The sky hadn’t yet brightened when Lin Shu woke from sleep. He rolled over, grabbed his phone, and checked the time—5:30 a.m. He clutched his blanket, lingering in bed for a few more minutes before reluctantly throwing it off to brush his teeth and wash up.

Ever since systematically training his body to get into City No.1 High School, Lin Shu had adopted a relatively regular, healthy routine. On weekends without morning drills, he’d binge-sleep all morning to catch up on rest.

While brushing his teeth, he scrolled through the QQ group chat. The WeChat class group—where homeroom teachers and subject teachers posted important notices and fee collections—was strictly formal. But their self-made QQ group for class officers, teacher-free and lively, had exploded last night with chatter about him and Su Nuan. The monitor had muted the entire group by midnight, and the ban still held.

Only class officers could still message. The three girls—Publicity, Logistics, and Arts—were especially chatty. The monitor had snapped: *"Stop discussing non-academic stuff."*

As PE rep, Lin Shu had scored a green moderator badge. But this morning, Monitor Tian Peng had sneakily stripped him of it. *Such a petty grudge. Is he still in elementary school?*

He sent his sister a "wake up" meme, then texted Su Nuan too.

His dad’s thunderous snores still rumbled through the house—proof he’d actually come home last night.

Lin Shu pulled on lightweight training gear beneath his uniform, skipping the hassle of changing at school and avoiding chills.

Outside, darkness still stained the sky like ink. Thin mist veiled the city. Streetlights that had burned all night cast dim, hazy glows.

Pedaling his bike, Lin Shu felt warmth seep into his body. A few elderly folks shuffled along the whitening roads, baskets in hand. Most common were the sanitation workers—their solitary figures visible down every alley, reflective strips gleaming under streetlights.

The steamed bun shop outside the school gates bustled with activity, clouds of vapor rising from bamboo steamers.

He reached school just after six. Only a handful of classroom lights glowed in the teaching building.

Dawn’s pale light tinged the horizon. Athletes were already warming up on the field.

The coach only showed up sporadically now—sometimes arriving near the end of drills. He’d been strict only during the first month of morning training. Their PE class monitor announced the day’s routine but never checked effort, counted sets, or took attendance.

Morning drills relied on self-discipline. Take Yang Chao, for instance—he was still snoring. If the coach came, Lin Shu would call to wake him; living in the dorms, he could sprint down fast.

Around 6:30, students began jogging on the track or slipping out for breakfast. Morning readings drifted from the teaching building.

But Lin Shu’s attention snagged on Gu Chuchu sitting cross-legged on the grass, knees hugged to her chest. Her gaze hadn’t left him once.

*She really won’t give up.* After all, his "relationship" with Su Nuan looked flimsy from every angle.

Lin Shu rubbed his nose. Yesterday, Gu Chuchu had pecked his cheek—a gesture only his aunt and little sister had ever given him. Denying he felt anything would be a lie. But what exactly fascinated this outstanding underclassman? She’d gone this far and still refused to back down.

At exactly 7 a.m., the coach rolled in on his electric scooter. He lined everyone up—*attention, at ease, right face*—then dismissed them for breakfast and morning readings. Lin Shu sometimes ate congee and steamed buns in the cafeteria, but usually grabbed baozi, soy milk, or onigiri from outside stalls.

The moment Lin Shu moved, Gu Chuchu sprang up too. He bolted for the gate; she chased after him—though she’d never catch him.

"Senior! Ah—!"

A shriek made Lin Shu whirl around. Gu Chuchu lay face-down on the grass. *Did she trip in a hole? How clumsy.*

Running away was shameful—and useless. Lin Shu jogged back, crouched before her, and poked her hair. "Gu Chuchu? You okay?"

"Senior! I didn’t dirty the breakfast!" She lifted her head, waving a transparent bag steaming with pork buns.

"Breakfast doesn’t matter. Are you hurt anywhere?"

"My knee stings. My arm’s numb. But not as bad as last time."

Lin Shu slid his hands under Gu Chuchu’s armpits and lifted her—she felt featherlight—then settled her on the grass. He rolled up her uniform pants, revealing white socks and slender calves. Her knee was flushed but unbroken. The skin there was noticeably paler than the rest—a patch of new flesh from an old injury.

He lowered her pant leg. "You’re fine. Watch where you walk. No more rushing. At least you fell on soft grass."

