Chapter 28: A Battle with No Way Out

At first, it was agreed that the dinner with friends would be AA, but since they’d already come to Liu Jin’s dorm, they simply solved the dinner problem here.

Dinner was prepared by Yao Ying—or, to be more precise, it was proactively prepared by the various kitchen utensils she enhanced with her magic.

She laid out the ingredients from the fridge one by one; knives, spatulas, bowls, and plates all began to act on their own, starting to cook.

Although Yao Ying’s tone was full of jealousy, she was actually rather decent and didn’t make any sarcastic remarks toward Waterhua.

On the contrary, they chatted quite naturally.

The three Magic Girls had dinner together, and the overall atmosphere was cheerful.

“It’s getting late, everyone should get some rest.”

Waterhua finished the milk in her cup.

Her magic had recovered enough to change back, so she figured it was time to go.

“Mm, I should get back to my dorm too.”

Liu Jin nodded.

“Well then, goodbye… I wish you both a safe trip.”

Yao Ying’s tone carried a sense of longing, as if she were left alone in her boudoir.

To avoid exposure, Waterhua deliberately didn’t return to school along the same route as Liu Jin.

Instead, she made a big detour toward Yu Wenwen’s house and stayed there for a while to make sure their timings wouldn’t coincide.

Landing cautiously on the familiar Sky Terrace, Waterhua observed her surroundings with utmost care.

Learning from last time when she was nearly caught red-handed by Lin Ling, she didn’t rush to transform back.

Instead, she pulled open the door leading to the Elevator Hall to check if anyone was coming upstairs.

After all, last time she’d been one step away from being exposed.

If a similar scene played out again, Waterhua couldn’t just say she was looking for Magic Girls on the Sky Terrace every day, could she?

The feeling when she pulled open the door was strangely off.

Sure enough, in the next second, Lin Ling, who was leaning against the door, fell straight out, landing hard on his back with the momentum.

He’s really here?

Even after I deliberately staggered the time, he’s still lying in wait…

Waterhua patted her chest in lingering fear.

If she hadn’t been careful, she would’ve been tricked by this guy.

“Aren’t you Lin Ling? What are you doing here?”

Waterhua pretended as if she’d only met him once at the presentation and questioned him.

“Waterhua, you really are a student at our school.”

Lin Ling got up from the ground, dusted himself off, and looked at her with unshakable determination.

“So what if I am…”

Waterhua swallowed nervously, thinking, did he really notice something?

“So, in public, all your cute acts are just for show?”

Lin Ling’s focus was surprisingly offbeat.

Waterhua had intended to retort that it was just “for work,” but then realized this was the perfect chance to destroy her own idol filter.

She cleared her throat and said, “So what if I am? I am just acting cute.”

Waterhua switched to a lazy, almost uncle-like tone, crossing her arms and putting on an impatient look.

“It’s work, after all. I’m only a Magic Girl because I need to earn a living. Don’t tell me you really think I’m an innocent, naïve little girl?”

“You’re not Yu Hua, are you?”

Lin Ling’s tone was flat, without a ripple.

Waterhua froze, but thankfully her instincts kicked in quickly.

Without the slightest hesitation, she replied as if talking about a complete stranger, “Yu Hua? Who’s that?”

If Waterhua had hesitated even a little, his suspicion might have been confirmed.

Fortunately, her quick thinking—honed by daily practice—allowed her to bluff her way out.

But she still didn’t understand how Lin Ling could leap over all the logic and arrive at such a wild yet accurate conclusion.

Looking back at their brief exchange, she was certain there were no flaws in her act…

“Yu Hua is my roommate.”

Lin Ling’s tone now sounded less certain, but his expression didn’t change at all while explaining, leaving Waterhua unsure of what he was really thinking.

“You think I’m your roommate? You think I’m a guy? Or is your dorm co-ed?”

Waterhua continued to feign ignorance.

“Mm, he is a guy… And by the way, now I’m even more convinced you’re Yu Hua.”

Lin Ling’s reasoning made no sense, which was exactly what made it scary.

If he was wrong, he’d probably stubbornly cling to his mistaken belief and drift further away from the truth.

But unfortunately, he was right.

Once he was on the right track, if he kept pestering her, Waterhua wouldn’t even know how to clear herself of suspicion.

Since things had come to this, Waterhua decided to risk everything and go all in.

“So you actually found out… I guess I have no choice but to admit it. That’s right, I’m Yu Hua.”

Waterhua shrugged with forced nonchalance, then taunted, “What now? Is your faith shattered?”

“I actually liked you a lot…”

Lin Ling pondered for quite a while before finally answering, “But thinking about it now, I think I like you even more.”

“That’s kinda perverted…”

Waterhua’s smile froze completely.

This guy’s logic just couldn’t be fathomed by normal people.

Since words wouldn’t work, there was only one thing left to do: run.

Acting like she didn’t care, Waterhua waved at him, “See you back in the dorm then.”

Without worrying about her dignity, Waterhua dashed headlong off the Sky Terrace, diving straight into the bushes behind the nearest teaching building.

She used the thick leaves to cover up the Burning Light as she undid her transformation.

Once the glow faded, Yu Hua brushed off the leaves clinging to him and sprinted desperately toward the dormitory.

On the way, he ran into a classmate walking along eating barbecue.

Yu Hua reacted quickly, immediately grabbing the classmate.

“Hey, give me your barbecue, I’ll transfer you 50.”

The classmate had just finished a lamb skewer, tossed the bamboo stick into a plastic bag, and looked puzzled at Yu Hua’s request.

“Huh? Why?”

“Don’t ask, just give it to me.”

“Never mind, seeing how starved you look, I’ll just give it to you for free.”

The classmate, seeing how desperate Yu Hua looked, felt sorry for him and handed over all the remaining lamb skewers.

“Thanks, brother.”

Yu Hua even snatched the plastic bag holding just the empty sticks, then walked toward the dorm, adjusting his breathing and pretending he’d just brought barbecue back from outside.

He pushed open the dorm room door.

The other two were sitting at their spots, playing games.

“Yu Hua? Yo, you brought barbecue back?”

Brother Wang Zeqi teased casually.

“My sister treated me to barbecue tonight. I brought some back on purpose to make you guys jealous. Mad?”

Yu Hua said as he shoved a lamb skewer into his mouth, creating the impression he’d just returned from a dinner out.

“You’re rotten to the core.”

Brother Wang Zeqi commented.

“For real.”

Yu Hua agreed with his own behavior.

Not long after, Lin Ling came back, panting heavily.

Yu Hua quickly bit down on a lamb skewer and turned to Lin Ling at the door, acting clueless.

“Lin, back so late—out saving the world again?”

Lin Ling glanced at the barbecue in Yu Hua’s hand.

The determined look in his eyes suddenly turned doubtful.

“Where’d you get the barbecue?”

“Bought it, where else?”

Yu Hua took another bite.

Only then did Lin Ling close his half-open mouth, sitting gloomily back in his seat.

Yu Hua finally let out a sigh of relief.

But thinking back on what happened that afternoon, he grew even more annoyed.

They’d agreed to just be friends, but behind his back, she was still hung up on his real identity.