November 25th, Wednesday Morning

A brand new day. In the hallway, Qi Yao and Qinmu chatted about the recent class basketball tournament. Qi Yao had done great, leading Class 13’s boys to the quarterfinals. He’d wiped away the shame of their freshman-year first-round exit.

“If you insist it’s all my doing, that’s a stretch,” Qi Yao said. “I don’t deserve this glory—it’s too heavy.” He felt like a savior, glowing with golden light.

“Come on, I know you,” Qinmu scoffed. “Making the quarterfinals isn’t winning the national title. There are still games left.” She sneered at his complacency.

Qi Yao’s expression shifted instantly. Moments ago, he’d been brimming with pride. Now he looked utterly deflated.

“Next, we face last year’s champs—Grade 11, Class 1,” he said. “Our odds are slim. If the whole school bet on a winner? It’d be a landslide for them.”

Qinmu disagreed. Miracles happened. Even champions stumbled sometimes. “Just play hard,” she urged. “Our class has nothing to fear—we’ve already earned respect. But Class 1? Their pressure’s huge. They’re defending champs.”

Qi Yao wanted to dodge the topic. It only added stress. “Qinmu, I heard your sister’s been absent since the sports festival. Hiding ’cause she lost the volleyball match?”

Qinmu wouldn’t tell the truth. “She’s sick. Had a fall after the festival. Still recovering. She’ll be back in two weeks.”

“Two weeks? That serious?” Qi Yao grinned. “Should I visit? Your sister’s like my sister.”

Qinmu glared, disgusted. “My sister’s none of your business. Save it.”

“As a brother, why no kindness?” Qi Yao teased half-seriously. “Or are you just a sis-con, scared to let guys near her?”

“One more word, and I’ll slap you,” Qinmu snapped, face stern. No joke in her eyes.

“Alright, alright,” Qi Yao relented. “Kidding. Hope your sister recovers fast.” He found her pouting mouth cute when angry. Almost laughed.

Qinmu hated such talk. Any guy flirting with her sister was intolerable—even in words. “Joke like that again, and we’re done. Your choice.” Her voice was dark.

“Fine, I’ll stop,” Qi Yao said. “But you’ve been cheerful lately. Dating someone?”

“No. Don’t imagine things.” Qinmu blushed, eager to escape. “I’m going to do homework. Stay if you want—I won’t waste time here.”

“Don’t go!” Qi Yao called. “Who is it? Yue Yang? Tu Shen? Someone else?” But Qinmu had already turned back to class. No intention of staying.

***

After second period, Qinmu chatted animatedly with Yue Yang.

“Nangong, someone’s waiting outside,” a classmate said, approaching. Qinmu peered curiously out the window. A tall boy in a black suit stood there. Who was he? She didn’t recognize him.

Reluctantly, Qinmu rose and stepped out. The boy thrust a letter into her hands. “My sister sent this. Read it well. That’s all I can do.” He patted her shoulder firmly and vanished. Qinmu was baffled. Who was he? Who was his sister?

She flipped the blank envelope. No name. Mysterious.

The girl beside her giggled. “Qinmu, a love letter from some girl?”

Qinmu’s face flushed. “No way! Impossible!” She rushed back to her seat. The girl laughed again. “Definitely something up.” Gossip spread instantly among the girls.

Yue Yang eyed the letter in Qinmu’s hand. “A love letter from Han Yunze?”

Qinmu nearly spat out her water. “What? No—it’s from his sister! Hey, do you know that guy?”

“Han Yunze. Grade 12, Class 7. Last year’s student council vice president. He speaks often at academic elite meetings. Seriously impressive.”

Qinmu knew those meetings. Only top-ranked students joined. So Han Yunze was no ordinary guy. But why would his sister write to her? She puzzled over it.

The answer lay inside. Qinmu tore the seal, pulled out a square-folded letter, and unfolded it.

“What is it? A love letter?” Yue Yang leaned in to peek.

The letter read:

*You’re surprised, right? Thinking this is a love letter? Nope! Just a surprise: I’m transferring to Jintang soon. Happy? Oh, you don’t know me yet—but that’s the fun part. Guess who I am!*

Qinmu felt pranked. No name. Transferring here. Only clue: her brother was Han Yunze. So she must be Han too. The only Han girl Qinmu knew was Yufei Han. Had to be her.

“This guy’s so boring,” Qinmu grumbled, stuffing the letter into her drawer. A QQ message would’ve sufficed. Writing a letter? Having her brother deliver it? Absurd.

“Know who it is now?” Yue Yang watched her knowingly.

“Yeah. A prankster.”

“Prankster? Someone I know?”

“No. A No. 2 High student I met online. No idea why she’s transferring to Jintang. Sent this ahead.”

“Left a love debt? She’s coming for trouble?”

“Don’t be silly! Not a love debt, it’s just—” Qinmu stopped. Silent. Yufei Han’s sly grin flashed in her mind. Suddenly, she understood the plan.

“Why silent? Something’s up?” Yue Yang frowned.

“No! Can’t let her transfer to Jintang. I must find her brother now.” Qinmu stood and dashed out, ignoring Yue Yang. Stopping Yufei Han was urgent.

The reason? Tu Shen’s careless words yesterday: *“Yufei Han and I aren’t enemies anymore. We’re trusted partners now—fighting for a new goal.”* Qinmu had been happy for them. Now she saw the scheme. Their depth of cunning was terrifying.

Panting, Qinmu reached Grade 12, Class 7’s door. She scanned through the glass window. No sign of the suit guy. As she turned to leave, a hand tapped her shoulder. “Looking for me?” It was him.

“Yes! Finally found you.”

“Honored you came,” he smiled. “Name’s Nangong Qinmu, right? My sister mentioned you. Handsome guy—no wonder she’s infatuated. But why’d you seek me? Spit it out.”

“Can your sister stay at River City No. 2 High?” Qinmu pleaded. “Jintang’s less prestigious. It’d waste her talent.”

Han Yunze chuckled. “You care. I didn’t misjudge you. But I can’t decide. If she wants to come, no one stops her. Unless you talk to her yourself.”

*Talk to her?* Qinmu thought. *A dead end. Yufei Han would never listen!*

“No way out at all?” she asked again.

His helpless look said everything. “Sorry. Can’t help. But I’ll take you to meet her after school.”

Qinmu waved frantically. “No, no! You’re busy. I’m leaving.” Meeting Yufei Han was like a lamb walking into a tiger’s mouth. Better not die pointlessly.

Dejected, Qinmu walked downstairs. The transfer was inevitable. She’d have to face it. Only hope: they wouldn’t bully her too hard.

Back at her seat, class had started. Yue Yang eyed her suspiciously. “Where’d you go?”

“I found Han Yunze. He’s terrified of his sister. Her words are like imperial decrees—he obeys blindly.”

“And? Did you argue?”

“No. I accepted fate. A new student might join us soon. Then you’ll see what his sister’s really like.”

“Hmm. Don’t think too badly of girls,” Yue Yang soothed. “She probably just loves joking with you. Don’t take it seriously~”

That made sense. But Qinmu still felt a trace of fear. If those two lost control? She’d be doomed. Blabbing secrets. Starting fights. Anything could happen. Worry crept in.