For Su Nuannuan, the morning classes passed in a haze of confusion as usual, but she felt that Lin Wei’s tutoring was helpful—at least she wasn’t falling asleep so easily anymore.
Finally making it to noon, the three of them prepared their meals and, as always, sat together to eat.
While eating, Su Nuannuan noticed Wu Duola quietly eating alone not far away.
Zhou Qianqian caught Su Nuannuan’s gaze and looked over, feeling that the short-haired girl looked somewhat familiar.
“Nuannuan, who’s that girl? I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before,” Zhou Qianqian asked curiously.
Lin Wei also glanced up and recognized her but said nothing, continuing to eat while her ears seemed to twitch slightly.
Su Nuannuan whispered, “That… is Wu Duola, the president of the Magic Club.”
“Ah? She’s the president?” Zhou Qianqian’s eyes lit up, and she immediately picked up her tray. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go meet her, Nuannuan!”
“Hey…” Su Nuannuan tried to stop Zhou Qianqian, but she had already walked over.
Su Nuannuan turned to Lin Wei, and seeing no reaction, she quietly said, “Sis… I’m going over,” then mustered her courage and followed.
Zhou Qianqian plopped down in the empty seat beside Wu Duola, flashing a dazzling smile. “Hello, President, hehe.”
Wu Duola was taken aback by the sudden enthusiasm and looked at her warily. “You… are?” Then she spotted Su Nuannuan trailing behind with a helpless expression. Her eyes blinked as if she understood something.
At that moment, Lin Wei silently carried her tray over and naturally sat down beside Su Nuannuan.
Wu Duola stared wide-eyed at the three suddenly surrounding her, especially Lin Wei, completely baffled. Su Nuannuan’s sister? What is she doing here?
Su Nuannuan’s heart pounded nervously—Lin Wei couldn’t possibly be here to spy on her…
Zhou Qianqian eagerly got to the point: “President, I’m Zhou Qianqian, Nuannuan’s classmate. I really want to join the Magic Club too, please accept me!”
Wu Duola scrutinized Zhou Qianqian from head to toe, frowning. “But… I don’t sense any magical aptitude from you.”
Zhou Qianqian: “Huh? Magical aptitude? Is the threshold for joining really that high?”
Wu Duola seriously pointed across at Su Nuannuan. “She’s got plenty of talent!” Her natural ability to attract strange events—like attracting me—is the best proof of magical aptitude, right?
Su Nuannuan: “???” What talent? Tripping over flat ground talent? Or failing exams talent?
Lin Wei listened to their over-the-top conversation, looking between Wu Duola and Su Nuannuan with a deadpan expression, silently thinking, Magical aptitude? I have no idea what that is…
But if there was one thing the two shared, it was probably… being not very smart? The mutual attraction of fools?
Zhou Qianqian wasn’t convinced and tried to sell herself: “I do! I definitely have magical aptitude! President, test me if you don’t believe me!”
Wu Duola leaned back slightly, almost overwhelmed by Zhou Qianqian’s enthusiasm as she practically pressed up against her.
Then she glanced at Lin Wei, who had stayed silent all along, and hesitantly asked, “You… want to join too?”
Lin Wei, spoon halfway to her mouth, reacted a bit slowly but nonchalantly nodded.
Su Nuannuan’s jaw almost dropped: “Ah?”
Wu Duola stared at the odd trio for a moment, seeming to wrestle with a difficult decision. Finally, she made up her mind: “Alright then… originally, after school today was supposed to be Nuannuan’s first solo club activity. Since you all want to join, come together. Consider it your preliminary test.”
Zhou Qianqian nodded vigorously. “Thank you, President!” Then she eagerly exchanged glances with Su Nuannuan and Lin Wei.
Lin Wei was more practical and asked, “May I ask what the activity will be?”
Zhou Qianqian quickly followed up, “What time should we meet, President?”
