After grabbing the registration form, Xia Chuan’s first move back in the classroom was to give Bai Yifan a good scolding.

“I knew it. Why would Old Liu randomly make me run ten thousand meters? Turns out it was you, you little rascal.”

Xia Chuan pinched Bai Yifan’s cheeks, stretching them until his face slowly distorted.

“Oww! M-Master, I’m sorry—let me go!” Bai Yifan’s words slurred into nonsense, but his tearful expression screamed apology.

Seeing his plea, Xia Chuan reluctantly released him.

Bai Yifan immediately clutched his reddened cheeks, wincing.

A flicker of guilt hit Xia Chuan. *I got carried away.*

“Sorry about that,” he muttered.

“It’s fine. You’re my master—it doesn’t matter.” Bai Yifan shook his head lightly, forcing a smile. But glistening tears pooled at the corners of his eyes.

*Xia Chuan finally remembered: this cute boy wasn’t tough. He was timid. That’s why he’d begged to become his disciple—to grow stronger.*

*He hadn’t taught him a single thing. Yet Bai Yifan had helped him countless times.*

*What could he even teach? He was just as weak.*

Still, Xia Chuan patted his shoulder. “Listen, Xiao Bai. Real men don’t cry in front of others.”

The words sounded hollow—like an excuse after his own mischief.

Bai Yifan froze, then hastily wiped his eyes. “Master, you’ve got it wrong. I’m not crying. My eyes just… sting. That’s all.”

“No need to explain. I get it. It’s okay to cry sometimes.” Xia Chuan smiled gently. “Your master’s love will embrace you.”

“I’m serious! The tears came because you *yanked* my face so hard!” Bai Yifan pointed at his dry eyes. “See? All gone now.”

Xia Chuan squinted. *Was he really not crying? Did I overthink it?*

“But Master,” Bai Yifan deadpanned, “that line about ‘love embracing’ was seriously cringey—”

“Get lost!” Xia Chuan cut him off, face burning.

---

Near the end of the day, Xia Chuan finally handed the form to Old Liu.

He rushed back to class. At Seafeather Second High, the last period was self-study for all grades except seniors. Most students chatted freely.

But Xia Chuan had no time for that. He needed to finish all homework now—so he’d have time after school… to pick up a kid.

“Master, must you push so hard?” Bai Yifan sighed beside him.

“No choice,” Xia Chuan grinned wryly.

After class, he’d pick up Qian Yu, buy groceries, cook dinner, *and* train for the sports meet. As someone who slept by 9:30 PM sharp, homework had to be crammed now.

Bai Yifan fell silent, chatting instead with the student ahead.

*Xia Chuan glanced over, relieved. Like Liu Yixia, Bai Yifan wasn’t being isolated because of him.*

The dismissal bell rang.

Xia Chuan scribbled furiously in the final minutes. When he finished, his arms felt too heavy to lift.

“Master, walk home together?” Bai Yifan slung his bag over his shoulder.

“I’m picking up my cousin’s kid. Sorry.”

“Daycare or kindergarten?”

“…Daycare.”

“My place is near the daycare. I’ll walk with you—it’s on my way.”

*There was only one daycare nearby. Bai Yifan knew exactly which one.*

“Fine,” Xia Chuan conceded.

As he packed his bag, he glanced at Liu Yixia’s empty seat. *She left already.*

“Xia Chuan.”

A voice called as he stood. At the classroom door, a graceful figure waved.

*Northsea Yuxue?*

Confusion flickered. *Why’s she here?*

But that wasn’t the issue.

Northsea Yuxue was famous. Her beauty alone made her a school flower—let alone her status as a young heiress.

Her arrival sent ripples through the class.

“Isn’t that Northsea Yuxue?”

“I see her. But why’s she calling the ‘Dark-Haired Demon King’? Has he set his sights on our top three school flowers now?”

“Obviously. What *hasn’t* he done? Probably blackmailing her into something shady. Disgusting.”

*Xia Chuan bit his tongue. Speaking up would only darken his reputation further. He just sighed inwardly.*

*He thought the gossip would fade—until a clear voice cut through.*

“Stop spreading lies. Xia Chuan isn’t like that.”

Northsea Yuxue had heard the whispers too. Her icy glare held little warmth—more like someone owed her 250 bucks.

The room fell silent. Murmurs resumed, but quieter this time.

“You—” Northsea Yuxue’s voice tightened. She had no retort.

*Xia Chuan decided to rescue her.* He grabbed Bai Yifan’s arm and strode over, patting her shoulder. “Let’s talk outside.”

“But I—”

“We’re *leaving*.”

