Without asking why, Li Mo recalled Liu Shishi’s earlier promise to test Tang Zhe’s attitude. Since she now said not to let him know she was a girl, it meant Tang Zhe’s reaction wasn’t suitable for the truth.

*Sigh…*

After Liu Shishi left, classmates gradually returned to the classroom. Some ate packed lunches; others did homework, chatted, scrolled phones, or napped like Li Mo. The noise was unbearable. Liu Shishi had gone to the cafeteria with friends, leaving Li Mo bored and hungry, her stomach growling loudly.

The cafeteria would be packed now. Fighting through that crowd would kill her.

*All Tang Zhe’s fault—that stubborn, idiotic pig. Would waiting ten extra minutes starve him?*

*Gurgle… gurgle…*

So hungry!

Something felt off, too.

Giving up, she buried her head on the desk, hoping sleep would silence the hunger.

But how could anyone sleep through this chaos? The gnawing emptiness made rest impossible. Li Mo stayed put, feigning death—until someone rapped her skull with deliberately bony knuckles.

*Who dares?!*

*Huff!*

Rapping someone’s head while they sleep was utterly rude. Li Mo shot upright, scowling fiercely at the offender.

“Still napping? It’s lunchtime.”

Unfazed, Tang Zhe slid a takeout box of rice and stir-fry before her. “Ran late. Everyone rushes during Sports Day. Only these dishes were left.”

“Th-thanks.”

Surprised he’d brought her food, Li Mo managed gratitude.

*Wait—he owes me this. He made me mad.*

“No problem. You *should* thank me.”

To her shock, Tang Zhe grinned smugly and held out his hand. “Thirteen bucks.”

“So expensive!”

Li Mo usually spent six or seven. School meals were cheap—she saved every yuan to buy outfits for “my girl” in-game. Thirteen yuan was two meals!

“I’m not eating. You take it.”

She pushed the box back. Inside lay glistening twice-cooked pork paired with braised pork belly—oily, pricey, and nothing like her usual light meals.

*How does he stay fit eating this junk?*

Worse—he’d chosen his favorites, ignoring her preferences entirely.

“I already ate…” Tang Zhe’s face fell, wounded. “You have no idea how hard I fought for this. Cost me over ten yuan.”

“Aaagh! Fine! I’ll eat!”

Li Mo caved. Rejecting his effort twice felt cruel—he’d braved the lunchtime mob for her. Resigned, she pulled out her phone to pay.

“Forget it. You can cover me tonight.” Tang Zhe waved her off, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. “If you’re still hungry later, I’ll run back.”

*His mood swings are exhausting today.*

“N-no… it’s fine…” Li Mo shrank back, sensing his irritation. She tucked her phone away and ate silently.

Tang Zhe, satisfied, pulled out worksheets to tackle Sports Day homework.

*So oily…*

Li Mo grimaced while chewing. Post-surgery, her mom had fed her bland, light meals, warning that oily food ruined skin and health. She’d grown unaccustomed to grease.

*Eating this’ll make me break out… or gain weight…* She’d never cared before, but—

She stole a glance at Tang Zhe. He usually chatted while solving problems.

*Did I upset him? He went out of his way to bring lunch, and I complained…* Guilt crept in. *I dumped all that trouble on him earlier and ran.*

*What if he never talks to me again?*

“Tang—”

Panic tightened her throat. She opened her mouth to apologize—but Tang Zhe checked his phone, dropped his pen, and strode out without a glance back.

*Ah…*

*He left again…*

Li Mo assumed he’d return soon. But when lunch break ended, he still hadn’t come back.

*He’s definitely mad. He won’t even come back.*

As afternoon Sports Day activities began, homeroom teacher Mr. Zhu shooed everyone downstairs. Grumbling, students filed out. Only then did Liu Shishi spot Li Mo slumped at her desk.

“Hey. What’s wrong?” Liu Shishi patted her head.

“Mmmph…” Li Mo lifted a tear-streaked, aggrieved face.

“Whoa!”

*Thwack!*

Liu Shishi slapped Li Mo’s head down hard, cutting off her tearful spell.

*If anyone saw her crying, rumors would explode.* Her “cool girl” image in class was nothing like reality.

“That hurt! What was that for?!” Li Mo’s tears vanished, replaced by fury.

“Hm?”

“Nothing.”

*Can’t win a fight. Retreat.* She stood to leave.

“Really nothing? You were about to cry.”

“I wasn’t crying! Do I *look* troubled? Crying?!” Li Mo flared up—luckily, the classroom was empty.

“Your temper’s wild today… Aunt Flo visiting?”

“No! I just—”

“You fought with Tang Zhe.”

Bullseye. She hadn’t moved all lunch. Only one explanation fit.

(Though Tang Zhe rarely started fights.)

“And *you* upset *him*, didn’t you.”

“Stop stating questions like facts! Poking wounds gets you punched, you know?!”