The moment he heard that voice, Cheng Yu’s head began to throb.

What a cursed day. Morning brought Shenyufu; afternoon brought Linsw Lin.

Damn it—if I run into Blade Brother tonight too, I’ll have all three people I fear most gathered together.

Remembering his utterly unpleasant morning with Shenyufu, Cheng Yu felt no warmth toward Linsw Lin either. Out of sight, out of mind. He simply shut his eyes, pretending to sleep.

“Huh… already asleep? Could he have been talking in his sleep?”

Linsw Lin’s surprised voice sounded like she was muttering to herself. Cheng Yu resolved to ignore everything she said—just get her to leave.

After a while, Linsw Lin fell silent. Only a faint rustling reached Cheng Yu’s ears. Before he could place the sound, a soft voice pressed close to his ear:

“So… if I sneak a kiss, will Cheng Yu even notice?”

Cheng Yu’s eyes snapped open. He jolted upright like he’d been shocked, scrambling back to put distance between them.

Linsw Lin sat on the playground grass, smiling warmly at him.

November in Beijing was freezing. This season of withering life seemed utterly devoid of warmth. Yet Linsw Lin radiated energy. Her beige knit vest over a gray sweater stood out without being flashy. Dark jeans, a neat round cap, and beige boots—her whole look was a bright spark.

No matter how gray the world turned, Linsw Lin would always be its most vivid color.

But Cheng Yu’s eyes remained dull, even impatient. He clicked his tongue.

“Linsw Lin, have you no shame? This is a playground. Joking about that is way over the line.”

To his surprise, Linsw Lin kept smiling. Not a flicker of anger. If anything, her eyes gleamed with excitement.

*The prince is shy. He must like me after all. Does this mean… when we’re not on the playground next time…*

The thought made her giddier. Her expressive eyes stayed locked on Cheng Yu, waiting for more words.

Cheng Yu felt a chill. Her stare grew unbearable. He quickly changed the subject.

“Linsw Lin… if I recall, we still have class. Is skipping really okay?”

“Hmm? Cheng Yu, is it really okay for you to say that to me?”

“I have something more important than class.”

“Oh, how funny—I do too. Being with Cheng Yu.”

Her smile stayed bright, unmoved by his words.

Cheng Yu pinched the bridge of his nose. A headache was brewing.

He hated illogical people like this.

*Why is she fixated on me? I haven’t even pursued her. Don’t I have one normal girl around?*

Watching him, Linsw Lin felt oddly cheerful. She spotted his phone on the ground, picked it up, and glanced at the screen. She stared at it silently for a long moment before handing it back with a smile.

Cheng Yu muttered thanks. As he took it, he noticed Linsw Lin’s pretty brows furrow slightly.

Then, a distant shout cut through the air:

“Shengwan! Fancy meeting you here!”

Cheng Yu turned. A boy was running toward them from afar. Even at this distance, his eager energy was obvious.

“Trouble’s coming,” Linsw Lin muttered under her breath, her face tight with annoyance.

Cheng Yu didn’t need words to understand—another admirer had found her.

*Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.*

Cheng Yu almost grinned. Not his problem. He hoped this guy would whisk Linsw Lin away, sparing him hassle. His lips curled up. Linsw Lin glanced at him, thoughtful.

Then, to his horror, a delighted smile spread across her face too.

Danger. Cheng Yu felt the word flashing above his head. He wiped the grin off his face and stood up without a word.

But Linsw Lin was faster. Before Cheng Yu could steady himself, she grabbed his wrist and yanked him down. Off-balance, he tumbled beside her. She clamped onto his arm, her voice dripping saccharine sweetness:

“Where are you going, darling~?”

Cheng Yu saw the boy slow his pace in the distance.

The guy’s sharp glare prickled Cheng Yu’s back like needles.

Cheng Yu covered his face, screaming for help inside. But Linsw Lin wouldn’t let go. She pried his hand away, cooing:

“Darling, guess what I ate for lunch today?”

“Huh? What?”

“Why, I suddenly wanted to see you~”

Ugh…

Help.

Was this woman completely shameless?

Goosebumps crawled up Cheng Yu’s arms. Linsw Lin showed no discomfort, still smiling as she pressed on:

“Darling, let me guess—you had rice for lunch too?”

“Uh… what kind?”

“Ah! I know—it’s because you want me to surrender to you~”

Help. Help. Help. Help.

Cheng Yu couldn’t take her anymore.

He felt the boy’s gaze trying to carve him apart. Cheng Yu was even more restless than that morning with Shenyufu.

“Darling, I knew it—you’re the best.

Do you know what I love most about you?”

“Well, it’s our love’s final destination…”

“Enough!”

Cheng Yu jumped as the shout came from right behind him.

He turned. The boy glared at him, pointing accusingly:

“Shengwan, how can you be with this guy? He’s just a damn pretty-faced sissy—weak and creepy. What does Gao Xing lack compared to him?!”

*Huh. This guy’s got taste. He saw right through me—I’m handsome but useless.*

Before Cheng Yu could voice his approval, Linsw Lin hugged his arm tighter. The softness distracted him as she huffed defiantly:

“You lose to him in every way. Give up and stop bothering me.”

“Lose to him? Him?!”

Gao Xing laughed bitterly, eyes blazing at Cheng Yu.

“Kid, stand up like a man. Let’s settle this with a race.”

*No wonder she’s cold to you.*

Cheng Yu sighed inwardly. This guy wouldn’t take Linsw Lin away. He stood lazily.

“Fine. How?”

“One condition—if you lose, stay away from her forever.”

“Deal. And if you lose?”

“I won’t lose.”

Cheng Yu scoffed, arrogance written all over his face.

“You can’t beat me.”

Gao Xing froze. Then his fury exploded. He jabbed a finger at Cheng Yu, teeth clenched.

“Good.

We’ll race three laps around the track. First to finish wins.”

Cheng Yu shrugged, unimpressed.

“Bring it on.”

*Arrogant brat. I’ll grind that smug face into the dirt.*

Gao Xing clenched his fists. They moved to the track start. He pulled out his phone to time it.

A beep sounded. Gao Xing shot forward like an arrow, leaving Cheng Yu in the dust.