The night had brought more people to the playground, like stars scattered across the night sky.

Maybe it was because the school sports meet was drawing near?

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Qin Huan arrived at the playground still in her tracksuit, waving at Zhou Zhiyi.

"Ah, I’m sorry," Zhou Zhiyi blurted out the moment he saw her, guilt weighing his voice as if he regretted failing to persuade Wu Feng.

"You mean about Wu Feng? It’s fine. He’s just that kind of person." Qin Huan suddenly grinned. "If he won’t come, so what? I’ve still got you."

*Hey now, why do I feel like a spare tire?*

But then again, wasn’t the second male lead basically the protagonist’s backup?

Besides, without this second male lead’s Fate Mark, he wouldn’t have this stamina—or such a close relationship with Qin Huan.

Maybe this Fate Mark wasn’t as awful as he’d thought.

"Well, I’m off running," Zhou Zhiyi realized he’d been lost in thought too long. "Don’t let me lap you, okay?"

"Don’t—you don’t underestimate me!"

Qin Huan stomped her foot, flustered and indignant at being dismissed. Her ample chest rose and fell with the unladylike motion.

*Her figure’s curvy, sure—but is that really necessary?*

"Then give it your best, Miss Qin!"

Zhou Zhiyi gave his signature wave and sprinted off like a leopard.

"Hey! Thief, wait for me!"

Qin Huan cried out, panic-stricken as Zhou Zhiyi vanished dozens of meters ahead. She chased after him...

"Why... are you... so fit...? You’re... totally... a sports prodigy..."

Panting between gulps of water, Qin Huan’s fair, smooth skin flushed with exertion, adding a hint of allure to her usual charm. Her white tracksuit clung damply to her skin, revealing ivory shoulders flushed pink. Zhou Zhiyi glanced around—silent, empty—and finally relaxed.

"Honestly, Qin Huan, keeping up with me is impressive enough. Carrying all that extra weight up front isn’t easy."

*Though I did hold back a little.*

"W-Weight?!"

Qin Huan instinctively looked down at her chest. From her angle, it blocked her view of her own legs.

"You shameless pervert!"

"Hey now, I’m just stating facts!"

"You—you’re impossible!"

Her already flushed skin deepened to carnation red. Zhou Zhiyi wondered if she’d turn into a female Guan Yu.

A cool breeze swept past, carrying a fresh, grassy scent from Qin Huan—natural body fragrance mingled with perfume.

*Not a trace of sweat smell... It’s actually really nice.*

Zhou Zhiyi’s own cheeks warmed as the sweet aroma filled his nose. "Alright, no more joking. It’s getting late. Let’s head back."

"I still won’t forgive you, you lecher!"

*Downgraded from ‘thief’ to ‘lecher,’ huh...*

"Goodbye."

Outside campus, Zhou Zhiyi automatically said it again, though reluctance tugged at his heart.

"Walk with me a little longer. Sending a girl home alone at this hour—what kind of man are you?"

Qin Huan’s request was uncharacteristic. Her complexion, pale again after resting, flushed anew.

It was a good thing—but something felt off.

"Okay, Miss Qin. Your gentleman escort will see you home."

He agreed anyway. After the sports meet, chances like this would vanish.

"Zhou Zhiyi."

"Hm?"

After a while, Qin Huan stopped abruptly. Zhou Zhiyi froze like a scolded schoolboy.

"What kind of girl do you like?"

"Huh?!"

Zhou Zhiyi stood rooted to the spot, mind blank as wood.