"It’s because you ran away! I got flustered and—" She cut herself off. "Not that it’s your fault! All my fault. Totally." Gu Chuchu shouldered the blame with heartbreaking humility.

"I’ve been clear. There’s no ‘us’."

"‘No’ now doesn’t mean ‘no’ forever! My body’s still growing!"

"I have a girlfriend."

"Is she *really* your girlfriend? Didn’t Su Nuan-xuejie only confess to ditch that gross stalker? I’m your *personal* admirer!" Gu Chuchu flashed a thumbs-up, puffing her flat chest proudly.

*Is that something to brag about?*

"Once Su Nuan-xuejie’s done using you, she’ll toss you aside without hesitation. You’re way below her league. Only I’m barely good enough for you. Then I’ll comfort your broken heart and sweep you off your feet! Hehehe~" Lost in fantasy, Gu Chuchu wore a blissfully dumb grin, giggling her signature silly laugh.

*How did such a clumsy kid even get a guaranteed university spot?*

Lin Shu raised a hand to chop her forehead—snapping her out of it—but stopped. The gesture felt too intimate. As he pulled back, Gu Chuchu nuzzled his palm like a puppy.

Lin Shu yanked his hand behind his back. A flicker of disappointment crossed Gu Chuchu’s face before she beamed again. "Want baozi and mantou, Senior? I bought extras—still warm! I kept them cozy in my tummy."

"I’m not picky, but I’ll buy my own."

"The line’s long now! If you don’t eat them, they’ll go to the trash. Such waste! Such waste!" Gu Chuchu peeked at him through her lashes.

"Just this once. Never buy me breakfast again."

"Yay! They’ll be so happy to be eaten by you!"

As Lin Shu took the bag, a soft *gurgle* sounded.

"Your stomach’s starving! Eat while it’s hot."

"Haven’t you eaten?" Lin Shu’s voice turned stern.

"I have! I’m dieting. Barely ate anything." Gu Chuchu’s eyes darted away; her fingers twisted together.

"You’re skin and bones! What’s left to diet?"

"I’m actually fat! Wanna feel my tummy?" She tugged her uniform hem upward—Lin Shu pinned her wrist down.

"What are you doing? This is a public field!"

"Oh! Right! You can feel through the fabric."

"The tummy isn’t the point! Skipping breakfast stunts your growth."

"Short is fine. I’ve accepted my fate."

"Your chest won’t grow either."

"*Whimper...*" Gu Chuchu’s voice cracked.

"I don’t like small ones."

Another blow. Gu Chuchu swayed, clutching Lin Shu’s arm to stay upright. "Su Nuan-xuejie’s not exactly huge either..." she muttered stubbornly.

"At least she’s bigger than you."

"Eating properly will make them grow?"

"There’s hope."

"And you’ll like me then?"

"If you skip breakfast, I’ll hate you. Forever." Lin Shu dropped the ultimatum.

"...Fine." Gu Chuchu pouted. "But one condition: you eat with me. I can’t finish alone. You supervise. If you’re still hungry, buy more later—lines’ll be short. Won’t waste your time."

*Gurgle—*

Lin Shu’s stomach betrayed him.

"*That* was definitely yours! Eat up!"

They sat cross-legged on the grass.

"You take the baozi. I’ll have mantou."

"Share! Each bun has different fillings—pork, pickled veg, bamboo shoot."

"Splitting them spills the filling. You eat half first; I’ll finish the rest."

"Eating your leftovers? Gross."

"I don’t mind. Makes it tastier."

"You’re disgusting."

"Thanks for the compliment, Senior!"

"I wasn’t complimenting you!"

Lin Shu refused her offer. He broke a mantou in half and grabbed a random bun.

"Stingy Senior," Gu Chuchu pouted.

Morning sun pierced the mist, warming their backs. Their shadows stretched across the grass.

"Try this pork bun—it’s the best!" Gu Chuchu rubbed it against Lin Shu’s lips. He clamped his mouth shut.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over them, blocking the sun.

"So you ignored my texts and calls because you’re flirting with a cute underclassman? Lin Xiaoshu, you’ve got guts."

Lin Shu looked up. Su Nuan smiled sweetly, eyes crinkled like crescent moons—a smile that chilled his spine.

"Su Nuan..."

Before he could speak, Gu Chuchu stuffed the pork bun into his mouth.

"What should you call me? Forgotten already?" Su Nuan twisted his ear.

Lin Shu took a bite. Gu Chuchu beamed, reclaiming the bun to eat it herself.

