Night sky held more stars than before, nothing special otherwise.

The playground was crowded, but Zhou Zhiyi wasn’t there.

"Chu Xinyue really has too much free time," Zhou Zhiyi muttered.

From the third floor, he spotted her hiding behind Wu Feng and Qin Huan on the field. Chu Xinyue watched them silently, just like that meme of a lurking observer.

*Guess I’m no different.*

Zhou Zhiyi sighed and returned to his seat.

He’d rejected that sports-idiot’s request to walk home together, leaving behind the lame excuse: "I need to study."

And he *was* studying now—even though he knew it was pointless.

His grades were controlled by the Rascal Lolita God. He’d score exactly what the plot demanded. No refusal allowed.

Time blurred. Rain began to fall. The classroom emptied until only Zhou Zhiyi and Liu Muyu remained.

Liu Muyu sat perfectly still, like a delicate doll. Her shorts revealed smooth skin—except for a band-aid on her thigh. *Who wears band-aids in this heat?* Zhou Zhiyi thought, but stayed silent.

Was it her sharp tongue? Or his own foul mood?

Both.

Truth was, even with her venom, she was nearly a perfect girl.

Zhou Zhiyi didn’t know her role in this world. She had no clear ties to the protagonist—not even as much as the new transfer, Chu Xinyue.

*None of my business.*

He grew tired of watching her. Pondering her purpose felt meaningless.

She wasn’t connected to him. No heroine potential, either.

Resolving this, Zhou Zhiyi reopened his textbook, waiting for the rain to stop.

Pattering rain filled the window. Yet he heard the chair creak as someone moved.

"Cramming won’t save you now."

"Huh?"

*First time she’s ever spoken to me.* Her voice was crisp and clear—her words, not so much.

"Better than not studying at all."

*It’s the same thing.*

But Zhou Zhiyi kept it to himself.

"The jester isn’t smiling much today," Liu Muyu remarked, voice laced with mockery. "Hurting, isn’t it?"

"Why do you hate me so much?"

"Everything about you disgusts me. Your hypocrisy. Your fake smiles."

"I’d avoid provoking me today," Zhou Zhiyi said calmly, words sharp as blades. "If you hate me, keep it to yourself."

"And if I refuse?" Liu Muyu’s tone stayed even. "A jester has no right to command his audience—"

Her voice echoed in Zhou Zhiyi’s ears. Rain hammered the windows. The quiet classroom turned noisy. His rage swelled without limit.

*Why must you all do this? What did I do wrong? Just because I’m the second male lead?*

*Can’t you just be quiet?*

His body moved before his thoughts caught up. Zhou Zhiyi yanked Liu Muyu down, pinning her beneath him. One hand braced his weight. The other landed on her chest.

"See? You’re disgusting," she whispered.

He expected screams. Help. None came.

*Probably because the school’s empty.*

No pleas either—just harsh curses. But Zhou Zhiyi felt her body tremble uncontrollably.

Her usual strength crumbling into fragility gave him an unexpected thrill.

"You know what happens next?" Zhou Zhiyi grinned, almost proud. *If I saw myself now, I’d think I’d gone mad.*

"You’ll go to prison."

Liu Muyu turned her head away, avoiding his eyes. Her trembling never stopped—like prey caught in a tiger’s jaws.

"But you’ll be ruined too. Maybe you should beg."

"Not interested." Her voice stayed flat. "Do whatever you want."

"Then I’m starting?"

The question hung in the air. His hand slid beneath her clothes.