"I was talking about a kiss! Actual kissing! What were you imagining, Senior Su?"

Gu ChuChu pressed her thumbs together, parting and closing them to mime kissing.

"I meant kissing is absolutely off-limits! You should be grateful I’m allowing hugs. Wanting kisses? Don’t push your luck."

Su Nuan released Lin Shu’s neck and instead sat on his lower back, hands braced between her legs.

"But unless we go this far, Liu Benyu won’t believe it. To make him give up completely, we have to go all out."

"I think you just want to kiss my boyfriend. Stop making excuses. Forget it—it’s never happening."

"Then do you have a better plan, Senior Su? Senior Lin hasn’t said no. Maybe he actually wants to kiss me. Have you two even kissed yet?"

"Of course we have! How could we not? You just haven’t seen it." Su Nuan was clearly saving face.

*One lie always demands a hundred more to cover it.*

"Then show me how you two kiss. I need to learn. Otherwise, I’ll look suspicious when I kiss Senior Lin later."

"We only do that where no one can see. Unlike lovey-dovey couples flaunting it in public."

Lin Shu thought their own public displays were already over-the-top—deliberately so, to announce Su Nuan had a boyfriend.

"So… Senior Lin, do you want to kiss me?"

"You should value yourself more. Save that for someone you truly like. First, confront Dash face-to-face. If he still doesn’t believe us, we’ll think of something else."

Did Lin Shu really not want to kiss a girl’s lips?

Of course he did—he was a teenage boy. But kissing meant responsibility. His rationality held his desires in check.

Especially since Gu ChuChu’s confession had just been a ploy to use him as a shield. There was no way he’d cross that line.

Though… she’d already kissed his forehead and nose. What was *that* about? For Su Nuan’s benefit? He couldn’t figure her out.

"Since Senior Lin insists… when do we start this plan?"

"Tomorrow. No delay. We need to stop worse things from happening."

"Let’s discuss details on WeChat. I need to go home for dinner." Gu ChuChu waved her phone.

"Go already. Just go." Su Nuan shooed her away impatiently.

As Gu ChuChu turned to leave, she glanced back, stuck out her tongue, and poked fun: "One last thing—Senior Su, you look awful in Senior Lin’s clothes. Ugly as sin."

"Jealous? You’ll never get the chance to wear them. You’d look even worse."

*On her, his shirt would probably fit like a mini-dress.*

"Lin XiaoShu, you don’t think Gu ChuChu giving up on you ends our arrangement, do you?"

"Of course not. Even if the class monitor really gives up today, you still have other admirers. Probably more than before."

Rumors about Su Nuan having a boyfriend had never spread—especially not one as unremarkable as Lin Shu. Many would think they had a shot now.

"At least you understand. And do you really think Gu ChuChu’s feelings for you are completely fake? Even if she just wants to ditch that annoying, petty admirer, she genuinely wants to be your girlfriend. She won’t give up easily."

Su Nuan wished Lin Shu had no admirers—she wanted him all to herself. But their fake relationship couldn’t end yet; her goal wasn’t achieved. She couldn’t say that outright though.

After all, she and Gu ChuChu were alike—even their confessions shared the same motive. Saying too much would blow her cover. Even a blockhead like Lin Shu would figure it out.

*Not the right time. Not yet.* The real move had to wait for the perfect moment.

*Especially with that little sister still in the picture. She’s the real rival.*

"Huh…"

Lin Shu grew more confused. Did Su Nuan’s request for a fake boyfriend also mean…?

Once Gu ChuChu’s figure vanished beyond the school gate, Su Nuan finally stood up from Lin Shu’s back. She brushed grass off her clothes and offered him her hand.

Lin Shu pushed himself up with one hand on the lawn while grabbing Su Nuan’s. His strength pulled her off-balance—she stumbled into his arms.

Instinctively, Su Nuan wrapped her arms around his waist, her cheek pressing against his firm chest. Lin Shu quickly steadied her hips.

They’d just rubbed cheeks earlier, yet this simple contact made their faces flush, ears burning as if shocked by electricity. They jerked apart—but their hands stayed clasped.

Lin Shu tried to loosen his grip, palm flattening to let go. Su Nuan’s fingers tightened instead.

"Hope tonight’s restaurant is good."

*Like opening a blind box.* They never checked reviews beforehand to avoid spoilers. Popular spots were often packed—sometimes requiring queues just to order. Like last night’s disappointing meal at that nearly empty place; he’d sensed something was off while ordering. Though exceptions existed.

Tonight’s spot didn’t offer dine-in. They took their food to-go and ate at a bubble tea shop.

Su Nuan kicked Lin Shu under the table. He’d been glued to his phone. "Chatting with Gu ChuChu?"

"Yeah. She sent photos of her dinner. Mostly planning tomorrow."

"I’ll make a group chat. Three heads are better than one."

"Eh? Why’s Senior Su here? Don’t ruin my alone time with Senior Lin!"

"*You’re* the one ruining our dinner."

Su Nuan slid from across the table to sit beside Lin Shu. She leaned against his shoulder, snapped a selfie, then photographed their food and drinks—but didn’t post it in the group. *Sent privately to Gu ChuChu, probably.*

The three-name group chat was promptly renamed: *"Gu ChuChu’s Great Love Battle."*

What followed was a brainstorming session. Gu ChuChu suggested increasingly bold tactics—indirect hints about kissing or hugging. Su Nuan shot down every impractical idea.

"No real kissing! Fake it! Actors fake kiss scenes all the time!" Gu ChuChu compromised.

"That’s camera trickery. You think you can fool real people’s eyes too?"

"Alright, dinner’s over. Chat time’s done. We’ll wrap up after evening self-study."

After Lin Shu dominated the class monitor during PE that afternoon, the classroom atmosphere shifted again. The monitor skipped school tonight, claiming illness.

Su Nuan was visibly thrilled, her eyebrows curved in delight.

The moment class ended, boys swarmed Lin Shu—asking how he’d slammed dunks. Two were from the class basketball team. They hadn’t seemed close to the monitor, but few players could resist the allure of a dunk.

Lin Shu explained honestly: that court’s hoop was lower, perfect for showboating. He shared exactly which muscles he’d trained, how high his hand needed to reach above the rim… holding nothing back.

The bell rang before he finished. His audience dispersed reluctantly, still hungry for more.

Throat parched, Lin Shu reached for his water bottle—only to spot Su Nuan behind the human wall that had blocked her earlier. She drawled sarcastically, "Wow. Popular now, huh?"

"Uh… not really. They just want to show off too."

"Hmph."

Su Nuan turned away with a cold sniff, returning to her seat.

*Angry? What’s she mad about?*

One minute before the bell, Su Nuan ignored the teacher on duty. She marched to Lin Shu, yanked his hand, and pulled him out of the classroom—just as the bell rang.

"Where are we going?"

"The restroom."

*Couples going to the restroom together?* Something felt off. Lin Shu finished first and waited outside.

"Took you long enough. Good boy for waiting."

Su Nuan nodded approvingly, flicking water droplets from her fingers onto his face.