After handing the heatstroke-stricken Xiao Yingwan to her classmates, Chi Yuzhou returned alone to the classroom of Class 3, Grade 11.

The class was in self-study period. Even slipping back mid-lesson, an unremarkable student taking his seat by the rear window drew no attention.

Just as Chi Yuzhou settled to rest his head on the desk, his male neighbor—phone in hand—noticed his return and spoke up:

"Tough job cleaning the storage room?"

"Not really."

The boy glanced toward the classroom door, not spotting the other person. When he turned back to ask more, he found Chi Yuzhou already slumped over his desk.

Resting his cheek on his arms, Chi Yuzhou’s exposed skin showed only a pale neck and an equally pale left hand. On that hand sat a barely noticeable Mystic Ring.

The boy adjusted his glasses and said no more.

Half the lesson passed before a girl suddenly asked:

"Where’s Xiao Yingwan?"

"No idea."

Classmates exchanged confused glances.

"I think she was cleaning the sports storage with... someone after PE."

Heads swiveled searching the room, but most couldn’t spot that "someone."

Surely both weren’t absent?

Before wild guesses formed, a student gently shook awake another napping classmate, voice just loud enough for nearby ears:

"Chi Yuzhou. Where’s Xiao Yingwan?"

"She got heatstroke. Probably in the infirmary now."

Roused, Chi Yuzhou’s eyes were half-hidden by stray hairs. His reply to Hua Qi carried a lazy murmur.

Though quiet, his words reached those listening. Hua Qi stood up, leveraging his deputy monitor role to restore the classroom’s quiet study atmosphere.

After settling the class, Hua Qi turned back to Chi Yuzhou.

Chi Yuzhou wasn’t resting anymore. He’d pulled out that morning’s math problems, puzzling over them alone.

Hua Qi hesitated, then asked softly so as not to disturb others:

"How did Xiao Yingwan get heatstroke?"

"The storage door locked accidentally. It got too hot. The next class found her."

"Did you take her to the infirmary?"

"No. Girls from the next class did."

Chi Yuzhou didn’t dislike Hua Qi. He answered thoroughly.

Besides, he’d never considered escorting her himself.

He’d learned long ago:

Being seen with beautiful women only brought trouble.

Even...

All those boys had volunteered to help Xiao Yingwan in the storage room. Yet none had approached *him* to share that duty with her.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked exposing his secret to help.

Hua Qi nodded, satisfied. He shifted his attention back to his phone.

Behind the curtain of hair shadowing his brow, no one saw Chi Yuzhou’s faint frown at the math problems.

*These numbers—I know them alone. Why do they turn monstrous together?*

Drained by the equations, Chi Yuzhou glanced sideways. It was impossible not to notice the flickering green glow reflected on Hua Qi’s glasses.

*Looks like my neighbor’s stuck too.*

Before Chi Yuzhou could look away, Hua Qi—having sent multiple green message boxes with no reply—caught his gaze. Hua Qi masked a flicker of complexity in his eyes and asked warmly:

"Stuck on a problem?"

Chi Yuzhou nodded. His neighbor often helped him.

*Yeah. Bros before hoes.*

...

Xiao Yingwan woke with clear thoughts. Finding herself in the infirmary, she also spotted short-haired Zhuang Yue sitting nearby.

They’d been classmates since elementary school.

"Yueyue? How long was I out?"

"Awake? Class is almost over. Not long."

Xiao Yingwan’s voice carried its usual cool tone, but Zhuang Yue didn’t mind. Years of friendship taught her this was just Xiao Yingwan.

Smiling, Zhuang Yue handed her a bottle of salt solution while perching on the bed edge.

"First time I’ve seen you get heatstroke in all these years."

"This summer’s the hottest on record. I never expected it in that storage room."

Xiao Yingwan wasn’t weak, yet the unexpected happened.

Zhuang Yue took a sip from her own water bottle.

"By the way—has your grandpa updated his book?"

"No. Rare Breeds aren’t easy to find."

"True~" Zhuang Yue chuckled, then added, "It’s been nearly ten years since his last book, right? The one about the Blood Clan?"

"Mm. Blood Clan."

"That restless grandfather of yours—what race is he investigating now?"

"Heard it’s the Snow Maiden clan."

Thinking of her ever-energetic, wanderlust-filled grandfather, a hint of amusement touched Xiao Yingwan’s delicate eyes.

As Xiao Yingwan rose to leave, she paused at the door.

"The boy who was with me earlier—is he alright?"

"He seemed fine."

Mentioning him, Zhuang Yue teased lightly:

"If he knew you cared, he’d be over the moon~"

"It’s not caring. Just concern for someone who shared the same situation."

Besides, it was her own carelessness that caused this.

Xiao Yingwan left, trying to recall her blackout.

She’d felt... a cool, soothing chill.

*Hmm... probably just Yueyue bringing ice water.*

...

Back in class, concerned classmates swarmed Xiao Yingwan the moment she entered. She’d planned to apologize to the boy in the back row, but first answered everyone politely.

The delay made the next bell ring abruptly.

Seated, Xiao Yingwan glanced back at the boy two rows behind.

*After this last class. I’ll apologize after school.*

The dismissal bell rang. At his empty seat, Xiao Yingwan controlled the urge to frown.

*Guess I’ll wait until tomorrow.*