Qinmu strode away without a backward glance, searching for house number 64 along the street. She finally stopped at the gate of a private courtyard. The slightly weathered old villa stood locked, its grounds spotless—clearly swept daily.

*She should be home, right?*

Qinmu pressed the doorbell. After a moment, a male voice called from inside: "Hello? Who’s there?"

She deepened her voice slightly: "Is this Yufei Han’s residence? I’m her classmate, Nangong Qinmu. Here to visit."

The gate clicked open automatically—remote-controlled, apparently. She stepped in cautiously, and the gate sealed shut behind her. *Convenient.*

Before she reached the front door, it swung open. "Well, kid. Tracking me down at home now? That eager to see my sister?"

Yufei Han had heard Qinmu arrive. Following Han Yunze, she laughed: "Bro, she’s no ‘kid.’ Don’t let the boys’ uniform fool you—she’s a stunning beauty."

Han Yunze blinked in surprise. "A girl? Now that you mention it… No wonder you’re so close. But why wear boys’ uniform at school?"

"Family reasons," Yufei cut in lightly. "You don’t need the details, bro."

Han Yunze flushed, recalling how he’d roughly clapped Qinmu on the shoulder days ago. *I thought my sister was writing love letters to some boy… Turns out I got it completely backward.*

"My apologies," he said stiffly. "For the rude words and actions that day. Please forgive me."

As he spoke, he studied the short-haired girl before him: porcelain skin, a delicate oval face, and that one stubborn strand of hair always sticking up. *How could I mistake this girl for a boy? I’m an idiot.*

Yufei nudged her dazed brother. "Stop staring. Let Qinmu in—you’re blocking the door."

Flustered, Han Yunze stepped aside.

"Bro, you’ve run out of your precious West Lake Longjing again. Too busy with senior-year cramming to restock?" Yufei teased. "Just brew something else for Qinmu."

Han Yunze stammered, "R-right. Sorry. I’ll… make other tea."

"Speak properly," Yufei chided while preparing tea. "No stuttering. Are you blushing? Heart racing? Ugh, bro—your face is an open book." She knew him too well. "Here. Take this to Qinmu. Don’t spill it from nerves." A hint of exasperation colored her smile.

Han Yunze set the cup on the table. Qinmu, seated beside it, unclasped her hands and offered a polite smile. "Thank you."

He beamed as if granted a royal favor, sliding into the chair opposite her. All his planned "guy talk" evaporated. *How do I even start a conversation with a girl?*

It was painfully hard. His only regular female contact had been last year’s student council president—a terrifying force of nature who out-muscled most guys.

"Senior," Qinmu broke the silence, sensing the awkwardness thickening. "Why so quiet?"

"Uh… chilly today." Han Yunze lurched toward an open window. "Let me close this." He yanked it shut.

*What was that about?* Qinmu puzzled. The temperature dropped further.

"Senior," she tried again, "I heard you were vice president of the student council last year. You must’ve planned many big events?"

"Eh. Ancient history. Not worth mentioning. Current council does better anyway." He strangled the topic effortlessly.

Qinmu pressed on: "I also heard you were close with the former president. What was she like?"

"*Her?*" Han Yunze grimaced. "Impossible to work with. Surviving two years beside her tested my sanity. No wonder no one else wanted the vice role."

"She must be strict," Qinmu offered.

"Stubborn as a mule, too. Ruined relationships left and right. Could’ve run for senior-year president again, but got crushed by Ouyang Muxia—a sophomore. Sharp, charming, diligent… Her win was inevitable."

*Ouyang Muxia.* Qinmu’s own impression was less than stellar: rigid, humorless. *Does she still resent me over that near-disaster last month? Or do I just dislike her type?*

"Fruit’s ready!" Yufei emerged with washed grapes and sliced apples—thoughtfully prepared. *She’s different from Shen Tu,* Qinmu mused. *Both outgoing, but Yufei’s got more sense.*

Just as Qinmu appreciated this, Yufei sprang up, grabbing her hand. "Bro, Qinmu and I are going to play. Entertain yourself."

Han Yunze froze, suddenly the outsider. He’d just found his footing with Qinmu—now cut off. A quiet regret settled in his chest.