingjun. You’re dropped. Any compints, talk to legal.”

  The call was loud enough for everyone to hear.

  Thud. His phone hit the ground.

  Xu Nuo tossed him aside, done with the mess, and turned to Lin Wanqing. “Senior, let’s go.”

  “Mm.”

  Zhang Jin grew more irritated, barely holding her temper, but patted Li Yingjun’s shoulder anyway. “It’s fine. Worst case, switch companies.”

  She hadn’t snagged “The Wind Rises,” but she didn’t care much. It was just a song.

  Her phone rang. “Hey, Brother Chen. Houhai Bar? Cool, I’ll be there soon.”

  “You head back. I’ve got stuff to do.”

  Li Yingjun stared at her, dazed. “Not coming home tonight?”

  “Nope.”

  “Tell him to wear protection.”

  “Stop nagging.”

  “Free tomorrow? I’ll treat you to dinner.”

  “Not hungry tomorrow.”

  …

  Xu Nuo and Lin Wanqing walked through campus in silence until she casually asked, “Was that your girlfriend?”

  Xu Nuo nearly choked on his spit, waving his hands. “No way! She just came out of nowhere and confessed—I don’t even get her deal.”

  “Oh.” Lin Wanqing nodded. Attracting girls left and right—total pyer.

  “Senior, didn’t you say you’d wait at the gate?”

  “Huh? Oh, right, I took a wrong turn.” She stopped, adjusting her hat and mask. “Hurry up.”

  “Just me and you?”

  Lin Wanqing stepped back warily. “What’re you pnning?”

  She retreated, then, feeling silly, added, “My agent, Sister Liu, too. She’s booked a private room.”

  “Why isn’t your agent with you?” Xu Nuo rubbed his nose, annoyed. It was the first time someone treated him like a creep.

  “She had stuff this afternoon. Besides, I graduated here—I’m fine as long as I’m careful.”

  “Alright, I’ll change and meet you.” Xu Nuo waved and headed to his dorm, leaving Lin Wanqing behind.

  Back in the dorm, “Sao Nan, bro!” Xu Nuo yelled, stripping off his clothes.

  “What’s up? Calling my soul back?” Yang Haonan emerged, hiking up his pants.

  “Taking you for a feast.” Xu Nuo swapped outfits in a fsh.

  Good bros stick together—if someone’s plotting against him, at least he’d have backup.

  “Sweet, bro!” Yang Haonan tagged along eagerly. “Where we eating?”

  “No clue.”

  “???” Yang Haonan stopped dead. “You messing with me?”

  “Let’s go!” Xu Nuo dragged him toward the gate.

  “Where to?” Yang Haonan grumbled, sulking.

  Xu Nuo ignored him, walking up behind Lin Wanqing. “Senior, ready?”

  “Yep.” She turned around.

  Yang Haonan’s eyes bulged like saucers. “Holy sh—”

  (End of Chapter)