episode_0006

Just from such a simple action.

Xu Nian had already understood many things.

Her little girlfriend might have truly become a yandere just like in the simulator.

Her movements were more aggressive than usual.

Her behavior was even more abnormal than usual.

But…

Why?

Xu Nian simply couldn’t believe that a breakup—one that lasted less than a minute before reconciliation—could change a person’s personality.

A person’s nature doesn’t mutate overnight. Su Qingya had never shown any signs of such tendencies before—always gentle and sweet, completely unlike a yandere.

And even if she were a yandere, wouldn’t it have to be cultivated over time?

Chronic emotional neglect, a repressed upbringing, things like that—those are what create an obsessive yandere.

Only those raised in such environments would desperately cling to any light that shines upon them.

They long to be loved.

They crave to monopolize that love.

But the problem was, Xu Nian and Su Qingya had known each other for years. There had never been any signs before.

Even if Su Qingya truly were a yandere, shouldn’t she have exposed it long ago? How could she have hidden it for so long?

Xu Nian’s sharp intuition told her that something must have happened to Su Qingya—something she didn’t know about.

“Are you afraid of me?”

Suddenly, Su Qingya’s voice came from above, startling Xu Nian all over again.

Could Su Qingya see through her thoughts?

Maybe she just wasn’t acting naturally enough.

“W-what? Of course not! How could I be afraid of you, you dumb little fish?! You’re my girlfriend! Speaking of which, have you been working out recently or something? No way… are you finally sick of me? Planning to give me a physical beating one of these days?”

“Don’t tell me you’re thinking of domestic abuse? No way… no way, right?”

The tight embrace was getting unbearable, so Xu Nian finally spoke up.

She adopted a teasing tone, trying to subtly get Su Qingya to loosen her grip.

“Of course not—how could I ever think that? I was just… too excited to see you. I would never hurt Nian Nian.”

The simulator says otherwise, you liar!

Still, the words did seem to make Su Qingya ease up slightly.

“You’re such a clingy little baby.” Xu Nian snorted.

“Yes, Nian Nian, I am clingy. I can’t live without you. But why did you feel the need to test me like that?”

“Well… I saw someone on Douyin say that if you want to know whether someone really likes you, just threaten to break up with them. If they truly care, they’ll do anything to keep you. But you… you let me down.”

“Huh? I… disappointed you?”

“Yeah. Instead of trying to stop me, you just screamed at me in a frenzy.”

“I made Nian Nian sad? Then… maybe I should cut out my tongue as an apology.”

???

Girl, that’s a bit too extreme, don’t you think?!

“Cut it out! It’s not that serious! Honestly, though, I messed up too—breaking up should never be used as a joke. Sorry about that.”

Xu Nian hurriedly stopped Su Qingya from reaching for a knife.

But this interaction did confirm her suspicions.

Something was definitely wrong with Su Qingya.

The old her would have just scolded Xu Nian for watching trashy relationship influencers.

But now? She wanted to cut out her own tongue as an apology.

“Nian Nian, I already forgive you for joking around. As long as you come back to me…”

Yeah, “come back” so you can drug me with dinner and clip my wings.

Xu Nian grumbled internally.

The results of the second simulation echoed in her mind—a constant reminder not to be deceived by this momentary tenderness.

“Ah… Nian Nian, did you hurt your leg?”

“It’s nothing. Just bumped into something.”

Su Qingya said nothing more, letting go of Xu Nian before crouching down and rolling up her white stockings—revealing a faint bruise.

“How could you be so careless? Does it hurt?”

“Pfft, no way! A tiny bruise like this is nothing!”

Su Qingya pressed a finger lightly against it—

Xu Nian hissed sharply, ears and tail shooting up as she reflexively tried to jerk her leg back.

“Does it hurt?”

“No.”

Su Qingya ignored her stubbornness, simply placing a hand over the bruise. A moment later, it vanished.

Xu Nian wasn’t surprised—she’d expected Su Qingya to develop supernatural abilities.

“Wow, that’s amazing! How’d you do that?”

She feigned astonishment, thinking If I can learn this too, maybe I won’t be so helpless when Qingya goes full yandere.

“Mm~ Let’s just say… a lot has happened lately. What matters is that I can protect you now.”

Su Qingya avoided a direct answer.

She seemed guarded.

Xu Nian didn’t press further, flexing her slender arms instead.

“Hah! I don’t need protecting. If anything, I’m the strong one!”

“Mmhm, my Nian Nian is the strongest. Oh, by the way… do you still want that table? If not, can I have it?”

“Huh? What do you need a table for?”

“I heard firewood-cooked rice tastes amazing. I’m running low.”

???

That’s a high-quality hardwood table worth tens of thousands! And you want to burn it?!

Xu Nian forced a laugh, quickly changing the subject.

She had zero interest in finding out what gourmet rice cooked over luxury furniture tasted like.

“Speaking of food… I brought a gift.”

“A gift? I’ll love anything Nian Nian gives me.”

“Hehe, it’s homemade dishes! No matter what, Qingya, you have to taste-test every single one—though, just so we’re clear, I totally didn’t make them specifically for you! You’re just my lab rat, checking if they’re too salty.”

Su Qingya’s expression sharpened instantly, eyes narrowing at Xu Nian.

“What’s with that look? Even if my cooking’s bad, no need to stare like that… Fine, fine, I did make them just for you. If you don’t eat them, even I might cry.”

“Is that so? It’s just… it’s a bit much. I also made a whole table of dishes to welcome you.”

Su Qingya cooked often—her meals were undeniably delicious. Xu Nian routinely ate them, her palate now hopelessly spoiled. She frequently bought ingredients just to have Su Qingya cook for her.

(And secretly, to improve Su Qingya’s own diet.)

But still—

“You have to try my cooking at least once! Consider it my sincere apology. Come on, give it a shot!”

Without waiting for further objections, Xu Nian swiftly unpacked the food from her lunchbox, arranging each dish on the already crowded table before Su Qingya could protest.

White-cut chicken. Braised pork. Tofu with minced meat. Stir-fried greens. And lastly, steamed perch.

The spread looked (and smelled) utterly flawless—

Yet Su Qingya stood frozen behind Xu Nian, her voice laced with quiet confusion.

“…Huh? Why is every single dish… exactly the same as what I made?”