"I've heard of them. That organization's been around for quite some time."

Shenyufu shrugged and continued briefing Cheng Yu on what she knew.

"This group... how should I put it? You could call them mysterious, or you could say they're everywhere.

"The mystery lies in no one knowing when they started or who founded them—it’s like they appeared on the wind.

"But they’re also utterly ordinary. With no real leadership, they’re completely unregulated. Tie a yellow scarf around your arm, and you’re in. No requirements, no barriers.

"So around here, every small-time thug belongs to the Yellow Scarves Gang unless they’re with the Azure Blade Society. They’re the two biggest hoodlum factions in the area."

Shenyufu paused, glancing at Cheng Yu. "Did you run into them yesterday? Though you don’t look too banged up."

Before Cheng Yu could reply, she cut him off with another shrug. "Never mind. I don’t care anyway. None of my business."

Cheng Yu took a slow, deep breath, forcing down his irritation. "Right. To a crazy sister-obsessed girl like you, nothing matters except your sister."

He’d planned to recount last night’s events, but her attitude killed the urge.

Shenyuf didn’t flinch at his jab. Instead, she nodded solemnly.

"Yeah. For her? I’d give up my life. She’s the only reason I’m alive."

Her tone was calm, detached—as if discussing someone else’s fate. As if she’d made that choice years ago.

Cheng Yu stared, momentarily speechless. Shenyufu checked her phone and added flatly, "I’ll handle that Su Zhan Yue girl’s issue. You focus on your investigation. Give me your WeChat. Don’t bother me in person again—text me."

"Don’t you dare set up some tragic flag like I won’t come back from checking on the Azure Blade Society."

"Hope not. I’d hate to carve your name on a plaque and draft a eulogy for Mr. ‘Gulp-Down-Everything’."

"Good. Won’t give you the satisfaction, Madam Perpetually Sour-Faced Student Council President."

Grudgingly, Cheng Yu pulled up his WeChat QR code. The second-period bell rang just as Shenyufu scanned it without looking, then strode back to her classroom.

Seated, she checked her phone—and froze.

"...That jerk," she hissed. "He gave me his payment code."

---

Cheng Yu, confirming no friend request or message had arrived, felt a surge of satisfaction.

*Finally got one over on that perpetually scowling lunatic.*

He wasn’t worried about contacting her—he’d already gotten her number while gathering intel earlier. As student council president of the Art & Design Department, she wasn’t hard to find.

Still, he’d avoid her unless absolutely necessary.

Strolling campus to kill time, Cheng Yu’s mood darkened as third period neared.

Facing Jiangyx Jiang would be far harder than dealing with Shenyufu.

Sure, Linsw Lin had meddled, but he *had* been careless—teasing the earnest class rep like that. He’d brought the backlash on himself.

*Apologize?*

Tell her, *"Haha, bro, just joking! You didn’t actually believe me, right?"*

"...I’d probably die faster," he muttered, slumping over his desk.

The real headache? He’d never expected anyone to *like* him.

*Dating? Absolutely not.*

Between his "katana curse" and the chaos it’d invite, romance was off the table.

But how to reject the class rep...?

Lost in frustration, he didn’t notice a figure approach until a soft voice whispered in his ear:

"Tired, Cheng Yu?"

He jolted upright. Linsw Lin stood there, smiling.

Memories flooded back—her sudden hug last night, the warmth and comfort of it. He opened his mouth, unsure how to ask about it.

But Linsw waved casually. "Morning, Cheng Yu."

"...Morning, Linsw."

*Strange. She’s acting totally normal.*

He watched her take a seat nearby, chatting easily with friends—as if last night meant nothing.

*Was it just a friendly goodbye hug?*

*...Probably.*

Cheng Yu couldn’t guess Linsw’s thoughts:

*This is exactly how Prince wants it—pretending to be ordinary friends in public, while secretly...*

Her cheeks flushed as she hid a smile behind her palm, lost in daydreams.

The classroom settled into routine. Students waited for the professor.

All except one.

Click-clack. Click-clack.

High heels echoed down the corridor, silencing chatter with each step.

When the sound reached the doorway, every head turned.

And everyone understood why the hallway had gone quiet.

A girl stood there.

White heeled boots. A loose, pale-blue knit coat draped over her shoulders. A strand of ink-black hair curled like a stream over the sharp line of her collarbone—drawing eyes to the elegant slope of her shoulders.

The coat clung to her curves, flowing down to a knit mini-skirt that revealed long, slender legs.

Her gaze swept the room, then locked onto one face.

And she smiled—a smile brighter than summer blossoms.

The silence made sense now.

No one breathed. No one moved. All wondering: *Who is she? Who is she here for?*

Only one boy—and her roommates—knew.

The roommates remembered dressing her like this.

The boy remembered seeing her like this before.

She strode in, radiating springtime vitality, and stopped before him. Her eyes sparkled playfully.

Cheng Yu stared, hesitant. "...Jiangyx?"

"Cheng Yu." Her voice was soft as melting snow.

"Let’s go on a date."