Ch. 110 - The Problem Child Asylum

I walked back into the villa, clutching the takeout bags I’d grabbed from a street vendor.

I didn't step inside until I was 100% sure Hu Xianyi was gone. Once the coast was clear, I made my move.

The second I crossed the threshold, I found Guan Qiuling waiting for me in the living room. Her posture was the definition of "submissive," and before I could even set my keys down, she dropped into a full-on prostrate bow—head hitting the floor and everything.

“I’m so sorry, Mas—I mean, Yuehan!”

“Whoa, whoa! Stop!” I was completely thrown by the sudden drama. And what was that she almost called me? Master? Seriously? Just how "creative" was their little session?

“I’m… I’m apologizing,” Guan Qiuling said.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide and watery like a kicked puppy. With her petite, doll-like stature, she looked so pathetic it was almost hard to stay mad at her.

“Apologizing? Is this how you apologize? Who even taught you to do that?” I covered my eyes with one hand, unable to look her in the face.

“It was… it was Hu Xianyi.”

“Of course it was. Look, I thought you were supposed to hate her. Why are you doing this again? Actually, don’t answer that. Just tell me the truth—how many times has she been here today?”

Her answer, or lack of one, made me realize I’d been naive. If this wasn't the first time, and I had just happened to walk in on them today, how was I even supposed to handle this?

“I… I…”

“It wasn't the first time, was it?” I watched her hesitate, confirming my worst fears.

“I’m sorry!” She buried her face back into the carpet.

“Sorry doesn't fix it! I thought I was doing you a favor by getting you out of that situation, but it turns out I was just ruining your 'good time,' wasn't I?” I couldn't help but think back to Hu Xianyi’s boast about being the best at what she does. I hated to admit it, but she clearly wasn't lying.

“No! No, it’s not like that!” Guan Qiuling looked like she was on the verge of a total breakdown.

“Forget it. I’m done,” I said, waving a hand dismissively. I wasn't going to play the interrogator all night. Everyone has their things. I should probably just respect her choices, as weird as they were.

“Look, I’m pretty open-minded. If you want to do… whatever it is you’re doing in the villa, I’m not going to stop you. But lying about it? Keeping me in the dark? That’s where you messed up. Got it?”

I walked over to the sofa and flopped down, giving her my best "disappointed but wise" older-sister lecture.

“I… I understand. From now on, I’ll… I’ll give you a heads-up.”

“Right…” I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to keep my cool. Was she serious? A heads-up? That sounded like she planned on making this a regular thing. I thought she’d at least try to be more discreet, but now that the cat was out of the bag, she was just going to lean into it?

At this rate, this villa was going to turn into a Refuge for Problem Children.

Actually, that would be a great name for the dorm group chat.

“Whatever. Anyway, do you want Dongli Yiren to know? Because if you don't care, I’m not going to go out of my way to lie for you. I won’t bring it up, but I’m not a secret-keeper.”

“That… I mean…”

“So, no secrets then? Fine, do what you want. You can’t keep something like this hidden in a shared house anyway. I’m going to go shower. Do whatever you need to do.”

I left her standing there, deciding it was best to let her deal with her own mess. I had zero energy left to manage her life.

Honestly, if it weren't for all this drama, I’d be in my room trying on that new bathrobe and the silk pajamas Bai Yu bought me. I was even thinking about taking a few selfies to send her.

It’s not like I’d ever wear those things in public, and Bai Yu probably won't be coming over to visit much now that I have roommates. Sending a few "thank you" selfies seemed like a fair trade for all the money she spent on me. I mean, if you’re going to drop that much cash on someone, the least they can do is show you the results, right?

Meanwhile, Guan Qiuling just stood there, paralyzed by indecision. She didn't ask me to keep it a secret, but she didn't seem ready for the fallout either. She just stood in the middle of the living room, looking lost.

It took until I was halfway up the stairs for Guan Qiuling to snap out of her trance. She scrambled after me, but not to offer another apology. She was sprinting to her own room to hide anything "incriminating" before someone else saw it.

I couldn't blame her; if those toys or whatever were caught out in the open, it would be a total social death sentence. Even if I was the only one who knew, she clearly wasn't ready to own it.

I gathered my things and headed for the bathroom.

Honestly, the main bathroom in this villa is a dream. It has this massive soaking tub, clearly designed for "group use", but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Even if we’re all gender-flipped girls here and technically no one is "losing out," I’m not exactly keen on sharing my bath time.

Unless, of course, they all end up "corrupted" like Guan Qiuling. Then we might have a conversation.

I have to admit, even though I don't do much in the way of a 10-step skincare routine, the results are getting pretty perfect.

The "Witchification" process isn't slowing down, either. The most obvious change? My "peaks" are definitely filling out.

Bai Yu wasn't kidding—with a little hands-on effort, nature really takes its course. I’m pretty sure I’ve hit the national average for girls my age by now. And that’s just in the span between the holidays and move-in day. I can only imagine how much more "developed" the natural-born witches are.

I’m actually kind of looking forward to seeing the competition.

The Witch School really is a paradise for girls. Sure, you lose the ability to have kids, but in exchange, you get a peak-performance body. Plus, no monthly periods? That’s not a side effect; that’s a straight-up blessing from the universe.

After lingering in the steam for way too long, I wrapped myself tightly in a fluffy bathrobe and stepped out. I was busy towel-drying my hair in the hallway when the front door swung open. I peered over the second-floor railing and saw Dongli Yiren trudging in.

“Welcome back, Dongli Yiren,” I called out casually. “How was your day?”

“Exhausting…” she groaned, her voice barely a whisper. “Leave the bathroom light on. I’m going in next.”

“Sure thing. But seriously, Dongli Yiren, are you ever going to tell us what you’re actually doing? I’ve been holding back, but it’s Orientation Day. Classes start in forty-eight hours.”

She froze, looking up at me with wide, shocked eyes. “Wait, what? Already?”

“Uh, yeah. Did you forget why we’re here? Did you work yourself into a coma? You came to the School of Transcendence to master mystical powers, not to slave away at a minimum-wage gig!”

Silence hung in the air for a few seconds. Finally, Dongli Yiren sighed. “You’re right. I’m here for the power. That’s it. I’m quitting that job tomorrow.”

“Fair enough. Do your thing. I’m turning in for the night, so knock if you need anything.”

I ducked into my bedroom and shut the door behind me.

My bed was currently a graveyard of different pajama styles. Some were cute, some were elegant, and a few were… well, let’s just say Bai Yu definitely snuck some "extra" items into the shopping cart when I wasn't looking. Some of these were practically see-through.

Still, if Bai Yu likes that look, I don’t mind playing along.

I leaned back against the door, running a hand through my damp, long hair, and held up my phone. I snapped a selfie—the classic "just stepped out of the shower" look. It’s a bold move that really tests your natural beauty, but honestly? I looked great.

Should I send this to her? I wondered, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. Let’s see how she handles this.

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