Chapter 37

Ye Qingfeng gritted his teeth and bit his tongue—a sharp pain snapped him back to reality, and he leapt up, shoving the person before him forward with both hands.

The sudden motion sent the unsuspecting figure stumbling backward.

Seizing the opportunity, Ye Qingfeng rose swiftly, his gaze sharp and wary as he fixed it on the other.

The figure before him lightly tapped the ground with her hands, twisted her waist with graceful ease, and her entire body arced through the air like a silken curve—two slender tails, like silk ribbons, swayed and fluttered with her spin.

She danced upon the stage like a ballerina, captivating all who watched with her ethereal beauty.

【Ding! Achievable target: Mao You, initial affinity: 10%】

【Animal Charm grants the target a default 10% initial affinity toward the host】

With the dim light, Ye Qingfeng finally made out the figure before him.

A cute girl with wheat-colored skin, dressed in red and black, standing at one meter fifty—undoubtedly a little loli.

Most crucially, the upright cat ears on her head and the two tails emerging from behind left no doubt: she was a Cat-Xi person.

Ye Qingfeng wiped his neck with his sleeve, his eyes never leaving Mao You. “Don’t you have any shame?!”

“I... I don’t know why...” Mao You mumbled, head bowed, then suddenly snapped it up, her eyes brimming with possessiveness. “But you smell so good!!”

Hmm? Wait—I think I get it now!

Mao You planted her hands on the ground, assuming a combat stance, then lunged forward with a powerful thrust of her paws.

Sweat broke on Ye Qingfeng’s brow as he sidestepped—“System! Disable Animal Charm!”

【Ding! Animal Charm disabled】

Mao You’s eyes suddenly cleared; she turned slowly, gazing at Ye Qingfeng with utter confusion.

Flashbacks of the previous moments flooded her mind—her cheeks instantly flushed crimson. “W-what did you do to me?!”

“I’m the victim here! You’re asking me?!”

Only then did Mao You realize—her burning anger vanished instantly, yet her blush deepened, even redder than before.

She stole glances at Ye Qingfeng—his face alone was already very handsome, but...

His scent was so nice >3<

Though the scent had faded now, she could never forget the aroma that had drifted from him just now.

【Ding! Mao You’s affinity increased by 5%, current affinity: 15%】

Mao You involuntarily drew closer to Ye Qingfeng, circling him repeatedly, pausing now and then to sniff at him with her nose.

Meow! There’s another cat’s scent on him! A cheating cat!!

Her pupils shrank instantly into thin vertical slits.

Ye Qingfeng tensed as Mao You approached, fearing she’d pounce again—he instinctively stepped back two paces, then steadied himself when he realized she meant no harm.

But when he saw her next move, his body froze. “What are you doing now?!”

Mao You snapped out of it, blushing furiously as she stepped back two paces, bowed deeply before Ye Qingfeng, her tongue stumbling over the words:

“I... I’m sorry! I... I’ll take responsibility!!”

!!!

Ye Qingfeng had assumed it was due to the Animal Charm—but he’d already turned it off! This Cat-Xi person named Mao You still craved his body!

His first thought was still the Animal Charm—he simply couldn’t believe any girl would desire him for himself.

Aside from his looks, he had nothing!

You ask why no girl would fall for him at first sight?

Didn’t I look exactly like this before I was reincarnated? Why, after nineteen years, did I still have no girlfriend?

He’d once asked an old man who claimed to be a love expert this very question.

His answer was:

“Of course it’s because you’re broke! What else could it be?! Do you think just because you’ve got a male lead script and a handsome face, girls will throw themselves at you?”

Money plus anything else is an absolute kill.

Ye Qingfeng didn’t fully believe it, but he understood one thing: if a girl suddenly shows interest in you, fine—if it’s just your heart she wants. But what if she’s after your money?

In the end, you’d lose both your heart and your wallet.

Like when someone gives you food, you fear it’s poisoned—but if you go to them and ask for food, even if they’re forced to give it, you know it’s safe.

Same logic: you can’t be sure if another’s affection is real or fake.

Of course, Ye Qingfeng didn’t know this logic didn’t apply in this world—and just because it hadn’t happened before didn’t mean it couldn’t now, especially since he had a System!

“Wait! Wait a minute! It’s partly my fault too! Don’t blame yourself!” Ye Qingfeng hurriedly explained, speaking in a conciliatory tone. “How about we both step back? Let’s just go our separate ways now?”

At the same time, he demanded of the System: “What’s going on with the Animal Charm? Is there some lingering effect?!”

...Furious!

【No! It’s been fully disabled! Can you stop asking the System about everything?! I’m a System, not an encyclopedia!】

Why get so angry... with such a childish tone...

“I... don’t have a home anymore...”

Thinking of the current state of the Red Fang Gang, Mao You felt a pang in her chest. Her eyes lowered, her clenched fists slowly uncurled, her voice calm as water yet heavy with despair.

“I...”

Ye Qingfeng stared at her, mouth slightly open—he believed this feeling couldn’t be faked.

His trembling right hand tried to override his brain’s command, reaching to slap his own face—I’m such a bastard!

“What’s your name?”

Ye Qingfeng calmed himself slightly, then picked up several cans scattered on the ground.

“Mao...” Mao You hesitated mid-sentence, then continued. “Just call me Mao You...”

Grrrrl—

The moment she finished speaking, her stomach, empty for a full day, let out a soft, unmistakable rumble.

In the silent alley, she knew he’d heard it—her fading blush returned instantly, spreading across her cheeks and all the way to her ear tips.

Ah...! I want to die... but I’m so hungry! Should I run away now? Or...?

“These were meant for that little cat just now—since it ran off, here, have them. Tuna cans.” Ye Qingfeng offered two cans with a sincere smile. “I only planned to buy one, but the convenience store had a buy-two-get-one deal.”

“Mmm... really?”

The moment she heard “tuna,” Mao You’s eyes lit up—her drooping ears shot upright. She didn’t notice; she longed to shove the tuna straight into her mouth, yet she felt too shy to accept something from another.

“Of course! Eat up—hunger’s awful.”

Ye Qingfeng stepped forward and shoved both cans into her hands.

“Thank you so much!”