She had been standing there for a long time.

In her line of sight, Mo Xuan and the unfamiliar girl leaned on the railing—one on each side. They stood so close that a slight shoulder shift would make them touch.

A sharp irritability coiled inside her, an urge to step between them.

She didn’t even know this girl.

Truthfully, she barely remembered most people—and had no desire to. To her, nearly everyone in this world was just part of the masses: fleeting passersby, unworthy of a second thought.

Only Mo Xuan was the single true beam of light in this hollow world—a presence she would clutch tightly to her chest, a treasure no one else was allowed to touch.

Even seeing him exchange a few words with a stranger felt unbearable.

Worse still, since the semester began, Mo Xuan’s attitude toward her had turned strangely ambiguous—evasive, distant, as if desperately trying to slip away.

If someone had influenced him… Yun Jiumo would hunt that person to the ends of the earth and make them regret ever being born.

Her gaze locked onto the girl, eyes glinting faint crimson, nails sharp as blades.

…

The moment Mo Xuan spotted Yun Jiumo, dread sank deep in his chest.

He instinctively recalled the tension between Yun Jiumo and Shen Bingjing—afraid they’d turn and clash right then.

From memory, they’d never gotten along from day one.

No—actually, he’d never seen Yun Jiumo treat any woman kindly. Cold words were the norm; outright confrontation wasn’t rare.

Her relationship with Shen Bingyao was outright hostile. Likely swayed by that, Shen Bingjing had sided firmly with her sister—positioning herself squarely against Yun Jiumo.

Still, being caught like this? He hadn’t expected it at all.

Trapped in crushing awkwardness, he tried raising a hand to wave—but his body froze stiff.

*How utterly embarrassing.*

Shen Bingjing, still chattering, suddenly sensed the thickening tension. Noticing Mo Xuan’s strained expression, she followed his gaze—and landed on the breathtaking girl even women would admire.

Her expression flickered for a split second, too fast for Yun Jiumo to catch.

Then came the move that nearly made Yun Jiumo snap.

Shen Bingjing leaned closer to Mo Xuan, tugged his sleeve lightly, and whispered, “Is this… Yun Jiumo?”

“You know her?” Mo Xuan blinked in surprise.

“Of course! She’s famous in our class—no, the whole school.”

“Why?”

“She’s stunning, top of her class, and rejected every single confession. How many girls pull that off? Hard *not* to be famous.”

“Are you praising her?”

“Yeah. I really admire her.”

Their exchange turned Yun Jiumo’s expression glacial.

She recalled her sparse conversations with Mo Xuan these past days—fewer words than he’d just shared with this girl in the hallway.

The contrast ignited a violent impulse: *tear that reckless girl’s face apart.*

Thankfully, Mo Xuan sensed things spiraling. He cut the chatter short, turned to Yun Jiumo, and flashed a dazzling smile. “Want to join us for some breeze?”

Before, Yun Jiumo would’ve shaken her head with a faint smile and left.

Not this time.

The words barely left his lips when she stepped forward—positioning herself at his left.

So close her shoulder brushed his arm. Feeling the warmth and soft resilience of her skin, Mo Xuan went speechless.

Shen Bingjing fell uncharacteristically silent. She slowly looked away, a cryptic glint swirling deep in her dark eyes.

Sandwiched between two quiet girls, Mo Xuan’s heart hammered.

*Don’t leave. The consequences would be catastrophic.*

The class-break bell—usually as brief as a cheerleader’s skirt—now stretched unbearably long. He waited desperately for its ring. Silence.

Then he made a choice he’d later wish to bury himself for.

“Yun Jiumo, this is Shen Bingjing. You might know her—current captain of the school cheerleading squad.”

*The one on the left must not be provoked.* Sweat beaded on his brow. His smile felt brittle.

Beside him, Yun Jiumo smiled serenely, her calm gaze fixed on his face. Her deep eyes revealed nothing—leaving him to guess her mood was… tolerable.

After his halting introduction, the girl famed as the “unapproachable flower” turned to the unusually quiet Shen Bingjing and gave an elegant bow. “Hello.”