He swallowed. "Xiaonuan."

"You two don’t act like a couple at all," Gu Chuchu giggled behind her hand.

"We’re both first-timers. Awkwardness makes it sweeter, don’t you think?" Su Nuan slid beside Lin Shu, opening her own bag—jianbing, sushi rolls, boiled eggs from every street stall. "Stayed up researching last night. Overslept. Didn’t expect my underclassman to raid my territory so early."

"Su Nuan-xuejie, don’t ruin our alone time!" Gu Chuchu clung to Lin Shu’s arm.

"I was going to ask what you wanted. Since you ghosted me, I bought random stuff. You can still eat, right?" Su Nuan peeled an egg and shoved it into Lin Shu’s mouth. He could only nod.

After the egg, Lin Shu choked slightly. Gu Chuchu seized the chance, offering her half-drunk soy milk. "Senior, drink!"

Su Nuan clicked her tongue sharply while stabbing a straw into milk.

She kept feeding him until Lin Shu, stomach straining, gasped between bites: "Eat something yourself."

"You feed me. Ah—" Su Nuan wiped his hand with a handkerchief, then her own. She folded her hands neatly on her lap, parted her lips slightly—perfect white teeth gleaming, picture-perfect ladylike.

"So *that’s* the trick," Gu Chuchu muttered, biting her finger in defeat.

*This is a public field! Can’t you two tone it down?* Staring strangers burned Lin Shu’s skin. His stomach cramped. His hand trembled holding the sushi.

Su Nuan nibbled the sushi daintily—then took the last bite straight off Lin Shu’s fingertip.

Not to be outdone, Gu Chuchu grabbed his other hand and sank her teeth in.

"I’m hungry."

"Lin Xiaoshu," Su Nuan smiled sweetly, "do you know what happens if you feed my food to other girls?"

"I wouldn’t touch your stuff! I’m full. This is just... Senior-replenishment."

After feeding Su Nuan several more bites—each one earning him a playful nibble from Gu Chuchu that left no marks but plenty of drool—the campus buzzed to life as day students flooded in ahead of class. Though lessons didn’t start until eight, the morning reading period began at 7:40. The warning bell would ring any minute.

"Is that stern-looking, slightly balding teacher in the white shirt the dean?" Lin Shu asked, watching the middle-aged man head toward the gate to catch latecomers for punishment laps.

"Definitely him. I saw him up close during a podium speech," Gu Chuchu confirmed with a nod.

"Won’t it be bad if he sees us like this?"

"We’ll definitely get scolded first."

"Then run!" Lin Shu jumped up—only to find Su Nuan and Gu Chuchu still seated on the grass.

"Why aren’t you moving?"

"Our legs are numb," they chorused.

"You two are hopeless." He hauled them up and hurried toward the courtyard. Halfway there, he realized he could’ve just left them—the sight of two cute girls sharing breakfast on the lawn was actually heartwarming. But as a guy, ditching them after eating their food felt wrong.

Su Nuan even brushed grass clippings off his uniform mid-walk.

"Senior, I’m heading this way now," Gu Chuchu said reluctantly, pulling her hand from his. The middle school building stood apart. "Senior Su Nuan, I’m just temporarily lending you my boyfriend. Remember to give him back."

"Try taking him if you can."

"Don’t worry, I will." They exchanged silly grimaces like squabbling kids.

"Aren’t you curious what happened this morning?" Lin Shu asked.

"I’d have to be an idiot not to know," Su Nuan shrugged. "Your sympathy kicked in again. That soft-hearted streak of yours—feeling sorry for her. Typical indecisive guy. That’s why she won’t give up. But don’t worry. I, the official girlfriend, will make her back off."

"Still sore?"

"Hmph. Not telling you." She crossed her arms, turning away with a pout.

Lin Shu scratched his head, flustered.

"Brush the grass off me. Can’t even cheer me up, dummy."

"Oh." He carefully plucked blades from her skirt and rear.

"Just slap it off! At this rate, it’ll take ages."

"I was worried about your sore spot—"

*Smack! Smack!* He gave her backside two firm swats.

"Ow! Idiot!" Su Nuan yelped, blushing crimson.

Too gentle? Wrong. Too rough? Also wrong. Girls were impossible.

(Though her butt felt springy soft.)

"Finish all this. No wasting food." She shoved the leftover breakfast bag into his arms and fled upstairs, textbooks clattering noisily in her backpack as she clutched her stinging rear.