Boyfriend? Since when did Lin Mengyao have a boyfriend?
Class 5’s classroom plunged into a deafening silence—like when the math teacher asks if anyone can solve the problem on the board.
Sensing the suddenly prickly stares around him, Jiang Fan slowly blinked awake.
“…?” Rubbing his blurry eyes, he realized it wasn’t his imagination. He’d somehow become the entire class’s focal point. Even students from other classes crowded the hallway windows, staring at him with odd expressions.
What the hell? Did a bird land on his head or something?
He reached up to pat his hair—only to find nothing but thick, messy strands.
Seriously? People were gawking just because he’d taken a nap?
It made no sense. With his hair covering half his face and those dorky black-rimmed glasses, he looked like a gloomy shut-in. No one ever paid him attention before.
So what was going on now…?
The student in front finally tugged Jiang Fan’s sleeve. When he turned, the guy jerked his chin toward Lin Mengyao standing at the classroom door.
“Your girlfriend’s here for you. Still sleeping?”
The guy clearly loved drama. The moment “your girlfriend” left his lips, the surrounding stares turned sharper. Several tall boys cracked their knuckles, ready to interrogate Jiang Fan like suspects.
But his words only confused Jiang Fan more.
“Girlfriend? I don’t see one. Is she even at school today?”
He wasn’t talking about Lin Mengyao—he meant Mu Yuli, his actual girlfriend. She was also a senior at Jingjiang No.1 High, though she’d never shown up since the semester began.
Their relationship wasn’t public, but they were genuinely dating.
“Huh? Still half-asleep, huh…” His front-row classmate backed away fast. “Bro, good luck. I’m out—sitting near you is lethal. Don’t drag me down with you.”
He bolted to the hallway to watch the show.
Lin Mengyao’s patience had burned to ashes. But as Jiang Fan’s “girlfriend,” she couldn’t afford to look petty.
Forcing down the urge to punch his stupid face, she glided to his desk under everyone’s gaze. She pasted on a sugary smile that made her own teeth ache.
“Oh, Jiang Fan~ How can you be sleepy so early? We didn’t stay up *that* late last night, did we?”
Now Jiang Fan got it. She was deliberately painting a target on his back.
After her suggestive words, he didn’t need to look up to know every boy in class had mentally transformed into avenging spears, stabbing him with their eyes.
*All traitors must die, huh?*
The girls all shot him “scumbag” glares. At academically strict Jingjiang No.1 High, most students were rule-following sweethearts. Physical relationships? That was crossing lines.
Other couples got flustered just holding hands or stealing kisses. Who’d dare go all the way?
Lin Mengyao’s words had turned Jiang Fan into public enemy number one. With onlookers from other classes joining in, the hostility swelled.
He knew rumors spread like wildfire. The school would never tolerate this. And between wealthy, influential Lin Mengyao and plain, ordinary him? The administration’s choice would be obvious.
Jiang Fan snapped fully awake. He squinted at Lin Mengyao—the picture of a shy, devoted girlfriend—and thought coldly:
*The prettier the face, the sharper the knife behind it.*
Seeing his guard-up stance, Lin Mengyao nearly gloated.
*How dare he reject my invitation? No guy’s ever been this bold with me.*
She only meant to mess with him. A simple clarification would kill the rumor. But when she’d clear it up? That depended entirely on Jiang Fan’s attitude—and her mood.
“There, there, don’t be mad.” She held out a chocolate bar—originally her snack—with both hands. Her expression mixed fake remorse and playful mischief, like a real couple in a rom-com. *Wasted talent.*
But Jiang Fan had no time for her act. If this dragged on, his classmates’ stares would vaporize him. He rolled his eyes and snapped:
“Who the hell are you? Wrong guy. I have a girlfriend.”
Lin Mengyao’s sweet smile froze. A vein throbbed on her smooth forehead. The chocolate in her hand crumbled into pieces.
Around them, the sound of shattering stone filled the air—literally. Cups and books slipped from trembling hands, clattering to the floor.
“Damn… he’s hardcore…”
Someone’s muttered awe ignited the room. The hallway and classroom erupted like gunpowder.
Whispers swirled in clusters:
*“Just pranking again?”*
*“Knew it.”*
*“Honestly, if she hadn’t said his name, I wouldn’t even recognize that guy.”*
This wasn’t Lin Mengyao’s first stunt. Rumors about her “boyfriends” had surfaced before—always with her silent approval.
Past targets had flocked to her, hoping to win her favor. All ended up as laughingstocks.
She’d expected Jiang Fan to be the same. Even if he played hard to get, he shouldn’t *reject* her outright. She’d planned to dangle hope before crushing him.
But now?
Lin Mengyao had been dumped first?
Unacceptable.
