On the surface, she was helping her brother choose the "have it all" perfect option. In reality? She wanted him to have none of them.

Lin Yiyi’s true goal was to keep Gu Chuchu and Su Nuan locked in rivalry over her brother—no one would win outright. If everyone won, it meant no one truly did.

Over the past few days, she’d chatted with Gu Chuchu, subtly prying. She now had a clear picture of her family situation and preferences.

Her father was often absent, busy with work. Her mother was strict, conservative, and held sky-high expectations. She enforced a curfew—a point where Lin Yiyi found common ground. They’d both complained about it. But Lin Yiyi had her brother; Gu Chuchu had no one. That’s why she’d set her sights on him.

Though Gu Chuchu never said it outright, her mother likely forbade dating. Anything beyond that was unthinkable.

Su Nuan’s family situation was murkier. Lin Yiyi could only piece it together from her brother’s scattered remarks. Surely they’d never approve such an absurd arrangement?

Maybe Su Nuan’s family also banned dating. That’d explain why she insisted on a fake relationship—to soften the blow if they were ever torn apart. To call it all just "pretending."

This explained some doubts. If true, Su Nuan wasn’t entirely a villain. Half good, half bad?

But Lin Yiyi still couldn’t fathom what Su Nuan saw in her brother. His face? His build? His personality? When had she even fallen for him?

Love couldn’t be reduced to evidence. Human feelings made no sense. No grand reason was needed—it could be a cliché rescue, slow-burn affection, or love at first sight.

Even if her brother somehow achieved that harem fantasy, it would mean his morals were crumbling. Half her goal accomplished. The cost was steep, but as long as she stayed by his side, it was worth it.

Lin Shu was stunned by his sister’s suggestion, but exhaustion left little room for overthinking.

Su Nuan hadn’t spoken in their group chat all evening. She’d only sent him one message: *"Dead tired today. Goodnight. See you tomorrow."*

Lin Shu hadn’t dared ask about the damp spot on the bike’s crossbar.

After replying goodnight to everyone, he tossed his phone aside and sank into deep sleep. He dreamed of holding two girls close—but their faces blurred. Had this become his daily life since the confessions?

After morning training, Lin Shu walked toward the sports storage room, an odd guilt twisting his stomach. How should he face Su Nuan?

The two diligent girls were already studying when he arrived.

Gu Chuchu had brought textbooks, stacking them on the table. She planned to move all her review materials here before the weekend, leaving unused books at home to avoid lugging a heavy bag. Her small frame would struggle with multiple trips.

Lin Shu finished breakfast under their watchful care—though he perfectly capable of feeding himself.

"Gu Chuchu," Lin Shu offered, "I’ll walk you back to class after breakfast. Strike while the iron’s hot—build more goodwill in your class. I’m taking tomorrow off."

"Yes! Thank you, senior! I love you most!" Gu Chuchu clung to his arm. "But just call me Chuchu. Switching names might confuse you and blow our cover."

"Don’t push your luck," Su Nuan cut in, arms crossed. Her lips twitched slightly, irritation flashing in her eyes.

Yesterday, Gu Chuchu had demanded Lin Shu and Su Nuan kiss to prove their relationship. Today, she hadn’t mentioned it once.

Lin Shu wouldn’t bring it up either. If he reminded her, it’d make him seem like some pervert eager to kiss Su Nuan.

"Actually," Gu Chuchu continued brightly, "since becoming your girlfriend, girls who were curious about dating started talking to me. They apologized. I’m not alone in class anymore. They ask how we got together, what it’s like dating an older senior... even offer advice. All thanks to you, senior."

"None of them were the ones who slipped you mean notes, right?"

"No. They don’t hang out with that group. Their grades are decent—they used to ask me questions. But I’m terrible at explaining. Either I miss the point entirely, or I talk too fast. They thought I was holding back, scared they’d outscore me." Gu Chuchu pouted.

People who thought that way were probably like that themselves. Lin Shu had never tutored anyone, so he couldn’t relate.

"Stay cautious. They ignored your bullying before. Might’ve even mocked you behind your back."

"Mm. Only you truly care for me at school, senior. Su Nuan is... half a friend, I guess. They’re being nice now that I’m not their rival anymore. Several of them like Liu Benyu."

Gu Chuchu’s very public "relationship" had been meant to reject Liu Benyu’s advances. Now it brought unexpected perks.

"You’ve got a mountain of books left," Lin Shu said, patting the towering stack on her desk.

"I didn’t know our classroom would become an exam hall. I kept all my textbooks here—from first to third year. Easy to flip through when I spot shaky knowledge."

"I’ll help you move them after school. One trip’ll do it. You can’t get into the storage room tomorrow when I’m gone."

"But won’t you be exhausted after training?"

"As long as Coach doesn’t add extra drills, I’m used to the regular routine."

Lin Shu didn’t linger in Gu Chuchu’s classroom. Lingering in a younger "girlfriend’s" class would spark more rumors.

Su Nuan waited at his seat.

"You didn’t kiss Gu Chuchu today, did you?"

"Of course not."

"Good."

She stood, her tone cooler than before. But this distance was fitting for fake lovers.

Lin Shu sat down. The seat was still warm where she’d been. He slid a textbook under him—immediate relief.

Liang Caiyi wore her uniform blazer and pleated skirt, an apron and sleeves covers over it. Lin Shu’s hat hid her golden hair. She wiped tables—whether she’d been at school this morning or planned to go later was unclear.

"Right on time today. No date?" Liang Caiyi yawned, sleep-deprived but smug. "Fight? Breakup?"

"Couples don’t date every single day."

"Tch. Not broken up then?" Her face fell in disappointment.

"Were you at school this morning?"

"Yeah. Slept through the whole morning. Uncomfortable as hell. Better to sleep at home. We’ve finished all lessons anyway—just self-study now. Teachers rarely hand out papers. Learning at home or school is the same. Why doesn’t Mom get that?"

"Do you even study at home?"

"Don’t parrot my mom."

She stomped at his foot. Lin Shu pulled his leg back just in time. Her foot hit the floor with a thud.

At dinner, Aunt Liang kept praising Lin Shu: "You’ve got a way with her. She actually went to school! I’m trusting her to you now."

Lin Shu felt he’d done nothing. Liang Caiyi just wanted her mother to trust the "Lin Shu-disciplined" version of her enough to loosen the reins.

Still, the meal was peaceful. Liang Caiyi had behaved well yesterday and this morning. Simple praise flowed—attending school to sleep was still an achievement.

After helping Aunt Liang clear the dishes, Lin Shu headed back to his dad’s shop for a nap. Liang Caiyi suddenly called out:

"Wanna nap at my place instead?"