Grade 10, Class C

Mu Yao’s classroom sat on the third floor of the teaching building. Below lay Grade 11 and Grade 12. The walk from the principal’s office took less than ten minutes.

From the principal, Mu Yao learned basic academy facts. The campus was massive—obviously so. Registered students totaled over five thousand.

A staggering number. His middle school had barely five hundred. Worlds apart. And this was a prestigious academy with sky-high tuition…

The scenery took his breath away: crystal-clear lake water, weathered boulders shipped from the west, blooming flowers and lush trees. Mu Yao adored the serene beauty—it felt like stepping into a slice of heaven.

European-style architecture defined the campus. Rumor said a renowned Italian architect hand-drew every blueprint. Each space balanced function and elegance perfectly. Truly worthy of "prestigious."

Standing at the classroom door, Mu Yao hesitated. Nearly every seat was filled—was his even free? On the podium, a stout male teacher in black-rimmed glasses addressed the class.

"Teacher…" Mu Yao bit his lower lip and called out softly, flustered.

The teacher glanced over, unsurprised by the lateness. Calmly, he rapped the podium.

"Quiet down, everyone. Meet our new student."

A buzz erupted below. Everyone seemed eager.

Mu Yao’s face burned. Students peered through the window—dozens of eyes locked on him. He hadn’t felt such unified attention since stepping back from the spotlight.

"Long Xueer…?"

"So gorgeous! Doesn’t matter who she is—I’m claiming this girl!"

"Totally looks like Long Xueer! Gotta search her pics…"

Ignoring the teacher, some students already scrolled phones for Long Xueer’s old photos.

"Mu Yao, come in~" The teacher waved him over.

Side by side on the podium, Mu Yao’s blush crept down his swan-like neck. Scorching stares pinned him—every student watched, except one: Nangong Ruihui by the inner window.

"Hello~ I’m Mu Yao. First day at Yingshengya Academy! I love reading. If you need help, just ask~ I’ll do my best!"

"Ah—! That voice! I’m melting! Perfect soft-girl tone! Sweet as her smile!"

No sooner had Mu Yao finished his shy introduction than a front-row boy slammed his fist on the desk, starry-eyed.

Mu Yao flinched—*Did he see through me?* Relief washed over him. False alarm.

No way would anyone spot his true gender on day one. Born petite, even the smallest boys’ uniform hung loose. Every time he wore male attire, people mistook him for a girl in disguise. It frustrated him deeply.

*"His development is perfectly normal. No nutritional deficiency."*

The doctor’s words to his mom in elementary school: just naturally small-framed. No congenital or acquired issues.

He wouldn’t dwell on it. While other boys’ voices cracked into hoarse croaks in middle school, his stayed unchanged. Forcing a masculine tone strained his throat—no choice but to speak softly.

His looks? He still couldn’t fathom why *he*, a boy, looked cuter than his sister.

Compared to girls his age, his flat chest was normal. No breast forms or padding for now—too uncomfortable, especially sweating through summer heat.

Height… 162 cm. *Sigh.* Too painful to elaborate.

"Mu Yao, sit beside Nangong Ruihui. He excels academically—learn from him often~"

The teacher pointed to the empty seat. Mu Yao nodded readily.

The classroom erupted again.

"WoW! Classmate Mu Yao’s so sly—definitely colluded with the teacher!"

"Exactly! We agreed no one’d take that seat. You’re cheating!"

"I wish she’d sit by me," a quiet boy murmured.

"Like hell! *I* deserve her," another shot back.

Stripped of the "Long Xueer" fame, Mu Yao never expected to become Grade 10 Class C’s most popular newbie. Pleasantly surprised, he kept a poised smile while warmly acknowledging everyone.

…

"Hi~"

Settling into his seat, Mu Yao greeted his deskmate first. *New kid rule: be friendly. Set boundaries later if needed.*

"Don’t sit too close."

Nangong Ruihui’s icy words froze Mu Yao solid. Not just cold—open hostility. A declaration of war.

*Why?* He’d done nothing wrong! They’d even shared a campus smile earlier. *Acting aloof in public?*

Mu Yao relaxed slightly. *Probably.*

Nearby girls exchanged secret smiles. *Their idol isn’t swayed by pretty faces.*

Mu Yao refused to back down. *No man’s unmoved by beauty. He’s no modern-day paragon of restraint.*

"Mm, Teacher said your name’s Nangong Ruihui? Such a lovely name~" He scooted his chair closer. Nangong Ruihui didn’t pull away.

"Mu Yao…"

Nangong Ruihui murmured the name, then seized Mu Yao’s wrist. "You’re from the Mu family?!"

"Classmate Nangong, you’re hurting me~" Mu Yao tugged gently. "Let go. After class… I have something to show you."

*Confirmed.* Nangong Ruihui was his betrothed—no, "sworn brother," per the contract.

A flicker of disappointment. He’d assumed the Nangong Clan had a daughter… not the very Student Council President he’d met on day one.

Still, honoring the pact, Mu Yao would show him the agreement. Only after would he reveal the truth: *I’m a boy.*