Chapter 1043: NO.166: She's Still Just a High School Student

NO. 166: She's still just a high school student.

Soothing music, warm tones, rich coffee.

and a small space where one won't be disturbed.

Two long sofas surround a rectangular table, forming a small four-person enclosure; upon sitting, the strange patterns on the tabletop unfold, letting the distant murmurs and clinking of cups and plates fade away.

This is the perfect setting for conversation.

Although Aomo actually has a dark blue tail with a flame-like mane hanging from the redwood cabinet near Qieli Nína's back.

But it's better to pretend not to see it.

After all, that too is an image created by planting one's dreams to replace reality.

In other words, only beings like Zhouri Ningjing or Mancheng Chazuo that can sense the emanations of soul and spirit could perceive it; otherwise, only he himself could see it.

So there's no need to worry; it won't change the current situation.

After all, at this point Qieli Nína is the challenger.

This is not only because the confessor equals the suitor, naturally putting them at a disadvantage, but also because, after two days, Qieli Nína, who couldn't possibly be fully prepared, might have second thoughts.

These two points, when Aomo directly brought Xin Tiao Xi, who had just left school not long ago, added a third, most important point—a third party.

When the other party shows up with their girlfriend, most women will become masters of the international retreat drum.

Having a mind in complete chaos is normal, after all, Aomo's maneuver is something no normal man could do.

For quite a few women, this even feels like a clear sign of being eliminated.

But perhaps another group of women harbors hope.

Then comes the other party's sincere questioning.

Not a shred of hope can survive under that stern, dark red; speaking up requires not only the courage to oppose that oppression, but also facing the subtle glances of one's female companion.

Finally, it's the ethics and morality that form the foundation of one's worldview.

Thus, for the overwhelming majority of transmigrators from monogamous societies, it is truly a barrier hard to cross.

Frankly, bringing one's current girlfriend along, supposedly to make the other party refuse, is already excessive—it's outright an attempt to humiliate them.

But when he isn't silent and instead utters that question…

Qieli Nína merely fell silent for a moment under that demonic gaze, then spoke in a tone as if accepting a work assignment:

"I can."

Meeting those two pairs of dark red eyes, her blue‑gold shifting gaze showed not the slightest waver.

"I like you; this isn't impulse or illusion—I want to hear your answer."

There was no fierce expression, no timid whisper; Xin Tiao Xi had never seen such candid yet calm emotional expression.

It was so calm, utterly without ripple, not even enough to disturb the other guests leisurely spending the evening indoors.

At that moment, aside from surprise, she also felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.

No need to ponder; when she turned her head to the little snake beside her, she understood where that familiarity came from.

His sharply defined side profile remained unchanged, not forgetting himself despite the lovely female colleague's affection; in fact, his expression hadn't changed at all—only the sternness in his eyes had faded, replaced by the same calm as hers.

Calm yet earnest, for the words he was about to speak, Xi had known ten hours earlier—that they were his tenderness, and also his cruelty.

He said: "My answer is that I also like you, no need to deny it."

Though his embrace once made her blush and race her heartbeat—undoubtedly a sign of affection—how much of that affection is lust, even the computational power of Jierbalisi couldn't dissect that flutter.

Because there's no formula for it.

Even the most rational, calm mind harbors worries that can't be dissected—such worries are proof of affection.

If he were to date anyone based on that flutter, his list of potential partners would be far too long.

So many that he couldn't afford the plans he'd made.

So he would also say: "But you also know I'm currently dating Xi."

"This relationship isn't a fleeting impulse, and I don't intend to end it."

In the midst of their words, he looked at Xi, and the pink‑haired girl naturally looked back at him.

In that mutual gaze, Aomo suddenly reached out, firmly pulling her to his side with an unaccustomed hardness, pressing together on the bench, which also made Qieli Nína's eye twitch.

No matter how much mental preparation one makes or how seriously one adopts a fully armed stance, there will still be things hard to accept for a time.

Even though that is actually reasonable.

"So I was rejected?"

Her voice turned a little low, making even herself feel somewhat unfamiliar.

In her usual life, Qieli Nína Texas had many relaxed, happy, impatient, and annoyed moments, but this kind of sorrow felt like something from many years ago.

Besides the sorrow, however, there also seemed a hint of relief.

Thinking that even if rejected, it might also be a kind of relief.

However, she heard him say: "No."

"What?"

She looked at him as he turned to take the drink from the robot and hand it out to everyone—Aomo.

"Actually, I and Xi have had a discussion revolving around you." After handing out the drinks, the demon‑person returned to the topic, turned to look at the girl who was angry because he'd brought it up, then turned again to look at the puzzled wolf woman opposite.

