"Shh..." Qin An made a *Silent Voice* gesture. "I hear voices."

Wang Luoran tensed instantly, muttering, "What do we do? What do we do?"

Dressed in a skirt, she no longer seemed the bold, decisive girl she once was—every inch a flustered maiden now.

"Don’t panic!" Qin An jabbed the computer’s power button.

Silence swallowed the room. Distant voices and footsteps echoed from outside.

"Sounded like a man and a woman," Qin An whispered, straining to listen. "One’s probably Ren Yin."

"Oh no!" Wang Luoran’s mind screamed *We’re doomed*.

Qin An’s eyes darted around. A large cabinet stood to his right.

"Follow me." He yanked Wang Luoran toward it, flung open the lower compartment, and ducked inside. She squeezed in after him. Chest-to-chest, cramped tight, Qin An’s back pressed against hard folders. He shut the door just as—

*Click.*

The wooden door creaked open. Though certain they weren’t spotted, Wang Luoran shuddered. Qin An tightened his arms around her, holding her close. *This* was the real her—the girl who’d armored herself for too long, now trembling with raw vulnerability.

Outside, Ren Yin slammed into his chair. Lighter footsteps halted near his desk.

"Mr. Ren, I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!" A girl’s voice, small and pleading.

"*Again*? You dare think of *again*?!" Ren Yin’s fist pounded the table. "What exactly have you done?"

"It’s just a book! Students read, right? Didn’t you always say, *‘Within books lie beauties and gold’*?" she mumbled.

"*This* is a book?!" Ren Yin flipped pages violently. "This is obscene trash! Look at these passages! If this isn’t filth, what is?!" He slammed the table again. "Severe misconduct! I’ll call your parents *and* your homeroom teacher! Bringing this garbage to school—you’ll face harsh punishment to uphold discipline!"

"No, Mr. Ren! My dad will kill me! Anything but my parents!" The girl’s head snapped up, eyes wide with panic.

She had crescent-moon brows and dewy eyes. Her frame was still childlike—not yet blossomed into beauty—but her damp, parted lips had haunted Ren Yin’s thoughts. *After so many worn-out shoes*, he mused, *even an unopened bud tempts*.

"You promised to return my book if I helped you stage that scene with the seniors! You swore you wouldn’t tell my parents!"

"That was before I saw *this*," Ren Yin sneered, watching her tremble. His grin turned predatory.

Inside the cabinet, Wang Luoran’s mind reeled. Her "heroic act" had been a trap—a setup to destroy *her*. She nearly burst out to crush that traitor and the beast Ren Yin.

Qin An pinned her writhing body. She wouldn’t stay still.

"I’m gonna—"

Her scream died as Qin An covered her mouth with his. Wild-eyed, she bit down—hard. Blood welled on his lower lip. Only when she saw the crimson stain did her blood-red eyes slowly clear.

"Parents *must* be notified!" Ren Yin pressed. "You students fear nothing more." (He’d checked: her family had no connections. Perfect.)

"Please, Mr. Ren! I’ll never read these again!" Her voice cracked, tears welling.

Ren Yin’s expression shifted. "Well... I *was* young once. I understand urges. Not telling your parents... isn’t impossible."

"Thank you! I’ll be good!" Hope tinged her sobs.

"I haven’t finished." His leer deepened. "I won’t call them... if you obey me. I adore obedient students."

"I’ll obey! I promise!" Her parents dreamed of her university success. If they learned about this book... broken legs would be the least of it.

"Good girls obey. I’ll be gentle." Ren Yin threw his head back, laughing. *From female teachers to students—and now, little girls. What a leap!*

As he unzipped his pants, the door burst open. A cold draft made him shiver. He looked up.

A voluptuous woman stood there—full-figured, over 150 pounds. Ren Yin knew her: Lin Chunlan, the literature teacher. His least favorite person. She’d once caught him with another teacher and blackmailed him into sleeping with her. He’d endured it, stomach churning.

Lin Chunlan froze, stunned by the scene. Ren Yin gaped. The girl seized her chance—shoved past him and fled in tears.

"You ruined everything!" Ren Yin snapped. "You’re not on duty tonight!"

"Oh, darling~" Lin Chunlan draped her arms over his shoulders. "I came to... comfort our hardworking director. I’m happy to assist—with *anything*."

Ren Yin hesitated. But meat before him? His rule was never to refuse. Ugly, yes—but generous curves. *Lights out. Eyes closed. Good enough.*

Inside the cabinet, Wang Luoran’s cheeks flushed pink. Qin An’s face was inches from hers; their breaths mingled. A strange warmth pooled low in her belly. *Odd. I barely drank tonight.*

"Does it hurt?" Her fingers brushed his bleeding lip.

"I’m sorry. It’s my fault."

"Not your fault. It’s fine now."

"My mom says kissing a wound makes it better."

Wang Luoran’s face burned crimson. Her eyes shimmered like spring water. Warm breath fanned Qin An’s skin as her lips met his—soft, dry. She even licked the blood away before pulling back, leaving him stunned.

Outside, the sounds had long faded, leaving only a stale odor in the air.

Qin An led the dazed Wang Luoran out. Entering had been hard; leaving was easy—teachers had gone home.

Two shadows darted across the darkened playground. The school, stingy with light, had switched off most lamps.

They retraced their steps to the Lei Feng statue.

Wang Luoran still trembled. "You climb first this time."

"Fine."

Qin An vaulted the fence effortlessly. Wang Luoran struggled—one hand gripping the bars, the other clutching her skirt hem.

"Promise you won’t look. *Ever*."

"I swear I won’t look up."

Relief washed over her—until her foot slipped. A shriek tore from her throat as she plummeted.

Qin An lunged forward, arms outstretched. He expected to catch her cleanly.

But whether she twisted midair or his night vision failed him, his face met soft cotton—emblazoned with a tiny bear.

He landed flat on his back, Wang Luoran pinning him down. Heat radiated through her underwear against his stomach.

"You *saw*, didn’t you?!" Her voice wobbled.

"The bear’s cute. Though Hello Kitty’s nice too."

"Qin An, you pervert! I misjudged you!"

They chased each other, laughing and scolding—until they noticed their bikes were gone. Thieves truly lurked everywhere.

Night deepened. Only their heartbeats broke the silence. A cold wind brushed past. Wang Luoran tightened her grip on Qin An’s hand.

He suddenly pulled away, took three steps, then turned. "Luoran," he said softly, "you were really cute today."

The warmth lingered on her palm. Their homes stood close together. Yet their hearts felt worlds apart.

Standing at her own front door, Wang Luoran looked down at her dress. It might be time to ask Mom to buy a few more.

"From now on, I'll only wear this for you to see—and only you get to see it."