Honestly couldn’t sleep. Yixinxue seemed to be doing it on purpose, pacing around Lingyuan during morning reading.

Damn, do I owe her money or something? Why’s she haunting me like a ghost?!

Lingyuan buried his face in his hands, shooting a pained look at the white-haired girl. She’d clearly felt his gaze already, deliberately hiding the mischievous smirk on her face behind a textbook.

*So fun.*

The whisper brushed his ear. Lingyuan snapped his head up—Yixinxue stood just a few steps away.

Those three words hadn’t been his imagination. They’d definitely come from Yixinxue’s lips.

Yet now she acted like nothing happened, only difference being she kept circling him.

*So fun…*

Lingyuan narrowed his eyes.

Was she seriously getting kicks out of keeping him awake?

But knowing Yixinxue’s personality… she wouldn’t do that, right?

The more he thought, the more frantic he felt. He raked his fingers through his hair, the frustration clinging to him until the first class bell finally rang.

*Thank god. Time for some real sleep.*

Lingyuan yawned widely, his head foggy. At least Yixinxue had finally returned to her seat.

His desk sat tucked in the far back corner—the most invisible spot in class. Perfect for not bothering anyone.

Thankfully, after morning reading, Yixinxue acted normal again. No weird moves.

Lingyuan slept soundly through all four morning classes.

"Bro Ling! Wake up! Food time!" Lanfeng shook Lingyuan’s shoulder as he napped face-down on his desk.

"Ahhh—" Lingyuan stretched with a long groan. Deep sleep after an all-nighter felt amazing. He hadn’t slept this well in class in ages.

The classroom was empty except for them. Everyone else had stampeded to the cafeteria.

"Hurry up, bro! No food left if we’re late!" Lanfeng grabbed Lingyuan’s arm to yank him up.

"Whoa, easy—I’m still half-asleep. Go ahead, grab me a plate. I’ll treat you to cola tonight." Lingyuan waved him off, muscles stiff. He needed a minute.

"Deal! Save us a seat or we’ll starve!" Lanfeng shot out of the classroom like a sprinter. The cafeteria was across the sports field—every second counted.

Most students were still queuing, so Lingyuan snagged a window seat and pulled out his phone. Teachers ate in the staff canteen upstairs. Safe to game during lunch.

"Lingyuan, skipping meals isn’t healthy."

A mature, honeyed voice. Most guys would’ve looked up instantly. Not Lingyuan.

Yanxi sighed, sliding into the seat opposite him. "Still mad about this morning’s little mistake?"

"Nah," Lingyuan shook his head slightly. "Miss Yan, shouldn’t you be studying?"

"Can’t watch you starve." She pushed a full tray toward him. Before he could protest, chopsticks appeared in front of him. "Your exclusive privilege. Miss Yan serving you personally."

"Should I thank you then?"

"No need." Yanxi stood, leaning forward fifteen degrees. "Eat up. I’m heading back."

Lingyuan stared blankly. *This sister…* Good thing his seat was secluded. If her admirers saw this?

*Yeah, that’d mean duels to the death.*

He forced a bitter smile—then froze at the tray.

Yanxi had barely touched the rice. All the meat dishes were gone. Only scrambled eggs with tomatoes remained.

More like yesterday’s leftover egg custard dumped into tomato sauce. No wonder she skipped it.

But Lingyuan didn’t want it either. *What even is this slop?*

As he rubbed his temples, a white figure slid into Yanxi’s seat.

"You know Yanxi?"

*…*

*What wind blew the class rep here?*

*Shit. What now…*

Her tone felt icy. Hostile. Did she think he and Yanxi were dating?

Lingyuan took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "Sure. What’s up, Class Rep?"

"Hmm." Yixinxue nibbled her spoon, eyes fixed on the stairs where Yanxi vanished. "What’s your relationship?"

Lingyuan’s eye twitched.

*Yep. Total misunderstanding.*

"Why ask that? Just classmates! From before the class reshuffle in freshman year!"

"Classmates share meals like this? She even brought you food."

Her crimson gaze locked onto the tray like a blade at his throat. One wrong word, and it’d slice.

"Ah… well, she just wanted me to dump her leftovers! See? Scraps. You know she’s rich—she’d never do dirty work herself."

"I see." Yixinxue’s glare softened. His excuse made sense. She dropped the Yanxi topic, instead cupping her chin to study Lingyuan’s face. "Not bad-looking."

"*!*"

Being stared at made him squirm. Suddenly, the chair felt covered in thorns.

Worse—he sensed dozens of eyes on them now.

"*Yixinxue’s eating with that guy?*"

"*Damn, I wish that was me!*"

"*Since when does she sit with boys?!*"

…

"Dark circles. Gaming all night again?"

"Uh… none of your business?"

"It is. Class rep duty." Yixinxue puffed her chest proudly. A subtle sway followed.

*Hss—*

Smaller than Yanxi’s, but noticeably fuller than average for their age.

Guilt prickled Lingyuan’s neck. He looked away, avoiding her eyes.

"Something wrong?" Yixinxue leaned closer, concerned. "Feeling sick?"

"Bro Ling! I’m back—what’s happening?! Why’s the class rep here?!" Lanfeng’s eyes bulged. He spotted the tray in Lingyuan’s hands and gasped. "Y-you two… enjoy your date! I’m out! Won’t disturb you!"

"*!?*"