Chapter 19: You’re Famous

Li Zhi Ran’s sudden pivot nearly tied Xu Lin’s brain in knots.

Seeing his shock, she explained.

“Young hero, this isn’t a whim.

“First, living together lets us discuss and research witch matters conveniently.

“Second, though you’re healthy now, you shouldn’t contact the Gravity Witch too often. Before meeting her, prepare thoroughly.

“So limit school to classes, and live off-campus to avoid unprepared encounters.

“Given the first reason, off-campus, you should stay with me.

“Finally, as partners against witches, we can look out for each other.”

“So, young hero, living together is beneficial.”

Beneficial? In a way, yes.

Xu Lin sighed inwardly at her detailed reasoning.

If she offered this to others, guys would fight to take it.

“But, Witch Excellency, you’re a witch too.

“I’m affected by your magic. Long-term proximity could lead to unpredictable issues.”

[Electrowave] was milder than [Heavy Girl’s Gravity Field] or [Heavy Girl’s Love], and it faded on its own.

But who knows if prolonged exposure would evolve it into something terrifying.

Xu Lin feared he couldn’t handle it—definitely not that kind of “handle.”

Li Zhi Ran fell silent, head lowered in thought.

“You’re right. I was careless.”

She nodded.

Smart people are easy to talk to.

“Then in a while, once I’m ready, you can move in!”

Still moving in?!

Ready? Ready for what?

“Since my magic affects you, I’ll take my leave. Young hero, be careful not to run into the Gravity Witch on your way back.”

With calm words, she turned and left.

Her face remained cool, but her retreating back somehow seemed lonely to Xu Lin.

Free from both tag holders’ influence, Xu Lin felt physically lighter.

Yet his heart wasn’t much relieved.

He stared where Li Zhi Ran had gone.

Eventually, he left the park.

※

…

“Third, you’re back early?”

In the dorm, his roommates paused their activities, looking surprised and puzzled.

“It’s nearly evening—early?”

The three exchanged glances.

“Still pretending.”

They spoke in unison, smirking knowingly.

The eldest stood, slinging an arm around Xu Lin’s shoulder. The others crowded in.

“You hid it well.”

The eldest lowered his voice, like sharing a secret.

“Not just department beauty Lin Shen Xue—even the infamous witch senior is close to you.”

“I’m not that kind of close with the witch senior.”

“Not that kind? I’ve never heard of her being touchy with any guy.”

“Yeah, most can’t even get a word with her!”

The others chimed in.

As expected.

Xu Lin felt helpless.

No matter how he explained, his image with Li Zhi Ran was set.

“But don’t worry, we three won’t curse you like the others. We’re roommates, after all.”

Seeming to notice his helplessness, the eldest patted his shoulder reassuringly.

“Curse?”

Xu Lin was baffled.

The three looked at each other, then relaxed.

“No wonder you don’t know.”

Second spoke, grinning.

“Third, you’re famous on Nangang’s confession wall!”

Fourth continued, shoving his phone forward.

The screen showed a photo taking up most of it.

Li Zhi Ran in witch garb, dragging Xu Lin away.

She looked grave; he looked panicked.

“This is from earlier?”

“Third, check the comments.”

Fourth scrolled, revealing tens of thousands.

The comments…

[Who’s that random guy daring to touch my Witch Goddess’s hand?!]

[Touch? She’s pulling him!]

[woc, it’s the witch senior—kidnapping a guy in public?]

[I wanna be kidnapped by her too~]

[Wake up, guys—here’s my 滋~]

A row of wake-up emojis.

[Why’s she so serious and he’s panicking?]

[Did he cheat and get caught?]

[Even the witch senior gets cheated on? That guy’s scum! If I were her girlfriend, I’d be loyal forever.]

[Wait, a girl commented?]

Scrolling down: shock, jealousy, envy, rage.

…

[I’ve read tons—nobody says who the guy is. Our school?]

[Isn’t that the guy sitting with Goddess Shen Xue today?]

[(shocked emoji) What about Goddess Shen Xue?]

[Where’s my Goddess Luo Qiu Zhu to punish him?!]

[You again—claiming Goddess Luo Qiu Zhu too? Everyone, 滋 him!]

…Oddly, no one named Xu Lin.

But with that photo, his face was famous at Nangang University.

The roommates watched Xu Lin’s reaction.

But strangely, they didn’t see the expected panic.

“Third, truly a master—still so calm.”

Unable to fathom it, they could only praise him.

Xu Lin’s face was neutral, but inside, he was bitter.

Morning him would’ve freaked at the mob.

His bitterness wasn’t the fame—it was that he felt nothing special.

He’d faced worse; this was nothing.

※

Others noticed the confession wall uproar too.

“Isn’t that Brother Lin?”

On the school field.

A lively girl, post-run, wiped sweat and stared at her phone, shocked.

…

In Lin Shen Xue and Luo Qiu Zhu’s shared apartment.

Luo Qiu Zhu gripped her phone tighter at the photo of Xu Lin being pulled by Li Zhi Ran, the device creaking.

“So intimate—they are a couple!”

Good thing Shen Xue didn’t check these things.

But the news was too widespread; it’d reach her eventually.

Then it’d be unmanageable.

Luo Qiu Zhu scrolled, downvoting a comment about Xu Lin with Lin Shen Xue, upvoting one calling for her to punish him.

“Gotta end this fast!”

She opened WeChat, tapped a contact, and sent a message.