On campus, as lunch break began, a steady stream of students headed to the cafeteria.

The scorching heat made the cicadas buzz in rhythmic unison, as if conducted.

An unassuming boy, Chi Yuzhou, walked alone with a book in hand—until a cool, clear voice suddenly cut through the air behind him.

"Classmate, you dropped your meal card."

Hearing it felt like a refreshing breeze on a sweltering day, lifting his spirits instantly.

Turning around, he saw Xiao Yingwan’s breathtaking face—a true campus beauty—and froze, words escaping him.

"Is this your card?"

"Y-yes. Th-thank you, Xiao."

"Hmm."

Xiao Yingwan nodded slightly and walked on, ignoring his dazed stare.

Inside the cafeteria, she sat alone, her aloof aura brushing off the occasional glances around her.

No one knew her thoughts but herself.

That ordinary boy had only exchanged two sentences with her—likely forgetting his own name in the process.

Even other guys, no matter how composed, always acted a little awkward around her.

Yet Chi Yuzhou showed none of that.

This unexpected detail caught Xiao Yingwan’s attention.

She didn’t think he was problematic.

She was simply curious: why did gloomy, quiet Chi Yuzhou seem almost... annoyed by girls like her?

Wasn’t it natural to wonder why?

Her untouched food had only just cooled slightly.

Staring at it, she suddenly recalled her grandfather, who’d gone to investigate the Xue Clan.

She wondered how his research was progressing.

......

"Really like her?"

"Mhm. A lot."

Under the shade of a campus tree, Chi Yuzhou heard Hua Qi repeat his feelings and recalled a book passage.

He didn’t know what "like" meant, but the book defined it: a passionate fondness for someone or something, a lasting preference.

"Are you sure she feels the same?"

"It’s the friend who likes me."

"Oh."

Chi Yuzhou nodded lightly, urging him to continue.

"She and my... friend met in a game. My friend had good gear and decent skills. They played together often, and eventually, it just clicked."

Listening, Chi Yuzhou murmured as if to himself:

"Are games... fun?"

"What?"

"Nothing."

Chi Yuzhou shook his head, then asked abruptly:

"Did you two confess to each other?"

"Probably... not."

Hua Qi’s eyes sparkled with nostalgia. "But when we played, it was so sweet. We called each other ‘baby,’ and I bought her gear and milk tea."

Chi Yuzhou sipped his yogurt calmly, showing no reaction. After Hua Qi finished, he asked:

"And her?"

"She called me ‘baby’ too."

"Did she give anything back?"

"But she called me ‘baby’!"

"......"

Seeing Chi Yuzhou’s speechless look, Hua Qi lowered his head, facing reality.

"Actually, no."

"And lately... she barely replies. Says she’s busy with school."

Chi Yuzhou understood. He’d read about this.

Hua Qi had fallen for a bad woman’s scheme and become a fool.

Though not completely—he’d at least sought outside help.

Chi Yuzhou took a sip of his slushy yogurt, glancing sideways at Hua Qi, who wasn’t bad-looking.

After a pause, he asked:

"What do you want me to do?"

"Say... if someone you chatted with a lot suddenly ignored you, what would you do?"

Chi Yuzhou thought carefully.

"I don’t know. But ask her what you are to each other. Assuming things one-sidedly isn’t healthy."

"I see..."

Hua Qi seemed enlightened and hurried back to class.

Chi Yuzhou stayed under the tree, finishing his yogurt slowly before lying down.

The heat was melting him.

......

Friday’s last class was Chinese literature.

At the podium, teacher Guanmingxue wore her fitted professional suit, explaining concepts in a calm, pleasant voice.

As the lesson neared its end, students grew restless with weekend anticipation.

Guanmingxue knew it was time.

After assigning homework, the dismissal bell rang.

Back in her office, she watched the almost-adult students below from the window and sighed silently.

Outside school, Chi Yuzhou walked with Hua Qi trailing behind.

He hadn’t cared about the noon incident’s outcome.

If Hua Qi wanted to share, fine; if not, he wouldn’t pry.

But Hua Qi’s downcast expression gave it away.

They walked quietly until Chi Yuzhou wondered why Hua Qi took this route—then heard:

"Chi Yuzhou, are you free later?"

"What’s up?"

Before Chi Yuzhou finished asking, Hua Qi rushed ahead to help an old lady cross the zebra crossing.

Chi Yuzhou had known this, but seeing it again, he thought:

*Hua Qi really is a good guy.*

Lending notes in class, helping with problems—he wasn’t malicious.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have fallen so easily for that woman’s tricks.

He was just too naive.

Hua Qi returned, smiling.

"I just wanted to ask if you’d game with me later."

"Your friend’s okay now?"

"She said we’re friends. So I gained a friend—no problem there."

Chi Yuzhou nodded.

"I’m busy tonight."

"But..."

A breeze swept his hair aside as he spoke, revealing the earring on his earlobe.

"If you want, visit my shop. We sell milk too."