After Ouyang Qianxue sat down, the homeroom teacher began the lesson. Ouyang Qianxue noticed Bai Yuxuan wasn't reading the textbook but a light novel instead.

"Hey, class has started, Bai Yuxuan," Ouyang Qianxue reminded him kindly.

"Hmm, I know," Bai Yuxuan replied and kept reading.

"This is class time—you're actually reading extracurricular books?"

"I've already finished all high school courses. The teacher allows me to read here."

"Oh, I see. Sorry to bother you." Ouyang Qianxue fell silent, quietly observing Bai Yuxuan. He'd avoided the boys' intense stares earlier and hadn't gotten a good look. Bai Yuxuan had long hair tied like a gentleman's, fair skin, and a high nose bridge—a delicate, handsome type.

(What a jealous-making appearance. Would I look as handsome in boys' clothes? Still, he's such a weird guy.) Ouyang Qianxue stopped thinking about him and focused on the teacher.

When class ended, the whole class instantly crowded around Ouyang Qianxue and Bai Yuxuan's desks.

"Hey, hey, Ouyang, your golden hair is so pretty! Is it dyed?"

"Ah, no. My father's British, that's all."

"So you're mixed-race! No wonder you're so beautiful. Ouyang, a beauty like you must be some big family's young lady, right?"

"Not at all. I just returned from Britain to attend high school here." Ouyang Qianxue stuck to the backstory the lady had set up—no one could verify overseas details anyway.

"I see! Hey, hey, Ouyang, what are your hobbies?" Students started chattering. Bai Yuxuan suddenly stood up.

"This noise is unbearable. I'm finding a quiet spot to read." He slipped through the crowd and left the classroom.

"Show-off," the boys muttered, glaring at him.

"You don't get it! That aloof vibe is irresistible!" The girls gazed dreamily at his back.

"By the way, Ouyang, interested in joining a club?" a girl asked after Bai Yuxuan left.

"Clubs?"

"Yeah! If a beauty like you promoted our Dance Club, we'd have no trouble recruiting this year!"

"No, Ouyang will join our Music Club!"

"Wrong—Go Club is the right fit!"

"You're all mistaken! Only Volleyball Club can fully showcase Ouyang's slender figure!" The girls arguing over Ouyang Qianxue started squabbling.

"Now, now, no fighting. I'll check them all out," Ouyang Qianxue said, slipping into his usual people-pleasing habit. After school, several girls dragged him toward the club rooms.

"Go Club first?" Since it was the first room, Ouyang Qianxue visited it. Opening the door, he saw a girl in a hanfu studying a Go board.

"President, I brought a newbie to tour!" a girl behind Ouyang Qianxue waved at the hanfu-clad girl.

"Oh?" The girl looked up, scanning Ouyang Qianxue. "You're pretty. But do you like Go?"

"Somewhat. I found some Go books at home and taught myself online for a while."

"Then play a game with me. You take black." She pushed the black stones toward him.

"Please guide me." Ouyang Qianxue sat down but noticed nine black stones already placed on the board.

"Senior... are those stones not cleared?"

"No, I'm giving you a handicap." She smiled slightly.

"A handicap?"

"Our president holds a professional dan rank," the girl explained.

"What? A student with a pro rank?!" Ouyang Qianxue stared in shock. A Go pro title was harder to earn than a top university acceptance.

"Then hurry up and play."

"No!" Ouyang Qianxue shook his head. "Even if you're a pro, I don't want a handicap. True Go joy comes from both sides playing their best, right?"

"I see. My apologies. Let's play a proper game by standard rules." They began.

Though she promised no handicap, the president clearly held back.

(Let's see your skill.) After the opening, she set a trap, sacrificing a few stones to reduce Ouyang Qianxue's liberties. He avoided it with the optimal move.

(Solid basics. How about this?) She kept setting traps, but he dodged them all.

"Bad!" Mid-game, she realized her casual attitude had let Ouyang Qianxue build a big lead. If this continued, she might lose!

(As a pro, losing to an amateur would ruin my reputation.) She focused intensely. Large beads of sweat rolled down her face.

"President?" Club members were stunned—they'd never seen her so serious.

"Am I seeing things? Ouyang's pushing that Go genius to the brink?" Onlookers gasped.

After nearly an hour, Ouyang Qianxue lost by less than ten stones.

"Wow, Senior, you're amazing. Even with that start, I couldn't win." He scratched his head after counting the stones. "Guess Go Club isn't for me." He headed for the door.

"Wait!" The president ignored her dignity, flopping onto the board and grabbing his hand. "Ouyang, you must join us! With you, we can win provincial tournaments—even nationals!"

"But Senior, I promised other clubs..."

Only after sharing contact info and agreeing to be an honorary member did Ouyang Qianxue escape the Go Club room.