Chapter 39: Zhou Yu

The sudden scream startled Ning Chuxue and Ying.

A girl with short blue hair, black pupils, and wearing a school uniform stepped out from behind the curtains.

At the same time, from the other curtain, a black-haired girl followed behind her.

But unlike the short-haired girl, she wasn’t as lively. Her shy demeanor made her more suited to being a wallflower.

“Xiaoyu?”

After a long moment, Ying finally recovered.

Looking at the girl she called “Xiaoyu,” Ying felt both startled and surprised.

The girl wasn’t wearing a coat. She had on a white shirt with a black bow tie and a pure black knee-length skirt.

This girl was Zhou Yu, a member of the Eclectic Studies Society, and also the class monitor for both Ying and Ning Chuxue.

After getting to know her, Ying had instinctively given her the nickname “Xiaoyu” because it was easier to remember and felt less distant.

“What’s wrong? You look surprised.”

Zhou Yu walked over to Ying and, without any awkwardness, helped smooth down her sticking-up hair.

But after several attempts, that stubborn tuft of hair still stood upright.

“Weren’t you in the classroom?”

“I can use magic. I just chant a spell and teleport here.”

Zhou Yu joked mysteriously, even wetting her fingers to try again to flatten that defiant strand.

One last try. The tuft still stood up.

Zhou Yu was completely out of ideas.

“If magic really existed, I’d be a Great Magician by now.”

“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about that. I’m more curious about that tuft of hair on your head. Can’t it be pressed down?”

“Huh?”

Ying turned her head, looking oddly at Zhou Yu, who was standing behind her and fiddling with her hair.

“Why are you studying that?”

“Just tell me first.”

“I don’t know.”

Ying really didn’t know. It had been like that ever since she woke up today.

She had tried several times, but it just wouldn’t go down.

Although hair gel could forcibly fix it,

Ying hadn’t used any. She had never been someone who cared much about her appearance, nor was she worried about how others saw her, so she wasn’t anxious about it.

“Maybe you slept on it wrong?”

Zhou Yu offered her judgment.

She had experienced something similar before.

“Forget that for now. Why did Xiaonuo follow along too?”

Before Ying could answer, Zhou Yu changed the subject as quickly as a face-changing act.

That change of topic was as fast as someone worried about their mortgage and car loan suddenly learning they’d won a million in the lottery.

Her casual address silenced Ning Chuxue.

Why had the nickname “Xiaonuo,” which had nothing to do with her name, spread so widely?

Even Zhou Yu, a complete stranger, was using it now.

“Xiaoyu, put Xiaonuo aside for now. Tell me first, why did you get here so fast?”

“So you actually care about that?”

Zhou Yu put on another expression, a bit smug.

“Actually, I came out with you guys.”

“Together? But I didn’t see you when I came out.”

“How could you see me?”

Zhou Yu rolled her eyes at Ying, then explained everything in detail.

Starting from the conversation in the classroom, Zhou Yu had been watching the two of them.

Then she accidentally overheard something about joining the Eclectic Studies Society. Out of curiosity, she secretly followed them.

After learning that their destination was indeed the Eclectic Studies Society, a clever idea popped into her head.

So she took a shortcut, dodged them, and arrived at the club classroom ahead of time.

By coincidence, Su Tang was also there.

Su Tang was the black-haired girl standing behind Zhou Yu.

So she locked the club classroom door in advance, discussed it with Su Tang, and they each hid behind a curtain.

When Ying came in, they would suddenly appear and scare her.

The plan went smoothly, successfully startling Ying and Ning Chuxue.

It also lightened the mood a bit.

“I knew you were full of tricks,”

Ying said reproachfully, but without any surprise.

After everything was explained, Zhou Yu didn’t keep wasting time on Ying.

Instead, she curiously went over to Ning Chuxue.

Ning Chuxue felt uncomfortable, not daring to meet Zhou Yu’s gaze directly.

Technically, this was her second time interacting with Zhou Yu, but Ning Chuxue’s timid nature never gave her the courage to be bold.

“Xiaonuo actually volunteered to join a club? I thought you liked being a wallflower.”

Zhou Yu stopped beside her, looking over Ning Chuxue, who barely reached her shoulder.

She had to admit, Ning Chuxue’s appearance made Zhou Yu envious.

A youthful face, hair as soft and flowing as silver silk, and clothes that looked quite expensive.

“I—I am…”

Faced with Zhou Yu’s scrutiny, Ning Chuxue involuntarily shrank back, stammering as she tried to explain her reason for coming.

But because she was so nervous, she nearly bit her tongue.

“Don’t bully Xiaonuo.”

Ying stepped in to save the situation.

“She’s here to join the club.”

Zhou Yu turned back to look at her.

“So you haven’t forgotten about that? Then why don’t you take Xiaonuo to rest first?”

“Huh?”

Ying looked at Zhou Yu aggrievedly.

“Weren’t you the one who kept chatting with me and leaving Xiaonuo aside?”

Zhou Yu wanted to argue further, but after thinking about it, she realized that was true.

From the prank at the beginning to the endless chatter afterward, she had dragged Ying into conversation and left Ning Chuxue out.

It really was her fault.

“Wow, why didn’t you say so earlier?”

After understanding the cause and effect, Zhou Yu didn’t dare to delay.

She acted familiar, took Ning Chuxue’s hand, and led her toward the long table at the back.

From start to finish, Ning Chuxue had no idea what was happening.

She was completely in the dark and confused.

After settling Ning Chuxue down at the table, Zhou Yu took a piece of cake from a nearby cabinet and placed it in front of her.

“Xiaonuo, don’t be polite. There’s more in the cabinet if you want. You can help yourself.”

Ning Chuxue stared at the cake, shrinking her hands back shyly.

She didn’t eat the cake. In fact, in this completely unfamiliar environment, facing two strangers she didn’t know, she had no appetite.

“Th—thank you.”

Ning Chuxue clenched her hands, fidgeting nervously.

Her hands rested awkwardly on her lap.

Facing Zhou Yu, who was so enthusiastic and familiar with everyone, Ning Chuxue never found the courage to bring up joining the club.

But fortunately, she had a spokesperson.

Ying walked over.

“It’s okay for Xiaonuo to join the club, right?”

“Of course.”

After settling Ning Chuxue, Zhou Yu answered without much thought.

“If anyone disagrees, I’ll be the first to get angry.”

“It’s been so long since we had a new member. Ever since the club was founded, we haven’t recruited anyone new. It’s so boring.”