"Many things in this world can be measured and compared, but emotions are abstract; their value depends only on the parties' perspective, so I made a bet with her."

"Ugh, little snake, let go!" As soon as Aomo mentioned this, Xi, who had not struggled before, shoved him away.

She also shifted her body to keep distance, not forgetting to grab her own latte.

Aomo, meanwhile, kept his hands slightly raised in a half‑hearted surrender from when she pushed him, gave a faint smile, then glanced at the wolf woman who closed her eyes in exasperation, as if saying, "What are you two messing around in front of me for?"

He lifted his coffee, continuing as if nothing had happened: "The bet is, when I assume the posture I had when I first arrived, will you just leave, scold me to leave, or answer my question sincerely, with an unchanged answer sheet."

"... So…" Qieli Nína looked at Aomo in astonishment.

"I bet the answer remains unchanged," Aomo replied firmly, meeting her gaze, "Besides that, all other possibilities, including your sincere answer but then saying you regret it, you don't like this possibility of mine, all options except you are her victory."

"If she wins, then for the next three months I must obey everything I say to her, as long as it doesn't violate federal law, listening and complying, with absolutely no resistance."

"But if I win…" He turned his head toward Xintiao Qian, who had taken out her phone and now completely didn't want to look this way.

Now that it's come to this, why put on that sour face again? Clearly you were silent before, saying you wanted to give others a show of force, which was somewhat naive, and you clearly know it's useless, right?

Actually, it's kinda cute, this awkwardness.

He turned his head to look at Qieli Naina: "Promiscuity is absolutely not a lifestyle worth advocating; it's neither efficient nor can it be completely stable, and I certainly don't want to go that far."

"But we should give a woman who dares to break through numerous obstacles to express her affection a chance."

"Clearly it's Xiao She being greedy, wanting to learn from the male lead of a harem light novel, you shrimp-head!"

Having learned who-knows-where this term that's only used when you mistype with a simple input method, and Xintiao Qian pronounces it perfectly, she's still burying her head, cheeks puffed, poking at her phone,

"Or perhaps just as she said," Aomo chuckled, nodded, and turned back to look at the somewhat flustered Qieli Naina, "but I really don't want to cut off a feeling that, after careful consideration, she still chose to express."

What would happen if an iron tree bloomed and then was snapped off?

He didn't want to think about that possibility, because it's based on his own refusal, denying the other's courage and also denying his own past flutter.

Clearly he had already prepared himself, and the other side had done the same.

And those who hadn't prepared…

He raised his hand and pulled Qian back again.

This time, although the other side was still unwilling, they didn't roughly shake off.

She's the same.

"If you hesitated even a little, I wouldn't have to do this!" Qian glared at Qieli Naina.

But the fact is, there was no hesitation.

Faced with these two people who are so similar, so in sync, and even have a bit of a two‑arrow dynamic, even if I firmly disagreed, how good could the outcome possibly be?

Miss Qian is still alone, leaning against the heavy door, trying to seal off all the 'bastards' who want to snatch Xiao She.

And Qieli Naina, who isn't very close to everyone, is diligent at work, and doesn't have much free time, is already a passable choice, tentatively acceptable.

At this point, Qian is quite clear‑headed and rational, but even so she still has to put on a senior's airs and moreover display disgust and rejection!

Put on an act? No need to act! I'm just pissed!!

Although I had already prepared for this situation while chatting with Liu Hua at Cuckoo Terrace earlier, but…

Being mentally prepared ≠ actually feeling good when it happens.

What 'welcome sisters'? It doesn't exist; I've already messaged Suzi‑chan to report the current progress, and in my mind I'm already plotting how I must eat Xiao She tonight.

Obviously I got there first but then the other side snatched something—this kind of thing I don't want! It'll definitely get me nailed to the pillar of shame and laughed at by everyone!!

After doing something like this today, Xiao She is no ordinary little snake anymore; we must bring out the heavy fists!!

But the urgent thing is, after all, we still need to nip any over‑the‑line contact that these two, just having established a relationship, are about to engage in.

One a Baud person, one an Intro District person—any overly rapid intimate contact, she absolutely says no!

Sharing a bed and blanket? Even more absolutely unacceptable!!

—

Thirteen hours later.

Waking from a drowse, Xintiao Qian gazed at the sliver of sunlight seeping through the curtain gap, stared for a few seconds, then dazedly turned her head to look at the two people silently dressing themselves, and couldn't help covering her face.

Come on, say something!!

"Good morning?" Qieli Naina rubbed her still‑drowsy head, "Right, do you have any pantyhose I can wear here?"

And Aomo's hand paused while buttoning his vest: '…Sorry, I went a bit overboard last night.'

Not talking about that!

Qian screamed, her face flushed red.