When Chen Dao returned to the classroom after lunch, Bai Qiaoqiao was pretending to sleep, her head pillowed on her arms.

Her round, chubby cheeks faced the door—until she heard movement from the front desk. She immediately turned her head toward the wall.

She hadn’t eaten lunch. Chen Dao couldn’t care less.

To his life plans, Bai Qiaoqiao was a useless pawn. Ding Yun at least contributed homework; Bai Qiaoqiao did nothing but throw tantrums.

This life, he wouldn’t get entangled with her. So he ignored her completely.

Too bad Bai Qiaoqiao had started noticing him instead.

Truth was, she used to be the one Chen Dao cherished—held high, never ignored, whether she pouted or laughed. But now—

Squinting, she watched him walk out with his exercise book.

A hollow ache stirred in her chest. Then, from the back door, a graceful figure leaped into view: Gu Lian.

Today, her long hair flowed into a shoulder-length ponytail, woven into three neat braids tied with a purple ribbon, resting gently against the curve of her left chest.

Chen Dao walked left. Gu Lian emerged right. A classroom’s width between them—until she dashed forward and caught up.

A sharp sense of crisis shot through Bai Qiaoqiao: *Gu Lian’s only here for him.*

She sprang up, hurried to the front door—and witnessed them walking side by side.

*So that’s why he changed… shamelessly playing warm boyfriend for someone else…*

“I knew I wasn’t wrong… hypocritical scumbag!”

She swung her arm. *Thud.* A dull slam against the door.

Chen Dao glanced back. *Did Bai Qiaoqiao do something reckless?*

White wall after white wall. No seeing through.

*Please don’t die in here. Bad luck.*

“Give me back my pen.”

The pouting girl’s cold face flushed slightly with anger. Cheeks puffed, she flicked her braids behind her.

Chen Dao, marveling at her thick jet-black hair, fumbled in his pocket and pulled out a ziplock bag of peanuts.

Stir-fried by the cafeteria auntie—fragrant, crispy, utterly tempting.

One yuan a pack. A tiny snack for students strapped for cash.

Like him.

Gu Lian never ate cafeteria food; her driver took her out. Xinchi’s advanced class dismissed fifteen minutes early—just in time to catch Chen Dao finishing overtime.

“Not eating.”

She huffed, clip-clopping beside him.

He headed to the library. She had no choice but to follow.

“Then I’ll eat.”

He handed her his textbooks and exercise book. She actually took them, cradling them close.

She only wanted her pen back…

—but the moment the red seal tore open and that fried aroma hit her nose, her resolve wavered.

*What is this? So good?*

*Crunch.*

A crisp sound from the boy beside her, mischief dancing in his grin.

“Delicious! Haven’t tasted this in ten years!”

(For him, true. For her, exaggeration.)

“Is… is it really that good?”

She quickened her steps to stay in his sight.

Sunlight dappled through the trees onto her face—curiosity barely contained, impossibly cute.

“Duh! What’s the cafeteria famous for? Auntie’s pickles, stir-fried peanuts, dumplings—all top-notch!”

He waved the bag under her nose. Her head followed. Nose twitched. Almost bit the air.

“Strict upbringing? All junk food, so they banned it?”

He popped another peanut in.

He’d bought them just to placate her—dared not eat much.

Gu Lian pouted, eyes locked on the shrinking bag.

“Yeah…”

Full from lunch, yet… snacks were snacks. Tempting.

Yesterday’s gummies. Today’s peanuts. Both looked *so* good.

“Here—”

He pinched one toward her lips. Rosy mouth parted, pearly teeth showing—ready to bite.

He lifted his hand. Ate it himself.

“But I can’t give it free!”

This time, she actually pouted—displeased, though her face stayed mostly cool.

“I… I’ll do your homework…”

Her gaze dropped to the warm textbooks in her arms.

“Nah. Just teach me.”

He took the books back. She freed her hands, reaching out like she’d waited forever.

*Hmph, hmph…*

She mimicked tossing peanuts. Two in. One rolled away. Disappointed pout. Pulled tissue, picked it up, tossed it in the bin.

Same library. Same spot. Except now—a banner glared on the wall ahead:

*“NO FOOD OR DRINKS IN THE LIBRARY.”*

Like it was scolding them personally.

Gu Lian stood, stepped outside, dumped the whole bag into her mouth, and returned.

“You didn’t throw it yesterday?”

“Th-threw it… in there…” (muffled, pointing to a bin)

*Must good girls be this obedient?*

“Next time, take the trash out after eating.”

“Nuh-uh… not eatin’…” (still chewing)

“Then I’ll eat it.”

“Hmph! No way!”

A weak protest. She sat beside him, pressing a hand on his textbook.

Rule-abiding. Afraid of scolding.

Afraid—

“What’s to fear? Your share’s safe. Starting today… you’re my teacher.”

*Huh?!*

*Can he read minds?!*

“Alright, let me copy—wait, no! Let’s study properly!”