The moment class ended, Qi Yao eagerly dragged Qinmu out. Yufei Han had wanted to talk to her too, but someone beat her to it—naturally, she was annoyed.

At the far end of the classroom corridor, Qi Yao and Qinmu discussed strategies for pursuing Yufei Han.

"You saw it yourself—Xiao Tang wasn’t lying. What kind of gifts do you think a girl like her would like?" Qi Yao brimmed with enthusiasm, as if he wanted to approach Yufei Han right then and there.

Qinmu stammered, "I’m not a girl—I wouldn’t know. Besides, she’s a well-bred young lady. Who knows what she likes? She’s so rich, she can buy anything. Why would she need some trivial gift from others?"

Qi Yao shook his head. "That’s not how it works. Sure, she’s not as pretty as you, or as loyal a buddy—but she’s still a girl. She must have preferences. Help me analyze this. Don’t you know your sister’s tastes well enough?"

"My sister isn’t from some noble family. She likes ordinary things. How should I know what a spoiled heiress enjoys? What if she’s into diamonds? You gonna buy her diamonds? If you’re so set on chasing her, why not ask her yourself?" Qinmu knew Qi Yao stood no chance with Yufei Han. Whatever that girl liked was bound to be trouble.

"Fine, I’ll skip gifts for now. But do me a favor—chat with her, probe her preferences. Once you get solid intel, I’ll make it worth your while," Qi Yao promised earnestly.

"And how exactly will you repay me?" Qinmu asked, curious despite herself.

"How about joining my harem? We’d have so much fun together!"

"You wanna die?!" Qinmu’s foot shot out—swift, precise, and ruthless. This time, both legs connected.

Qi Yao nearly dropped to his knees. *When did this guy get so violent?* Like a tomboy—cute and pretty on the outside, but with a sadistic streak.

Qinmu shook him off and headed back to class. The moment she reached the doorway, Yufei Han ambushed her from the side. "Ha! Nowhere to run!"

Girls nearby turned to stare.

"Qinmu’s already hooking up with the transfer student? What a harem king! Isn’t Yang Yue and Tu Shen enough?"

"I wish I could join Qinmu’s harem too. A love battlefield sounds thrilling!"

"Shameless pretty boy. Ugh—handsome men are never good news."

Yufei Han pinned Qinmu’s shoulders, shoving her into a corner against the wall. She narrowed her eyes, smirking. "Little brat. Full of tricks, huh? What’s with that attitude when you see me? Do I disgust you that much?"

Qinmu sighed helplessly. "Sis, can’t you just let me go? I barely slept last night—I’m exhausted. It’s my fault for ignoring you earlier. Just this once, okay?"

"Let you go? That phrase isn’t in my dictionary. You’ll have to make it up to me. I came here all happy to see you—you owe me for ruining my mood." Yufei Han pressed harder. Qinmu winced under the pressure.

"Enough! This is too much—I can’t stand it anymore!" Tu Shen suddenly stepped behind Yufei Han, unable to tolerate her tantrums any longer.

Yufei Han released Qinmu and turned, smiling down at the shorter Tu Shen. "Ally, want a taste too? Though with your height, you might not reach."

"What does height have to do with it? Qinmu did nothing wrong. Why treat her like this? Besides—" Tu Shen’s voice trembled with emotion, "—Qinmu is someone I care about. I have to protect her. If you’re upset, take it out on me."

"Now I’m the villain? Fine. I was just joking—no need to take it seriously. But Qinmu is mine. I won’t give her up. Not an inch." Yufei Han didn’t flinch.

Their alliance shattered instantly. Tension crackled between them.

Yang Yue had witnessed Yufei Han cornering Qinmu earlier. While the two glared at each other, she quickly pulled Qinmu away. Qinmu felt a flicker of comfort. *Yang Yue truly values me. Gentle, beautiful, kind—she’s leagues above those two.*

---Classroom---

"Why is the new transfer student targeting you? Did you know each other before?" Yang Yue pressed, her earlier warmth replaced by a cool, stern expression.

"Well... remember that boy who delivered my letter last time? She’s his sister. She’s transferring here." Qinmu fidgeted nervously.

"I see. This complicates things. Does she know you’re actually a girl?"

"Yeah. That’s why I can’t push back. If she spills everything, I’m ruined." Qinmu sighed. With her biggest secret in someone else’s hands, how could she afford to anger them?

"Don’t worry. I’ll protect you. If she comes near you, I’ll keep her away." Yang Yue patted her chest confidently.

"Are you sure? You hate talking to strangers. I don’t want to burden you."

"Qinmu’s problems are my problems. Even if it’s hard, I’ll block her. I won’t tolerate any girl bullying others. Never." Yang Yue’s eyes burned with resolve.

Hearing this, Qinmu’s heart swelled. *She cares this much—even above her own reputation? If I were a boy, I’d marry her on the spot.* (Of course, that’s impossible. ╮(╯^╰)╭)

"Thank you. I’ll be stronger too. No more being a pushover." Qinmu’s voice wavered slightly, but her resolve was firm.

Their resistance alliance was sealed. Yang Yue felt a quiet joy—standing beside Qinmu meant closeness *and* fending off a new rival. Killing two birds with one stone.

Meanwhile, Yufei Han and Tu Shen ignored each other completely. Though desk-mates, they’d drawn a strict border down the center of their shared table—fifty-fifty territory. Neither yielded an inch.

The already delicate three-way love battlefield had just turned utterly chaotic.

Qi Yao seethed. *Why is the girl I want chasing Qinmu instead? And so closely!* Bitter envy coiled in his chest. From the moment Yufei Han cornered Qinmu in the corridor to Yang Yue dragging her away, three emotions surged through him: envy, jealousy, resentment. *Why does this guy get a harem without lifting a finger? So unfair!*

*Should I cancel inviting Qinmu to the boutique at lunch?* He hesitated, then shook his head. *No. A promise is a promise.* Anyway, Qinmu was practically like a girl—taking "her" out might still save face. To strangers, "she’d" pass for girlfriend material.