After Anna returned the money to Jiang Fan, they chatted casually for a bit. Soon, she stood up again to say goodbye.

It was past midnight. Anna had her own errands today—meeting Jiang Fan was pure coincidence. Though she found him interesting, she wasn’t blind to his coldness. She didn’t want to overstay her welcome.

Watching Anna leave the library with Guxuetong, Jiang Fan felt a slight relief. He genuinely feared Guxuetong clinging to him again. Real social death wasn’t just online chatter.

Just then, Lin Mengyao finished grading Jiang Fan’s test paper. Her eyes were still a little red and swollen, but her composure had steadied. An unnatural flush colored her cheeks—she clearly regretted her earlier embarrassment.

“Here,” she said, handing him the paper. “Total score 200. You got 140. Science questions cost you most points, especially physics. You only solved the easiest of three problems. Not severely lopsided, but your science needs work. Your foundation’s decent though.”

She’d mentioned earlier her questions were tougher than college entrance exams. Honestly, Jiang Fan could pass midterms at this level. But Lin Mengyao aimed higher now.

So when Jiang Fan smiled, about to say, “This score’s enough,” she stood abruptly. Her gaze turned resolute.

“Two choices: One, accept my tutoring and push your grades up. Two, refuse me—but I won’t quit my job. Even if you say no, I’ll find you daily. No matter if you convince Sister Shuyue or not.”

“Think carefully. Don’t doubt my resolve.”

Jiang Fan stared, dumbfounded. A million chaotic thoughts stampeded through his head.

*Did she get heatstroke today? Who’d willingly make trouble like this?*

“Lin Mengyao,” he said flatly, “why are you doing this? You hated me, right? Is this revenge? If so, I sincerely apologize for past disrespect. Please let me off the hook. OK?”

He was baffled. He’d been deliberately cold to push her away, yet she kept closing in. *Was she a masochist?*

“If you call it revenge, fine,” she shot back. “But I won’t let you slack off at school! For Sister Shuyue’s sake, I’ll fix your rotten mindset!”

She couldn’t explain her inner turmoil, so she leaned on Shuyue as an excuse. Jiang Fan’s discomfort just proved her tactic worked—he’d never yielded to her before.

Lin Mengyao suddenly realized her earlier resistance was shallow. She wasn’t alone in suffering. Seeing Jiang Fan’s grimace when she was upset actually lifted her mood. Simple math: her gloom minus his misery meant she gained without loss.

Her expression visibly brightened. For the first time, she gave him a genuine smile.

“Well? Choice one or two? Once Sister Shuyue hears my plan, you’ll have no say. Or keep resisting—I don’t mind gossip if it bothers you.”

Jiang Fan finally saw it: she wanted to drag him down with her. If she haunted his classroom daily, everyone would blame *him* for being ungrateful. At worst, she’d just earn a “fierce admirer” rumor. His peaceful school life would vanish.

This was an open scheme!

*No wonder pretty women can’t be trusted.*

“Heh,” he countered, “I’ll hide in the bathroom after class. You won’t chase me there, will you?”

Right—Lin Mengyao had her own classes. She could only ambush him during breaks. He’d avoid her and play dumb if questioned. No one would hassle him over this.

Lin Mengyao faltered. If he vanished, she truly had no leverage—just boosting his notoriety.

*What now? Can’t I control him anymore?*

She panicked. This hard-won chance couldn’t slip away.

*Think! What else does he fear?*

Yesterday’s encounter flashed in her mind—the girl who made her feel inferior.

*...Of course. How could I forget her?*

Under Jiang Fan’s watchful eyes, Lin Mengyao smiled again. His heart clenched.

*Damn. Did she figure it out?*

She pulled out her phone and sauntered toward him. Jiang Fan sprang up, arms crossed over his chest. Their corner table left him trapped against the wall.

“Why so scared, senior?” she pouted. “I just want a photo together. Do you hate me that much?”

Jiang Fan’s face darkened. “Yes! I hate you! Stay back, or my fear of women kicks in!”

Lin Mengyao ignored him, grinning slyly. “But I genuinely like you, senior Jiang Fan. Even with a girlfriend, I know you’ll understand my feelings someday!”

*Tsk.*

Jiang Fan thought pretty girls were the ultimate bullies. Once they confessed, they faced zero blame—good looks excused everything.

“I’ll explain to her. If she messes with you, I won’t take the fall.”

“No problem,” she chirped. “For you, senior, it’s nothing!”

Jiang Fan fell silent. He held her gaze for a long moment, then sighed deeply.

“Fine. You win. You got me.”