Though I wasn’t entirely sure why, Lianbing’s finger-sucking act was clearly meant for Jiang Xueqing’s eyes only.

Suddenly, last Friday’s lunchtime flashed in my mind… These two seemed to know each other already. The tension between them practically crackled—like old grudges waiting to explode.

*Sigh.* If you’ve got beef, settle it privately, okay? Why drag me into your drama?

I glanced at my poor finger. A glaring teeth mark lingered stubbornly. From a distance, it almost looked like a ring. Numbness still gripped it, making writing awkward. For a split second back there, I genuinely thought she’d bitten it clean off… *Does she have rabies?!*

Grumbling inwardly, I decided to keep my distance—for now. Better safe than sorry.

So during the break after second period, I skipped the usual pavilion behind the science building. Instead, I chatted with Yingliang by the corridor windows after a bathroom trip.

“You’ve got a gorgeous girlfriend, yet you’re chatting with a loser like me? Juncheng, you’re not… *into guys*, are you?”

“Cut it out. Only clueless couples cling 24/7. Absence makes the heart grow fonder—personal space matters.”

*Yeah, right.* Truth was, Lianbing and I were fake dating. Zero couple chemistry. One wrong move, and our cover’d blow.

Our “romantic” talks? Eighty percent filthy jokes aimed at me. Twenty percent morbid academic debates—like why she adored corpses. *Stuff I never wanted to know.*

Anyone eavesdropping would spot the weirdness instantly. Especially with Gao Yingnai lurking—a certified eavesdropping pro. One slip, and I’d be toast. Lianbing? She’d just regain her goddess status. Me? I’d lose my only shield against the class’s terrifying gazes.

Until that crimson stain vanished from her pink title, I had to play boyfriend perfectly.

I shrugged helplessly. “We’re just… normal couple stuff.”

“Couples who do finger-sucking *plays* in public aren’t normal.”

“Huh? You saw that?”

“Yeah… not on purpose. Just… happened to glance.”

“Thing is, I’ve always had this knack for stumbling on weird stuff at the worst times. Don’t take it personally—I really didn’t mean to spy.”

*Oh?* So Yingliang’s peeping was a *passive skill*? Made sense. He was awkward, not creepy. Probably couldn’t help it.

Just then, Yingliang—who’d been staring out the window—flinched. His cheek twitched like he’d seen a ghost. He spun around, slinging an arm over my shoulders, forcing bro-mode.

Something was up. I tried to turn toward the window, but he yanked my shoulder hard.

“What’d you see this time?” I asked.

“Nothing worth noting. Forget it.” He changed subject fast. “Hey, you wear glasses now? Nearsighted?”

“Nope. Plain lenses. Just… blocking stuff I’d rather not see.”

“Huh. Yeah. Glasses filter out a lot. Big frames hide your face too.” He nodded like he’d lived it. *Guess his ‘skill’ really messed with him.*

Curiosity spiked. “But damn, your frames are A+ stylish.”

“Really? They look ordinary to me.” I took them off. Just basic black rims.

Lianbing—Soft Ice mode—picked them out during a shopping trip. She’d chatted up the clerk, made me try dozens of frames, then chirped, *“This one suits Master Cheng best~”* She even paid.

*Not that I could afford it.* Who charges a fortune for *just frames*? I thought plain lenses would cost under ¥200… Now these glasses were probably my most valuable possession.

“You didn’t pick these yourself. Frames suit faces differently. This style’s perfect for you… Girlfriend’s choice?”

“Yeah. She picked them.”

“Lucky bastard~ Wish I had a girlfriend to pick mine…”

“Get new ones yourself. You’ve worn those thick round glasses since freshman year. Like *Nobita* cosplaying.”

“No way! My glasses *are* my soul! Round lenses are sacred!”

“Not judging… but that’s kinda weird.”

“I get it. You’re just blunt. No malice.”

“Thanks for getting me. Seriously.”

“No problem. Bluntness builds trust.” He patted my shoulder, thumbs-up. *Damn. That actually touched me.*

“Though I thought you were a loner. Always alone, never talking.”

“I’m not antisocial. Had friends in middle school. Just… not many girls.”

*If casual greetings counted as friendship, anyway.*

“But in high school… even that vanished. Like classmates avoid me?” I trailed off. “I stopped reaching out. Became this.”

“Not your fault. Our class… isn’t normal.”

“Yeah…” *Tell me about it.* These kids’ titles—if real—made “normal interaction” impossible.

“Thanks to Ji Lianbing being here, you actually snagged her. Other classes? You couldn’t even *approach* her.”

“Guess so…” Only in class did Lianbing fade from the spotlight.

“Oh! You owe me for that.”

“Huh?”

“Seat arrangements sophomore year? *I* suggested putting Ji Lianbing behind you. ‘Close waters catch the moon first’—worked like a charm! Scored the unattainable goddess, huh? Bros before hoes!”

*YOU LITTLE—*

“Don’t stare so intensely! I’ll blush~” *I’ll throw you out this window.* “If Xiao Hua finds out… she might murder me. HAHA! Don’t tell her, okay?”

“Lan Hua?”

“Yeah. You noticed too, right? She’s actually…”

“Yeah. I know. Mum’s the word.” I nodded solemnly. *…Should I tell her anyway?*

“Phew. Thought you were clueless.”

“Was. Until… certain circumstances made it obvious.”

*Thanks to this cursed ability seeing titles and thoughts, I learned Lan Hua’s a lesbian.*

I glanced through the back door at Lianbing and Lan Hua chatting. Lianbing—facing me—locked eyes. Smiled sweetly.

I narrowed my eyes, raised a brow, and grimaced.

She winked. Blew a kiss.

*Oh ho.*

“Oh ho~ So sweet! Jealous, Juncheng.”

“Jealous?” *You have no idea.* That “smile” wasn’t sweet—it was a threat: *“You didn’t blab, did you, Master Cheng…?”* My grimace meant: *“I know. Back off.”* Her wink: *“Good boy~”* The kiss? Either camouflage… or mockery.

“Nothing to envy. It’s a headache.” *…And life-threatening.*

“If other guys heard that, they’d drag you to the woods and bury you.”

“Then keep it secret.” *What choice do I have?* How could anyone “enjoy” a girlfriend who wants you dead?

No “dying under peonies” romantic crap. I value my life. Survival first. Everything else? Secondary.

*…Unless it’s Soft Ice. Her, I’d take.*

“Got this goddess and still unsatisfied? What *do* you like in a girl, Juncheng?”

Yingliang’s question froze me mid-step.

*What type…?*

…I’d never even asked myself that.