In the blink of an eye, noon arrived.

"Master, please believe me—I can do this!"

Clearly, Xia Chuan’s earlier refusal hadn’t worked. Bai Yifan still wouldn’t stop pestering him.

"Come with me."

Finally, Xia Chuan had enough. He gestured for Bai Yifan to follow him out. Some things couldn’t be said in class.

Their raised voices drew stares. Classmates assumed Xia Chuan was bullying Bai Yifan.

"Does this mean… you’ll finally take me as your disciple?" Bai Yifan asked eagerly.

*Just how obsessed are you with this apprenticeship thing?*

Sweat broke out on Xia Chuan’s brow.

"Just follow me."

Done with arguing, Xia Chuan turned and strode out of the classroom.

"Mhm!" Bai Yifan hurried after him, beaming.

---

They stopped on a quiet patch of grass. Xia Chuan turned abruptly.

"Bai Yifan, cut it out. You’re seriously annoying me."

Soft tactics failed—time for bluntness. He feigned anger.

"Master, has anyone ever told you your acting sucks?"

Bai Yifan stayed calm despite Xia Chuan’s outburst.

*Xia Chuan’s face stayed stern, but inside he reeled. Did he see through me?*

When Xia Chuan stayed silent, Bai Yifan pressed on.

"You’re not actually mad, are you?"

"Of course I am!"

Even caught, Xia Chuan doubled down.

"But you’re happy."

*Huh?*

Xia Chuan’s fake anger melted into pure confusion.

Bai Yifan sighed. "Yeah, I look kinda girly. But this body taught me to read people. If I sensed real anger, I’d back off. Yet when I talk to you… I feel your happiness."

*Me? Happy?*

Xia Chuan recalled Bai Yifan’s morning chatter. It hadn’t bothered him as much as he’d expected. After years of silence, maybe… it felt nice.

That’s why Bai Yifan *had* to stay away. Xia Chuan couldn’t let him get isolated too.

"Bai Yifan." Xia Chuan steeled himself. "I won’t take you as a disciple. It’s absurd—but more importantly, I’m no hero. I’m the outcast of this class. Get close to me, and you’ll be ostracized too. Especially as a transfer student. I’m doing this for your own good."

Bitterness welled up as he spoke.

"So… you rejected me earlier to protect me?" Bai Yifan’s eyes widened in realization.

Xia Chuan flushed but nodded stiffly.

"Then—if I don’t care about being isolated, will you accept me?" Bai Yifan’s face lit up.

A # symbol practically popped on Xia Chuan’s forehead. *Are you even listening?!*

"I said—"

"Master!" Bai Yifan cut him off. "If you’re about to say ‘I don’t want you isolated because of me’ again—save it. I told you I don’t care. Stop acting like some self-sacrificing saint. Respect my choice, okay?" His tone turned serious.

"Hah. Aren’t you scared of me? I once took down twenty guys alone." Xia Chuan’s mind scrambled.

"Scared? I trust you had good reason for that."

*Xia Chuan froze. Trust?*

No one had trusted him—not even Liu Yixia. He’d started doubting himself.

Yet today… someone believed him.

Still, he challenged, "Don’t joke. Judging someone you just met? That’s reckless."

Bai Yifan paused, then grinned. "Reckless? Yeah, maybe. But it’s my gut feeling—and my gut’s rarely wrong. So I’ll trust it."

*Gut feeling?*

Believing Xia Chuan was "good" on instinct was absurd. Yet Xia Chuan found no words to argue. Someone finally didn’t fear him for being a delinquent.

He stared at Bai Yifan, words stuck in his throat. Only two slipped out:

"Thanks."

"Master, stop staring—I like girls!" Bai Yifan shivered under his gaze, ignoring the gratitude.

*Seriously? I bare my soul and you pull this?*

"Hah. If you like girls, doesn’t that make you into yuri?" Xia Chuan shot back to save face.

"Master, you—!" Bai Yifan sputtered, flustered.

Seeing him flustered, Xia Chuan finally felt his pride recover.

"Alright, calm down. From today, you’re the 28th grand-disciple of Master Heifa. I’ll teach you everything I know. How much you learn depends on you." He struck a sage-like pose.

"Thank you, Master!" Bai Yifan’s smile returned, bright as sunshine.

