Chapter 96

“Sharky! Can’t you see that super hot guy over there?!”

Ruby, seeing Ai Lian’s blank, unreactive face, wanted to jump up and stomp her feet, silently pointing at Ye Qingfeng on stage, looking utterly exasperated.

Whether it was the boys at school or the handsome guys in videos, Ai Lian had never felt any attraction—not to her peers, not to older people, not even to cute little kids.

Ai Lian had never shown any interest.

If it weren’t for that time she’d sarcastically picked the guy over the girl when forced to choose, Ruby seriously suspected there was something wrong with her orientation!

“Meh.”

Ai Lian glanced at him briefly, then looked away, speaking casually in a flat tone.

She said that, but that man on stage… she felt like she’d seen him somewhere before, though she couldn’t recall where.

Since she couldn’t remember, she’d stop thinking—otherwise she’d need to replenish her sugar intake again!

“How come? I feel like…,” Ruby immediately questioned Ai Lian’s answer, tilting her head and pinching her chin as a memory slowly surfaced; she snapped her fingers and exclaimed, “Yes! Yes! He gives off this big-brother-next-door vibe—didn’t you see him smile? So incredibly gentle!”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah… ah～～h!”

Ai Lian squinted and let out a heavy yawn.

“Ai Lian! You’re brushing me off again!” Ruby pouted, poking the back of the seat in front of her. “Lin, back me up!”

A girl with thick bangs covering her forehead and round glasses slowly turned around, adjusted her glasses, and said in a calm, objective tone: “Mm! Definitely! If it’s out of ten, I’d give him nine. I’m into guys like this.”

Sitting beside Lin, a Niu Xi girl leaned back in her chair, its front legs lifted off the ground, not turning around: “True! And judging by his age, he’s probably around our age too—seems really easygoing. He’d be a great dating candidate.”

(Cowgirl: Meng Na, Glasses Girl: Lin, Energetic Blond: Ruby)

“See?” Ruby nodded happily in agreement, then turned to see Ai Lian sprawled on her desk, fast asleep; she sighed and pouted, but a moment later her eyes lit up again. She reached forward and poked both her best friends’ shoulders. When they turned to look…

“Shh—!”

Ruby held up a finger to her lips, pointing at Ye Qingfeng on stage, then at the dozing Ai Lian.

Meng Na and Lin instantly understood Ruby’s intent. They exchanged glances, smiled, and both gave her an OK sign.

About ten minutes later, Qing Yi and Ye Qingfeng’s performance ended perfectly. The classroom erupted in applause, like a rapid drumbeat. Ai Lian jolted awake amid the noise, glanced around, saw her classmates clapping, and, confused, raised her hands to join in.

“What’s going on? Are we not having class this afternoon?”

Ai Lian clapped while asking Ruby beside her.

But Ruby didn’t answer. Instead, she suddenly stood up, raised her right hand toward Ye Qingfeng on stage, and shouted: “My desk mate says she’s already mastered it! She really wants to come up and try!”

“No problem! Please, this student, come up.”

Ye Qingfeng smiled faintly and agreed to Ruby’s request.

Instantly, a chorus of grumbles rose through the classroom. Many girls shot envious glances at Ai Lian.

Sharky confused?

“R-Ruby! What are you talking about?!”

Suddenly under the full gaze of the class, Ai Lian’s pale face flushed pink. She lowered her head, tugged at Ruby’s sleeve, and stammered in a flustered, shy scold.

“Hehe! Ai Lian, no need to thank me!” Ruby grinned, stepping out of her seat and clearing the path to the stage for Ai Lian. “You might never get a chance like this again in your life!”

“I’ll thank you all right!”

Ai Lian shot Ruby a furious glare, stood up with gritted teeth, and as she passed her, retaliated by lightly swiping her tail across Ruby’s calf.

“Go on!”

Ruby, unfazed, gave Ai Lian another shove from behind.

Thus, Ai Lian walked up to the stage in utter confusion—she still had no idea what was happening, only that she’d been tricked up there by Ruby!

Thinking of it, Ai Lian glared again at Ruby below. In response, Ruby gave her a thumbs-up.

Ruby: Hehe! Go for it!

Ye Qingfeng hadn’t even needed to try his little trick yet—Ai Lian had already appeared before him thanks to her best friend’s sabotage.

Student Ai Lian

Short black hair with vivid red tips, giving her a strikingly individual look.

Bright, languid red eyes. Dressed in a youthful school uniform: a crisp white shirt with neatly buttoned collar, exuding innocence and freshness—and, incongruously, an unusually large bust for her age.

Paired with a black pleated mini-skirt, a black leather belt cinching her waist, black stockings hugging her curvy legs, and black leather shoes that highlighted her youthful energy.

Ye Qingfeng quickly glanced at Ai Lian, then subtly glanced at Qing Yi beside him, his eyes conveying quiet reassurance.

Qing Yi: Little thing, wait up! Don’t leave school or else!!

“What’s your name, student?”

Ye Qingfeng quietly activated Animal Charm Body, smiling warmly to project as much friendliness as possible.

He hadn’t fully explained the skill during the introduction! Animal Charm Body can be turned on or off at will, can target specific individuals, and most importantly, can adjust its intensity.

Without explicit settings, it defaults to a 100-meter radius centered on him, with full 100% effect—making him, to cats, a walking catnip that triggers an overwhelming possessive urge in those affected.

Ye Qingfeng immediately targeted the woman before him and adjusted the effect to 50%.

The moment it activated, listless Ai Lian snapped her head up, her gaze burning as she fixed it on Ye Qingfeng.

Why does he suddenly smell so good?!

【Ding! Ai Lian’s initial affinity: 10%】

【Affinity increased: 5%】

【Current affinity: 15%】

(All Niu Xi will gain +10% initial affinity toward the protagonist, regardless of activation status or gender! 100% will inevitably rush toward him; around 50% can still restrain themselves.)

“I… I’m Ai Lian Qiao…” Ai Lian bit her lip, her cheeks flushing slightly. She suppressed the sudden, fierce possessive urge rising in her chest, paused for a moment, then added, “Just call me Ai Lian!”

“Perfect! Student Ai Lian! There’s less than ten minutes left until dismissal. Shall I randomly pick one?” Ye Qingfeng nodded slightly, gazing into her vivid red eyes. “Is that alright?”