She knew this would happen.
She should have just walked out at the start.
It’s all her fault for being so timid.
Now, after hearing so much, if she were to walk out, wouldn’t she be killed by their glares?
Su Yao tried to imagine what would happen if she pushed open the door now.
First, the entire bathroom would fall silent at her entrance.
Then, under the gaze of all the girls, she’d walk to the sink to wash her hands…
Uh, scratch that step. Better to skip straight to the part where she slinks away in embarrassment.
Just picturing the scene made Su Yao feel awkward and uncomfortable all over.
She figured she could wait a bit longer.
Surely this group wouldn’t stay here too long—they’d have to go somewhere else eventually.
Still, she silently prayed for them to leave quickly.
The girls chatted on, the topic shifting from gossip to the upcoming Performance, and Su Yao overheard this sentence.
“Xiaoxiao, aren’t you going to perform on stage? We’ll come support you then.”
“Don’t mention it, just the thought makes me angry!”
“Huh? Xiaoxiao, you’re going on stage? Shouldn’t that be something to be happy about? What’s going on?”
The chubby girl glanced at Jiang Xiaoxiao, who had superior looks.
Not many got to appear in the Performance; she knew her own limitations and had no hopes of being on stage.
But Jiang Xiaoxiao was different—the girl was way better off.
In her eyes, Jiang Xiaoxiao might not be the campus beauty, but in the department, she was top-tier.
Her looks were undeniable.
If she appeared on stage, how long would the line of admirers be?
Just thinking about it made her envious.
If only she had that face and figure.
So how did it become something that wasn’t even allowed to be mentioned?
Everyone else felt the same—being on stage was a good thing, any bit of recognition was great.
Jiang Xiaoxiao squinted, looking at the three sisters always hanging around her.
They all looked far worse in appearance and family background, so she couldn’t help but lift her proud head higher.
None of them were even in her class, so she let out the resentment bottled up inside her.
“My class is performing a Fairy Tale Play, you know? I was supposed to play the Queen, but that Yun Qing changed the script and now I have to play the Ugly Witch!
And that Luo Yu, the costume she made is hideous—pitch black, the skirt drags on the ground, and a huge hat covers my face. Nobody would even recognize me on stage.”
After venting, Jiang Xiaoxiao felt much better.
When she stopped, the ugly ducklings around her immediately started defending her as if ready to tear Yun Qing and Luo Yu apart.
But their words weren’t really sincere—mostly flattery to cheer Jiang Xiaoxiao up.
They said that someone like Jiang should be playing the princess, not the ugly role.
They criticized Yun Qing for writing a bad script and deliberately making things difficult for Jiang Xiaoxiao, calling her petty and mean-spirited!
As for Luo Yu, they said if she wasn’t capable, she shouldn’t take on such work, or she deserved the scolding!
Their words delighted Jiang Xiaoxiao so much she giggled nonstop.
But the script was written by Su Yao, and these words passed through the wall and straight into her ears.
It was basically a direct attack, but kind of not, since they were cursing Yun Qing by name.
Su Yao actually agreed with the sentiment that Yun Qing was a petty little b*tch.
Behind the door, Su Yao’s gaze darkened slightly.
Jiang Xiaoxiao said Su Yao had changed her role to one that couldn’t show off, so she was resentful, and Su Yao could accept that.
But Jiang Xiaoxiao’s complaint about Luo Yu’s costume being ugly made Su Yao a bit angry.
Having spent these days with Luo Yu, although they weren’t exactly friends, they had secretly chatted every day, building a small friendship.
Luo Yu once told her that all those costumes were rushed through by staying up late, that they were her hard work, her creations—though her skills were average—and hoped Su Yao wouldn’t laugh at her.
Though Luo Yu said it lightly, Su Yao could see the passion in her eyes.
Those costumes were Luo Yu’s works, and Su Yao was also a creator.
She understood Luo Yu’s longing for recognition.
Besides, Luo Yu’s online name was Ying Yang Kuai Xian, an old reader of Su Yao’s books who often left encouraging comments praising Teacher Mantou, urging her to keep writing.
