Red-haired Fear

After finalizing the study plans with Tang Yawen, Lin Yuxuan turned to her own work.
Her proficiency with “Painting Level 2” had improved significantly.

Her drawing speed was incredible—she could now finish a week’s worth of commissions in a single day.

If Li Yanan hadn’t been worried about her overworking herself,
Lin Yuxuan would’ve taken on even more orders.

After quickly finishing her current commission,
Lin Yuxuan began brainstorming her own manga.

What genre should she choose?

It had to be something she was familiar with—
something she could write long-term.

She was stuck.
In her past life, she’d been an office drone—
she had no idea what today’s youth liked.

Maybe she should ask Wenwen-sensei?

Tang Yawen was staring at her computer screen,
a wide, excited grin on her face.
Even when Lin Yuxuan softly called her name, she didn’t respond.

Tang Yawen.EXE Not Responding

(Huh? What’s Wenwen-sensei so excited about?)

Lin Yuxuan leaned in.
The screen was just the desktop…
What was so interesting?

Actually, Tang Yawen was thrilled—
she was going to a friend’s house!
And that friend was her crush!

Was she becoming a genjuku?

Did Xuanxuan like her? That’s why she invited her?

Could she really be turning into one of those “light novel protagonists”
who do nothing and still have beautiful girls fall for them?

Ahaha~!

That’s what she was excited about.

Lin Yuxuan couldn’t possibly understand the mind of a “socially anxious girl.”

(Wenwen-sensei’s expression is so weird…
I’ll just leave her alone…)

Just then, her phone buzzed.

A message from Mu Yue.

“Xuanxuan, our new video’s doing pretty well~
It’s already at 20,000 views~”

“Is 20k a lot?”

“For a new channel, it’s a solid start~
If we keep this up, we’ll definitely blow up.
We’ve got a real edge in this niche.”

“Mm, we do have some advantages.”

Lin Yuxuan: A food channel? There are plenty.
But a red-haired loli mom cooking?
That’s rare. That’s our edge~

“Hehe~” Mu Yue loved this feeling—
fighting side by side with her white-haired big sister.

And Xuanxuan was a true all-rounder.
She could handle almost every task in the club.

“Xiao Yue, next Monday’s monthly exam.
Want to study together?”

The exam covered the whole school—
including second-year students.

“Mm, sure~ Should we find an empty classroom?”

“I’d rather study at my place.
I live alone—no family around.”

“Okay~ Then it’s settled~
I do need to review too.”

Mu Yue had almost blurted out, “Come to my place!”
But then she remembered that absurd dream—
and her embarrassing mom.
What if her mom did something weird to her precious white-haired sister?

Thankfully, Xuanxuan had invited her over—
and now she’d get to see Xuanxuan’s address.

So Mu Yue happily agreed.

****

Time flew.

The next afternoon, after school—

Lin Yuxuan and Wenwen headed to the supermarket together.

“I don’t come here often…”

Wenwen trembled at the sight of the bustling crowd.
She wanted to melt into an ice cube and flush down the drain.

“Shh~ It’s okay, I’m here~
It’s normal to see people in a supermarket.
How do you get daily supplies if you don’t come here?”

Lin Yuxuan took Wenwen’s small hand.

“I… usually order online…”

Wenwen’s voice was barely audible.

“Alright…”

Online shopping is convenient,
but it just makes social anxiety worse…

Though shy, with Xuanxuan by her side,
Wenwen managed to buy a bunch of snacks.
They checked out together.

Beside Xuanxuan, Wenwen felt a strange courage.

She knew she couldn’t live like this forever.
She envied others who could go out with friends.
She longed for someone to save her.

Maybe… Xuanxuan really could help her.

Lin Yuxuan bought a mountain of ingredients.
Tonight, Mu Yue was coming over—
there’d definitely be a cooking exchange.
Lately, Mu Yue had been doing all the cooking,
filming videos during lunch breaks—
so Xuanxuan hadn’t had a chance to show off her skills.

She didn’t know why—
but now that she could cook,
she needed to impress someone.
Otherwise, she’d feel restless.

Thanks to her art club commissions,
Lin Yuxuan had earned a small fortune—
less than 10,000 yuan, but enough to buy some luxury seafood.

She got baby squids and crayfish—
planning to make spicy stir-fried squid and spicy crayfish.
Mu Yue loved spicy food.

