The bus rumbled steadily toward Lanling High School.

At first, I hadn’t known her well—but after chatting, I realized Lin Muke was genuinely gentle. So gentle I couldn’t even bring myself to tease her.

Cramped together in the tight space, I caught her scent through the stifling bus air: fresh, delicate, like lilies.

Personally? I didn’t mind sitting close to a pretty girl. But out of respect for Lin Muke, I deliberately leaned back. No way I’d let anyone think I was some creep taking advantage.

…Though… probably my imagination. After noticing my slow retreat, Lin Muke’s expression flickered—almost like disappointment.

Nah. Couldn’t be.

Still, it reminded me of a joke.

A guy and girl shared a hotel room with only one double bed. That night, she warned him: “Touch me, and you’re a beast.” So he stayed perfectly still all night, desires locked tight. They slept under one blanket, no lines crossed—a modern-day Liu Xiaohui.

Next morning? She yelled: “You’re *worse* than a beast!”

…Did I just accidentally become “worse than a beast”? No way. Lin Muke was pure-hearted. Earlier, when I’d pulled her arm, she’d blushed for ages.

We weren’t close. After a few quiet words, silence settled. I scrolled web novels on my phone; she kept her head bowed, lost in thought.

“Huh!”

A sharp intake of breath snapped my attention. Lin Muke nervously twisted her uniform skirt’s hem, tilting her face up slightly—facing me directly for the first time.

I sensed the shift. A trace of shyness, panic, unease flickered in her eyes before she looked down again. Her grip on the fabric tightened.

*Was that a silent plea?* Too shy to speak, she’d swallowed it alone.

Heart skipping, I pocketed my phone and whipped around.

There he was—a guy in a gray-green hoodie, slightly shorter than me, eyes downcast. Standing *dangerously* close behind her.

Classic bus molester. Her gentle aura and beauty had drawn this scum who preyed on the meek. They’d bet she’d stay silent. And judging by her flustered state? This was likely her first time.

Urgency overrode caution.

One hand gripped the overhead strap; the other pulled Lin Muke firmly toward me.

She stared, startled. Behind her, the molester’s reaching hand missed—and froze, eyes wide. I locked onto him with a glare that screamed: *How do you want to die?*

Exactly as expected. Cowards like him bolted the second the bus halted at a stop. He fled without a backward glance.

Only then did I exhale, shoulders loosening with relief.

I released Lin Muke gently. “Sorry.”

Truth was, I’d meant to pose as her boyfriend—to scare him off. The closeness was necessary.

She shook her head, cheeks flushed. “N-no… *I* should thank you, Ye… Ye classmate.”

She hadn’t expected Ye Huaixian to step in. When he pulled her close, she’d frozen—then noticed his hand never touched her waist. Even in chaos, he’d respected her space.

Before today, Ye Huaixian was just “that smart guy in class.”

After meeting Ye Yuyin—the girl who claimed to be his daughter—curiosity had sparked.

Now? Gratitude swirled with something softer, hazier.

Lin Muke wondered quietly: *Maybe… I’m starting to like him.*