The break between classes was short. Though Lin Mengyao had mentally cursed Jiang Fan with every vicious phrase she could muster, she couldn’t possibly scream at him like a common shrew with so many eyes on them. That would be utterly humiliating.
She could only glare at him with a *You’re dead meat* look, let out a sharp *Hmph!*, and march out of Class 5’s classroom, head held high.
To the other students, this was just classroom drama—maybe lunchtime gossip. In the pressure-cooker of senior year, it wouldn’t make a ripple. It’d be forgotten by tomorrow.
And if Jiang Fan hadn’t handled it well? Well, no one really cared about the consequences.
Even if Lin Mengyao’s antics got him expelled, it’d barely matter. Just one more empty desk in the classroom.
Jiang Fan didn’t dwell on it either. When curious classmates asked why someone like Lin Mengyao would target him, he simply slumped back onto his desk to nap the moment she left. Who had energy for their questions?
His blunt dismissal quickly shooed away the nosy ones. They assumed it was just a petty grudge from some minor clash.
By noon, just as Jiang Fan predicted, the whole thing had blown over without a trace.
The lunch bell rang after fourth period. Before the teacher even dismissed class, a few lunch-rushers shot out of the classroom like Olympic sprinters. Jiang Fan, seated by the window, watched his classmates already tearing toward the cafeteria the second "Class dismissed!" echoed.
*Yeah, I’d believe they’re training for the 100-meter dash.*
He wasn’t rushing. Leaning against the window, he watched students squeeze through the sardine-packed hallway. No worries—even if the cafeteria ran out, the convenience store was an option. Going last meant no lines, maybe even extra servings. Why stress?
Ten minutes later, the hallway finally cleared. Jiang Fan strolled out leisurely, passing students already patting full bellies on their way back to class.
*Typical. Rushing to cram more problems.*
That was Jingjiang No. 1 High’s vibe—even newly minted seniors treated every minute like D-Day prep.
But Jiang Fan felt little urgency. Compared to the college entrance exam 300 days away, he cared far more about dodging Mu Yuli’s kitchen knife six months from now.
“...Hey! Stop!”
Lost in thought, Jiang Fan stumbled as someone yanked his jacket from behind.
He turned to find Lin Mengyao bent over, panting, in a white sleeveless tee and cropped pants. Her loose neckline offered a generous view from his angle—but after last night’s bar encounter, he’d already seen enough. No need to stare.
“You again? Heads-up—student council patrols this area. Skip the uniform, and they’ll nail you.”
*Though with her connections?* Jiang Fan thought. *Doubt anyone’d dare ticket her. Unless they’re terminally rigid.*
He shifted his gaze away and kept walking toward the cafeteria.
Lin Mengyao hadn’t caught her breath. *He just dumps random warnings and walks off? Zero gentlemanly manners!*
*Is he even a normal teenage guy?* She’d expected flustered admiration—not this utter indifference. Like she wasn’t even female to him. Zero respect.
*That’s not normal!*
“Are you even straight?” she blurted, grabbing his arm again, eyes narrowed suspiciously.
*That explains everything.* She studied his face, conviction hardening. *At the bar too—he brushed off every woman flirting, even those bluntly inviting him to their beds. All fake smiles. Classic gay tells.*
*No straight guy ignores girls like this.*
Jiang Fan pressed his palm to his own forehead, then unexpectedly slapped it against hers. “You’re heatstroke,” he declared solemnly. “Go rest at the clinic.”
“Get lost! *You’re* the one hallucinating!” She swatted his hand away, glaring.
He just gave her a pitying look, clicking his tongue like *Poor girl. Broken upstairs.*
“Ahhh! Stop dodging!” Lin Mengyao finally realized he’d derailed her again. She yanked his sleeve. “You saw my message! Why didn’t you meet me?!”
*Message?*
Jiang Fan paused, then snapped his fingers. “Oh. That text was from you? I figured it was another prank. Guess I was right.”
“Who’s the ‘boring person’ now?!” She nearly screamed. *I’ve never been this furious in my entire life.*
*Calm down. He’s baiting you. Don’t crack.*
She forced her voice steady, finally asking the real question:
“What was this morning about? Don’t pretend you forgot last night. Play dumb now, and I won’t hold back.”
She’d replayed it all. Even at the bar, Jiang Fan had unnerved her—too sharp, too calm. He carried a maturity she’d only seen in her father. A weight no high schooler should have.
*That’s why I can’t let go.*
Jiang Fan studied her *Talk or I block your path* stance. An idea sparked.
“This morning? Just stating facts. You’re not my girlfriend. Right?”
“As for last night...” He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a murmur. “Do you *want* everyone knowing you haunt nightclubs? Or...”
A faint smirk played on his lips.
“Are you just desperate to cling to me?”
