Lin Shu practically slid into the classroom as the bell rang. The English monitor was already at the podium, setting up the multimedia system for the lesson.

Normally, Lin Shu slipped in unnoticed through the back door. But ever since becoming Su Nuan’s fake boyfriend, every move drew stares. Heads swiveled in unison as he entered.

Whispers had chased him since stepping onto campus:

*"Isn’t that Lin Shu, the guy juggling two girlfriends?"*

*"Three, I heard…"*

The rumors hadn’t died down over the weekend. They’d only grown wilder—his photo still pinned on the school’s confession wall, untouched by newer posts. By semester’s end, only legends of him would remain. Fewer classmates would recognize his face.

A crumpled paper ball sailed through the air, landing squarely on Lin Shu’s head as he sat. He smoothed it out. The wrinkled note read: *"Dummy. Made me wait forever."*

He glanced up. Su Nuan locked eyes with him, then drew a finger across her throat like a blade. She stuck out her tongue playfully. *Innocent act*, Lin Shu thought. *She never said to meet early. Just putting on a show for the class.*

Weekend homework piled high. He’d tackle Monday’s subjects first. Since he couldn’t focus on English anyway, he pulled out his math workbook. He only pretended to read English during the teacher’s evening supervision shifts.

The dismissal bell shattered the quiet. Chairs scraped against floors. Chatter erupted. Exhausted, Lin Shu slumped onto his desk.

"Didn’t train or study today. Why do you look drained? Sneaking off with other girls?" Su Nuan poked his head.

"Close. Spent the afternoon shopping with my sworn sister and her mom. Dead tired."

"Ho ho. Should’ve asked you to study with me."

"Might’ve been better."

*Though English drills are torture too.*

"Got your jacket back?"

"No. She’s washing it—says it reeks of smoke and booze."

"Your sworn sister smokes and drinks?"

"Doubt it. Probably just left it in a bar."

"Made up with her?"

"Not ‘made up.’ We weren’t that mad to begin with. Just… got to know her better."

"Don’t get *too* close. Might turn real-sister-close. You’ve got a thing for little sisters, remember?" She wound a strand of his hair around her finger.

"Told you—I only like *actual* little sisters."

"How much homework done?"

"Just finished math."

"That fast? Skipped English again?"

"Can’t memorize words anyway."

"Still gotta try. Hand over your math."

"Checked the answers. Fixed the wrong ones."

English workbook answers were torn out and submitted, but math answers stayed—teachers needed to see the work, not just bare-bones answers.

"Same answers don’t mean right methods."

Su Nuan scanned his pages. Flawless… until she spotted a blank final problem. Her eyes lit up. "Why’s this empty?"

"Leaving one hard question proves I didn’t cheat. Otherwise, the teacher’ll think I copied everything."

"Quitter. Finish other homework first, then tackle this. Write *something*. I’ll explain after you’ve wrung your brain dry."

"Class is ending. Gotta go."

She skipped back to her seat, leaving a trail of faint perfume. *Guess I got myself a study girlfriend. Fake one, anyway.*

Only during the last evening study hall did Lin Shu attempt the math problem. Utterly lost.

Ten minutes before dismissal, the homeroom teacher stepped out. The class buzzed—including Su Nuan. She crouched beside Lin Shu’s desk. *Everyone’s watching. This won’t fool anyone.*

"Solved it?" she whispered, gripping his desk edge.

"Not a clue."

"What’d you try? Any formulas?"

She nodded along as he explained.

"Mmhmm. You’re *this close* to the answer…" Her legs trembled. "My knees are numb."

She ducked under his desk, then popped up to sit sideways on his right thigh. A textbook hid her face. The teacher had returned. *Is she trying to get us caught?*

The soft weight on his leg made Lin Shu’s thoughts scatter.

"Listening?" Her pen tapped his cheek.

"Aren’t we overdoing it?"

"Normal stuff. Other couples here are worse."

The dismissal bell rang. Lin Shu exhaled sharply—a warm puff of air hitting Su Nuan’s ear. She flinched, neck flushing crimson.

"Class is over. Let’s go."

She pinched his thigh. "No understanding this problem? I’ll keep you here longer."

They stayed until the lights cut off. Su Nuan yelped, startled, knee bumping the desk. Luckily, she was in his lap—no fall.

Boarders pulled out desk lamps to keep studying. *So intense. If freshmen grind this hard, what about seniors?* Lin Shu couldn’t imagine. He switched on his phone flashlight for Su Nuan.

In the dark, boundaries blurred. Her back pressed against his chest. To see her scribbled formulas, he rested his chin on her shoulder. Skin brushed skin. Neither saw the other’s flushed, steaming face.

Su Nuan broke first. "That’s enough for today," she mumbled, not waiting to see if he’d understood.

The senior building blazed with lights—extra study hours. Some bold freshmen snuck in to borrow the glow. Most day students rushed for the last bus.

On the silent sports field, Lin Shu said, "Less of this tomorrow. My heart can’t take it."

"Stop now? Suspicious. What if the class monitor spots cracks?"

"He’s still waiting for us to break up? Did your group admin rights come back?"

"Nope. Probably gone for good when the group disbands."

After walking Su Nuan home, Lin Shu returned to an empty house. *Dad’s definitely at Auntie Liang’s bar again. No wonder he’s never home at night.*

He briefly told his little sister about Liang Caiyi.

*"She might genuinely worry about the shop,"* his sister remarked, *"but she’s also dodging school."*

Monday morning drills were brutal after two days off. Dragging himself out of bed felt like a worker dreading the office.

Near the end of training, Lin Shu spotted Gu Chuchu waiting with breakfast. Su Nuan arrived later, carrying an equally lavish meal. When they stood together, the air around them seemed to warp.

*No way I’m eating on the lawn today,* Lin Shu thought. *Not after last time’s photos ended up on the confession wall. Need a secret spot no one can see.*