On the rosewood table lay a neatly folded marriage contract. Mu Yao felt nervous, while Nangong Ruihui set down his knife and fork and accepted it.

Per the friendly agreement between the Mu Clan and Nangong Clan, the next child from each family is promised in marriage: if of the same gender, lifelong friends; if opposite genders, spouses. Binding. Each clan holds one copy.

Responsible Parties: Mu Clan (Mu Xiaotian), Nangong Clan (Nangong Yao)

Drafted: Year 20xx, Month x, Day x

...

The name order symbolized clan status. Back then, the Mu-Nangong engagement caused quite a stir—no one knew who leaked it. Still, this union sent a stark warning to the other two clans, leaving them fearing permanent downfall.

The Mu Clan’s collapse came later. Had it not, this alliance would have dominated all of Jinglan City.

“Mm, it’s real. My family has a copy too—I just never read it,” Nangong Ruihui said, setting the contract down and nodding thoughtfully.

“So… Classmate Nangong, actually I’m—”

“I know. As ritual for our first formal meeting… shall I give you the vow kiss?”

Nangong Ruihui cut Mu Yao off before he could reveal he was a boy.

After the solemn moment passed, Nangong Ruihui slouched casually in his chair. Mu Yao felt he was joking.

“Actually… I’m—”

Still no chance. Nangong Ruihui stood, stepped close, and gently embraced him. Mu Yao froze—just hours ago in class, he’d been ice-cold; now, after the contract, his attitude flipped completely.

*So soft… Why does a boy’s body feel like this? Wait—why does he even smell nice…?*

Mu Yao had an illusion: it wasn’t Nangong Ruihui hugging him, but a girl.

The imagined scene—Nangong Ruihui crumpling and tossing the contract—never happened. Mu Yao couldn’t figure him out. He sensed hidden secrets.

Still… he didn’t seem like a bad person.

“Hey~ darling. Call me Ruihui. I’ll call you Yaoyao,” Nangong Ruihui whispered after a deep breath, leaning close to his ear. “Listen: you’re mine now. Bullied? Come to me. At Yingshengya Academy, I’ve got your back.”

“Classmate Nangong…”

“Hm?!”

“Ruihui… I never expected you’d be so kind~”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself. I wasn’t finished. This is just for show. Don’t think your looks grant you access. I’m not interested. Refuse to play along? Even these ‘privileges’ vanish.”

He released Mu Yao and reverted to cold aloofness—the very demeanor Mu Yao had disliked hours earlier.

Nangong Ruihui had his own calculations. Mu Yao couldn’t possibly win him over. Not that he looked down on her—the Mu Clan’s fall wasn’t her fault. Those conditions? Merely courtesy.

They could never be together.

“I know… You look down on me, right? I understand,” Mu Yao’s voice carried a trace of sorrow. Being dismissed by one’s own betrothed stripped away all dignity.

“Ask anyone at the academy if I’ve ever hugged someone. I don’t look down on you. I guarantee it.”

“Then why call it an act…?”

“I said it. I’m different. You simply don’t attract me.”

“Am I… not pretty enough?”

No day felt worse. *Him*—once the apple of everyone’s eye—subtly rejected? Ridiculous! Every boy would leap at the chance… why was Nangong Ruihui the exception?

Mu Yao snapped. Never doubt his charm! Fine—he’d hide the truth for now. Once he made Nangong Ruihui fall for him… *then* reveal he was a boy. Let him choke on it!

Nangong Ruihui’s hot-and-cold act stirred the little devil wielding a trident inside Mu Yao. *Dare say I’m not attractive? Unacceptable!*

*Damn man. I’ll make you fall for me someday.*

*Damn bitch. I’ll never like you.*

Smiling outwardly, inwardly seething—this was their truest state.

Mu Yao pressed close like a little white rabbit, gazing up at the taller boy. He blinked wide, watery eyes desperately, lashes fluttering adorably.

“Ruihui… since I’m ‘not attractive enough,’ what type *do* you like? I’ll try.”

“Simple. Become the Elder Sister of the academy. *Then* I might reluctantly consider dating you.”

Nangong Ruihui nearly laughed aloud. *Overestimating herself? Asking my type? A moth to flame. Amusing girl.*

This was his second impression of Mu Yao—upgraded to version 1.02.

“What’s ‘Elder Sister’?”

“As the title implies: the most influential girl at Yingshengya Academy. Every Elder Sister is revered by all students—elegant, multi-talented, top grades, kind, gentle, beautiful, graceful. She embodies the academy’s highest ideals.”

*Hmph.*

Nangong Ruihui scoffed inwardly. *As if this pretty-faced vase could stand out among three thousand girls? Dream on. If she becomes Elder Sister, I’ll stand on my head in a sailor uniform washing my hair—for three days straight!*

He admitted it: Mu Yao was undeniably lovely. For someone who never felt anything for girls, a faint ripple stirred. Her appearance? Truly flawless.

“Tell me how. I’ll try,” Mu Yao said, his delicate brows slightly furrowed, expression earnest.

“The last Elder Sister graduated. Position’s open. Fulfill every criterion. One and a half months. We’ll see your approval rating.”

“I understand~”

“Don’t think looks alone win votes. Without real merit, you’ll crash. Last year’s campus beauty got 0.5%. She withdrew afterward.”

“That vow kiss you mentioned…”

“Dream yourself into Elder Sister first. Then I’ll kiss you daily, *girl*.”

“Um… that’s not what I meant…”

“Time to go. Eat slowly—the lobster yi mein’s coming. Fuel up. Bill’s covered. You’re my betrothed. First meal together? Never on you.”

With a cool flick, Nangong Ruihui slung his jacket over one shoulder. His figure faded into the distance, vanishing from Mu Yao’s gaze.