“We’ve arrived. Miss Simon is waiting for you all inside the [Lily Room].”
The Qipao Girl, seeing Feini’s black tie, showed no trace of disgust—her professional demeanor truly lived up to this top-tier restaurant’s reputation.
Except for the big-bellied demon chef in the low-grade beast cafeteria, this was the first time Feini had seen a regular staff member of God and Demon Academy not look at her with contempt.
“Click~” Qingshamu opened the door.
Feini and White Feather Dove stepped inside first.
Across the heavy, round dining table sat the four heads of Room 302, Divine Demon Academy Girls’ Dormitory.
As always, the Tea Ceremony Society’s honorary president, Shijietang Simon, greeted them with an elegant smile.
Next was the smugly grinning Golden Fang Beast girl, Lianjian Elina.
Then the stern-faced, impeccably composed senior bodyguard, Yeqi Elina.
And finally, the mournful little fox who, after a single disastrous day, never squinted and smirked again: Xueyuedai Emma.
Upon seeing Feini, Xueyuedai seemed to be struck by some deep psychological trauma, instinctively clamping her legs together, not daring to meet Feini’s eyes.
Since that day, she had fantasized countless times about getting revenge on Feini, but every time she tried to flesh out her revenge plan, it always ended in a mental replay of her humiliating defeat at Sword Tomb Mountain Peak—a vivid CG Scene of her own failure.
Xueyuedai’s mind now resembled that of a teenage boy, plagued with racy fantasies whether her eyes were open or closed.
And now, the main course of her imagination was right before her.
Widow, oh little widow, why are you so alluring?
In any case, the little fox had completely forgotten her purpose here, lost in the small universe of her dreams.
“Feini, Qingshamu, White Feather Dove, welcome, please take a seat.”
Shijietang immediately stood up to greet them cheerfully, as if none of their previous disputes or conflicts had ever happened.
“Thank you, Simon.”
Feini responded with her own fake smile, meeting Shijietang’s warmth like they were old friends of several decades.
Little did she know that Shijietang only saw Feini as a tool to lure White Feather Dove here.
Hmph, of course Feini knew the real reason for the dinner invitation—because she was the only one who could bring White Feather Dove along.
Recently, Da Bai’s reputation had become resounding.
As a Transfer Student who excelled in both swordsmanship and magic, both the Kendo Club and the Tea Party wanted to recruit her.
No doubt, this feast by Shijietang was arranged for that very reason.
However, with Qingshamu keeping a close watch over White Feather Dove, there was no way she’d let Da Bai join a rival club.
Once everyone sat down, the atmosphere grew awkwardly silent.
You look at me, I look at you—staring blankly at each other, but no one said a word.
How had former dormmates come to such a cold relationship?
But perhaps this was the true atmosphere of the Divine Demon Academy Girls’ Dormitory. Those stories of harmony and sisterhood were all fiction.
“Waiter.” Shijietang called for the Qipao Girl to order. “We have seven here—bring out your very best dishes, one round of everything.”
“Certainly, Miss Simon.” The Qipao Girl bowed respectfully, then left, quietly closing the door behind her.
“The incident during the last Extracurricular Hunt was due to my poor management. It was my subordinates’ recklessness that caused the misunderstanding. I apologize to you three.”
Shijietang rose with a smile and poured tea for Feini and the others.
This was a veiled rebuke, aimed at Xueyuedai.
Feini and White Feather Dove quietly accepted the tea.
“Will you also apologize to the other students whose prey you snatched?” Qingshamu asked coldly.
“Qingshamu, you know that was part of the Extracurricular Hunt’s objectives.” Shijietang replied with a helpless expression. “Many students trust me. I have to take responsibility for their academic credits.”
“Are you saying I’m not responsible enough for my own club?” Qingshamu retorted.
“That’s not what I meant.” Shijietang hurriedly replied.
“Then what do you mean? Simon, don’t think I don’t know what you’re after. You’re trying to poach from us, aren’t you?” Qingshamu slapped the table, raising her voice.
“Poach is such a harsh word. As I recall, Miss Bai hasn’t joined any club—she’s still a free agent.” Shijietang argued.
“Her swordsmanship was taught by me. She’s obviously joining our Kendo Club,” said Qingshamu.
“But I’ve heard she can use magic too. If she uses magic, naturally she should join the Tea Party. Do you know how much magical knowledge has to be accumulated across generations? Our Tea Party Club’s Library has a vast collection of Magic Guidebooks available for study.”
Shijietang smiled at White Feather Dove.
“……” Qingshamu was momentarily lost for words.
She so wanted to say she knew magic too!
She’d been teaching White Feather Dove magic for a while already—her own daughter, after all.
But her undercover mission forbade her from revealing this, so she could only hold her tongue.
Round one of their verbal sparring: Shijietang narrowly claimed victory, leaving Qingshamu silently grinding her teeth.
The others were unfazed by their bickering—if anything, it would have been odd if those two weren’t fighting the moment they opened their mouths.
Besides, this was just the appetizer—this was the Storm Before the Calm.
What they were doing now barely counted as flirting and banter; the real argument was still to come.
The Qipao Girl soon returned, serving dish after dish until the table was filled with the Golden Turtle Feast.
Qingshamu and Shijietang each took a sip of tea, readying themselves for round two.
“Da Bai, have some fish.”
Feini couldn’t care less about their squabble—she was here to eat, plain and simple. She dug in with her daughter, unrestrained.
Mother and daughter happily restored their sanity, dispelling all the boredom and gloom accumulated from recent classes.
White Feather Dove even crunched meat and bone from a lamb chop.
The Golden Fang Beast Sisters had no choice but to admire her. The Transfer Student was indeed something else.
Xueyuedai faded into the background, picking at her food absentmindedly, her mind clearly elsewhere.
“Ladies, let me be frank about why I invited you here today.” Shijietang finally set down her chopsticks, ready to get to the point. “I want to propose an alliance between us—standing together through fortune and hardship alike.”
“Now this is interesting. Our clubs are already at each other’s throats, and now you want to talk about unity?” Qingshamu shook her head, scoffing.
Feini and White Feather Dove stayed silent, eating as they listened.
Let Qingshamu do all the talking for us—an automatic debate system, really.
“Times have changed. I hear that the Senior Students are banding together to give us underclassmen a hard time. All three of you are famous among the First-year High School Department, so you’ll be targeted. We should stop fighting among ourselves and unite to withstand their oppression.”
Shijietang explained.
“Oppressing underclassmen? Isn’t it just you, Shijietang, that they’re targeting? You’re the one in the spotlight, founding the Tea Ceremony Society and poaching members from the Martial Arts Club. Your Tea Ceremony Society threatens the Tea Party Club’s rule; your achievements outshine the host.”
Qingshamu spread her hands, full of doubt.
“Your troubles have nothing to do with us. Don’t drag us down with you.” Feini abruptly cut in, voicing her support.
Qingshamu, hearing this, was moved.
At last, we’re of one mind.