“Hello, Yun Jiumo! I’ve heard so much about you!”

Shen Bingjing’s sudden enthusiasm stunned Mo Xuan. He rubbed his eyes, bewildered.

They’d had zero overlap in life. Harmony? Impossible.

Yet her eyes sparkled like a fan meeting an idol.

Even Yun Jiumo’s composure cracked—a flicker of surprise, cherry-blossom lips parting slightly, eyes shimmering.

But Shen Bingjing grew bolder, words tumbling out unchecked.

“You’re legendary in our class.”

“Oh?”

“Top grades, athletic, gorgeous—we’re all jealous.”

“Thank you.”

“And from freshman to senior year, you rejected every confession. Rumor says you won’t date. Is that why?”

Yun Jiumo’s eyes narrowed instantly.

Mo Xuan nearly yelled, *“What nonsense are you spouting?!”*

He’d felt it—a razor-sharp killing intent slicing toward Shen Bingjing.

He couldn’t decode girl rivalries fast, but the air turned dangerously delicate.

Shen Bingjing’s veiled praise. Yun Jiumo’s ambiguous smile. *Intervene now, or blood might spill.*

He almost covered Shen Bingjing’s mouth—then froze. *Yun Jiumo’s watching. Don’t ignite her.*

Shen Bingjing flinched at his sharp look and fell silent.

Too late. The words had landed.

In the hushed breeze, Yun Jiumo’s gaze stayed steady. Jet-black strands swayed with her hem, brushing her porcelain cheek.

A faint crimson glow flickered deep in her eyes—carefully suppressed.

Then, under Mo Xuan’s tense watch, she raised her hand.

*If she strikes, I block her. But if Shen Bingjing gets hurt… I’ll answer to her sister.*

*Later. Tell Shen Bingyao to “educate” her. Too blunt.*

Yun Jiumo simply brushed a stray strand from her ear.

The casual gesture held heart-fluttering grace. Even wary Shen Bingjing stared, captivated.

“Perhaps there’s been a misunderstanding,” Yun Jiumo said, her voice clear and cool as winter frost.

“I’m not against love. I simply refuse to settle before finding the one who truly claims my heart.”

Mo Xuan stilled, thoughtful.

“As for the confessions—I’d never feel anything for them. Rejecting them directly is kindest. For everyone.”

Her gaze locked with Shen Bingjing’s discontented eyes. The unspoken weight made the girl shiver.

A composed smile touched Yun Jiumo’s blood-red lips.

“No need to worry about me. I know my path. I have control.”

“And please—stop baseless gossip behind my back. We’re seniors. Study. That’s what matters. Don’t meet the one you truly desire… only to lack the courage to greet them.”

Even a fool heard the barb. Yun Jiumo’s honeyed words, laced with thorns, drained color from Shen Bingjing’s face.

Meeting those smiling yet wolf-sharp eyes, a cold fear coiled in Shen Bingjing’s chest.

*Suddenly, I realize—I never knew Yun Jiumo. All I heard was rumor. Worthless.*

No wonder classmates spoke of her with envy and fear. Her calves trembled.

Without Mo Xuan shielding her, she might have already fled.

Yun Jiumo kept smiling. No intention of leaving.

*How could I leave Mo Xuan alone with this scheming girl?*

Harming him was unforgivable. Anyone sharing her feelings for him? Unacceptable. Roots must be cut if needed.

But to preserve her image in his eyes—she endured. And if action came… he must never know.

*Have sense. Step back.*

Just as tension peaked—the bell finally rang.

Mo Xuan exhaled in relief, muscles loosening.

Shen Bingjing blinked awake, as if from a nightmare, and bounced back to her cheerful self.

She waved at Mo Xuan, dashed past Yun Jiumo with a bright smile. “Goodbye!”

“Goodbye.” Yun Jiumo nodded politely.

As the girl’s figure vanished down the hall, Yun Jiumo’s smile faded slowly. Her eyes darkened.

*This girl… who appeared from nowhere… isn’t as simple as I thought.*