After a sharp whistle blew, the stragglers on the field scrambled back to the track center like animals hearing feeding time. Four columns formed—two for boys, two for girls—with the taller boys standing behind the girls.

No one seemed curious about the odd figures lingering at the end of the boys' formation. Class cliques were already carved up; students outside your circle were just strangers.

Only someone like Xu Xian, effortlessly charming, could skip class half the time yet glide between social tiers. I felt a mirage-like illusion—he’d always seemed a core member of our ditching crew, but he bantered easily with everyone. Others probably felt the same false sense of kinship.

Was this guy a magician? I tugged my cap brim down against the sun and glanced at Xu Xian’s bright, smiling profile.

I’d once heard Yan Qing mention Xu Xian’s dad was a diplomat stationed abroad and an honorary board member at Evergreen Academy. Xu Xian’s likable mannerisms and the Student Council President’s popularity showed no sign of a son failing his father’s legacy. Pity he was still a weirdo—no wonder Xu Lingzhu clashed with him.

Compared to their tense sibling rivalry, Jiang Xiaoyu’s blunt honesty felt refreshing. When we disagreed, we’d settle it in the dojo. Over time, we always united—under her tyranny.

"Two laps to warm up, then free time!"

The middle-aged, bald PE teacher announced this—the same lazy line I’d heard ten thousand times.

"Wait, sir, isn’t this tennis class?"

Xu Xian stood out in the crowd—tall, with striking golden hair. His words sparked scattered cheers from dubious tennis fans.

The teacher rubbed his shiny scalp, walked back, and stared. "Right... Xu Xian? You actually attend class?"

"Rude, Baldy! I’d never skip your lessons!"

Laughter rippled through the formation. Xu Xian always stole the spotlight. Unlike Xu Lingzhu’s flawless image, his talented-but-lazy charm won people over—even the forgetful PE teacher remembered him.

Baldy chuckled, accepting the nickname. "Run two laps first. Then join Class Ten’s tennis practice."

No escaping sweat under the sun. Groans rose as students jogged around the track. Next door, Class Ten already practiced on the courts.

I ran at a steady pace—not slow enough to lag with Yan Qing and Baoyu near the girls, not fast enough to lead. I drifted alone between the boys’ and girls’ lines. Ahead, a figure slowed.

"Jiang Lan, I recall you have a sister."

"Who said that? I never mentioned her."

Xu Xian pondered without batting an eye. "Hmm... Nan Dongye, maybe? She said she trained at your family’s Martial Arts Hall as a kid. Claimed you and your sister are close."

Close? Sure—if a boxer’s bond with her punching bag counts.

Ancient memories surfaced—back when I ruled the playground. I shrugged. "Yeah, I have a sister. So?"

Xu Xian studied my face, as if reading Jiang Xiaoyu through me. He grinned. "Wow, really? Mind if I call you ‘bro’ too?"

I forced a smile. "Hilarious. So hilarious I want to throw you down again. But sorry—even I lose to my sister. To date her, you’d need Baoyu’s defense stats."

Xu Xian’s expression shifted slightly. Bad memories killed his curiosity about Jiang Xiaoyu. "Uh, joking. If you get along with such a fierce sister..."

"What’s your point?"

"You must understand girls well. Especially younger ones?"

"Huh? Uh... yeah, I guess!"

Xiao Qiuqian clung to me like Jiang Xiaoyu once did. It thrilled me guiltily. Counting my two disrespectful sisters, no younger girl had ever disliked me. I said it proudly.

Xu Xian’s lips curled. "Perfect. I mentioned needing a favor."

"Tennis doubles? Fine by me. I can’t play anyway—you’ll chase all the out-of-bounds balls."

"Not that. But it’ll connect soon. Wait—you can’t play tennis?!"

I didn’t need to see his face to know his thoughts. After two laps, I sped up and ducked under a tree’s shade.

"Who said I’m athletic? Beating you isn’t the same as hitting balls."

Xu Xian leaned against the tree, rubbing his forehead. He glanced uneasily at the neighboring court. Thud-thud sounds of balls hitting rackets and ground echoed across the field.

"Fine. I’ll hope she picks a weak partner out of respect for you. Losing badly isn’t my style."

"She? Who?"

A bad feeling crept in. Xu Xian was scheming to wreck my peaceful school life again.

He shrugged, nodding at a vibrant figure on the court. "My sister. She’s in Class Ten. Unlike you, I only charm older women. She’s hated me forever."

A girl in a white tennis cap swung a red racket, sending a perfect spin shot. Sweat glistened on her porcelain skin under the sun. Her tall, slender frame stretched into an elegant curve mid-swing, golden ponytail swaying behind her.

"You mean she’ll pick a fight? Why would she care about me? I don’t even know her! Ask Nan Dongye—she loves tennis. Or any of your random admirers!"

I panicked, dreading Xu Xian’s prediction. I couldn’t imagine the Student Council President learning a guy casually used the girls’ restroom in front of her—it’d ruin me.

Xu Xian turned serious. "No! She ignores me unless necessary. I’ll provoke her later. You may not know her, but she knows you."

"Huh? Make sense!"

"Lingzhu’s competitive. If I challenge her to train, she’ll never refuse—and she’ll enjoy crushing me."

"So?"

"I don’t plan to win. I just need to introduce you. The guy randomly voted Evergreen Goddess... to her."

He knew that gross nickname too. But he wasn’t joking—he was serious!?

"I’m lost!"

Xu Xian shook his head firmly. "Listen, Jiang Lan. I’m a lousy brother. I always will be. But I can’t watch my sister walk a dark path. You’re the only one who can help her. Even if you cut ties with me over her later—I don’t care."

Then I recalled Nan Dongye’s words: "Our Student Council President might be into girls..."

Crazy. Xu Xian had lost it. He couldn’t want me to approach his sister as the "Evergreen Goddess" to change her sexuality...