Suzhan Yue leaned against the wall, her mind in utter chaos.

Even without straining to listen, the classroom’s raucous cheers reached her ears.

Someone loudly urged Cheng Yu to accept Jiangyx Jiang’s confession. Others jeered that Jiangyx was forcing him to go public. A few even joked about when they’d collect *fenzijin* money for the wedding. The overlapping voices created a lively scene.

Yet the louder the noise, the heavier Suzhan Yue’s heart grew.

*Wasn’t I the one who pushed Jiangyx down this path? Didn’t I encourage her to confess? Now that she’s gone this far… shouldn’t I be happy for her?*

But…

*Why… out of everyone… did Jiangyx have to fall for him?*

Suzhan Yue couldn’t name the storm inside her. Then—a chair scraped sharply against the floor, followed by a heavy thud. A cold voice cut through the noise:

“I said, Class Rep.”

“Dragging classmates to skip class like this? Really unbecoming.”

Suzhan Yue blinked, peering back inside. A stunning girl—rivalling Jiangyx in beauty—stood before her, smiling as they faced off. But that smile held no warmth. Hearing those words, Suzhan Yue shivered instinctively.

*This girl… I’ve seen her before.*

*That day at lunch… she was with Lin Jie…*

The bell rang, shattering her thoughts. She stole one last glance at the classroom chaos before sprinting toward her own.

*If… if he really accepts Ah-Xue’s confession…*

The thought made her steps drag as if weighted with lead.

Though Suzhan Yue had fled, Linsw Lin showed no sign of backing down. She planted herself firmly between Jiangyx and Cheng Yu, her smile icy as she demanded answers.

To Linsw’s shock, Jiangyx seemed utterly unbothered. Tilting her head, she replied with feigned innocence:

“Hmm? Linsw Lin, you’re absolutely right…”

“But when I ask *my boyfriend* out, I don’t recall needing your permission.”

“…Did the alcohol pickle your brain last week, Jiangyx Jiang?” Linsw’s voice dropped to a furious whisper. “Since *when* did Cheng Yu become your boyfriend?”

“Oh? You didn’t know?” Jiangyx widened her eyes dramatically. “It’s been all over class since last week. Our relationship.”

“Wha—” Linsw’s retort died as her eyes narrowed. *That misunderstanding.* Cheng Yu’s irresponsible roommates had twisted Jiangyx’s words, spreading rumors they were together. She’d believed it too—that’s why she’d confronted Cheng Yu at lunch. And no one had ever corrected it.

Now, as whispers erupted around her—classmates nodding knowingly, unsurprised by Jiangyx’s claim—Linsw realized the truth. *They still believe the lie.*

Sure enough, Hou Chen—one of the culprits—slung an arm around Cheng Yu’s shoulders, grinning. “Dude! Keeping it secret all this time? I even asked you last week if it was true, and you—”

He glanced up, met Linsw’s glare, and scrambled back to his seat, shrinking into silence.

No one noticed Jiangyx’s hands trembling slightly. She took several deep breaths, forcing calm as she stared at Linsw’s golden bob.

*That hair… just like the person who hugged Cheng Yu last night.*

Her fists clenched. *I won’t lose to her. Not here. Not now.*

No one noticed Cheng Yu either—frozen in utter bewilderment.

*Did I oversleep again?*

*Haven’t I seen these two argue over me before?*

*Don’t fight, don’t fight… What’s in it for Cheng Yu? Just pick the right option and give it to her.*

Sighing, he stood under everyone’s gaze, bitterness flooding his heart.

*What choice do I have?*

*Gotta play peacemaker.*

*Even the system probably wants me to smooth things over…*

**[Facing the argument between Linsw Lin and Jiangyx Jiang, your choice is:]**

**[Option A: Ignore them and let them fight. Reward: Private yacht "History’s Ultimate."]**

**[Option B: Reject Jiangyx and stay. Reward: Blue-Eyes White Dragon Gold Card.]**

**[Option C: Side with Linsw. Reward: Full SSR Shikigami Collection in *Onmyoji*.]**

**[Option D: Leave with Jiangyx. Reward: 1 random special attribute point.]**

*Holy crap. System, are you slapping me in the face again?*

Cheng Yu stared at the options, speechless. That yacht? Selling himself wouldn’t cover a single deck plank. Options B and C were legendary—industry myths worth far more than average rewards. Even Option D’s attribute point hinted at trouble.

