If the Rule Dominator were to add a favorability bar beneath the level display, Su Yun was certain that Mo Qingqing’s favor toward him would be at least forty by now.
That meant he could finally use more methods with confidence, without trembling like before, afraid that one wrong step would earn him scolding or a beating.
And since he had just received a reward, using “thanking Master for her generosity” as an excuse to cling closer would not arouse suspicion.
After all, in the eyes of outsiders, he was nothing more than a delicately carved little creature with fox ears and a fluffy tail. No matter how one looked at him, he seemed childlike. Even if he acted clingy, others would simply see it as a pet’s dependence on its owner.
No one would suspect that within this youthful body resided a soul that had lived two lifetimes.
If his true thoughts were ever exposed…
The favorability would likely drop to zero in an instant.
And raising it again would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.
Thus, Su Yun began phase two of his strategy: the cling approach.
When Mo Qingqing read in the study, he would stand quietly behind her, using his soft, pale hands to gently knead her shoulders. The pressure was neither too light nor too heavy, just enough to ease the soreness from sitting too long. His fluffy tail would occasionally brush against her arm, bringing a faint, soft sensation.
During meals, he always seemed able to anticipate her needs precisely, handing her utensils in advance, refilling drinks, even cutting food into bite-sized pieces and arranging them neatly.
When Mo Qingqing went to bathe, he would follow voluntarily, holding a soft bath cloth to scrub her back. His small fingertips would slide through her deep purple hair, washing it gently.
His movements were always meticulous and tender, doing everything possible to give her the utmost comfort.
At bedtime, he became like an overly attached pink-and-blue Samoyed.
Without waiting to be called, he would slip into her arms, bury his head in the crook of her neck, and lightly wrap his tail around her waist.
Then he would use his fluffy little head to nuzzle softly against her chin or stomach.
Even at school, he did not slow down.
Bringing lunch became even more proactive.
After each of Mo Qingqing’s intermediate classes ended, she could always spot that pink-and-blue figure waiting at the entrance of the academic building.
Su Yun would arrive several minutes early, holding warm food in his hands. His ears stood upright, and the moment he saw her, his eyes would light up. He would run over with his tail wagging happily, greeting her in a soft, sweet voice.
“Master, Master, look, the food is still warm!”
Yet while currying favor, Su Yun did not forget to subtly display knowledge and insight from another world.
He wanted Mo Qingqing to remember constantly that he was completely different from those ignorant masses.
So that she would never again subconsciously treat him like some stray by the roadside…
He did not wish to experience that a second time.
After repeating this for several days, Su Yun could clearly feel Mo Qingqing’s attitude softening.
Her words, once cold and commanding, had become gentler. Most of the time, they spoke normally.
Occasionally, she would even scratch lightly under his chin with her fingertip.
When touching his ears or tail, she used much less force.
In the past, she treated him only as a pillow to arrange at will. Now, before sleeping, she would gently smooth his fur and even ask,
“Were you bullied at the academy today?”
Sure enough, no one disliked someone who was obedient, compliant, and capable of bringing novelty.
Su Yun understood clearly that Mo Qingqing could no longer treat him purely as a pet.
Perhaps, in her heart, he had already “taken on human form,” becoming a special existence worthy of serious regard.
Since he had long known that witches tended to think more highly of those with foresight and ideas, Su Yun naturally would not miss this opportunity.
During his years of wandering, he had witnessed the warmth and coldness of human nature, seen through its complexity, and learned how to win over different kinds of people.
Now, equipped with a face cute beyond reason and a fluffy tail capable of striking directly at one’s heart, his progress was naturally twice as effective with half the effort.
If witches were not so unpredictable, with moods that shifted between good and bad—
Had it been an ordinary wealthy young lady, he would have secured her completely by now.
Both Su Yun and Mo Qingqing were satisfied with the current changes. One had successfully raised the favorability and gained a relatively stable situation.
The other enjoyed attentive care and found her mood constantly lifted by Su Yun.
Only one person was not happy.
Chu Yu’er.
A similarly fluffy little raccoon.
In class, she sat beside Su Yun, puffing out her round cheeks. Her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt, and her furry round ears drooped as she struggled to find the courage to speak.
For several days now, her relationship with Su Yun had remained stuck at the stage of “eating lunch together,” without the slightest progress.
She wanted to say more.
But every time, the words reached her lips and then vanished.
She wanted to talk with Su Yun more.
She wanted to invite him out to play.
Yet she feared that one poorly chosen sentence would make him unhappy.
That the fragile friendship she had finally built would collapse in an instant.
What frustrated her even more was that, out of nowhere, two additional people had inserted themselves.
One was Su Miaomiao, with short cyan hair streaked with faint pink strands.
She looked extremely timid, speaking in a soft, gentle voice barely louder than a mosquito. If anyone so much as glanced at her, she would blush all the way to her neck.
She was Su Qiuyue’s biological younger sister. Worried that she might be bullied at the academy and knowing Su Yun had a mild temperament, Su Qiuyue had asked him to look after her.
Seeing her timid appearance reminded Su Yun of his former self, so he readily agreed.
Of course, he did not dare refuse either.
The other was Ning Ye, with long golden hair.
She always wore an exquisite mage robe, carrying herself with the air of a noble young lady.
She was the very one who had confronted Chu Yu’er on the first day of class.
In truth, she was not bad at heart. She simply thought Su Yun was incredibly good-looking. His pink-and-blue hair and tail struck her deeply, and she wanted to be friends as well—but she had no idea how to say it.
After noticing Chu Yu’er constantly clinging to Su Yun these past few days, she grew anxious and awkwardly inserted herself.
Though her face showed little expression, she forced a coquettish tone and tugged at Su Yun’s sleeve, whispering, “I want to play with you too.”
The sight resembled a character from a comic Su Yun had read in his previous life—someone crying expressionlessly while acting cute, creating a strangely endearing contrast.
Su Yun felt his scalp tingle.
Especially considering Ning Ye’s identity.
The Rule Dominator’s only daughter.
An only child.
He immediately forgave her stiff attempt at acting cute.
This was a living ancestor who had to be treated with utmost care.
So what if she could not act cute properly?
Was one expecting a princess to bow her head and flatter others?
That would be utterly inappropriate.
Su Yun could even sense that the Rule Dominator’s gaze might be lingering nearby. After all, it was his only daughter’s first time actively making friends. Extra attention was only natural.
If Su Yun made the slightest suspicious move, he might not even know how he died.
So he obediently followed Ning Ye’s wishes and allowed her to join the small circle he shared with Chu Yu’er.
At worst, it was just one more child to look after.
It was not exactly difficult.