“Wenwen-sensei, do you like spicy food?”

“I-I… don’t dare eat anything too spicy…”

“Alright.”

Then the squid would have to be mild.
Just make the crayfish spicy.
Both Wenwen and Xiao Yue were her “wings”—
she had to take care of both.

The walk from the supermarket to home wasn’t far—
they could walk.

But carrying the heavy bags made both girls tired.

“Phew… My stamina is terrible now…”

Lin Yuxuan regretted not taking a taxi.
But they were halfway—
it wasn’t worth it now.
They’d just have to push through.

But one thing bothered her.

Since a while ago…
hadn’t she heard a faint rustling sound?

Like someone was following them?

“Wenwen, do you hear that?
Feels like someone’s following us.”
Lin Yuxuan whispered.

“Huh? Really?”
Tang Yawen was already scared—
this made her break into a cold sweat.

The two girls slowed down—
and the rustling stopped.

They exchanged nervous glances.

Lin: “What’s following us?”

Wen: “I don’t know… but the footsteps are light.
Doesn’t sound like an adult?”

“So… is it a child following us?”

Lin Yuxuan glanced back quietly.

“Xuanxuan, did you see anything?”

“Nothing. Let’s keep walking.
I’ll check again in a second.”

“Okay.”

The atmosphere grew tense.

They kept walking.

“I think I saw something…” Lin Yuxuan whispered.

“Saw what…?”

“The bushes moved—right after we started walking.”

“Maybe it’s the wind?”

“Not sure. Let’s see at the crossroads.”

“Okay.”

When they reached the spot,
Lin Yuxuan suddenly screamed.

“Ahh!”

“What is it, Xuanxuan?!”
Tang Yawen felt a warm rush in her lower abdomen—
but at this point, she didn’t care.
Her focus was entirely on Xuanxuan.

“I saw a dark shadow jump out of the bushes—then vanish!”

“Let’s go! We must’ve encountered something unclean!”

Tang Yawen urged.

They rushed through the street, bags in hand.

Finally home, Lin Yuxuan fumbled with her keys and opened the door.

“Phew… Finally safe…”

Lin Yuxuan gasped for breath.

She was more exhausted than Wenwen—
her chest was too heavy.
The inertia made them bounce painfully with each step.

Wenwen, on the other hand, could “lighten the load”—
no such problem.

“Xuanxuan… did you really see a shadow following us?”

Tang Yawen panted.

“I… saw it… about child-height.
Couldn’t make out the shape.
It moved too fast.”

“Could it really be… that kind of thing?”

“Don’t say it! Don’t say it!”

Lin Yuxuan was already scared.

Thankfully, it was still afternoon.
If this happened at midnight,
the two girls would’ve had a pissing contest from sheer terror.

Collapsing on Lin Yuxuan’s couch,
Tang Yawen suddenly remembered something.
Her face turned pale.

“Xuanxuan… can I use your bathroom?”

“Go ahead. It’s right there.”

Tang Yawen dashed into the bathroom.

She was so glad she’d worn high-absorbency “little wings” today.
Otherwise, her white thigh-highs would’ve turned into yellow thigh-highs.

After calming down, Lin Yuxuan started organizing the ingredients.
Mu Yue would arrive soon—
she couldn’t let her Xiao Yue see her in such a mess.

Inside the bathroom,
Tang Yawen used wet toilet paper to clean her thighs,
then threw the soaked “little wings” in the trash.

“Phew… Glad Xuanxuan doesn’t know I… couldn’t hold it…”

Tang Yawen sighed in relief.

Just as she stepped out—
she collided with a red-haired girl.

“Huh…?”

Tang Yawen froze.

The red-haired girl froze too.

“Ah? Who are you…?”

Mu Yue had just arrived.
She didn’t know Xuanxuan already had a blonde girl hiding in her house.

And why did she look so terrified of her?

Was she that scary?

“Aaah—! Lady Ximen, spare me!”

Tang Yawen’s latent “Redhead PTSD” flared up.

After multiple dreams of her Xuanxuan being stolen by a redhead,
and each encounter ending in disaster—
how could this real redhead have escaped from her dream?!

“How did you get out of my dream?!”

Fortunately, Lin Yuxuan heard the scream
and rushed over.

She explained the situation
and introduced them properly.

“Wenwen, no need to be scared~
This is Mu Yue, our club’s senior.”