But why would his usually cautious system push him toward Jiangyx?

His gaze drifted to her. *She put on makeup again.* The last time… was also when they met.

If he still couldn’t tell Jiangyx liked him after a hundred lifetimes, he’d truly wasted them all.

*Suddenly, it clicked.* The lavish rewards for Options A, B, and C? Rejecting Jiangyx publicly would shatter her stubborn pride. He knew the damage it could cause—the danger she might spiral into. And by the law of collateral damage, he’d end up facing a cleaver again.

*…What a mess.*

He sighed inwardly, then made his choice. Time resumed. Under the entire class’s watchful eyes, he grabbed one person’s hand.

A chorus of “Oooohs!” erupted. Linsw Lin stood frozen, watching Cheng Yu lead Jiangyx Jiang out of the classroom. She didn’t move until the teacher called her name, guiding her numbly back to her seat.

---

Meanwhile, in another classroom.

Suzhan Yue kept glancing at the clock, then out the window. *Why is this class dragging?* She sighed again—and froze. Her pupils contracted sharply.

Outside, a figure in a pale blue knit sweater walked hand-in-hand with a boy, leaving campus.

Suzhan Yue shot to her feet, drawing every eye. Even the teacher smiled gently. “What is it, Suzhan Yue?”

“Teacher, I… I…” Never having skipped class, she stammered, face burning. “I’m… hungry.”

Instead of laughter, chaos erupted. Classmates scrambled through bags:

“Suzhan Yue! I’ve got bread!”

“Idiot! Princess Yueyue needs nutrition! I’ve got instant bento and onigiri—I’ll heat it in the cafeteria microwave!”

“What’s Princess Yueyue eating today? Just eat me! I’m your loyal dog!”

The teacher adjusted her glasses, chuckling. “Take care of yourself, Suzhan Yue. Go to the cafeteria if you’re hungry.”

“Yes! Thank you, teacher!” Suzhan Yue bolted out amid the boys’ groans—her steps anything but sluggish.

The teacher’s smile vanished as she turned back to the class. “You little brats! What was that display? Write up the code for today’s program and submit it for inspection!”

A chilling wave of resentment seemed to ripple from the computer science classroom next door.

---

Back in the law students’ classroom.

The constitutional law professor droned on about the nature and significance of constitutions, turning an already dry topic into abstract sludge. After the earlier excitement, half the class had collapsed into sleep.

Amidst the drowsy sea, Linsw Lin’s raised hand stood out. The professor paused. “Question, student?”

“Teacher… I’m feeling a little unwell…” Her voice was frail, her delicate appearance making it believable. The professor nodded. “Go rest. Copy notes from the class rep later…”

“Teacher, the class rep’s on a date. Who do we copy from?” Zhou Weihua quipped, sparking laughter. The professor waved it off. “Youth… dating’s fine. I skipped class for dates too, back in my day—ah, never mind. Need someone to walk you to the clinic?”

“No, teacher. I’ll manage.”

Linsw stood, moving slowly toward the door. No one paid attention—until an explosive *BANG* shook the hallway, jolting the sleepy students awake. They exchanged confused glances, but the noise didn’t repeat.

Had they checked, they’d have seen the safety exit door splintered inward—a gaping hole as if struck by a cement block.

Linsw descended the stairs, her steps steady, no trace of weakness left.

*He didn’t take my hand.*

*No—he couldn’t have chosen her. My Prince was tricked.*

“…This won’t do,” she murmured, eyes hollow.

“Everyone… everyone blocking my Prince’s path… must be erased.”

No one can stop me from being with Prince-sama <3