Ever since that "collapse" incident in the corridor, Emma had been trapped in exhausting inner turmoil.
On one hand, she was relieved that Fox Lian hadn't publicly exposed her mortifying CP-shipping behavior. On the other, his words—"to know me more deeply"—left her trembling with unease.
What did he mean? A warning? Or… something else?
Emma dared not think too far. She could only double down on her "obsessed admirer" persona, enduring immense psychological pressure each day as she staked out places Fox Lian might appear, dutifully recording his movements. Her notebook, however, no longer dared contain chibi CP doodles—only page after page of cold, emotionless observation reports.
But Fox Lian clearly had no intention of letting her off so easily.
Counterattack One: Precise strike against CP. The next day in Rune Literature class, Senior Brother Lie Yun of the White Tiger Clan, as usual, leaned close to discuss techniques with Fox Lian. Just as Lie Yun's hand was about to land on his shoulder, Fox Lian casually sidestepped, violet eyes flicking toward Emma in the back row, lips curving faintly: "Brother Lie Yun, please keep your distance." His voice was cool. "I dislike physical contact."
Lie Yun: "???" (Last time you threw me over your shoulder, the force didn't look like someone who dislikes contact!) Emma: "!!!" (My Lie Yun x Fox CP! It's broken!)
Counterattack Two: Proactive rumor-clearing. That afternoon in the library, Young Master Mo Yu of the Crane Clan was about to hand Fox Lian a stack of sorted scrolls. But Fox Lian didn't take them immediately. Instead, in front of several "coincidentally present" classmates—including Emma—he spoke gently yet distant: "Thank you, Mo Yu. But in the future, such errands can be left to the attendants." He paused, then added, "So as not to invite misunderstanding."
Mo Yu's cold face betrayed little, but Emma swore she saw his lips press tight for a moment as he turned away. Emma: (My Mo Yu x Fox CP! Also broken!)
Counterattack Three: Cutting off at the root. When Crown Prince Rui Lin of the Qilin Clan once again extended an invitation, Fox Lian responded clearly and firmly before everyone: "I appreciate your kindness, but I have no interest in watching dances, nor in cultivating closeness with you. Please… seek another confidant."
Rui Lin's smile froze. Emma: (My strongest CP of the year! Broken beyond repair!)
In just three days, Emma's painstakingly built CP universe collapsed entirely.
She sat under the pear blossom tree behind the academy, clutching her empty notebook, ready to cry. Was this fox secretly working for the demolition bureau? Why did he only tear down other people's houses?!
"Seems," a familiar, amused voice sounded above her, "Emma has had… little creative inspiration lately?"
Emma jerked her head up. Fox Lian was suddenly there, standing against the light, silver hair rimmed with gold, violet eyes sparkling with mischief.
Anger and grievance surged, and before she could stop herself, she blurted: "Why must Your Highness do this!"
Fox Lian sat beside her, tail elegantly curled. He picked up her notebook from the grass, flipped to a blank page, and with a few glowing strokes—
A chibi, puff-cheeked goddess appeared, captioned: "All CPs broken. Cry cry."
Emma was dumbstruck.
Fox Lian handed the notebook back, violet eyes curved, voice tinged with smug delight: "Because…"
He suddenly leaned close—so close Emma could count his silver lashes, feel his warm breath. "I don't like living in someone else's story."
His fingertip tapped the chibi goddess drawing, voice low and clear: "If you're going to ship… ship the official couple."
Emma stared at his face, impossibly near, at the unmistakable seriousness—and something deeper, expectant—in his eyes. Her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
Official couple?! Could he mean…
Fox Lian saw her flushed cheeks and panicked gaze, chuckled softly, then finally pulled back. Rising to his feet, his tail tip brushed teasingly across her nose, leaving a soft tickle. "Think it over carefully, Emma."
With that, he turned and walked away, silver hair lifting in the wind.
Emma sat alone beneath the pear blossom tree, clutching the notebook now bearing her own chibi likeness, her face burning hot enough to fry an egg.
It was over. She had just been… forcibly converted from a CP fan into a main-character-only fan!