Finally, we reached the gate of Lanling High School. A security guard checked IDs, so Lin Muke and I pulled out our student cards—I kept mine in my pocket for convenience, while she, like many girls, tucked hers into a small handbag.

Just as we walked side by side through the gate, a familiar voice called out from behind me—strangely ingratiating—and carried loudly over the morning air.

“Huaixian! Xian-xian-xian-xian!”

I knew instantly who it was: Fang Liancheng. Before I could even turn, his hand slapped firmly onto my shoulder.

“You promised! Ten yuan per doujinshi—no take-backs!”

My face darkened instantly. Lin Muke was right beside me! And even if she weren’t… bro, is it really okay to shout about doujinshi like this?!

Sure enough, nearly every student passing by shot us puzzled glances.

Fang Liancheng seemed utterly oblivious. Arm still draped over my shoulder like we were best friends, he went on:

“Hey, I even emptied my gacha savings for this! Don’t hold out. There’s that loli doujinshi I love, and that Saber one with the… y’know…”

I clamped a hand over his mouth. One more word and he’d spill my entire secret shelf!

“You wha— Mmph!”

His eyes suddenly locked onto Lin Muke, standing just an arm’s length away. She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, cheeks faintly flushed, gaze drifting—a trace of confusion in her eyes.

“Um… Ye-classmate… what does ‘doujinshi’ mean?”

“…I-it’s just… a thicker kind of notebook.” What else could I say? Damn Fang Liancheng and his big mouth!

I shot him a glare. He glanced nervously at Lin Muke, then at me, then away—his expression flickering from guilt to shock, confusion, and finally blazing betrayal.

Holy crap, bro. You packed a whole drama into one second.

He yanked my hand off and spoke with the wounded gravity of a revolutionary betrayed:

“So that’s it, Ye Huaixian! Now I see why you were so eager to offload them…” He caught himself before saying *that word* again. “Hmph! I misjudged you. You’ve betrayed the revolution. Betrayed the cause!”

He stomped off in a huff. I stood frozen. Lin Muke blinked beside me, utterly lost.

“What’s… wrong with him?” she whispered.

“N-nothing. I just sold him a notebook at a high price. He changed his mind.” A faint twitch pulled at my lips.

“Oh.” She fell silent. *Ten yuan for a notebook? That’s steep. Shouldn’t it be called a notebook? Why ‘doujinshi’? And what were ‘loli’ and ‘Saber’…?*

“Let’s go. Morning reading’s starting.” I cut her thoughts short. Best to bury what just spilled. If she Googled any of it… not only would her view of me shatter, I might accidentally crack open a whole new world for her.

Lin Muke was so pure. If I were the one to lead her astray… the guilt would haunt me forever.

“Mm.” She nodded softly, choosing to let it go.

After all, the boy walking beside her—Ye Huaixian—was someone she could rely on.