“This… this doesn’t look like judo,” Yang Xu stammered, nerves fraying. The raw, linear force was visually staggering.

“Do you think I’d waste judo on weaklings like you? That’d insult me! But you’re different—I saw you trying to touch Yaoyao, didn’t I? Don’t worry. I’ll beat you just enough that you won’t need a hospital… but you’ll *definitely* regret it.”

Nangong Ruihui burned with fury. Avenging Mu Yao was minor; how dare anyone lay hands on *her* person at Yingshengya Academy? Courting disaster. Begging for death. If she didn’t make a scene right now, everyone would think her soft. A Student Council President *needed* authority—intimidation was non-negotiable.

Seeing Nangong stride forward without fear, the burly Yang Xu stumbled back two steps. This opponent felt dangerous.

Presence mattered. With just one move, Nangong had already won half the battle. She advanced—one step. They retreated—one step.

“Look! Isn’t that President Nangong? So cool!”

“Ahhh, hero saving the damsel!”

“Ugh, why wasn’t *me* the one harassed? She’d hold *me* and ask if I’m okay!”

“Dream on! That’s Mu Yao from Class C, Grade 10—a goddess! You’re a Grade 11 ‘old lady.’ Think President Nangong would glance your way?”

“Can’t I even fantasize?!”

Two girls with silver badges nearly popped their eyes. The elusive Nangong Ruihui—mythical-dragon rare—stood right before them. Excitement rendered them speechless.

Yingshengya Academy issued colored pin badges by grade for management: blue for Grade 10, silver for 11, purple for 12. Strangers could ID grades instantly.

The lackeys trembled—but without Yang Xu’s retreat order, fleeing meant punishment later.

“Argh—!”

Another punch sent Skinny crashing down. Nangong sneered, “Heh~ Relying on shouts to bluff? Pathetic. Train three to five more years before challenging me.”

They rushed forward one by one. Nangong hadn’t even used judo yet. Her deadliest moves were saved for the vilest.

Surrender? Impossible. Yang Xu had street smarts. Nangong was lighter—if he landed one hit, she’d feel it.

She’d anticipated that. Agility had its perks. Judo evasion drills made a brute like Yang Xu trivial.

No words. A spinning side kick—*thud*. Yang Xu dropped. She refused to touch him. Disgusting.

A cliché fairy-tale finale: Nangong rescued him from those with ill intent toward Mu Yao.

“Yaoyao, I hope I’m not late. Sorry for the fright~”

Her smile bloomed—gentle, utterly unlike before. Mu Yao’s heart fluttered; his cheeks flushed crimson.

With a graceful dip, Nangong cradled him mid-air—the classic tango pose.

Afraid of falling, Mu Yao clutched her waist, head resting just below her chest. A faint tremor betrayed his shaken nerves.

*This close to Ruihui… can’t waste it.*

Nangong stroked his silky hair, voice soft: “An ordinary girl would’ve cried. But you didn’t, Yaoyao. So strong~”

Mu Yao stayed silent, hugging tighter. He was a boy—he *couldn’t* cry. Being ganged up on was humiliation enough.

“I never thought thugs like this slipped into Yingshengya. Our scores are higher than average schools. I’ll dig deeper later. Finding even *one* capable Student Council member would ease my load,” Nangong murmured.

Mu Yao’s mind raced: *No one saw under my skirt… forgot safety shorts this morning. Thank goodness that kick was fast.*

“Ruihui, you’re amazing! Are you really a judo red belt?” Mu Yao tilted his head up.

“Mm. Specifically to protect you.”

“But I don’t want protection. Teach me instead?”

Nangong froze. She hadn’t grasped Mu Yao fully—not just strong, but fiercely independent. Girls like her were rare.

“I won’t. You’re a girl. I’m a boy. Even as strangers, protecting you is only natural.”

“Mmph…”

Mu Yao relented—for now. Officially, he *was* presenting as a girl. But he wouldn’t stop. He’d match her. Surpass her. Next time, she might not be there.

“Ruihui… are you wearing perfume? It smells so nice~”

“Ah… ah?”

Flustered, Nangong denied it. She never wore perfume—afraid someone’d guess her secret. She never imagined Mu Yao was a boy. (That thought? Absurd.) Still… boys *could* sense pheromones from the opposite sex.

“I don’t. Must be my clothes.”

Mu Yao’s blush deepened. Even when Zhou Yuan pinned him in the dorm, he felt nothing like *this*. Now… a certain part of him stirred.

*Terrifying.* He shoved the thought straight into the recycle bin. *I’m straight. Always have been.*

Meanwhile, Nangong wondered: *Why does Yaoyao know taekwondo basics? With training, those moves could actually work for self-defense…*

“You two…”

*Clatter.*

Zhou Yuan’s water bottles hit the floor. She’d missed the ambush—the thugs had fled. All she saw was Mu Yao clinging tightly to Nangong.

Her mind *buzzed*.

*Wait… does Yaoyao like guys?!*