11.30 Monday

On Monday morning, before the morning reading class began, the homeroom teacher was a little excited. She’d heard a top student from River City No.2 High was transferring into her class today. That was real prestige for her. How could she not perk up?

Yufei Han took the family car and arrived unhurried at the gate of the high school she’d sneaked into last time—Jintang High School. At this hour, no students were walking at the gate. The whole school was on the field, listening to the weekly student council report.

She stepped out, with her brother Han Yunze accompanying her. For his most cherished sister, he’d escort her even if it made him late. It was a moment worth remembering. Their first time entering the same high school. Just thinking about it felt warm.

On the field, student council president Ouyang Muxia spoke at the podium. Qi Yao and Qinmu whispered below.

“Qinmu, hey, free at noon? Come hit the boutique with me.”

“Boutique? Why there?”

“I’m chasing a girl from another school. Your taste is good, so help me pick a gift girls like.” Qi Yao chuckled.

“No problem. I’ll handle that little thing.” Qinmu didn’t know there was more behind it.

“Yeah, I’m counting on you. My happiness in the second half of my life depends on you.”

“Are you sick? Depending on me? Didn’t you say you’d chase 99 girls? Dropping the playboy act and going faithful now?” Qinmu didn’t buy his line.

“I’m serious. No other girl compares. She’s the most beautiful I’ve seen—classy and rich.”

“I think you like her money. And ‘another school’? Where’d you meet her? Not another sketchy net friend, right?”

“But soon she might not be ‘another school.’ Word is she’s transferring to Jintang. Today. I want to leave a good impression, so I need the right gift.”

“Transferring to Jintang? Who?” Qinmu was curious who he was chasing.

“They say she’s a River City No.2 High beauty brainiac. Both class and curves off the charts. A perfect goddess in boys’ eyes. I heard it from Xiao Tang.”

“You’re so unreliable. Can you trust that guy? If the transfer turns out to be a girl with a pockmarked face and bad figure, will you still give the gift?”

“Of course I won’t. I’m not brain-dead. But I trust his info, so assist me once.”

“Fine. Let me see her first.” Qinmu suddenly remembered what Yufei Han said yesterday. Could that wealthy, genius beauty be her? Highly likely.

Morning reading class began. Qi Yao was ready, eager to witness his future girlfriend arrive—pure fantasy.

The homeroom teacher waved the girl in from the hall. The transfer student in Jintang’s red, stand-collar uniform was Yufei Han. The moment she showed up, she drew almost every boy’s eyes. Pale green long hair. Delicate features. When she smiled, a cute dimple appeared. Every move was ladylike. Quiet and sweet, graceful and composed. People couldn’t help but be charmed.

She bowed respectfully to the class. “Hi, I’m the new transfer. I’m Yufei Han. Just call me Yufei. I hope we can get along in the days ahead.”

Thunderous applause broke out, wave after wave.

She used her time on the podium to sneak a look for Qinmu, to confirm whether she was in this class. The boys thought she was looking at them and cheered, thrilled. Yufei scanned the room and finally spotted Qinmu, face-down at a desk in the back group, second row, totally listless. She hadn’t raised her head or clapped. She hadn’t even moved. Way too rude.

Qi Yao stared at the beautiful girl like everyone else. Her beauty almost rivaled Qinmu’s. Compared to Yue Yang, she was a different type. Yue Yang was the ice queen. This one was elegant and outgoing. Yeah, he preferred the latter—warm, energetic, and maybe even friendly.

Qinmu lay there for a moment. Her fingers twitched. She lifted her head a little, pried open drowsy eyes, and looked at Yufei Han on the podium. Yufei hadn’t stepped down yet. It looked like the teacher was finding her a seat. Yufei’s gaze accidentally collided with Qinmu’s. Yufei shot her a hard, almost electric glare. Qinmu quickly pulled her gaze back, not daring to meet it.

The least pleased person on scene was Tu Shen. On the surface they were allies, but in truth they were romantic rivals. She thought she could rope Yufei in to counter Yue Yang. She didn’t expect Yufei to play her like this and transfer into Jintang. The battlefield shifted at once, from a two-sided clash to a three-way standoff. The smell of gunpowder thickened.

“Yufei Han, sit next to Tu Shen. And the boy beside Tu Shen, move to the empty seat next to Lin Zihao. That’ll do.” The homeroom teacher found a barely suitable arrangement, to balance the class between top and weak students. She had no intention of giving up on Tu Shen.

Yufei Han shook Tu Shen’s hand politely. “Tu Shen, looks like we’re really fated.”

Tu Shen forced a smile. “Yeah. Otherwise how could we be allies? Must be heaven-ordained.”

On the other side, Qinmu sighed. Tu Shen already had her running in circles, and now there was Yufei Han too. Life felt worse than death.

Yue Yang stayed calm. She didn’t know who Yufei Han was or what she had with Qinmu. She just figured a new student had transferred in. That was all.