Chapter 11

[Ding! 5 points!]
With the system’s mechanical ding still echoing in her head, Yan Xiao finally ran into the classroom on her little legs.
She plopped down on her tiny chair and burst into a grin.
Haha, it went up!
Two whole points in one go!
Apparently, giving him another piece of candy right after he’d just returned one to her had really ticked him off. That must’ve been what made her “disgust value” shoot up by two points at once.
Feeling triumphant, she thought smugly that she’d repeat the trick tomorrow. After all, now that he’d seen what she did today, if she dared to pull the same stunt again, he’d definitely get even more annoyed. That kind of behavior was peak provocation. No way he’d be able to stay calm.
Just imagining all the points she’d earn tomorrow had her smiling all through the morning.
By lunchtime, when she carried her tray into the big class’s dining room, she was practically floating.
As usual, Qiu Li was sitting alone in the corner. The moment Yan Xiao stepped through the door, she saw his hand freeze halfway to his plate.
She laughed silently to herself.
Oh, so alert. Pretending not to look at me, do you think I don’t know you’re sneaking glances?
You don’t like me? Too bad. I’m sitting right next to you.
When she reached his table, she noticed how there was a small, empty gap on his side, clearly left open on purpose after what happened last time, just to avoid her.
Yan Xiao set her tray down casually, careful not to let it touch his.
He was clearly uncomfortable, but she wasn’t the kind of person who pushed things to true cruelty.
Seeing that familiar pink lunch tray, Qiu Li’s lips twitched upward slightly. Because his head was bowed, Yan Xiao didn’t notice his smile; she thought he was just sulking.
Scooping up a spoonful of peas, she suddenly remembered something and asked, “Did you eat the cotton candy I gave you?”
Now that was what you called double provocation!
Qiu Li lifted his head to look at her.
Her big dark eyes blinked at him, unblinking and impossibly cute.
He looked away, down at the chicken wing on his plate. “No,” he said softly. He couldn’t bear to eat it.
Yan Xiao: “…”
She stared at him for a moment, then broke into laughter.
Isn’t he supposed to be a little villain? Why’s he so tsundere and kind of adorable?
Qiu Li didn’t understand what she was laughing at, but seeing her so happy made his own mood rise.
Not knowing how friends were supposed to talk, he imitated her tone and asked, “Did you eat the cotton candy I gave you?”
Yan Xiao puffed out her chest proudly. “Of course! I already ate it!”
007 had told her she was at 5 points now, so in celebration, she’d eaten the candy he’d given back to her. It was basically free loot anyway.
And if he kept returning the candy she gave him, didn’t that mean she could get double the points each time without even spending anything?
The realization made her pulse quicken.
An infinite loop! A free exploit!
At that moment, she couldn’t help but feel grateful. Thank goodness the “villain boss” was still little, cold, quiet, and aloof, yes, but also simple-minded.
Villains this innocent were truly a rare species. Maybe the system had secretly given her a cheat after all.
Seeing her so cheerful and not the least bit upset about what happened over the weekend, Qiu Li silently decided that from now on, he’d give her one piece of cotton candy every day.

The next morning, Qiu Li arrived at kindergarten extra early.
The duty teacher told him that yesterday, Yan Xiao had come so early she’d waited by the gate for a long time, so he decided to come sooner, that way, she wouldn’t have to wait again.
But by the time it was almost class time, the Yan family’s car finally pulled up.
Yesterday she’d woken up too early and even rushed her mom into finishing her makeup in the car. Assuming Qiu Li didn’t come that early, Yan Xiao had let herself sleep in a bit today.
As soon as her mom unbuckled her seatbelt and lifted her from the car seat, Yan Xiao spotted Qiu Li standing at the kindergarten gate.
Huh?
Her eyes widened in surprise.
It was only 7:40, he’d come fifteen minutes earlier than yesterday!
Thank goodness I didn’t miss him, she thought with relief.
After waving goodbye to her parents, she shouldered her little backpack and ran toward him.
Just as she reached him, a hand appeared in front of her, holding out the cotton candy she’d given him yesterday.
Yan Xiao’s face lit up.
Oh my god, this little villain is too cute!
Returning it at the exact same spot where he received it? Really?
They’d even eaten lunch at the same table yesterday! But no, he’d waited until the next morning, at the same time and place, just to hand it back. So petty…
She loved it.
Seeing her happily take it back, Qiu Li’s lips twitched again.
After pocketing yesterday’s candy, Yan Xiao pulled out today’s and handed it to him. “This one’s for today!”
Qiu Li: “…”
So it’s a daily thing now?
Before he could react, she shoved the candy into his hand.
Watching the two little ones wait for each other every morning just to exchange candy, the duty teacher couldn’t help but smile.
What a pair of adorable sweethearts!
She turned to Yan Xiao. “Qiu Li was the first to arrive today,” the teacher said warmly. “He’s been waiting for you all morning.”
Yan Xiao’s smile froze.
First to arrive?
All morning?!
Oh no. The little villain was seriously holding a grudge. He’d come this early just to block her at the gate and return the candy untouched!
She looked from the teacher to Qiu Li.
He said nothing, lips pressed together, but the tips of his ears were red.
Yan Xiao: “…” Must be from the cold.
“You two could pick a set time to meet,” the teacher suggested, utterly charmed by the pair. “That way, you wouldn’t have to wait outside for each other so long.”
The teacher, of course, only saw the surface. She didn’t know about their complicated “relationship.” Yan Xiao didn’t bother correcting her, she just smiled.
Actually, that idea wasn’t bad.
It would save her time, and since winter was coming, it’d be cold standing around anyway.
“Then…seven-forty,” she decided, looking at Qiu Li. “Let’s meet at the gate at seven-forty every day. Deal?”
She thought she sounded so cool, like a mafia boss setting a duel.
Qiu Li, who’d never made any kind of “deal” with anyone before, found the suggestion surprisingly intriguing.
When he just stared at her without responding, Yan Xiao’s heart danced, was he about to explode?
She put on a serious face and raised her chin. “What’s wrong? Scared?”
His pride was huge; he hated being looked down on.
But Qiu Li honestly didn’t understand what was so scary about meeting at 7:40. Thinking she was just being childish, he gave a faint smile. “Okay.”
Yan Xiao: “…”
Wait a second. Did he just… challenge me back?
This little villain, returning candy was one thing, but now he was smiling while doing it? What a sneaky counterattack!
She liked it. This was getting fun.
Also, she had to admit, when the little villain smiled, he was really quite cute.

Author’s Note:
Little Qiu Li: First promise… get! Happy (^▽^)
Xiao-xiao: Let the storm rage on even stronger!