After asking the question, Xu Wanrou didn’t leave right away. Instead, she leaned in closer and lowered her voice. "Tongtong, I’m planning a martial arts performance for the school anniversary gala. Would you be interested?"

I shook my head firmly. School events like galas or sports days? I’d always been just a spectator—never a participant. My life motto was "low-key yet dazzling," and I’d rather avoid anything that put me in the spotlight.

Xu Wanrou looked disappointed and surprised. "Huh? Almost the whole school knows you’re an inheritor of ancient martial arts. What’s the big deal about showing off a little?"

"Well…" I cleared my throat, putting on my most earnest expression. "Our sect values humility, Sister Wanrou. Especially since we have many enemies in the martial world. If my flashy performance exposed our whereabouts, the consequences would be disastrous. How could I face our ancestors if our entire sect was wiped out because of my arrogance?"

Lately, I’d told so many lies that spinning this tale felt effortless.

"Tch." Xu Wanrou curled her lip dismissively. "A sexist sect like yours deserves to be wiped out anyway."

"I may not like all our rules," I said carefully, "but please don’t say things like that to my face. Besides…" I changed the subject quickly, "why are you so invested in the gala, Sister Wanrou?"

"I’m the class’s arts and culture rep!" She shot me an exasperated look. "I’ve been in this role since freshman year. Don’t tell me you didn’t know?"

I never paid attention to class duties—aside from the class monitor, I couldn’t recall any committee members. To save face for the pretty girl beside me, I lied smoothly again: "Of course I knew! I just forgot for a second. So… does our class have a performance ready?"

"Hmm… not yet." She sighed. "Tingting suggested I redo last year’s otaku dance, but practicing takes so much time, and we’re swamped with classes… Still, the school requires every class to submit at least one act…"

Xu Wanrou seemed to have adopted me as her confidante, chattering away while tugging my sleeve. He Wei had long since made his "second return" from the restroom, only to find his seat still occupied by the goddess. He hovered awkwardly near the doorway, trapped. When my gaze drifted forward, I caught Chen Jiayi sneaking glances at us—and flashing me a subtle thumbs-up.

*Uh-oh. The little angel’s got the wrong idea.* I needed to clear things up with Xu Wanrou.

"Um… Sister Wanrou," I began hesitantly, "have you heard any… rumors about you lately?"

"What kind of rumors?" She paused her monologue, curious.

"It’s just… a lot of people seem to think we’re… you know… *together*…" I mumbled, my cheeks burning.

Xu Wanrou understood instantly. She chuckled softly. "Let them think what they want. I can’t control what others say."

"But… don’t you mind the gossip?"

"Why would I?" She waved a hand airily. "You’re a girl anyway—and prettier than me. Let them keep misunderstanding. I don’t care."

*I care!* I thought desperately. Xu Wanrou was stunning, but my feelings for her were purely admiration—the kind any guy would have for a beautiful classmate. Nothing like the crush I secretly nurtured for Chen Jiayi. I craved an ordinary life: marrying an ordinary girl like her, raising a bunch of ordinary little ones…

Unaware of my inner turmoil, Xu Wanrou leaned in to whisper in my ear: "Tongtong, be honest—do you have a crush on any boy?"

"No! Absolutely not!" *I’m not even into guys!*

"Hmph. You’re always hanging out with He Wei. Rumor says you’ve been close since middle school. Nothing going on there?"

"If I were actually a girl," I said truthfully, "I’d marry a pig before marrying him."

"*When* you’re a girl," Xu Wanrou corrected patiently. "Honestly, He Wei’s face is a bit… *safe-looking*, but he’s a decent guy. No bad rumors about him."

"Hold on—*you* were the one who tore up his love letter!"

"That’s because I don’t—" Xu Wanrou cut herself off abruptly, as if she’d nearly spilled a huge secret. She pivoted smoothly: "Anyway! If you ever find your prince charming, tell me first. I’ll dress you up so beautifully, any guy would gladly kiss your shoes!"

*I’m not into S&M, thanks.*

When "Hippo" finally reclaimed his seat, he stared at me strangely for a long moment before murmuring darkly: "Goddess Wanrou knows about your… *transformation*, doesn’t she?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because," he said flatly, "with your short, ugly, loser-boy form, there’s no way she’d get this close to you otherwise."

"Hippo," I growled, slamming my palms on the desk. "Draw your sword! Only one of us leaves this classroom alive today!"

"Fine," he smirked. "But we duel with the swords *down there*."

"You son of a—"