It was obvious she was saddened by how often Teacher Mantou had been absent, and as Teacher Mantou herself, Su Yao naturally felt a twinge of guilt.
Now, her friend’s hard work was being belittled by others, and Su Yao was really annoyed.
Plus, it made her stay here so long!
In her extreme anger, Su Yao flushed the toilet.
With the sound of rushing water, she slowly opened the stall door.
Suppressing her fear, she first reached out to grip the edge, then mustering courage, stepped out—only to find no one outside…
“?”
Su Yao tilted her head in confusion.
In the corridor, Jiang Xiaoxiao was running fast.
The sudden sound of flushing had scared her, then the door opening slowly frightened her even more.
Earlier, in the dormitory, a roommate had told her about a new creepy urban legend at University X, specifically about the women’s bathroom in the activity teaching building.
As soon as she thought about it, Jiang Xiaoxiao got scared and ran.
Her group of friends panicked and followed after her.
The corridor was empty, leaving only Su Yao alone, and she started to feel nervous.
She thought maybe she had encountered a ghost.
The more she thought about such things, the more frightened she became.
The cold wind howled, whether from an open window somewhere or just Su Yao’s imagination—it sounded like wailing.
The chill made her shiver, and she quickly ran away, sprinting down the corridor as if escaping for her life.
Students lingering in the hallway first saw Jiang Xiaoxiao running down and didn’t think much of it.
Then a few girls ran down hurriedly, making them a bit uneasy.
When Su Yao rushed down, they really got a little scared.
“What… what’s going on?”
After 9 p.m., the entire building was deserted and shabby.
It felt like stepping back more than ten years.
The corridor was lit only by the eerie green glow of emergency exit signs.
The longer she looked, the more sinister it seemed…
Feeling increasingly frightened, she thought she still had something unfinished to do.
Better get back to the dorm quickly.
With that thought, her pace quickened.
Running against the wind, the gusts grew stronger.
With the arrival of the twelfth lunar month, winter became even colder.
Running in this weather was tough, but Su Yao was desperate to reach the meeting spot with Mu Nanqiu.
She had kept Mu Nanqiu waiting a long time.
Although she knew Mu Nanqiu wouldn’t be mad at her for being late, Su Yao couldn’t bring herself to accept such forgiveness calmly.
So even sweating, she didn’t stop.
Soon, she saw the black car and Mu Nanqiu waiting by it.
Without hesitation, Su Yao ran straight to Mu Nanqiu and threw herself into her arms, causing Mu Nanqiu to stagger back a few steps.
Su Yao wrapped her arms around senior’s neck, smiling foolishly at her.
Mu Nanqiu blinked in surprise—today’s Su Yao was unusually lively, not like her usual self.
But seeing Su Yao’s change brought her more comfort.
The girl had finally learned to initiate hugs.
She was very pleased.
Mu Nanqiu reached out to embrace Su Yao’s waist, gently stroking her hair as she smiled.
“Don’t worry, I won’t leave you alone, Yao Yao.”
“Mm.”
Leaning on Mu Nanqiu’s shoulder, Su Yao softly replied.
After a warm moment together, they got into the car.
Inside the car was a faint fragrance—that was Mu Nanqiu’s perfume drifting around.
Once the car started moving, Mu Nanqiu glanced at Su Yao and said,
“Yao Yao, remember what we have to do tomorrow, right?”
“1219!”
Su Yao turned her head to look at Mu Nanqiu’s profile, smiling as she replied,
“Take photos of senior, then sneak out to go shopping together!”
Buzz buzz buzz~ The phone screen lit up, showing the third ringing of the day.
A slender arm stretched out from under a white comforter, reaching to fumble for the phone.
Unfortunately, it didn’t find it.
Apparently annoyed by the ringing, the girl poked her head out of the warm, cozy bed.
Her hair was messy, and her exquisite face still had eyes tightly shut.
Mu Nanqiu rubbed her tired eyes.
