"Ruihui..." Mu Yao gently tugged Nangong Ruihui's sleeve, hoping he'd forgive him. "How about I give your shoulders a massage?"

When that didn't work, Mu Yao decided to help him relax. He often massaged his mom or little sister back home—seeing their worried faces brighten always made him happy. He was bringing joy to his family.

As a boy, Mu Yao wasn't weak—well, not compared to girls anyway. In an arm-wrestle, most guys in class would still beat him easily.

Yet that just-right pressure made anyone who felt it crave more. Mu Yao's cuteness definitely helped—but he had no idea.

The classroom was spacious. Enough room between desks for someone to move. Mu Yao carried a stool behind Nangong Ruihui. He didn't speak. Didn't refuse.

"I'm starting now~"

Hands resting softly on Nangong Ruihui's shoulders, palms pressing, fingers kneading—Mu Yao worked carefully, like handling dough.

*Huh... His shoulders are soft too? Not very broad either...*

He quickly dismissed the thought. Nangong Ruihui had that slender idol look from TV. But his pecs seemed toned—must work out privately.

*Besides, who am I to judge? No one'd know I'm a boy unless I stripped below the waist...*

Nangong Ruihui had no clue what Mu Yao was thinking.

*My chest's pretty developed. Wearing a binder under my clothes—if I skipped it, no amount of "strong pecs" would stop... bouncing while running. I'm not even heavy.*

*Felt stuffy at first. Got used to it. Living alone, I always unbind the second I get back to my dorm. Gotta give it some breathing room.*

*Shoulder massage alone won't reveal I'm a girl. Pushing Mu Yao away might raise suspicion. Bad for keeping up the boy act.*

"Yaoyao, your technique's really skilled. More comfortable than a pro masseur's."

A faint electric tingle traveled from shoulders to abdomen. Nangong Ruihui couldn't help praising him. *Mu Yao's such a sweet girl. So good at charming me.*

Mu Yao froze. "A pro masseur?! Ruihui, you didn't... go to a foot spa?!"

"Can't you fill that head of yours with wholesome thoughts?" Nangong Ruihui sighed, shaking his head. "We have many maids at the Nangong Clan estate—some great at massage—but none beat you. Simple. Where'd your mind even go?"

"Oh, right~"

Made sense. The Nangong Clan was Jinglan City's top family. A castle-sized villa needed staff.

Mu Yao had jumped to conclusions. Nangong Ruihui's words were just too easy to misread.

"So... still mad, Ruihui? Please don't be~"

"Tsk. You think a massage alone fixes everything? Too easy." Nangong Ruihui said it sarcastically, intentions elsewhere.

"Mm... What else do you want? I'll try my best," Mu Yao promised earnestly.

"Hehe. Something... even more comfortable than a massage?"

Mu Yao's cheeks flushed, heart pounding. He knew what that meant.

"Ah... You really want it? Isn't it a bit early..."

"Enough." Nangong Ruihui cut it off. *I was just teasing. He actually believed me.*

...

"Yaoyao, as a girl, shouldn't you be more reserved?"

"Only with you, Ruihui! We're destined. And I didn't agree—I just said I'd try. You're assuming too much."

Nangong Ruihui glanced at Mu Yao, now back in his seat. That pure, sincere smile—meant just for her—etched deep into her mind.

*Right. I'm the only classmate who's ever talked to him first. I assumed he acted this way with everyone.*

"Ruihui... sing for me? I really want to hear you~" Mu Yao cooed, chin in hand, eyes soft with affection.

*Honestly, I'm almost impressed with my own acting. Once I'm in character, I become them.*

*Like a guy? Dream on!*

"I'm tone-deaf. Won't sound good," Nangong Ruihui murmured, avoiding eye contact.

"Sing anyway! I'll love it—you're my future beloved," Mu Yao pressed.

"..."

"If you sing, it means you forgive me. If not... I'll lie awake all night. Can you bear your fiancée losing sleep?"

Mu Yao's starlit eyes pleaded irresistibly. Nangong Ruihui's resolve shattered. *Refusing such a flawless girl feels like a crime.*

"But I truly can't. If I could, I would."

"'Two Tigers'? No tune needed."

"Well..."

Trapped. Mu Yao's hopeful gaze. Her own guilt. Classmates watching.

*No turning back now.*

To survive the rest of the day, Nangong Ruihui gave in—but pulled Mu Yao close first. Being overheard? Humiliating. What of her student council president dignity?

*Approachability is required. My personal goal. Also the founding principal's special rule for student council presidents.*

*'O Mary, Mother of Light, pure and holy. The dew-kissed lotus symbolizes your purity.'*

She wouldn't let classmates say she refused "Two Tigers" for Mu Yao. Of course she knew it. Steadying her breath, silently praying to the courtyard's Virgin Mary statue—the first notes playfully escaped her lips:

"Two tigers, two tigers, running fast, running fast. One has no eyes, one has no tail, how strange! How strange~"

*I'm done for.* Nangong Ruihui braced for Mu Yao's storm of laughter.