Ever since becoming class rep, I’ve rarely been late. As the saying goes: with great position comes great responsibility. Fancy words aside, it just means dragging myself to school by 7:20 AM every day to tackle the grueling mission of collecting homework.

“Xiaoxi! Wake up!” I shook my sister.

“So sleepy… five more minutes…” Xiaoxi rolled over with a groan.

I grabbed her shoulders, propped her up, and started rocking her back and forth like a rattle.

“Sleep later! Your brother’s a class rep now—I’ve gotta set an example!”

“Okay, okay!” Xiaoxi squirmed, shoving my hands away. “Your teacher must be blind to pick *you* for this job.”

I tossed today’s outfit from the hanger onto her bed.

“Less complaining, more moving. Three minutes. Go!” I left to make breakfast.

……

“Bro, don’t forget your umbrella today,” Xiaoxi said between bites.

“Why? It’s blazing out there.” I glanced outside—the sun wasn’t even fully up, but the heat was already shimmering. “I’m not you. I don’t care about getting a tan.”

“The weather app said rain yesterday!”

My ears perked up at those words. “You were on your phone *yesterday*? You’re in ninth grade now—you can’t keep wasting time like—”

Xiaoxi’s sleepy face twisted into annoyance. “Ugh! You nag worse than Mom! Take it or leave it. Don’t come crying to me when you’re soaked!” She stormed off to pack her bag, then poked her head back in. “And don’t think I don’t know what *you* got up to in ninth grade! Nyaah!”

I chuckled at her silly face. “This kid…”

I stuffed bread in my mouth and rushed to pack my own bag. After a pause, I grabbed an umbrella too. With this mountain of books, one more thing wouldn’t hurt.

Xiaoxi was already waiting by the door.

“Mr. ‘Set an Example’? Took you long enough,” she teased.

“Please. You’re just salty I caught you on your phone,” I shot back as we walked. “Drop the attitude.”

She ignored me, speeding up. I had no choice but to follow.

……

The classroom was nearly empty, as usual. The class monitor sat reading at her desk—always early, always studying. Seriously diligent.

Once everyone arrived, I started collecting homework. Staring at the teetering pile of exercise books on my desk, I groaned. No way I could carry this alone.

“Zhou Qi! Help me haul these!”

“Can’t. I’m barely surviving myself!” Zhou Qi scribbled frantically, his untouched science and math assignments spread out like a battlefield. Useless. Guess I’d make two trips…

“What’s wrong?” Fang Yiyi appeared beside me. She’d noticed me frozen there.

“Nothing…”

She glanced at the books in my arms, then at the remaining stack, and bent to lift half.

“Let’s go. Quick round trip—I’ve got morning reading duty.” She strode out, arms full.

“Oh!” I hurried after her. “Thanks!”

“No big deal.” Silence settled between us.

……

Why do schools schedule math first thing? It drains all the joy out of the day. Why does this soul-crushing subject even exist?

The class monitor, though, looked perfectly energized after math class. Was she even human?

I tried napping during the twenty-minute break after second period. My phone buzzed in my pocket.

*Probably spam.*

Yep.

“Come to my office right after lunch.” —Jiang Chen

Chills shot down my spine. No way. That text reeked of danger. I’ll just delete it and pretend I never saw—

*Buzz.* Another message. From Jiang Chen.

“I *know* you saw it. Don’t think deleting it will save you. Who knows what I might do~”

How did she—? Was she psychic?!

I typed back: “Fine, I’ll come. But can you *please* stop talking to me like a horror movie villain?”

Silence. Zero respect.

My math-induced bad mood plummeted further. Student council didn’t meet at lunch. This was a trap—and I had to walk right in.

*I wish I could bury my head in my desk like an ostrich. Just disappear.*

At noon, Zhou Qi asked if I wanted cafeteria food. When I said I had to see the student council, his expression flickered with what looked like pity. If only Jiang Chen knew her name scared people like a demon lord’s.

I trudged toward the council room, stomach growling. *Should’ve eaten more breakfast… Damn capitalism, sucking the life out of me. How am I supposed to help build socialism like this?*

“Xia Tong, walking to the cafeteria together?” Fang Xuan appeared at her desk the moment class ended. The class barely glanced up—this happened daily. Same result every time.

“No thanks.” Xia Tong pulled a cloth bag from her desk and left. No one could see what was inside.

The onlookers dispersed for lunch. Fang Xuan stared at her empty seat, then smirked and walked away. Her tone had cooled since their first encounter. He wasn’t worried. He knew she’d eventually fall for him. No one could stand in his way.

I knocked on the council room door and entered when called.

