In school days, every class has at least one pretty girl—the "class flower." If she's far prettier than others, she might even be a "school flower."

These titles are unofficially crowned by boys. Truth is, the school flower might not be as stunning as rumors claim. Distance makes her seem aloof, elevating her beauty.

Girls who appear untouched by worldly dust are dubbed "goddesses."

"Pfft, so what if she's a goddess? Does she not take a dump?" Wei Xiaoxin scoffed disdainfully. His crude words instantly killed most of the boys' enthusiasm as they chatted about beauties.

Crude as it was, the point stood: goddesses are built on hype.

It was a typical break. Boys always clustered at the classroom's back, gossiping about girls as if no one could hear them there.

Though Yue Feather's seat was moved to the front row, he still drifted back during breaks. Even silent, just listening felt good.

Sitting upfront was awkward. That zone belonged to girls and top students. He stuck out, painfully conspicuous.

"Wei Xiaoxin, can't you not be disgusting?" a boy complained uncomfortably. "That's too vulgar."

"Real men are crude. Guys like you are sissies," Wei Xiaoxin shot back, his tongue as sharp as ever.

"You—you're a male chauvinist!"

"If you're not one, come to school in women's clothes then?"

"You..."

"Enough!" Ji Fan stepped in to mediate. "Arguing over nothing. Why obsess over who's pretty? Don't most of you have girlfriends?"

"Having a girlfriend doesn't stop us. Everyone appreciates beauty."

"Exactly. Besides, girlfriends are temporary. Who knows later, heh heh..."

Yue Feather's eyebrows twitched. He felt uneasy. Was treating love like a game the trend now? For someone serious like him, it was hard to accept. Wanting what you have and what you don't—wasn't that scummy? Plus, this guy had guts. Others might think it but wouldn't say it.

"Ahem." Sure enough, the others coughed awkwardly, pretending not to hear. They resumed their chatter.

"Heh, last time I peeked through Murong Qiuyu's sleeve," a guy leered. "Saw inside her clothes."

"Oh? What was it like?"

"Her armpit—no hair, no bra! Pink ones!"

"Ooh~"

"Heh, maybe she's hairless down there too?" Several boys laughed lewdly. "Smooth and cute, heh heh heh..."

Wei Xiaoxin rested his chin, watching them. He doused the mood: "Hah, when a 'goddess' is on her period, she's bloody down there too. Cute?"

"Damn it, Wei Xiaoxin, doing this on purpose?"

"Yeah, fucking disgusting."

"It's truth. They're not gods. Why put them on a pedestal?"

"That's why you deserve no girlfriend."

"Exactly."

"Let's go chat elsewhere."

The group moved to another corner, whispering. Wei Xiaoxin's spot emptied instantly.

"Lao Wei, why bother?" Ji Fan sighed helplessly. "Don't ruin imagined beauty."

"I can't stand guys with girlfriends who still chat about others," Wei Xiaoxin sneered.

"Tsk, don't be serious. You'll lose friends."

"Friends? A few good ones suffice. Quality over quantity."

"...Since when do you talk so fancy?" Yue Feather finally blurted, breaking his silence.

Wei Xiaoxin slicked his hair smugly. "I'm just low-key normally. Actually, I'm quite learned."

"Stop! I'll puke up last night's dinner."

"Unbearable..." Yue Feather joked with a laugh. Like Ji Fan, it was all in good fun.

After second period came a twenty-minute break. It was nearly over; the bell for third period would ring soon.

Third period was English—Yue Feather's mix of pain and pleasure. Sitting upfront meant special attention from homeroom teacher Qianyu. But it also gave a crystal-clear view of her beautiful legs, every detail of her fair skin visible. Pure satisfaction.

Joy outweighed pain. Otherwise, he wouldn't crave English class so much. Even with someone special in his heart, he still enjoyed pretty sights. He comforted himself: "We're not together anyway."

Truth is, it's human nature. Some just admire quietly; others shamelessly voice it like it's normal.

"Hey, which teacher's prettiest?" The boys naturally shifted topics again.

"Homeroom teacher, I'd say."

"Yeah, she's gorgeous and loves pretty clothes."

"Heh, especially those legs."

"Her name sounds nice too—Qianyu. Wonder if she has a boyfriend..."

"If not, what then?"

"Heh... I like her most."

Suddenly, the classroom fell silent. The chatty boys shut up, faces twisting awkwardly. Only the speaker remained oblivious, ignoring frantic eye signals.

Qianyu stood behind him, smiling, hand reaching to pat his head.

"I want..." As everyone held their breath, her hand rested on his head, gently stroking. "For a long time already..."

He turned stiffly, swallowing the crucial word. "I... like you..."

"If you like the teacher, pay attention in class," Qianyu said warmly, seemingly unaware.

"Cough... cough..." The boy froze, sweating coldly, speechless. If he'd finished that sentence—who knows what'd happen.

"By the way, what were you thinking about for so long?"

"Thinking... thinking..."

"Teacher, he's wanted you to pat his head for ages!" Ji Fan loudly interjected, easing the tension.

"Oh? Then I'll pat you more. Happy now?"

"H-happy..."

The classroom buzzed back to life. Boys sighed in relief, returning to seats. After this, that boy would remember: disaster comes from the mouth.

"Alright, take out yesterday's test papers. Class starts now." Qianyu grinned playfully, stepping onto the podium in a Lolita dress as the bell rang.

Yue Feather pulled out his paper, taking notes seriously. Truth was, he understood little—but faking it hid his staring at Qianyu.

"Mm, learn from Yue Feather," Qianyu praised. "Grades aren't great, but he tries hard. Teachers won't blame effort." Yue Feather blushed crimson; boys groaned.

"Junxiao, got correction tape?" Rain Tower asked softly. Sitting diagonally behind Yue Feather, she called Tong Junxiao—directly behind him—by his given name. Among peers, it meant friendship; between genders, intimacy. She clearly had a crush. Undeniable, since she'd confessed first.

"Mm..." Tong Junxiao whispered, sliding the tape over. Rain Tower took it naturally.

Later, Tong Junxiao grew restless. After hesitating, he gently poked Yue Feather. "Yue Feather... pen? Mine's out of ink."

"Nope, only one."

Rain Tower glanced at him expressionlessly.

Tong Junxiao didn't turn to her. Instead, he chose Zhan Qi beside Yue Feather—an easygoing girl, safe to borrow from.

"Zhan Qi..." he whispered. She didn't react, seemingly focused or daydreaming.

Too timid to touch girls or speak loud, Tong Junxiao helplessly looked at Rain Tower.

"Rain Tower... um... my pen's dry... extra one?"

"Here."

Rain Tower, who'd been ready and waiting, handed him the pen and added in a hushed voice, "Just call me Xiao Ta or Ta Ta."

"Eh?" Such an intimate nickname was something Tong Junxiao simply couldn't bring himself to say, so he pretended not to hear.

"Hey hey, class rep~" Qianyu leaned down toward Rain Tower with a mischievous grin. "No talking during class, okay? Save the heart-to-hearts for after the bell~"

Tong Junxiao instantly blushed crimson, while Rain Tower looked equally awkward.

Qianyu was that kind of teacher—playful and lively, yet never crossing the line with jokes. Honestly, she was just impossible to dislike.