Nalanmude Middle School, the largest private high school in the province, boasted a century-old legacy. But don’t mistake its age for stuffiness—its dazzling European architecture glittered under canopies of cherry blossoms, earning it the nickname "the school blooming with sakura."

The campus brimmed with facilities: an observatory, a grand concert hall, an open-air football field... Frankly, my idiot partner and I were already late. Who had time to sightsee?

"Restroom... restroom... Found it! Partner, wait outside. I’ll be right back."

If I could, I’d sever all ties with this guy. Just vanish down the toilet bowl and let the flush carry you away!

Honestly, it was a miracle we ended up at the same high school. Sure, I’m the reincarnated Dreadwyrm Mordred, and yeah, I cause chaos daily with Shen Yufeng—but I adapt fast. My grades stayed top-tier in middle school. Shen Yufeng? Different story. He’s handsome (though not as handsome as me), but his grades barely scraped average. How he got into Nalanmude baffled me. Was he some secret billionaire heir worth hundreds of billions?

"Ah~ Nothing beats splashing cold water on your face. Peace at last!"

"Rich kid, you wiping your face with Chairman Mao bills or Grover Cleveland notes?"

"If I had a choice? I’d stick with Heartprint tissues."

The sprawling campus cost us precious minutes finding our classroom. Luckily, we avoided being late on day one.

New school. New semester. New classmates. I, Dreadwyrm Mordred, was about to begin a new era! Just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine.

As Shen Yufeng and I chatted in random seats, a tall woman in a white lab coat and heels strode in. Her long hair swayed, and her warm smile felt like that of a friendly older sister.

"Alright, everyone, settle down. I’m your homeroom teacher for Class 4. Um... I just graduated myself, so please bear with me. And, uh... what else should I say?"

"Uh... Teacher, maybe start with your name?"

"Oh! Right! I’m... what’s my name again? I rehearsed this meeting so many times, but I’m so nervous I blanked!"

I’d met airheads before (my mom’s their squad captain), but forgetting your own name? Peak weirdness.

"Don’t stress, Teacher! You’ve got this!"

"Take it slow! Deep breaths!"

What the hell was this surreal scene? A new, adorably flustered teacher forgot her name, and instead of mocking her, the class cheered her on. Was I dreaming?

"*Huff-huff... huff-huff...*"

Hey, Teacher—deep breathing isn’t done like you’re giving birth!

"I remember now! I’m Wan Mengmeng, your new homeroom teacher. Call me Ms. Wan."

"Got it, Cute Teacher."

"Ah? My surname’s Wan, so it’s *Ms. Wan*."

"Yes, Cute Teacher."

"Mm, perfect."

Seriously, Teacher—didn’t that exchange feel *off* to you?

"SORRY I’M LATE!"

A thunderous **BOOM** shook the room as the door flew off its hinges. In the doorway stood a girl with long black hair and a butterfly hairclip. Same uniform as everyone else, yet she radiated an ethereal grace. Her porcelain skin held a healthy glow, and a faint blush on her cheeks added charm instead of fluster. Silent, she’d be the world’s most perfect doll—my dream girl incarnate.

Cute Teacher didn’t even blink at the shattered door. "Hurry in! Weird... this door’s brand-new. I’ll report it after class."

Teacher, the *doorframe’s bent out of shape*! This wasn’t wear and tear—it was demolition. Her name was cute, but her whole vibe screamed "adorable airhead."

Lost in my internal rant, I barely noticed Shen Yufeng leap up beside me.

"OH! IT’S YOU! THE VIOLENT GIRL WHO STEPPED ON MY FACE THIS MORNING!" Every head snapped toward us.

I yanked his sleeve, whispering fiercely, "Are you insane? I didn’t even see who did it! How are you so sure?" I was baffled. I’d only caught a glimpse of her back then. Buddy, if you’re trying to flirt with a beauty, pick a better opener.

"Dude, trust me! I’m never wrong! When she jumped, I saw under her skirt—she had safety shorts on, but I *definitely* spotted a red mole on her right thigh."

After years as his life-or-death (gentlemanly) best friend, I almost dialed 110 for him. You memorized a stranger’s thigh mole in a split second? Shen Yufeng was diving deeper into the "gentleman’s path" by the second.

The girl tilted her head, confusion painting her face. As a dragon who’d seen endless aegyo, this was top-tier feigned innocence—enough to ignite 90% of men’s protective instincts.

Shen Yufeng jabbed a finger at her. "I know about the mole on your right thigh! Prove your innocence—take off your pants!"

I covered my eyes. That wasn’t flirting. That was a one-way ticket to expulsion. Goodbye, Shen Yufeng’s rosy school life. Remember this day—the day happiness abandoned you.

"*Hic... sniffle...*"

The girl didn’t speak. Tears welled in her eyes, painting her as the universe’s most wronged soul. It sparked 80% of the girls’ sympathy—and 200% of the boys’ battle fury.

"What kind of monster is he? Accusing a new classmate of stepping on his face!"

"Ugh, stuck in a class with trash like him."

"Someone call 110 and arrest this creep."

"Better call the Qing Mountain Mental Institute."

"Maybe beat him up first? For the new girl’s sake."

...

The whispers swelled. At this rate, Shen Yufeng would be ostracized by day one. He’d spiral into loneliness, drop out, maybe even turn to crime. His fate meant nothing to me—but after sixteen years of friendship, I owed him this much.

"Everyone, listen!" I stood up. "He was recently dumped by his boyfriend! His ex liked someone who looks just like our new classmate. That’s why he mistook her. The pants comment? Just bitter revenge. Don’t take it seriously!"

"Yuchen! What are you saying? I’m not gay!" Shen Yufeng hissed.

"Shh! This is your only escape route. Just nod!"

"Bullshit! He’s gay? Prove it! Do you even know him?"

"Yes. I do."

"Hmph! Evidence or we drag you both to the police!"

I glanced back at Shen Yufeng. He looked like the world’s last defenseless chick. If I abandoned him now, who would save him?

"Must you violate his privacy? Some things shouldn’t be aired out!"

"We want proof! No proof, you’re both going to jail!"

Shen Yufeng tugged my shirt, tear tracks glistening on his cheeks.

"Stop, Yuchen. I know you’re trying to help, but you’ll get dragged down too. Let go... I’m not worth saving."

I smiled, patting his shoulder. "Trust me. We’re best friends, right? Believe in me once."

"Yuchen... thank you."

I pulled out my phone, opening the photo gallery. "Here’s your proof. That’s him... and my twin brother."

"*Gasp!*"

"*Oh no... he really is gay. We were wrong.*"

A photo that made men fall silent and women weep. Two shirtless guys embracing—me and Shen Yufeng. I’d meant to delete it years ago, but middle school nostalgia stayed my finger. Why shirtless? Do *you* swim in street clothes?

"I’m sorry we didn’t know you’re gay! But we girls don’t judge. You can be our sister!"

"Same here, bro. Just don’t eye us up."

Shen Yufeng’s petrified expression said it all. Sorry, buddy. This was the only lifeline I had. Your rosy school life was gone—but a blossoming chrysanthemum-colored one awaited. Better than no flowers at all, right?

"I’M NOT GAY! WHAT ARE YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT?!"

As Shen Yufeng flailed, Cute Teacher stepped forward.

"That’s enough! I don’t judge gay students either. Happiness matters most—ignore the world’s gaze. Our whole class supports your search for true love."

Watching Shen Yufeng surrounded, I smirked. Let the chrysanthemum-colored school life begin. Tomorrow, I’d post his resume on the campus forum:

*"Single. Bottom seeking protector. Apply within."*