"No, no, no! You’re overthinking it. I was just planning my operator deployment for tonight’s Arknights event. Seriously, you’re way off!"
Yun Mingxin’s heart skipped a beat.
This guy always had freakishly sharp instincts in the weirdest places.
If he didn’t know Zhan Mengxi barely scraped half marks on every exam, he’d swear she had mind-reading powers.
Cold sweat prickled his skin. His gaze darted away.
Zhan Mengxi’s eyes narrowed with suspicion, clearly doubting his words.
But the next second, her peripheral vision caught something. She gasped.
"Whoa! Mingxin, look! Pre-orders for the latest figure over there!"
Before Yun could scramble for another excuse, Zhan Mengxi’s attention snapped completely to the plaza display.
"Wow! Mingxin, check it out—a huge anime expo next month!"
"Mmm~ The poster features my beloved Yukino! I’ll forever stan Hirunaka’s Flash!"
Her eyes sparkled as she stared at the massive banner.
Yun Mingxin exhaled in relief.
That dodge had worked.
Watching the gentle sway of her chest, he felt an odd pang.
*Why’s she obsessed with a heroine who’s her total opposite?*
*Shouldn’t she like Eriri instead?*
*...Is it ’cause she’s the underdog heroine?*
Seeing her bounce around like an excitable sprite flitting through flowers, Yun’s eyes softened.
Zhan Mengxi twirled from stall to stall, pure joy radiating off her.
Yun sank onto a nearby bench, taking in the full view.
That forbidden zone between her skirt hem and over-knee socks held his gaze a beat too long.
He couldn’t deny it—he was a bit of a pervert.
But as his eyes drifted lower, he froze.
On her porcelain-white left thigh sat a tiny flower-shaped tattoo.
Just a washable sticker, cute but slightly jarring against her flawless skin.
His gaze faltered. Guilt tightened his chest.
Middle school memories flooded back—playing Gomoku, cheating, bickering until they nearly threw punches.
Zhan Mengxi’s fiery temper had sent a compass stabbing toward him.
He’d retaliated harder.
That flower covered the scar from where the compass tip had pierced her skin.
A permanent dot no cream could fade.
She’d never blamed him. But he’d carried the guilt for years.
"Mingxin! Why the frown? You look awful!"
A sudden shove jolted him. He coughed.
Zhan Mengxi had materialized beside him.
"Uh..."
The soft pressure of her hand on his arm made his cheeks burn.
"Ugh, stop stuttering! C’mon, over there!" She tugged harder, ignoring his blush.
Yun stumbled after her like a puppet on strings.
*Too close.*
*...Though it doesn’t feel bad.*
He hated himself for the thought.
But honestly—she was giving him *way* too much to handle.
Zhan Mengxi clung to his arm, a fox-like glint in her eyes.
Outwardly, Yun Mingxin remained the picture of stoic virtue.
But Zhan Mengxi knew better.
She’d shared baths with him as kids.
Knew exactly which hard drive hid his precious doujin collection.
*Did he really think she didn’t notice him fantasizing about her right now?*
This was all part of her plan.
Sure, she adored 2D goddesses—but in 3D, only Yun Mingxin existed for her.
That didn’t mean she’d let him ogle freely.
She was forcing this dense blockhead to wake up.
Childhood friends? More like sparring partners who pinched and scratched without mercy before puberty hit.
She’d downed gallons of milk to grow curves. Mastered feminine charm.
Yet he remained utterly oblivious.
She’d been annoyed, but not worried.
Her childhood friend had zero game—just endless devotion to Saintess Iris and Skadi.
She’d even tolerated his jealousy over his ex, Su Xiaoyue.
*Except he’d actually landed her.*
Su Xiaoyue—Qianjiang University’s #1 goddess—outclassed her in every way except one department.
Thankfully, she’d only been angry. Not defeated.
Surface-level, she’d gone cold—barely texting him all year.
Strategy #1: Create distance. Make him miss her. Break the "bros before hoes" spell.
Strategy #2: Investigate his breakup with Su Xiaoyue. Prep for Operation: Steal Back My Man.
Then—divine intervention. They split.
*With childhood friendship, timing, AND proximity on my side... how could I lose?*
Confidence surged through her. She instinctively thrust her chest forward.
Fire blazed in her eyes.
Yun Mingxin felt that soft pressure intensify against his arm. His eye twitched.
*She’s mentally lightyears away again.*
*Six. Five. Four...*
He counted down silently.
This version of Zhan Mengxi always caused trouble.
The moment his mental counter hit zero—
"Mingxiiin~" She turned, big watery eyes locking onto his. Pouting, she cooed, "I’m tired. Piggyback me?"
His instinct screamed: *No! Never! Get lost!*
But Zhan Mengxi was already swinging his arm, her whole body swaying.
*So big—wait no, so white—ugh, so tired—*
"Okay."
Yun Mingxin’s reply was firm.
