The door to an empty classroom on the school’s fourth floor suddenly swung open.

Xiao Yingwan watched Chi Yuzhou standing by the window and casually set the notebook she carried onto a desk.

The window was slightly ajar, not fully open.

When Chi Yuzhou’s gaze turned to her, Xiao Yingwan softly brought up yesterday’s offer about the reward.

“Well? Will you consider what I suggested yesterday?”

“Mm. I’ve been troubling you lately, Xiao.”

Xiao Yingwan’s expression didn’t change; she just shook her head slightly.

As if to say this was nothing at all.

“So your schedule and routine… should normalize soon, right?”

“Mm.”

Chi Yuzhou nodded in response to her question.

His shifts at the tavern had ended earlier lately, plus weekends off…

Minus tutoring hours, the rest would be free time.

Just thinking about it made him happy.

“Then our tutoring spot will be here—during lunch breaks and after school.”

“Okay.”

“Also… let’s exchange contacts. To confirm weekend sessions easily.”

Watching Chi Yuzhou pull out an outdated phone, Xiao Yingwan added him without hesitation.

This only confirmed her suspicion.

Chi Yuzhou was indeed short on cash.

Even after linking contacts, Chi Yuzhou showed no sign of wavering.

Silence filled the classroom, with just one boy and one girl seated at its center.

Xiao Yingwan’s soft tutoring voice drifted through the air, followed by the faint scratch of pen on paper.

Few figures passed in the hallway—this floor mostly held club rooms or empty spaces.

But… Xiao Yingwan felt a faint chill, as if the temperature had dropped slightly. Was it her imagination?

At that moment, Chi Yuzhou stood up, remembering something, and flung the window wide open.

A warm breeze rushed in, filling the room instantly.

It also scattered the faint, lingering fragrance inside.

Xiao Yingwan seemed puzzled but stayed focused, continuing the lesson undisturbed.

...

In Class 3-2, afternoon lessons proceeded smoothly.

Guanmingxue’s voice from the podium was clear and pleasant, though she occasionally called on students to answer questions.

Those selected first felt relief at hearing her lovely voice say their names.

If only the poetry on the board weren’t so hard to grasp, it’d be a sweet memory.

In the corner, Chi Yuzhou sometimes felt Guanmingxue’s eyes meet his—but it might’ve been a fleeting glance.

Outwardly attentive to her lecture, his mind wandered back to the empty classroom at lunch.

Honestly, he’d nearly exposed his Rare Breed identity then.

The Snow Clan’s trait was slowly shifting their surroundings to their ideal temperature.

During tutoring, they sat by the open window, so his effect was minimal.

But earlier in Room 405, he’d waited inside alone for a while.

The window was barely cracked, and they’d been seated dead center.

By the time he realized, Xiao Yingwan might’ve already noticed…

Still, humans knew little about the Snow Clan. This tiny slip probably wouldn’t reveal anything.

Exposing his race or looks was Chi Yuzhou’s worst fear.

Humans fixated oddly on striking appearances—and rare things.

If such details leaked online, his peaceful life here would vanish.

Living among humans, he knew this luck couldn’t be replicated.

Unless he took a shortcut later.

Like… relying on a wealthy older woman.

With Snow Clan looks, that goal seemed easy.

Better than being dragged back to endure constant drilling.

But… he’d heard those women had terrifying tricks too.

Steel wool. Thin black sticks like chopsticks. High heels that looked deadly…

Given a choice, he’d rather build a good future through his own effort.

It’d be a long road, though.

For now, just study.

Chi Yuzhou sighed quietly, then accidentally locked eyes with Guanmingxue on the podium.

As he looked away, he spotted Xiao Yingwan glancing back from nearby.

...

After the melodic school bell rang, two figures sat facing each other again in Room 405 for tutoring.

Xiao Yingwan calmly graded Chi Yuzhou’s exercises, then offered light praise as she finished the last mark.

“You did well this time. You’re picking things up faster than I expected.”

“Mm. You’re a good teacher.”

At his compliment, Xiao Yingwan said nothing, just gazing at him quietly with her lovely eyes.

Was there a hint of admiration there?

Because he’d solved the problems well?

Under her direct stare, Chi Yuzhou remained perfectly composed.

Their after-school session was nearly over.

After a routine goodbye, Xiao Yingwan wasn’t rushed by this long-term effort.

She walked out the school gates normally. Barely any time passed before a black sedan pulled up before her.

“Thanks again, Uncle Lin.”

“No need to be polite.”

The man called Uncle Lin had streaks of white in his hair, but his uniform made him look sharp and professional.

Once inside the car, Xiao Yingwan’s demeanor shifted subtly, gaining an air of a young lady.

Perhaps that was simply her reality.

The car drove into a vast villa compound. Stepping out, Xiao Yingwan was greeted by an unexpectedly grand lineup of staff.

She looked slightly exasperated at the sight.

“Seriously, I told Auntie Lin we don’t need welcomes like this anymore.”

“It’s nice to have one now and then, isn’t it?”

Auntie Lin’s eyes crinkled with amusement, clearly pleased by the impromptu arrangement.

Nearby, Uncle Lin smiled warmly, his expression softening further when he met Auntie Lin’s gaze.

As the staff dispersed to their duties, Auntie Lin followed Xiao Yingwan upstairs and remembered something.

“Grandpa Xiao called for you today. You were still at school.”

“Oh? Has my grandpa—who’s always hunting for Snow Maidens—finally remembered he has a granddaughter?”

A flicker of playful cunning danced in Xiao Yingwan’s eyes as she added,

“I thought a Snow Maiden might’ve turned him into an ice sculpture by now.”

Auntie Lin just smiled and reminded her again to call back.

Back in her room, Xiao Yingwan changed into a long dress, then dialed her grandfather’s number.

After a few rings, the call connected.

“Honestly, I thought you’d forgotten you had a granddaughter.”

“Hahaha! How could I forget my precious granddaughter?”

A robust laugh boomed through the receiver. Xiao Yingwan pressed on,

“So… did you find a Snow Maiden this time?”

“Found her! Found her!”

His satisfaction was unmistakable as Grandpa Xiao continued,

“This Snow Maiden race… truly fascinating.”