Jiang Chen looked up. “Wait here. I’ll be back after a bathroom break.”

*Phew. Maybe I overreacted.* I sank onto the sofa.

Outside, Jiang Chen didn’t head to the restroom. She stood by the door, watching the stairwell.

“Sorry, ran into trouble. Running late. Is he here?”

“Inside. I’ll be back at 1:50. Make it quick.” Jiang Chen vanished down the sixth-floor hallway.

Bored, I stood to examine the room. Each luxury item shattered my worldview further. *The gap between rich and poor is terrifying.*

“Ye Xi?” The door opened. That voice—I knew it too well.

I turned. Xia Tong stood there.

She nodded at me and sat on the sofa.

“Where’s Jiang Chen? She called me here.”

“Oh, I saw her outside. Family emergency—she had to leave.”

“Then I’ll head out too.” I reached for the doorknob.

*Click.* It wouldn’t budge. *Stay calm. Grip. Turn. Push—*

“Xia Tong!” I spun around. “The door’s stuck!”

“What? Really?” She rushed over, jiggling the handle. “It’s locked from outside!”

“Call Jiang Chen!”

Xia Tong fumbled with her phone. “She says… she forgot we were inside and locked it. Won’t be back until 1:50.” Her face was dead serious.

*You mashed random buttons! And since when does she reply instantly? Did she pre-write that lie?!*

Xia Tong tugged my arm, pulling me back to the sofa.

“We’ve got time. Let’s do something meaningful.” Her face inched closer.

I could see my own reflection in her eyes.

“Whoa! What are you doing?! We’re in high school! Keep it appropriate!” I scrambled backward.

“Pervert.” Xia Tong stopped teasing and lifted the cloth bag at her feet. She pulled out two lunchboxes. “You haven’t eaten, right? I made these. Try them?”

*So you admit you trapped me?!*

“I’m not hungry!”

*Gurgle—*

Xia Tong stifled a laugh. “Don’t lie. I can’t finish both. Here.” She pressed chopsticks into my hand. “I practiced for half a month.”

*Traitor stomach.* No wonder she’d texted “come immediately.” This was a double whammy—mind and body. I hesitated. Xia Tong pried my fingers open and placed the chopsticks firmly in my palm.

“Seriously? Jiang Chen won’t be back until class. You planning to starve all day? Taste it. I cooked since dawn.”

I met her eyes. Dark circles shadowed them. *What time did she even wake up?*

“…Okay.” Hunger won.

She opened both boxes. Identical meals: crispy pork cutlet, two chicken wings, sliced beef, greens, cherry tomatoes, and a mound of rice.

“You made this?” I couldn’t believe it. Her skills rivaled mine—and I’d cooked for years. She’d only learned for *half a month*?

“Yeah. Still limited, but I’ll learn more. Try it?”

No need to ask twice. My stomach roared. I picked up a piece of pork cutlet. Perfectly fried—crispy outside, tender inside, not greasy at all.

The seasoning was perfect, and the flavor hit just right.

"Delicious!" I said honestly.

Xia Tong's worried expression eased. "That's great! That's great!" she exclaimed.

I noticed her gaze and turned to find her resting her chin on her hands, watching me. I felt a little embarrassed.

"Is there something on my face?" I set down the lunchbox and rubbed my cheeks.

"No, no! I just wanted to watch you eat!" Xia Tong smiled at me.

"I'll eat now," I said. Xia Tong stopped staring and started eating herself.

I blushed deeply and lowered my head to continue my meal.

After we finished, I tidied up. Xia Tong ignored my protests and clung tightly to my arm, dozing off.

Seeing how truly exhausted she was, I couldn't refuse. After all, I'd eaten her food, and she was like this because she cooked for me. I sat up straight, letting her rest her head on my arm and shoulder.

Time flew. I looked down at Xia Tong's sleeping face. For the first time, I saw her so close and unguarded. Even with her eyes closed, her beauty wasn't diminished. Playful light made her eyelids flutter, her thick lashes blinking slightly. Her petite, straight nose added to her charm, and her naturally crimson lips looked like soft red jade.

Just as I was lost in admiration, the jingle of keys came from the door. Jiang Chen was back. I looked away and gently shook Xia Tong awake.

"Mmm... what is it?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"It's time to head back to class!" I helped her sit up from leaning on me.

When Jiang Chen entered, I walked past her with a straight face, ignoring her amused smile. But Jiang Chen didn't let it slide.

"So, how is it? No regrets about joining the student council? I never give perks to just anyone!" she said nonchalantly. I glanced at her, unsure whether to thank her or scold her.