Though Zhou Zhiyi hadn’t overheard their earlier conversation, he now understood just how terrible Wu Yuyang’s situation was.

Being called "disgusting" cut deeper than any insult like "idiot," "jerk," or "moron"—so deep it defied description. That was precisely why Zhou Zhiyi had once labeled Liu Muyu a "poison-tongued girl."

"You, who never lift a finger but still try to comfort others—don’t you find that disgusting?" Liu Muyu didn’t hold back. Her words pierced Wu Yuyang’s heart like spears.

"Seeing you still like this... I’m relieved," Wu Yuyang forced a casual tone, but Zhou Zhiyi caught his awkwardness.

*Relieved? What did that even mean?* Zhou Zhiyi thought, watching Wu Yuyang turn and walk away. Knowing there’d be no follow-up, he gave up and headed to the restroom.

Liu Muyu remained silent as usual, her thoughts unreadable. With few friends to begin with, hardly anyone offered her comfort. Even sunny girls like Wang Shiyi and Qin Huan only gave polite, half-hearted consolations before giving up when she didn’t respond.

The afternoon held no noteworthy events besides the mixed-gender 4x100 relay. The meet wrapped up quickly.

Though it was Sports Day, evening self-study continued as usual—though "self-study" really meant movie time. Zhou Zhiyi disliked films, so he slept through the entire screening. Afterward, most students rushed out, leaving only Zhou Zhiyi, Liu Muyu, and Wu Feng in the classroom. Liu Muyu read intently, as if books truly brought her joy. Wu Feng was also studying—a rare sight.

*Seriously? Forcing a plot twist now?*

"See you tomorrow, son."

"Shut up."

Zhou Zhiyi tossed the words over his shoulder and left—but didn’t go home. Instead, he circled toward the restroom, planning to peek through the window at the classroom.

The boys’ restroom faced Classroom 7’s windows, giving him a clear view.

But as Zhou Zhiyi entered the restroom, he spotted a figure—

Chu Xinyue.

"Hey! What are you doing? This is the *boys’*—mmph!" Zhou Zhiyi’s protest was cut off as Chu Xinyue clamped a hand over his mouth.

"Quiet! Do you want them to hear?!" She pressed a finger to her lips. Her face, inches away, was undeniably cute.

*Her eyes really are stunningly beautiful.*

*No wonder Wu Feng’s so lucky.*

"What are you even doing here?" Zhou Zhiyi whispered.

"Peeping, obviously!"

*Can you say "peeping" that proudly?*

"Why not just stay in the classroom?"

"Xiaofeng said my presence distracts him from studying. Told me to leave first." Chu Xinyue beamed. "Makes sense—he’d totally focus on me instead."

*Yeah, right. He probably just finds you annoying.* Zhou Zhiyi kept the thought to himself.

"That’s still no excuse for spying."

"I just want to watch Wu Feng! What about you?" Chu Xinyue’s eyes narrowed suddenly. "Wait—you’re here to observe Liu Muyu, aren’t you?"

"You’re overthinking it."

"Or are you gay?"

"Wu Feng’s not *that* handsome."

"Then why?"

"Fine. Pretend I’m here to observe Liu Muyu." Zhou Zhiyi couldn’t think of a better lie to stay.

"Just admit it sooner! We could team up."

"Team up?"

"Think about it." Chu Xinyue paused. "I like Xiaofeng. You like Liu Muyu. As a girl, I can get close to her. As Wu Feng’s friend, you can get close to him. We swap intel!"

*This plotline feels so familiar...*

*But if she’s scheming like this, her "female lead" status just went up.*

"I’ll share Wu Feng’s intel. But stay away from Liu Muyu."

"That’s weird. What do *you* get out of this?"

"Call it a favor owed. I might need your help later."

"Okay then." Chu Xinyue fixed her gaze on him. "What kind of girl does Wu Feng like?"

"Big-ch—*cough cough*—I mean, beautiful, gentle, graceful. A Yamato Nadeshiko type." Zhou Zhiyi almost blurted "big-chested," but caught himself at the sight of Chu Xinyue’s flat chest.

"You were gonna say ‘big-chested,’ weren’t you?"

*Damn. She noticed.*