“Take care of the house, Madam Ding!”

Chen Dao placed the keys in her small palm, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Xia Jiuli cradled the keys with both hands like a precious treasure.

By the time she looked up again, Chen Dao was already walking toward the school.

There was no time to thank him—but no need to rush it, either.

As she headed upstairs, she powered on her phone.

Almost instantly, her aunt called.

Truth was, she’d been calling nonstop for two days—this was the first time it connected.

On the other end: hoarse sobs, hurried footsteps, sighs, and scolding.

The crying was her aunt’s; the sighs and scolding belonged to her uncle.

Hearing the weeping, Xia Jiuli spoke first:

“Aunt… I’ve figured it out.”

…

“Figured *what* out? Huh? After vandalizing school property right after the monthly exams, you dared to go missing yesterday? Do you have any idea how worried your parents are?!”

Mr. Zhu slammed the desk, jabbing a finger at Chen Dao, who stood head bowed in apology.

Spotting Chen Dao strolling leisurely toward the gate, he yanked the AWOL student over and launched into a lecture.

His voice boomed so loud even Class One’s morning self-study students glanced up in confusion—

especially Gu Lian.

She clearly caught “Chen Dao” and thought, *So he skipped yesterday… No wonder I kept running up and down the stairs for nothing.*

Inside the office sat the discipline head, the vice principal, and Class One’s homeroom teacher Mr. Li—all watching the scene.

“I was wrong! Please forgive me, Mr. Zhu! It won’t happen again!”

“Forgive you? This is about *safety*! It’s not my anger—it’s your parents’ hearts breaking if something happened to you!”

Mr. Zhu *was* angry—but mostly felt Chen Dao had let his parents down.

Chen Dao had already apologized to them on his way to school; only the teachers remained tricky.

Eventually, Mr. Zhu’s throat ached, so he fell silent—but Chen Dao had made quite the impression.

After the discipline head’s scolding and the vice principal’s gentle words, they sent him back to class.

They chalked it up to post-breakup gloom.

As Chen Dao bowed out of the office, Mr. Zhu muttered on—

not harsh words, just worry.

Chen Dao didn’t think he was special. On reflection… Mr. Zhu treated *every* student like this.

*Player. Mr. Nice-to-Everyone.*

Walking toward Classes One and Two, Chen Dao spotted a tiny head peeking from a window.

She propped up her textbook, stretched her neck outside, and shuffled the book to block the teacher’s view.

*Seriously? Classic “cover-your-ears-while-stealing-a-bell” move.*

The teacher saw everything—but said nothing.

Her French bangs swayed with lazy fluffiness, like winter sun, yet couldn’t hide the cool aloofness in her expression.

Spotting Chen Dao, she blinked—eyelashes fluttering—then quickly looked away, slammed the textbook flat, and pretended to study.

Pen held upside down.

Brows furrowed. Clearly flustered.

Chen Dao didn’t linger. A sudden chill prickled his spine—maybe the window-seat guy glaring, or Mr. Li’s gaze from behind.

Then he knocked on Class Eight’s door.

Every student. The geography teacher. All staring.

*Fatal mistake.*

Late students shout “Reporting!”—who knocks like a corporate drone waiting for “Come in”?

Now, on top of skipping class, he earned a new nickname: *the thug putting on airs*.

(One hand in pocket. One hand knocking. Yeah, kinda intimidating.)

“I almost thought you came to pick a fight! Hahaha!”

Ding Yun laughed, tapping his shoulder with her exercise book.

“Stop laughing! Let me copy your homework!”

“Too late! Already turned it in!”

She grinned at his world-ending despair.

“Your grades are better—can’t you write it? Oh~ skipped class to play?”

Deskmates *excel* at teasing. And since they’d grown closer lately? She went all out.

“If you could’ve let me copy, I’d endure it. But you can’t… so spare me, please…”

Chen Dao clasped his hands, begging mercy. Ding Yun burst out laughing—ignoring Bai Qiaoqiao behind her, cheeks puffed, dark circles heavy.

*Why are you so close with her?*

Yesterday, Bai Qiaoqiao thought Chen Dao skipped out of shame. *He finally gets it*, she messaged—*I forgive you*.

Blocked instantly.

The “little princess” fumed all night.

She tapped his shoulder gently, ready to ask…

He turned. Blunt:

“Can you let me copy?”

Bai Qiaoqiao froze.

Lips twitching, she shook her head as he muttered and turned away.

*What the heck?!*

*Now I look like the dumped one?!*

*Ugh, I didn’t even wanna talk to you! LOL, such a poser—acting cold after getting dumped? Can’t be lovers, so no friends?*

Her inner monologue flooded, bitter and unrelenting.

To Bai Qiaoqiao, this fallout scarred *him* deeply. For her? Just lost a handy tool.

“Chen Dao, how’s your good friend?”

Bai Qiaoqiao froze again. Zhao Lexuan crouched by his desk, hands gripping the edge, gazing up at him.

*Why’s my bestie whispering to him? And… “good friend”?*

“Mm, thanks! Uncle Zhao and Aunt Zhao were so kind—fed us, let us bathe and stay over! Next time *you* need little Chen? I’m here!”

Chen Dao set down his pen, smiling easy and warm.

Zhao Lexuan’s cheeks flushed. She ducked away, flustered.