"Hey, Li Ze?" Sunny Su's voice crackled through the phone.

"Sunny, what is it this late?"

"Well~ it's nothing much. Just a study session tomorrow. I've invited a bunch of people, so don't get the wrong idea!"

Great. If you hadn't said that, I wouldn't have thought anything. You're practically begging me to misunderstand.

"Tomorrow, huh..."

"Li Ze, we agreed earlier! I spent the whole day with you today. If you refuse now, that'd be so disloyal!"

"I'm free tomorrow anyway. Where's this study session?"

I'd planned to refuse, damn it! How could I say no after that? Whatever—it's just a study session. Should be fine.

"Mm~ perfect. Let's hold it at the Study Club? It's the weekend, so no one's there. And I'm the president, after all."

"Sunny... seriously, does anyone ever go to the Study Club?"

You heard right. This academy actually has a place called the Study Club, supervised by the dean. It's basically just a name with tons of ghost members. Unless there's a school event, even Sunny—the president—never bothers going.

"Well, no one's there, but that just means the place is free for us. Isn't that great?"

"Alright, alright. Whatever you say."

Just then, the sound of a door opening came from outside. Probably Yuxuan had calmed down from her excitement.

"Li Ze... are you listening?"

"Got it. Meet at school tomorrow?"

"Yes! I'll contact the dean first... Oh, and 8:30 AM sharp. Remember that!"

Just as I was about to reply, a faint knock sounded at the door.

"Got it. Text me later if anything comes up. Emergency—I gotta hang up!"

I ran to the door while speaking, hung up, and yanked it open.

The sight froze me instantly.

Her delicate face held a faint blush. She looked painfully shy but held her head high, a trace of tears glistening in her eyes.

A light blue dress covered Yuxuan's body, her snow-white arms bare. Her legs, peeking under the skirt, were wrapped in white stockings—innocent yet alluring.

"Brother... how do I look like this?"

Seeing her like this, my heart ached. I quickly ushered her inside.

"Yuxuan, your skin's still damp. Trying on clothes recklessly like this? What if you catch a cold? Hurry in—the living room's cooler."

I walked to the wardrobe and pulled out two blankets.

"Yuxuan, sit on the bed first."

She lowered her head, looking heartbroken, but obediently sat on my bed.

I draped one blanket over her shoulders and wrapped the other around her legs.

"I know you wanted Brother to see you looking pretty. But take care of your body too. What if you get sick?"

Yuxuan kept her head down, voice trembling: "Mm... I remember."

I sighed, then moved beside her and gently stroked her slightly damp hair.

"But you're adorable. This Yuxuan is the cutest girl I've ever seen."

Her head jerked suddenly. Then I heard soft, muffled sobs.