Mu Yao’s gaze was sincere, untouched by even a trace of impurity. When he looked at Nangong Ruihui, there was no hesitation—as if what he said were utterly true.
Setting everything else aside, one thing Mu Yao had upheld from start to finish was this: he wanted Nangong Ruihui to feel happy simply because he existed. That alone held the deepest meaning.
“I…” Nangong Ruihui stopped herself mid-sentence to spare Mu Yao’s feelings. *I can’t be your fiancé.*
From kindergarten through high school, Nangong Ruihui had never made a close female friend. She’d always walked her own path. Mu Yao was the first girl she could truly connect with.
But gender was an uncrossable line. She couldn’t possibly be with a girl. Not like that.
*If only Mu Yao were a boy…* Nangong Ruihui was sure she’d drop every reservation and pursue her. She genuinely liked Mu Yao’s personality—being around her felt so easy.
“What is it?”
The Totoro-patterned umbrella was petite—a single-person ladies’ style. Mu Yao deliberately leaned closer to Nangong Ruihui. She noticed. Now Mu Yao was the one getting soaked.
“Nothing… Yaoyao, you’re too kind. No girl’s ever been this thoughtful to me.” Nangong Ruihui softened her tone, not wanting to hurt him.
“Me being good to you? I feel *you’ve* been kinder. I can’t even buy you fancy chocolates like other girls… I don’t even know your birthday.” Mu Yao lowered his head, eyes fixed on Nangong Ruihui’s hands tucked in her pockets, a hint of dejection in his voice.
Nangong Ruihui felt tears welling. She used to pride herself on a high tear threshold—why did it plummet the moment she was with Mu Yao?
“June 18th. Yours?”
“August 18th. Exactly two months earlier—it’s the same day~” Composing himself, Mu Yao looked up with an innocent, radiant smile.
“Because I kept bullying you… I thought you’d hate me.” The memory of that kick remained vivid.
“Even when Ruihui teases me, you’ve always looked out for me.” Mu Yao only remembered how she’d protected and cared for him.
Rain poured harder. Drill instructors finally signaled students to seek shelter—soaking weaker boys risked colds.
They couldn’t compare civilians to military recruits, sturdy as bullfrogs after months of training. Forcing the same standard on everyone was wrong.
“Come on, I’ll take you to the dorm supervisor to borrow a hairdryer.” Nangong Ruihui instinctively grabbed Mu Yao’s small hand and pulled.
“Ah~”
Mu Yao didn’t react fast enough. Rain-slicked skin slipped right from her grasp.
He quickly caught up and took her hand again. The engagement agreement said: *If both were boys, sworn brothers.* Since they couldn’t be together, distance wasn’t necessary.
He… seemed to feel something new toward Nangong Ruihui. Something steady. Reliable.
…
“Yo~ Student Council President, need something?”
The dorm supervisor—a bona fide otaku in her late twenties who lived in the dorms binge-watching dramas—was nicknamed “Head of Dorm Life” by the student council.
“Hairdryer, please.” Nangong Ruihui’s voice held urgency. Mu Yao looked like the type to catch a chill.
She returned with a compact but powerful dryer.
“President Nangong, is this your girlfriend? So pretty~ You two match!” The supervisor winked teasingly.
“N-no, teacher, don’t guess wildly.”
“Teacher, I’m not his girlfriend. I’m his fiancée.”
Mu Yao’s perfectly timed reply darkened Nangong Ruihui’s face. The supervisor burst into laughter. “Never took you for someone with a fiancée already!”
Warm air brushed Mu Yao’s skin. A flicker of warmth stirred in his chest—just like when his mom blow-dried his hair as a kid. Standing and spinning slowly for “even heat,” then sitting once taller, finally doing it himself in middle school.
“Yaoyao, take off your jacket~”
After drying Mu Yao’s long hair, Nangong Ruihui reached for her damp clothes. A warm towel for her neck too—only then would she feel at ease.
The request was bold, but Nangong Ruihui, being a girl herself, didn’t notice. Mu Yao merely shivered slightly before slipping off his jacket, revealing a simple white tank top.
The supervisor watched silently. *When a girl goes this far… she likes the boy. Does Ruihui even realize?*
“Yaoyao, your chest is so flat. Sixteen and still like this… maybe it’ll bloom later?” Nangong Ruihui remarked casually.
“R-really? I hope so…”
Mu Yao stuck out his tongue playfully. *His chest growing? Impossible.* But since she said it… maybe padding later. Avoid more suspicion.
“See? My pecs—pretty solid~” Nangong Ruihui patted her chest, tightly bound beneath the fabric, boasting lightly. *Maybe this’ll ease his doubts.*
“Ruihui’s so strong—you must train hard. Can I touch them? I’ve never felt a boy’s pecs before.” Mu Yao’s gaze tilted upward.
“Uh… maybe another time.”
*Regret.* Classic case of shooting herself in the foot. Why pretend to be a muscle guy?! Now trouble’s here!
Mu Yao genuinely wanted to feel those broad, solid pecs. He hoped to build strength like that someday—to protect the ones he loved.
…
Five days of military training vanished in a blink. Mu Yao massaged Nangong Ruihui’s shoulders, kneaded her legs, brought water, chatted when she was down. Other boys could only envy.
Nangong Ruihui felt spoiled. Even vanity bloomed—Mu Yao’s devotion felt uniquely hers.
*Special times need special care.* Training was grueling. With student council duties waiting, Mu Yao wanted her rested, not drained. Ignoring his kindness now would be pretentious. Her heart was flesh and blood too.
“Ruihui… will you bully me again?” Sitting side by side, Mu Yao asked softly, eyes wide.
“I won’t. Never again.”
*The real Nangong Ruihui—*
*Hahahahaha! Not bully you? Impossible! What’s the point of a fiancée if you can’t have a little fun with her?!*
