I nearly jumped out of my seat when it hit me. Oh god—my crush, that adorable soft-spoken girl, was already taken. Since when? Why was I just finding out now?

But then again, I’d barely exchanged ten words with Chen Jiayi. My knowledge of her came only from occasional whispers about her. Not knowing made sense…

Just then, the teacher walked in. I had to cut off my eavesdropping spell. For the rest of class, I was lost in thought, unable to focus. My pen scribbled mindlessly across my notebook as I kept wondering which bastard had beaten me to it.

During breaks, I pretended to nap at my desk while straining to catch every sound from Chen Jiayi’s direction. Though their whispers about dates were as soft as breath against skin, my magic made them crystal clear. And finally, I learned the bastard’s name: Qin Haoming.

Wait—Qin Haoming? Who was that?

I, an ordinary low-key guy, barely knew anyone outside my class. I turned to our class gossipmonger: "Hey Gossip King, do you know Qin Haoming?"

"My name’s Liu Jun," he shot back with a glare. "Qin Haoming’s from Class 4. Top grades, killer voice—he even had a solo at the school festival. Don’t tell me you forgot?"

Ugh. During the festival, I’d only glanced up for the girls’ dance performances. The rest of the time, I’d been glued to my phone. Of course I didn’t remember him.

But if he was better than this nobody I was… and his secret romance with Chen Jiayi was mutual… what right did I have to interfere?

*Sigh.* Life was tough. I slumped over my desk, gazing at the bright sky outside, feeling a sudden urge to just… plunge out the window. He Wei must’ve noticed my gloom. He leaned over. "Lao Wu, what’s eating you? You look dead today."

"None of your business…" I mumbled into my arms.

He inched closer, sniffing the air. "Whoa. What’s that scent? Lao Wu, you’re not wearing perfume, are you? You smell better than any girl."

"Idiot…" I didn’t even have the energy to argue. I just shifted my weight and kept my face buried.

After school, He Wei and I parted ways at the gate. *Guys like me should be walking home with a girl,* I thought bitterly. *Why’s my only companion this two-hundred-pound buddy?* But barely ten steps from the gate, a low, familiar voice called out behind me: "Wu Tong. Doesn’t that Skin Mask get hot?"

I spun around. Yuan Ba leaned against a lamppost, a smirk playing on his lips.

My first instinct was to scan for his gang—he was a small-time triad boss, after all. But he’d come alone this time. No tight shirt showcasing chest muscles and tattoos. Just a crisp suit and tie. On his broad frame, he looked like a pro athlete heading to an event.

"W-What are you talking about? Skin Mask? No idea!" Guilt made me stumble back two steps.

"The edges around your eyes don’t blend well. I’ve handled similar things before. One look, and I knew." His smirk deepened. "A stunning girl going to such lengths to pose as a boy… staying so quiet… There’s a story here."

Just as I prepared to deny everything, a soft, familiar voice cut in: "Wu Tong? Is this your friend?"

Chen Jiayi and her bestie stood there, eyeing Yuan Ba curiously. Guys built like pro athletes weren’t exactly common. Since he wasn’t from our school, she wouldn’t recognize him.

My crush had just spoken to me. My heart raced. "Y-Yeah… a friend…" I stammered.

"Okay, don’t let me interrupt!" Chen Jiayi smiled faintly, waved, and drifted away with her friend.

*Ah, Jiayi… my little angel. That smile…*

*Too bad she’s someone else’s angel now…*

Yuan Ba couldn’t care less about Chen Jiayi. His eyes locked back on me. "Let’s get one thing straight—I’m no villain. I challenged you to settle my brother’s score. That’s loyalty. But as they say, ‘no fight, no friendship.’ Who’d have thought I’d witness legendary ancient martial arts… wielded by a beauty hiding behind a Skin Mask? Naturally, I’m curious." He leaned in. "You called us friends. Friends don’t keep secrets, do they?"

*Who’s friends with a gorilla like you?!*

Silence from me. His smirk turned icy. "Thought so. Then I’ll just tell Yuan Kui. He’ll spread it school-wide. Perfect payback."

"No!" The word burst out. The Skin Mask was real—and far from flawless. I’d only hidden it this long because I was invisible. Rumors would shatter that.

"You won’t treat me as a friend? Can’t help you there." He shrugged, eyes saying, *Your loss.*

"S-So what do you want?" Panic crept into my voice.

Yuan Ba checked his watch calmly. "Dinner. My treat."

Dinner turned out to be a fancy private room at a nearby restaurant. Once the waiter left, his mask dropped. "Alright. No audience. Take off the glasses and that Skin Mask."

*Sigh.* No point hiding anymore. I unbuttoned my high-collar shirt, removed my glasses. The skin tone around my neck and eyes blended awkwardly. Carefully, I peeled back the mask’s edge.

*Hiss.* Yuan Ba sucked in a breath. He stared, transfixed. "I never imagined such beauty existed in this world."

His words made my skin crawl, but with his leverage, I swallowed my disgust. "Say what you want. I just want a normal high school life. No trouble. That day… your brother crossed the line. I had no choice."

"Why hide a face like this?" His gaze softened slightly. "A beauty that could topple kingdoms…"

"Because… because a guy looking like this is weird!" I snapped. It was true. Seventeen, healthy, yet cursed with a face that drew stares like moths to flame.

"A guy?" He scoffed. "Low voice, flat chest—I should buy that?"

"Believe what you want." I reapplied the Skin Mask and one-way glasses using my phone screen as a mirror.

Silence filled the room. Yuan Ba studied me, making my skin prickle. I looked away, out the window—

*Wait.* That girl passing under the restaurant… my daydream, Chen Jiayi! But why was she laughing with some stranger in our school uniform? Why did her cheeks flush that tempting pink? *Damn him! How dare he steal my angel? Unforgivable. Utterly unforgivable!*

Yuan Ba followed my gaze. Understanding dawned. A wicked grin spread across his face. "Wu Tong. You want to break them up, don’t you?"

I nodded instinctively, then shook my head hard. "What’s that got to do with anything?"

"Because I can make it happen."

"Really?" Hope flared. If they split… maybe I’d still have a chance with my angel. Slim odds, but better than watching her get ruined by some bastard.

"Of course. I’m ‘Long-Arm Ape,’ youngest incense master in the Qing Bang. This is child’s play. But—" He stood, closed the distance, and tilted my chin up with one finger. "—you owe me one condition."

*Whoa. Is he about to…?*

He burst out laughing. "Hah! Did you think I’d ask *that*? Simple: be my friend. I’ll keep your secret."

*Just… friends?* I disliked him, but an ally? Why not?

I nodded. His grin widened. He settled back into his seat and laid out his plan…