In short—my studies were proceeding with impeccable order and discipline, yet making zero progress. Though I called it "studying," I’d been utterly drained by others. Now, an even bigger headache loomed before me—

"So… what are you doing at my place? I didn’t invite you."

"What? Not happy about it?"

"That’s exactly what I’m saying—I have no idea why you’re here!"

I glared at the blonde delinquent girl sitting cross-legged across the table. Truth was, I had no clue why this troublemaker had suddenly appeared in my home. According to Lingchuan’s one-sided explanation, she was here solely because of my childhood friend Mengxiang’s invitation.

"What’s it to you?! I go wherever I damn well please. And I’m not even here for you—I’m here… to study."

Lingchuan fiddled shyly with the hair near her ear. To this delinquent, something felt more embarrassing than visiting a boy she’d barely met: studying itself.

Frankly, the idea of a delinquent suddenly hitting the books was absurd. She’d barely attended school before—now she wanted to cram for exams? Did last-minute cramming even work?

"I don’t care where you go," I shot back, "but why here of all places to study?"

"Who else would teach me? Look—I’m not asking *you* to tutor me! Mengxiang’s doing it. I’m just… tagging along. Don’t get the wrong idea!"

*Even if you paid me, I wouldn’t teach you. No matter how much you begged, I’d never help you study. Rest assured—the only one teaching you will be my childhood friend.*

"Well…" Mengxiang interjected with an awkward smile, sensing the tension. "Didn’t I text you yesterday? I clearly said I’d be bringing a few people over today—"

*People?* Wait—besides this delinquent, who else was coming?

"You mentioned ‘a few people’… who else?"

Right now, I could handle anyone—even strangers—I’d fake being the perfect host. But if a certain *Xia* showed up? Chaos would erupt.

After all, a live wire sat beside me right now: Zixuan. A sharp pain shot through my left arm as I noticed the girl gripping it fiercely. She was clearly annoyed I’d been bickering with Lingchuan instead of paying attention to her.

"Forget how many people—just who *is* this kid? I’ve never seen her before…"

Lingchuan had been staring at Zixuan clinging to my arm since she arrived. The girl on my left met her gaze head-on, unflinching. Sparks flew between them—this standoff could explode any second.

"And who the hell are *you*—I’ll have you know I’m—"

My palm slapped over the girl’s soft lips, sending a jolt through me. I couldn’t let her say anything suspicious.

Mengxiang was already suspicious. Lingchuan wasn’t as easy to fool as Mengxiang—but in another way, she *was* easy to fool. Her emotional intelligence was… lacking. Ever since that encounter at the food street, I knew she wasn’t the sharpest tool.

"This is Zixuan. She’s a Lu—just call her Zixuan. And this blonde is Chen Lingchuan. She’s nobody important. That’s all you need to know."

I introduced them quickly. I had to steer this conversation. Back to Mengxiang’s "few people"—I needed answers. But how to get her alone?

"Mengxiang… as my former neighbor and childhood friend, could you help me prepare drinks and snacks in the kitchen?"

I forced a friendly smile, pulling her up. Only alone could I ask properly.

"Huh? Why—oh! Right! We’ll get some hot tea ready. You two wait here…"

I peeled Zixuan’s fingers off my arm and followed Mengxiang. Though this was my home, she knew the kitchen better. When we were neighbors, she’d cooked daily after school. If not for *that incident*, we’d still be neighbors…

"Now tell me," I hissed once the kitchen door closed. "How many people did you invite?"

"Just… four of us total, including me…"

Mengxiang froze mid-reach for a cup. Her head turned stiffly, sweat beading on her forehead. "I swear, I didn’t *want* to invite her! But we agreed on fair competition—if I ditched her, she’d sabotage me for sure. So I’d rather have Tomcat come too. Don’t misunderstand!"

Her usually sweet face hardened with uncharacteristic seriousness. *Had she considered how "Tomcat" would feel hearing this?* Still, I knew why Xia Mo refused: she couldn’t handle Zixuan.

Though Xia Mo probably didn’t know Zixuan was my neighbor now… Honestly, I barely understood Xia Mo myself lately. At first, she just teased me. But the longer we interacted, the more secrets she hid. I could never predict her.

*Whatever. At least only these two showed up.*

I balanced a black tray holding tea cups and snacks. Mengxiang walked ahead empty-handed. *Could you carry something?*

"Ah~ Not there~!"

A breathy moan cut through the hallway. We sprinted to the living room.

Two girls sprawled on the rug—Lingchuan pinned beneath Zixuan, face flushed and struggling weakly. Zixuan straddled her, hands working furiously. Lingchuan panted, unable to resist as Zixuan’s movements grew more intense—and her moans grew more seductive—

"Unforgivable! It’s so huge!"

"Mmm… ah… eee~!"

*What a divine sight! To witness such beauty—I die happy—*

"XIAOYUAN, DON’T LOOK!!!"

WHAM.

A five-centimeter-thick textbook—gold-embossed hardcover—slammed into my face at bullet speed.

Lights out.