The morning sun and the blaring alarm clock jolted Lin Zhong awake.

So heavy!

Of course, the "thing" pinning him down—a snow-white thigh resting on his abdomen, strands of black and white hair scattered beside him.

The girl’s arms clutched his slender arm tightly; her steady breathing became the room’s new rhythm after the alarm faded.

The fallen blanket gave him a trace of chill. Lin Zhong turned his head to see Su Han’s sleeveless top barely concealing her generous curves.

"Mmm~"

A delicate voice cut through his thoughts. Her grip tightened instantly.

"G-good morning, darling," Su Han murmured, her eyes slightly opening. Hazy sleepiness and lazy charm made it hard to tell if she was truly awake.

"Not married yet."

Lin Zhong tapped her head lightly, straightening his rumpled clothes.

"Next year, we will be."

Su Han raised her left hand, rubbing her eyes. The silver ring on her finger gleamed conspicuously.

"Nex—"

"I’m your wife already, right? Nothing changes that, does it?" She cut him off again, shaking her left hand playfully. Her radiant smile left him speechless.

"Hmm!"

Lin Zhong grabbed the fallen blanket, casting a sympathetic glance at the gray Scottish Fold cat now buried under it.

The kitten’s fur was messy. Its chubby body stood up, black slit-pupiled eyes glaring at Su Han before it darted into Lin Zhong’s bag on the floor.

Washing up, grabbing a snack from the fridge, changing into his black hoodie with the hood up, shouldering his backpack—simple tasks.

"Good morning kiss!"

Su Han pouted her light cherry lips, but a hand covered her mouth. Lin Zhong’s sickly pale skin flushed faintly, tempting her to push further.

He’d already slipped out of the cramped washroom.

By the time she emerged, Lin Zhong stood ready: hood shadowing his face, head bowed, bag in hand.

"Hmph, my exclusive spot."

As he lifted the bag, her arms locked around his free arm. The warmth and her subtle scent stirred something under his hood.

"Clothes."

..........

*Click-click!*

Su Han opened the door. Morning light spilled in; students filled the corridor.

The Academy’s dorms weren’t gender-segregated. Single rooms meant most kept to themselves—except close pairs like Lin Zhong and Su Han. She’d abandoned her own room after enrollment, moving straight into his.

*Tap. Tap. Tap...*

Footsteps halted as they stepped out. Every gaze locked onto the pair: the gloomy guy and the stunning girl.

Boys gritted their teeth. Girls shot disdainful looks. All aimed at Lin Zhong.

He was used to these piercing stares. Silence would’ve chilled him more. His hood hid most of his face—a small comfort.

Lin Zhong and Su Han were legends here. The freeloading coward and the top-tier beauty "stuck on dung," plus the solo dungeon-clearing god. Their names were synonymous. Su Han’s beauty and strength made her wildly popular.

But anyone who pursued her or insulted Lin Zhong now lay hospitalized. Unlike Lin Zhong—who hid behind masks for dungeons and matches—Su Han crushed opponents openly.

Students only dared scorn Lin Zhong behind his back. Her strength demanded silence.

"Take me to the Advanced Dungeon Instance!"

"Bro, joining an Advanced Dungeon Instance?"

"Please, team up for the Advanced Dungeon Instance!"

Such pleas echoed in dorms, streets, and campus. Freshmen buzzed with excitement as the Advanced Dungeon Instances reopened daily.

"You promised no recklessness this time."

Su Han tightened her grip on his arm. Her striking black-and-white eyes and raised eyebrow warned him clearly.

"Dungeon entry needs two people. Will you come with me?"

Helplessness flickered in Lin Zhong’s eyes. His usual stern mask cracked into a bitter smile. She’d never agree.

"I won’t go. So you can’t either."

"I’ll try..."

Lin Zhong mumbled, pushing open the classroom door. Every head turned.

"Um... Excuse me, could you be my teammate for the Advanced Dungeon Instance?"

A petite, pretty "girl" approached, her slender frame drowning in an ill-fitting boys’ uniform. Her delicate face flushed—shyness or nerves, it was undeniably cute. Tears glistened in her clear green eyes, tugging at hearts.

She wasn’t asking Lin Zhong. She faced Su Han. The room burst into laughter.

No one knew if they mocked her audacity or Lin Zhong’s invisibility.

"Rejected!"

Su Han’s gentle smile never reached the girl.

"S-sorry..."

The girl stumbled back, face burning. Laughter swelled. Her smile turned strained.

Only disappointment shone in her green eyes.

"Um... Excuse me, could you be my teammate for the Advanced Dungeon Instance?"

Her voice echoed again. Every reply was a rejection.

*Could he use her?*

A glint flashed in Lin Zhong’s crimson eyes under the hood as he watched the flustered "girl." Then a force yanked him away.