Knowing her stubbornness, Xia Chuan did the only thing he could: he gripped her hand.

Northsea Yuxue froze. Her mind went blank as she stared at their joined hands.

*Xia Chuan didn’t notice. He just wanted out.*

He pulled her—and Bai Yifan—out of the classroom.

After a short jog down the hall, he stopped and turned.

Northsea Yuxue’s face was flushed. Her whole body trembled slightly.

“What’s wrong?”

“My… hand.” Her voice wavered despite her cold tone.

Xia Chuan jerked back. “Sorry! I panicked back there.” *He’d taken advantage of a girl. An apology was the least he owed.*

“It’s fine. I’m not blaming you.” Her expression softened a fraction.

Xia Chuan offered an awkward smile.

“Hello? I’m still here!”

Bai Yifan stood behind Northsea Yuxue, shooting Xia Chuan a betrayed look.

*Xia Chuan hesitated—then smoothly ignored him, turning back to Northsea Yuxue.*

“Seriously?!” Bai Yifan sputtered.

Both pretended not to hear him.

“So, Northsea,” Xia Chuan asked, “what did you need?”

“Are… are we friends?”

“Of course.”

“Then… walk home together?”

“That’s it?”

Her face stayed blank, but her trembling fingers betrayed her nerves.

“No?”

“I don’t mind. But is it on your way? I’m heading to the daycare today.”

*He used to walk home with Liu Yixia—their houses were neighbors. Northsea’s request felt natural, but he checked anyway.*

“I have errands near the daycare too. Perfectly on my way.”

*Her home was nowhere near there. But she’d say anything to walk with him.*

“Alright then.” Xia Chuan missed her lie entirely.

A flicker of joy lit Northsea Yuxue’s eyes.

“Master, I just remembered—I have stuff to do. I won’t come.”

Bai Yifan’s voice cut in as Xia Chuan calculated the fastest route to the daycare.

Xia Chuan stared at him. “Oh. You’re here.”

“Master, you big idiot!”

“Kidding, kidding.”

“Whatever. I’m leaving.” Bai Yifan spun around and stomped off in the opposite direction.

---

“Well then,” Xia Chuan said to Northsea Yuxue, “let’s go.”

“Mhm.”

After a few steps, Xia Chuan glanced back.

Bai Yifan hadn’t left. He stood at the far end of the corridor, watching them.

With his sharp eyesight, Xia Chuan saw him raise a thumbs-up.

*Master. This disciple can help you no further.*

That was the message.

After making the gesture, Bai Yifan lightly flicked his bangs. He turned with an air of dominance, leaving behind a silhouette that seemed small but radiated quiet majesty.

His deeds and glory stayed hidden.

Xia Chuan stared, utterly bewildered. Naturally, he couldn’t decipher Bai Yifan’s meaning from just a gesture.

“Xia Chuan, what’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing. Let’s go.”

Only then did Xia Chuan snap out of it and reply.

——————————————————————————————————

On the way to the school gate, Xia Chuan kept puzzling over Bai Yifan’s gesture.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck him.

The thumb…

Could it be…

No mistake…

He was telling me I look especially handsome today, right?

Hahaha, it can’t be wrong.

Xia Chuan was utterly impressed by his own cleverness.

No wonder he’s my disciple—he really has good taste.

“…”

Damn, what am I even thinking?

After a brief daydream, Xia Chuan snapped back. He knew he was acting up again.

Lately, Xia Chuan would suddenly become unbearably narcissistic. Medically, it was called “intermittent narcissism.”

But after a short bout, he’d return to normal. To this day, he didn’t understand why he had it.

“Xia Chuan, time to go home.”

While Xia Chuan was lost in thought, Northsea Yuxue saw him frozen in place. She patted his shoulder and whispered softly, “Let’s head home.”

“Oh, right. Let’s go.”

Hearing her voice, Xia Chuan jolted back and hurriedly replied.

A flicker of confusion crossed Northsea Yuxue’s eyes at his flustered state, but it vanished instantly.

To distract himself, Xia Chuan turned to the window.

He walked down the empty corridor, watching the fiery orange-red dusk outside.

The only sound was the thudding of sneakers on the floor.

Come to think of it, Xia Chuan hadn’t walked home with anyone in a long time.

Ever since that incident, he’d always gone alone.

But now, a friend walked beside him.

Would he feel less lonely in the crowd?

Xia Chuan didn’t know. But he loved this feeling of walking side by side.

Whenever he felt out of place, all he had to do was turn his head. He’d realize he wasn’t as alone as he thought.

Xia Chuan looked away. Bathed in the sunset glow, he stepped onto the path home.