[Prequel Volume · Fluffy Universe]
The official couple isn't official yet, but the tail is already running wild. Before they became canon, the goddess was an undercover shipper, and the fox was a walking "identity reveal machine." Here lie disguises, misunderstandings, secret crushes, and reverse strategies— Every tail sweep, every reddened ear tip, was the prelude to their downfall into love. Welcome to the compilation of "caught-in-the-act" moments—Prequel Volume. The sweetness isn't full yet, but the heart is already racing.
Before deciding to disguise herself as Fox Lian's obsessed admirer, Emma went through a long and painful inner struggle.
Watching her best friend Gu Liang utterly bewitched by Fox Lian, seeing nine out of ten classmates (regardless of gender) go crazy over those violet eyes and that fluffy tail, she felt the world had gone completely mad.
What's so great about fluff?! (Though lately, she had mysteriously grown more tolerant of static fluffy objects.)
But to blend in—and to better stay close to Gu Liang and monitor "enemy activity" (so she wouldn't be ambushed by sudden fluffy attacks)—Emma finally gritted her teeth and devised a meticulous "disguise plan."
Step One: Build the fangirl persona. She mingled among Fox Lian's admirers, skillfully deploying high-frequency phrases like "OMG," "His Highness today," and "I'm dead," and thanks to her sharp analytical skills, she quickly became Gu Liang's "chief strategist" in the pursuit of Fox Lian.
Step Two: Collect 'safe' materials. She discovered that focusing on Fox Lian's accessories eased her anxiety—those unmoving fluffy pom-poms and feather brooches were far friendlier than living ears and tails. She even prepared a gilded notebook, ostensibly to record Fox Lian's schedule and preferences, but in reality…
It was filled with CP observation notes!
Monday, sunny. His Highness Fox Lian sparred with Senior Brother Lie Yun of the White Tiger Clan. Lie Yun's muscles were perfect, his sweat-soaked vest clinging to him with wild allure. Fox Lian's evasive movements were graceful as dance, his tail shimmering like a galaxy in the sun. Lie Yun grabbed Fox Lian's wrist, pulling him close—their breaths mingled! Though Fox Lian quickly broke free, that look in Lie Yun's eyes! That look! I shipped it!
Wednesday, overcast. In the library, His Highness Fox Lian sat beside Young Master Mo Yu of the Crane Clan. Mo Yu, cold as a painting, handed over a scroll, fingertips brushing Fox Lian's. Fox Lian accepted it with a smile in his violet eyes, his tail tip unconsciously sweeping Mo Yu's robe. Mo Yu's face stayed blank, but his ears turned red! Definitely red!
Friday, rainy. The most explosive one yet! Crown Prince Rui Lin of the Qilin Clan publicly invited Fox Lian to watch a dance! And Fox Lian didn't outright refuse—he just smiled and said, "I'll consider it"? Rui Lin's determined smile! Fox Lian's coy reluctance! This is peak power-couple literature! The strongest CP of the year has been born!
Emma hugged her notebook under the covers, grinning wildly by the glow of a night pearl. She even secretly used a memory stone to record "highlight scenes," replaying them late at night.
Too good! These handsome classmates standing beside that beautiful fox were such a feast for the eyes—far better than watching Gu Liang and other girls chatter endlessly around him.
She diligently fed Gu Liang terrible "how to catch Fox Lian's attention" ideas (like "accidentally" spilling spirit fruit on his path), while screaming internally: Don't listen to me! Gu Liang, give up! Go admire Lie Yun's biceps! Go admire Mo Yu's cold restraint! Go admire Rui Lin's domineering passion! Any of them are easier to understand than this inscrutable fox!
Sometimes, when Fox Lian's gaze happened to sweep over her, Emma instantly switched to her standard "fangirl face," while secretly thinking: Your Highness, please look at the quality men around you! Stop dazzling us mere mortals!
She felt like a soldier undercover on the CP frontline—maintaining her "one-sided crush persona" with difficulty, while secretly waving flags for every possible ship, shipping herself half to death.
Until one day, Fox Lian stopped her under the corridor, violet eyes thoughtful as he glanced at the corner of her notebook—where a doodle of chibi Fox Lian x Rui Lin holding hands peeked out. He drawled: "Emma… seems you're very interested in me and Rui Lin's relationship?"
Emma: "!!!"
Game over. The house is collapsing!