"Chunqimeng?"

"Ah, yeah, yeah."

She had sakura-pink hair cut to shoulder length. Her beauty rivaled Yixinxue’s, yet her petite frame stood only 1.45 meters tall. Had she not worn Hengjiang High’s uniform, Lingyuan would’ve mistaken her for an elementary student.

Despite her small stature, she radiated a captivating feminine charm—a blend of cuteness and mature allure.

She was Chunqimeng, a freshman and one of the school’s top five beauties.

"First time meeting a boy from our school who doesn’t remember my name," Chunqimeng pouted, a trace of displeasure in her voice.

Lingyuan could only force an awkward smile. How could he recall her name? His school days blurred into buddies and Yixinxue alone.

"I thought you were an elementary student."

"You’re the elementary student! Your whole family is! So what if you’re tall!?" Chunqimeng huffed, cheeks puffing out. Lingyuan had struck a sore spot—she couldn’t help her height; she wished she were taller too.

"Umm…" Lingyuan scratched his head. He didn’t want to argue with the petite girl; he needed to rush home to rank up. "Just go home. It’s late—you shouldn’t linger outside."

"Had a fight with my parents. Don’t wanna go back."

"Oh?" Lingyuan shot her a curious glance. That felt oddly familiar.

Chunqimeng stroked her shoulder hair. "It’s just dyed. Why can Yixinxue dye hers white in sophomore year, but I can’t? The teacher even called my parents."

"I think Yixinxue’s white hair is natural…" Lingyuan muttered under his breath.

"And her red eyes too? Natural?" Chunqimeng puffed her cheeks further. "I don’t buy it. She must dye it and wear contacts. Teachers just ignore it ’cause she’s top of her class! So biased!"

"I think it’s all natural…"

"Hey! Why side with her!? Are you in cahoots?" Chunqimeng glared fiercely. "I’m right here, and you won’t say a word for me!? Do you even have a girlfriend!?"

*Yixinxue?*

Lingyuan nearly slapped himself. What was he thinking? The class rep just craved his body. Once the novelty faded, she’d lose interest.

"No…"

"Hmm~" Chunqimeng flashed a mischievous, devilish grin. "I’ve got nothing to repay you with. How about being your girlfriend for a week?"

"No, no… really not necessary…" Lingyuan waved his hands frantically. Accepting would get him killed—by Yixinxue and Yanxi both.

"Ew?" Chunqimeng narrowed her eyes. Such a tempting offer rejected? Every other boy would’ve jumped at it.

"Then this thousand yuan… I’ve no money to pay back…"

"It’s fine. Just a thousand bucks…"

Though Lingyuan said it, his heart bled. He hated touching his stepmother’s bank funds.

"Rich kid?" Chunqimeng eyed him suspiciously.

"Not really… treat it as a donation…" Lingyuan sighed deeply. "Anyway, it’s unsafe for girls out this late. Go home. I’ve got stuff to do."

"No way! Wasting your money? I must repay you! I’d feel awful otherwise!" Chunqimeng insisted. Then she spotted the green emblem on his uniform—freshmen wore blue, sophomores green, seniors yellow at Hengjiang High.

"You’re a sophomore? Perfect. Tomorrow, I’ll search every class in your wing. Boys love bragging about pretty girlfriends. Since you saved me, hmm~ asking me to stay till semester’s end isn’t too much."

While the petite girl rambled, Lingyuan had already walked off.

"Huh?" Chunqimeng bristled. She chased him, barely matching his pace. "Senior, don’t walk so fast~"

"Just go home. I’m begging you. You obeying is the best repayment."

Being her boyfriend would send him straight to hell.

*You must be a good boy and listen~*

Yixinxue’s voice echoed in his mind. Lingyuan shivered. Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying. Especially those crimson eyes—tender yet mad. Just recalling them chilled his spine.

"Fine, fine. Won’t force you." Chunqimeng halted. "My way’s this direction home."

"Okay."

"Then, senior, bye~" She dragged the last syllable, voice dripping with sweet, cloying charm.

"Alright." Lingyuan breathed inwardly. Finally gone. Now he prayed Yanxi wasn’t home.

*I just want to game peacefully and rank up. What’s wrong with that?*

…

*So cold…*

Crimson eyes slowly opened.

*I feel so cold…*

Yixinxue clutched the blanket tighter. Touching her skin, she felt burning hot—a chaotic urge for more blankets and ice.

"Xue’er, what’s wrong?"

Yixinxue’s movements woke Yiyingnan beside her.

"Yingnan… so cold… so hot…"

That weak tone alarmed Yiyingnan. She sat up, pressing a hand to Yixinxue’s forehead.

"Scorching! You’ve got a high fever!"

"Dunno…"

"Silly girl." Yiyingnan rushed to wet a towel, wrung it out, and laid it on Yixinxue’s brow. "Probably caught a chill showering last night." She brought a basin of water, sitting bedside with a pained look.

"Ugh… miserable…"

"Rest properly. Must be from late-night homework; your health’s dropped. I’ll get you leave from teachers." Yiyingnan sighed. "If the fever doesn’t break by morning, hospital it is."

"No… no shots…" Yixinxue buried her face deeper, fearful.

"That won’t work." Yiyingnan smiled softly. "No shots, no recovery~ Then no seeing Lingyuan. Some girl might snatch him away~"

"Ugh…"

"Don’t smother yourself. Traps heat." Yiyingnan pulled the blanket down. "What really happened between you two?"

"Nothing… Yingnan, don’t ask…" Yixinxue turned away. "Can I skip the shots…"