After school, Su Nuan walked over to Lin Shu’s desk, backpack in hand. Lin Shu pulled out her uniform shirt and jacket from his bag. “Wanna swap uniforms back?”

“Did you sniff it?”

“Of course not,” Lin Shu rolled his eyes. “I don’t have *that* kind of kink.”

“So you *do* have that kind of kink?”

“Guess.”

“At least it’s better than weirder fetishes. Don’t worry—I won’t tell anyone.”

“Ugh, you’re impossible…” She sighed. “Changing in the bathroom was such a hassle. I’ll shower again at home anyway. Here, take your jacket back first—you look chilly.”

Lin Shu was still in his thin, breathable training gear. The evening air carried a slight chill, raising gooseflesh on his arms.

Su Nuan dropped her backpack on his desk, tucked her right hand into her sleeve, and flicked the empty cuff against him. “I’m Yang Guo, the Armless Hero now.”

“Brat,” Lin Shu chuckled, catching the sleeve. As a kid, he’d swing any stick he found, dreaming of being a martial hero. Even in middle school, after workouts, he’d sometimes punch the air wildly, shouting cringey move names while drenched in sweat.

“It’s called preserving innocence.”

She tucked her other arm in too, yanking off her oversized jacket without unzipping it. Her hair got tangled in the fabric.

Lin Shu helped peel it off like pulling a carrot. Her dark hair tumbled loose over her shoulders. School rules required girls to tie their hair in ponytails, but during evening study sessions, boarders often ignored it—freshly washed hair still damp, uncomfortable to bind.

Su Nuan gathered her hair into a loose ponytail behind her head. “Put it on while it’s warm. Don’t catch a cold—I’d never forgive myself. Too bad the class rep got expelled tonight. He missed seeing me in your uniform.”

“He just hid at home to save face after today’s embarrassment. He’ll be back tomorrow. Don’t curse people to drop out just ‘cause you dislike him.”

Lin Shu zipped up the jacket. Instantly wrapped in cozy warmth, he sighed.

“Feels nice, huh? Still warm from my body heat,” Su Nuan teased.

Her words made him want to rip it off.

“I’ll wash the shirt and return it later. You’ve got another to wear anyway.”

She took her jacket and slipped it on. Hers had been tailored—perfectly fitted. Only the hem of her inner shirt hung too long, looking slightly messy. But on her, even that looked good.

“So cold,” she shivered, hugging herself.

“How can you be cold *after* putting on clothes?”

“You blockhead.” She pouted. “Give me the shirt too. I won’t mind if you wash my clothes.”

“Not happening.”

Lin Shu tossed the crumpled shirt toward her. Su Nuan slung her backpack on, hopping away. “Just stuff it in my bag!”

They lingered until the classroom lights went out. Lin Shu used his phone to light the stairs. A flood of messages and memes popped up in their trio chat:

*Senior! Time to plan tomorrow!*

*Class is over—why’s everyone chatting?*

*Are you hiding something from me?*

*Talk to me…*

*I’m scared…*

Su Nuan hooked her right arm through Lin Shu’s to steady herself on the stairs, texting with her left.

“Relax. We’re heading home. Gotta shower and do laundry. Wait patiently.”

*Wah!*

On the landing, Su Nuan misjudged the steps. Her foot slipped into empty air. She lurched forward with a yelp. Lin Shu instinctively caught her—his palm landing squarely on her chest. He yanked his hand back instantly. *Small, but soft.* Years of catching his phone-obsessed little sister had honed his reflexes.

“Watch your step!”

“But you’re here,” she said, already texting again.

“Why not use voice input?”

“Nope. I’m old-school. Don’t want Chu Chu hearing your voice.”

“I’ll stay silent.”

“Even your breathing.”

“…Ugh.”

“My legs ache from gym class. No biking tonight—I’m riding the crossbar.”

“We only ran three laps.”

“That’s overkill for me! I usually sneak off after one lap. You didn’t even massage my legs after.”

“That’s nowhere near enough to need a massage. Didn’t we stretch?”

“Felt useless.”

“You either slacked off or never exercise.” He smirked. “Won’t the crossbar hurt your butt?”

“I added extra padding tonight,” she said, tugging the long shirt hem covering her rear.

Wind tangled her hair across Lin Shu’s face. Strands caught in his mouth.

Later, showered and scrolling through Su Nuan and Gu Chu Chu’s chat history, Lin Shu sighed. *How many pages is this?* Su Nuan had gone silent half an hour ago—probably showering too.

*Brother should help her. Isn’t this basically fake dating?*

This junior was just like his current “fake girlfriend”—claiming to use him as a shield, but aiming for more. Except someone had beaten her to it.

*Guess so.*

He wasn’t an actor. Zero experience with love. Why did everyone cast him as the lead?

*We’re discussing tomorrow’s plan in the group chat.*

*Can I join the group, Brother?*

*I’ll ask.*

Truthfully, he dreaded his sister chatting with them. What if Su Nuan blurted out that he “liked his sister”? Even if he explained it was just to scare off Gu Chu Chu by acting like a creep… normal people didn’t say that. He wanted to be a decent, upright older brother—especially with their promise almost fulfilled.

*My sister wants to join the group. Okay?* he typed.

*Yes! I’ve wanted to meet her forever—she’ll be my future sister-in-law!*

*Senior Su, slow down! You’re not even married to Senior yet. Don’t claim kinship. His sister’s my age—we’ll be besties!*

Both welcomed her warmly. Lin Shu added Lin Yi Yi.

*Good evening everyone. I’m Lin Yi Yi, Senior Brother’s sister. Thank you for looking after him.*

Her profile pic was a recent photo of her and Lin Shu under cherry blossoms, petals swirling around them.

Lin Shu’s avatar was just a tree.

Su Nuan’s: blue sky and clouds.

Gu Chu Chu’s: an orange cat.

Just from the avatars, Su Nuan and Gu Chu Chu felt they’d already lost. *We absolutely can’t tell Yi Yi that Lin Shu likes her. Our chances would plummet.*

Meanwhile, Yi Yi thought: *I can’t tell Brother these “fake girlfriends” want it real. I’ve worked so hard to turn him into an unapproachable log.*

The three girls chatted with hidden agendas, leaving Lin Shu no room to speak. He yawned, drowsy. Relief washed over him—they hadn’t exposed his “I like my sister” lie. *Guess they didn’t believe it anyway.*