On a blazing summer day, students enjoyed free time on the school playground during PE class.
Though it was free time, many glances kept drifting toward a girl resting in the shade of a big tree.
She held a book wrapped in a dust jacket, occasionally lifting her hand to gently brush aside her silky black hair.
She sat quietly there, as if the surrounding heat avoided her entirely. Not a trace of discomfort touched her exquisitely beautiful face.
Nearby, a few boys whispered softly:
"Xiao Yingwan’s totally a Snow Maiden, right?"
"Probably."
"But guessing’s pointless. She’s never admitted being a Rare Breed."
"Sigh. Textbooks say Rare Breeds are rarer than some ethnic minorities. If I could date a Snow Maiden in this lifetime—even if it shortened my life—it’d be worth it."
One boy glanced at the scorching sun and teased, "Then why not nap now? Make that daydream literal."
The teased boy shot a wistful look at the girl under the tree, then sulkily joined his friends for basketball.
Similar hushed chatter spread among the girls—bolder, yet quieter.
After all, one genuinely wondered: what did a Snow Maiden’s fingers feel like?
If they were cool… would it be even more thrilling?
High schoolers did discuss necessary things beyond studies sometimes.
Playful voices filled the air near the playground as PE class neared its end.
The PE teacher blew his whistle sharply. "Line up! Who’s on equipment duty today? Don’t forget!"
As he spoke, Xiao Yingwan—the quiet girl others suspected might be a Snow Maiden—stepped out of the line.
A ripple of murmurs followed her movement.
Yet her expression remained cool and unruffled, untouched by the whispers behind her.
Before the teacher could ask about the second student, a boy with bangs partially covering his eyes stepped forward from the edge of the line.
Classmates paused, struggling to recall his name.
Even Xiao Yingwan hesitated.
He was simply too invisible.
A transfer student from late last semester, utterly average in grades, sports, and looks.
By the time they remembered his name—Chi Yuzhou—he was already walking toward the equipment shed with Xiao Yingwan, drawing envious stares.
But imagining the sweltering heat inside that shed quickly turned envy to pity for the girl.
After dismissal, a boy rushed to offer help carrying equipment.
Xiao Yingwan politely waved him off without hesitation.
Inside the stifling equipment shed, only Chi Yuzhou and Xiao Yingwan remained, silently tidying scattered gear.
No words passed between them.
The seemingly aloof girl mentally reviewed his details:
*Chi Yuzhou. Transfer student. Unremarkable. Barely noticeable in class.*
His long bangs hid most of his face; his uniform concealed his build. Only his pale arms were visible.
Rumors called him gloomy—a quiet loner in the classroom corner.
He looked nothing like a Rare Breed. Just an ordinary otaku.
As Xiao Yingwan gathered equipment near the door, Chi Yuzhou finally spoke from inside:
"I heard this door’s old. Don’t lock it from the inside."
His words landed just as Xiao Yingwan closed the door, pulling out a badminton racket from behind it.
"Sorry? What did you say?"
*...Why’s a racket stored there? How’d she even find it?*
Chi Yuzhou pushed the door. It wouldn’t budge.
Xiao Yingwan tried too after he stepped back.
"My mistake," she murmured. "But we have first period next. Students will notice us missing soon."
"Hope so," Chi Yuzhou replied, turning to finish tidying.
She did the same.
Only ten minutes remained of the fifteen-minute break.
In the heavy silence, Chi Yuzhou noticed sweat beading on Xiao Yingwan’s forehead. His planned question died unasked.
Xiao Yingwan, meanwhile, realized he hadn’t sweated at all.
*Was he also sweat-resistant? Better than me?*
They sat apart—Xiao Yingwan on a knee-high mat—avoiding conversation as they waited.
Outside, cicadas shrieked louder. The shed’s temperature climbed relentlessly.
Ten more minutes passed. The heat became unbearable.
No shared words filled the suffocating air.
Her vision blurred. Xiao Yingwan’s last thought before darkness swallowed her was oddly detached:
*Do Snow Maidens… get heatstroke?*
Her faint whisper went unheard.
Chi Yuzhou turned at the sound of movement. The girl had collapsed flat on the mat, her graceful curves starkly visible. A fraction higher, and her slender waist would’ve been exposed.
He approached, utterly focused—not on the accidental glimpse, but on her unnaturally pale face and ragged breathing.
"Lucky you passed out when you did," he muttered dryly in the sweltering air. "Or *I’d* be exposed..."
He exhaled slowly. Strange pinkish-white mist curled from his lips.
The shed’s temperature dropped subtly.
Xiao Yingwan’s face stayed pale. Untreated heatstroke could turn deadly.
"If I use just a little... it should be fine," he whispered.
He placed his palm gently against her forehead.
Her breathing steadied instantly, as if touched by a cooling charm. Color returned faintly to her cheeks, though her eyes stayed shut.
Just then, voices echoed outside.
The door swung open. A tall girl with sun-kissed skin stared in confusion.
*Did the shed feel... cooler than outside? Must be my imagination.*
Chi Yuzhou met her gaze calmly. "We got locked in. She has heatstroke. Could you take her to the nurse?"
"Sure." The girl checked Xiao Yingwan’s clothes—undisturbed, no signs of foul play. She recognized the unconscious girl; they had history.
"Thanks. Goodbye."
When the tall girl turned at his voice, only Chi Yuzhou’s retreating back remained.