Xia Chuan didn’t understand his joy—but his own lips lifted slightly.

---

Mo Yao hesitated outside the school gates.

She’d planned to give Xia Chuan sandwiches that morning. But oversleeping ruined the timing. Western pastries spoiled fast. She had to deliver them fresh.

*How many years has it been?* If she hadn’t dropped out after freshman year, she’d be in college now.

Embarrassment warred with dread. This campus held painful memories. What was she now—a stranger?

*Mo Yao, don’t chicken out. You can do this!*

She marched toward the gate.

"Excuse me, can I come in?"

The security guard was glued to his phone. Ignoring her.

"Sir—"

"Annoying! School’s closed—" He snapped his head up to scold her—then froze.

"I really need to get in. Please help?" Mo Yao kept her voice gentle.

"O-of course! Sorry, I was being an idiot. Please forgive me, miss." His attitude flipped instantly.

"Thank you." Mo Yao smiled politely, puzzled but not pressing.

The gate clicked open. She dashed in—she only had an hour off from Aunt Tian’s shop.

*Wait… was his face red just now?* she wondered. *Must be my imagination.*

---

Mo Yao drew stares down the hallway.

*Is my outfit that weird?* She just wanted to drop off the food and escape.

Spotting Xia Chuan’s classroom, she steeled herself and entered.

Every eye locked onto the stranger.

"Can I help you?" A boy near the door spoke up.

Others chimed in, suddenly eager.

*They’re actually nice kids,* Mo Yao thought, touched. Her nerves eased.

"Is Xia Chuan here?" she asked directly.

Silence crashed down.

She looked at the first boy. His eyes darted away, face tight.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing. I… don’t know where Xia Chuan is. Sorry." He forced a sickly smile.

"No problem! It’s fine!" Mo Yao waved her hands.

"Mo Yao? Is that you?"

A familiar voice cut through the quiet. She spun around.

Xia Chuan stood there—with a girl in boys’ clothes trailing him.

"Xia Chuan! There you are." Mo Yao exhaled in relief.

"Why are you here?" He frowned.

"Here." She thrust the lunchbox at him.

"What’s this?"

"Sandwiches. You only eat plain bread at school, right? Thought I’d upgrade your lunch. Still bread, but with veggies this time." She smiled. His presence eased her tension.

Xia Chuan took the heavy box. "Thanks."

He wasn’t one to refuse kindness—especially after she’d come all this way.

"Make sure you eat every bite. You’ll need the energy to take care of me and the baby."

"Got it."

Xia Chuan replied automatically—then froze.

*Wait. WHAT did you just say, Mo Yao?!*

Classmates pretended indifference but strained to hear. Their minds raced: *Stunning lady + baby + Xia Chuan = HOLY SHIT HE’S THE FATHER.*

Shock rippled through them. They kept faces blank—no one wanted Xia Chuan’s trouble.

"Well, don’t let your sandwiches get cold. I’m off!"

Oblivious to the bomb she’d dropped, Mo Yao turned to leave.

"Does that make you my master’s wif—mmph!"

Bai Yifan seemed about to speak, but Xia Chuan, having anticipated her move, clamped a hand over her mouth first.

"Be careful on your way!"

Xia Chuan called out loudly, watching Mo Yao's retreating figure.

"Got it!"

Mo Yao didn't turn back. She just replied and slowly vanished at the corridor's end.

Mo Yao stepped out of the school gate with a broad smile, not even understanding why she felt so happy.

Suddenly, she seemed to recall something. Her expression froze. Her face slowly began to flush.

"Wha... what did I just say?!"

Yes. Only now did Mo Yao realize her own words.

---

During lunch break, Xia Chuan slipped alone to the rooftop.

It was deserted—as always. Few ever came here. Ventilation shafts lined the space, rarely cleaned. Old walls stood covered in moss.

Lifting his head, Xia Chuan saw the cloudless sky. A gentle breeze occasionally brushed his long bangs.

He leaned casually against the railing and opened his lunchbox.

The sandwiches had sat overnight, losing their freshness. Xia Chuan took one out and bit into it.

He chewed slowly. Each bite brought the bread's chewiness and the vegetables' crispness.

One after another.

Strangely, the cold sandwich felt warm in his mouth.

"This feeling is really odd..."

Xia Chuan chuckled softly, gazing at the sky.