Eastgrain Middle School was about a twenty-minute walk from Qi Yan’s rented apartment—not too close, not too far.
That morning, Qi Yan stepped out with Qi Ran just as they bumped into siblings Luo Ziliang and Luo Yongyue. The pair were heading to school, cartoon backpacks slung over their shoulders.
Spotting Qi Ran, Luo Yongyue waved warmly. "Miss Qi! Big Brother! Good morning!"
Qi Ran gave a slight nod in reply.
"Big Brother, you’re totally rocking the Black Flame Dragon vibe today!"
"Hmm. You’re pretty Black Flame Dragon yourself."
"Hmph! Of course! I’m the vessel of the Black Flame Dragon!" Luo Ziliang declared smugly, hooking a thumb under his nose while raising his gloved left hand.
Qi Yan had no clue what "Black Flame Dragon" meant—probably just meant "cool"—but he mumbled an equally cringey reply. Qi Ran and Luo Yongyue just exchanged resigned looks at Luo Ziliang’s antics.
Though Qi Ran hadn’t invited them to her birthday party, Qi Yan had saved them two slices of cake afterward. Their goodwill had skyrocketed since.
"You two always head to school together? Must be close," Qi Yan teased, wheeling out his bike.
"Isn’t that normal for siblings? Besides, don’t you and Big Sister always leave together too?" Luo Ziliang retorted, hands behind his head, whistling nonchalantly.
"Fair point..."
"And hey! Ah-Yue said she’ll marry me when we grow up—she’ll be my bride! Will Big Sister marry you when she grows up too?" He grabbed Luo Yongyue’s hand, chin tilted up proudly.
Qi Yan choked on the question. He’d meant to tease the chuunibyou kid, not get ambushed.
"Cousin! That was just playing house! Don’t take it seriously! If you bring it up again, I’ll ignore you forever!" Luo Yongyue’s face flushed crimson. She yanked her hand free and dashed out of the courtyard.
"H-hey! Was that a joke?! No way! I won’t say it again, just don’t ignore me! Sorry, my bad!"
Luo Ziliang paled, clutching his backpack straps as he sprinted after her, babbling apologies.
For a split second, Qi Yan swore he heard the boy’s heart shatter. He silently mourned the poor kid’s shattered dreams.
Turning back, he found Qi Ran hiding behind him, fingers twisting her shirt hem into shapes, cheeks pink with daydreams.
He flicked her forehead lightly. "What’s got you spacing out? Time for school. Check your bag—pencil case, ID, enrollment papers, hospitalization certificate. Got everything?"
Pouting, Qi Ran obediently unzipped her backpack. After a quick check, she flashed him an "OK" sign.
"Alright, let’s roll!"
DongSui Town’s early morning buzzed with life: breakfast stalls calling out, markets thrumming with chatter, shops opening their doors, streams of students heading to school.
Weekday rush hour meant no traffic jams, but the constant flow of vehicles still made Qi Ran flinch. Cars crawling past, roaring delivery trucks—anything with wheels terrified her.
Every time a vehicle approached, Qi Yan halted his bike at the roadside, soothing his sister until it passed. Though it cost them time, leaving early ensured they arrived at Eastgrain Middle School’s gates right on schedule.
Dressed unlike the uniformed students, the siblings drew stares. Qi Ran, unused to strangers after two years in hospitals, buried her face in Qi Yan’s back like a human shield.
"Where’s Senior Liu? She set the meeting time!" Qi Yan grumbled, shifting blame to the perpetually late culprit. He should’ve known better—back in Grandpa’s art studio, her tardiness from oversleeping had earned her endless scoldings.
Just as the last student vanished through the gates, Liu Qin finally appeared. Her hair was messy, tied in a hasty ponytail with a stubborn strand sticking up. Yawning mid-stride, she looked half-asleep.
But beside her walked someone Qi Yan never expected.
"Senior, and Senior’s sister—good morning," Su Shiyu chirped.
"Su Shiyu? What are you—"
"Eh? Didn’t I mention? I’m staying at Qin-jie’s place. She was my sister’s high school classmate. They’ve always been close."
"Hold on. Let me process this," Qi Yan rubbed his temples. He knew Liu Qin moved in elite circles—meeting big shots was normal—but overlapping friend groups? That was fate for you.
No wonder she’d found him at the auto shop that day. This sly little demon Su Shiyu must’ve pulled strings. Liu Qin would never set foot in a grease-filled garage otherwise.
"Ah... it’s getting late! Let’s find the principal!" Liu Qin stretched widely, her generous cleavage flashing before Qi Yan’s eyes.
Before he could even think *nice rack*, soft flesh on both sides of his waist pinched sharply. Qi Ran and Su Shiyu glared at him with matching *behave* expressions.
Liu Qin waved at the security guard, who waved them through without hesitation—his eyes never leaving her chest. Yesterday, Qi Yan had needed signatures, ID deposits, and endless explanations to get past him.
*Boobs. Truly a man’s lifelong kryptonite.*
Eastgrain Middle School sprawled across the countryside: a 400-meter track, volleyball and basketball courts on one side, three sandpits and a shot-put zone on the other. Classroom buildings, offices, dorms, and the cafeteria lined up neatly.
He’d heard DongSui Private Academy—nestled beneath Qiong Mountain—was twice this size. Unfathomable.
Su Shiyu skipped ahead as the first bell rang. "Su Shiyu," Qi Yan called, "don’t you have class?"
"I’m not on the roster yet. Teacher can’t punish me for skipping. And call me Shiyu—or Xiao Yu. Not my full name!"
"Details, details," Qi Yan shrugged.
"Waaah! Qin-jie, save me! Senior’s bullying me again!" Su Shiyu fake-sobbed, shaking Liu Qin’s arm with exaggerated sweetness.
"We’re at the principal’s office. Behave. You’re already on Teacher’s watchlist. Your sister entrusted you to me—I have to be responsible." Liu Qin flicked Su Shiyu’s forehead.
"Tch. So stingy," Su Shiyu muttered, pouting.
Qi Ran, ever alert, looped her arm through Qi Yan’s. The two girls hid behind their respective guardians, locking eyes in a silent, fierce standoff.