Her eyelids felt heavy, so she only opened one eye to see where the phone was.
Then, with lightning speed, she grabbed the phone and pulled it back under the covers before it could respond.
Yawning, she double-tapped to light up the screen.
The wallpaper was a selfie of a girl wearing a black camisole dress.
Mu Nanqiu smiled while looking at it and buried the phone on her chest.
After a little more sleep, this cold and aloof senior, known as the Literature Department Goddess at school, finally got up and stared at her tousled hair.
No choice—beauty had to be crafted.
Mu Nanqiu opened her wardrobe, picking out some warm clothes to change out of the overly cute strawberry print pajamas.
You might say, “Oh my god, strawberry print?”
Mu Nanqiu knew it was a bit childish, but her mom bought it for her.
It was just pajamas—she didn’t have to wear it out.
At home, she could do whatever she wanted.
“Suit Yao Yao.”
She barely finished saying that before running off to check the lock screen wallpaper again, then glanced down at her own chest.
Mu Nanqiu thought better of her words—obviously, the strawberry print fit her better.
“Tsk, why is Yao Yao even bigger than me…”
Rubbing herself, Mu Nanqiu felt a little disappointed, but not completely.
She didn’t have it herself, but her own Yao Yao did.
Round it up, that was her big white Mantou.
Thinking this, her mood instantly brightened.
Mu Nanqiu began styling her hair, applying makeup in front of the mirror.
She spent much longer than yesterday because today was January 1st, the day she and Su Yao had planned to meet.
An hour later, she was once again the goddess in everyone’s hearts.
Looking at her reflection, Mu Nanqiu cleared her throat and admired the carefully put-together look with satisfaction.
She approached the bedside table and picked up a paper bag.
Peeking inside, a smile spread across her lips as she already imagined Su Yao’s reaction.
Carrying her treasures, Mu Nanqiu was just about to leave when a flurry of footsteps came from the living room.
Bei Zhi, wearing a big grin, ran over.
“Sis, take me with you!”
“What are you going for? You’re not even in the same school.”
Mu Nanqiu frowned.
Her younger sister was three years younger and also in college, but at a different school.
“I’m just here to support you, sis!”
Bei Zhi blinked her big eyes, feigning innocence—but the innocence was clearly an act.
Mu Nanqiu’s mouth twitched.
She didn’t buy her little sister’s excuse for a second, so after rolling her eyes, she ignored her and turned away.
But Bei Zhi figured since her sister didn’t say no, it was a yes.
So happily, she followed along.
Bei Zhi wasn’t actually going to see her sister’s Performance but wanted to check out what kind of person Teacher Mantou was in real life.
Was she a boy or a girl? She was so curious—heehee~
Taking the elevator down to the underground parking lot, Bei Zhi carried her small bag tightly and trailed closely behind her sister’s backside.
When Mu Nanqiu got in the car, Bei Zhi ran to the passenger seat, laughing, and tried to open the door—only to find it locked.
The door was locked.
Bei Zhi looked up at her sister, puzzled.
The window rolled down, and Mu Nanqiu gave her a glare, saying,
“You’re no longer worthy of sitting in my front seat. Go to the back.”
“Ugh…”
Bei Zhi felt wronged.
She had always sat in the front seat before—they weren’t even officially married yet, so why couldn’t she sit there now?
Pouting and about to whine, she heard Mu Nanqiu add,
“If you don’t want to sit, fine. Take a cab.”
With that, Mu Nanqiu started the car, warming it up and ready to go.
Bei Zhi sulked but thought the back seat was still a seat.
Being flexible was important.
So she decisively sat in the back seat, set down her bag, rested her hands on the seatback, and stuck her head out to ask her sister,
“Sis, what’s Teacher Mantou like?”
Mu Nanqiu glanced at Bei Zhi’s curious face, then suddenly smiled brightly before turning back to step on the gas.
As the car started moving, she said lightly,
“Teacher Mantou? She’s really big!”
Really big? Those words left Bei Zhi completely speechless.