Su Nuannuan: “Ah…” She was completely lost and just lowered her head to eat quietly.
Wu Duola stood up and announced, “Time: 6 PM. Location: Storage Room. As for the content… you’ll find out when you come.” She gave Su Nuannuan a pointed look.
Su Nuannuan: “…” But won’t that be after school is already over? Fine, the Magic Club’s secret base, got it…
After school, Su Nuannuan checked the time—it was almost six o’clock.
The three walked toward the storage room, and Su Nuannuan asked worriedly, “Qianqian… it’s already after school. Are you sure it’s okay not to go straight home?” She wasn’t sure why Wu Duola chose a time after school, especially since Su’s parents weren’t home.
Zhou Qianqian patted her chest with a carefree smile. “Don’t worry, I already told my dad. Tonight I’m sleeping over at your place, and he agreed.”
Su Nuannuan: “…Huh?” How did she not know about this?
Lin Wei, walking beside them, frowned slightly and shot Zhou Qianqian a look. Sleeping at my place? Did you even ask me?
The three arrived at the familiar storage room door, and Su Nuannuan looked up, stunned.
Where the “Storage Room” sign had been, a handmade wooden plaque now hung. It was crookedly painted in watercolor: Magic Club Secret Base!
Su Nuannuan rubbed her forehead—Wu Duola’s energy was impressive.
She braced herself and knocked.
Inside, Wu Duola’s mock-serious voice responded, “Please come in.”
Pushing open the door, the three entered one by one. The room’s layout had changed slightly: three chairs neatly arranged in a row, a small table in front, and an old blackboard at the back, looking like a makeshift meeting room.
Wu Duola stood behind the table, hands behind her back, adopting a leader’s pose.
“Please sit,” Wu Duola gestured for them to sit.
Su Nuannuan nervously took the middle seat. Zhou Qianqian eagerly looked around and sat to the left. Lin Wei sat expressionless on the right.
Wu Duola cleared her throat and began: “First, congratulations to Su Nuannuan for passing the test and officially becoming a member of the Magic Club. I’m sure you’re very happy…”
Su Nuannuan: “Ah… haha…” Not exactly thrilled.
Wu Duola turned to the other two: “As for the other two of you, you are currently on probation and need to prove your loyalty and enthusiasm for the magical cause through your actions! I hope you will continue to work hard!”
Zhou Qianqian pouted unhappily. “What? President, we’re already participating in activities. Doesn’t that mean we’re members?”
Wu Duola shot her a glare. “Of course not! The path of magic is no joke!”
Lin Wei pinched her forehead helplessly. “…” She felt like her intelligence was being rubbed into the ground.
Ignoring their reactions, Wu Duola continued, “Now, since this is your first Magic Club activity, I’ll briefly introduce our great responsibilities and daily activities!”
Then, with a blend of over-the-top teenage earnestness, Wu Duola gave an outline:
“Our duty is to protect the peace of the school and even the city! Main activities include but are not limited to…” She paused mysteriously.
Su Nuannuan nervously swallowed. Zhou Qianqian’s eyes widened like saucers. Lin Wei was speechless.
“Investigating and resolving various campus urban legends, like the midnight crying in the girls’ restroom, moving statues, and uncovering the truth behind these events!” Wu Duola nodded satisfactorily at their shocked expressions.
“Of course, maintaining harmony in the daily world is equally important—helping old ladies cross the street, assisting lost kittens, condemning uncivilized seat-saving behavior, and so on. All are part of our magical training!”
“Wow…” Su Nuannuan was utterly confused. Though she didn’t understand most of it, it sounded… pretty impressive?
Zhou Qianqian’s eyes sparkled as she nodded enthusiastically. “Wow! President! This is amazing! So cool!” She was already fully into character.
Lin Wei looked at the two beside her—one clueless, one excited—and then at the club president who was dead serious while spouting nonsense, and felt her vision go dark.