“Huh—huh? Ruihui, you’re awake…” Mu Yao met Nangong Ruihui’s gaze, flustered, with nowhere to hide.

“How did I wake up? You sound disappointed. Planning to strip me and start a ‘thorough battle’ if I didn’t wake?” Nangong Ruihui snorted coldly. “Hmph. Confess—what indecent things did you do while I was asleep?”

She leaned closer over Mu Yao beneath her. Faces inches apart, Ruihui’s warm, slightly damp breath washed over Yao. Mu Yao’s eyes flickered; her cheeks flushed.

“N-no… I just touched your lips! You’re the one pinning me down so hard…”

Those wide, blinking eyes betrayed everything. Ruihui lifted Yao’s chin, voice playful. “Really, my little cutie? Then why do I feel someone poking my chest? Surely not you, right~?”

“Yes, yes!” Mu Yao nodded fast. *Ruihui’s actually giving me an out.*

Ruihui stayed silent, smiling, waiting to see how Yao would squirm. *The future Elder Sister should own up to things… but Yao seems…*

“Ruihui, don’t— I’m scared! Okay, fine, I poked your chest! Only ’cause I don’t have pecs myself… Can I wipe your sweat? …Huh? Why aren’t you talking…?”

Mu Yao thought Ruihui’s reaction odd. *She sees me as a girl.* Even if she thought otherwise, was poking near the chest really grounds for interrogation? She hadn’t groped wildly.

“Yaoyao, I’m sorry. Forgive me~ I didn’t mean to ignore you. Don’t leave me.” Ruihui cut in before Yao could speak.

It was half-coercive—Yao had no choice. Pinned beneath her, at her mercy. After all, one girl poking another’s chest wasn’t that scandalous.

“No, no~ I’ve always been by your side. I never left you.”

Mu Yao wavered—unwilling to forgive too fast, yet fearing Ruihui might faint again. She balanced between softening and holding her ground.

Last night’s betrayal still made her shiver. *How could she treat me like that?* All her kindness wasted. Ungrateful. Yao had been the one protecting her—and she’d been so grateful when Ruihui stepped in before.

“What I mean is… your heart is mine. You care only for me. I think… I’ve grown used to it.”

Just imagining Yao siding with Xia Xi soured Ruihui’s mood. She’d frame it as a plea. After all… Yao was her fiancée.

She couldn’t control who Yao liked—but she’d keep her from getting too close to other girls. For now.

“Ruihui, you’re so corny~”

Truth was, at lunch Yao hadn’t sided with Xia Xi. Xia Xi wasn’t ordinary—Yao feared someone might get hurt, especially Ruihui. As student council president, a public scuffle in the cafeteria? Win: accused of bullying. Lose: dignity shattered. No-win.

“Call it corny. You’re my fiancée—can’t I ask this? Last night… I was happy. I didn’t know how to respond. No one’s ever been that kind to me. Can you understand, Yaoyao? At most… I’ll buy ten bags of potato chips to make it up…”

Ruihui exhaled, relieved. Now she waited for Yao’s judgment. *She has to forgive me. Or I won’t know how to face her again.*

“Well then,” Mu Yao said playfully, “I’ll *graciously* accept your apology. But no repeats! My patience has limits. Anyone else? I’d have cut ties already. But for you, Ruihui…”

“Mm, I know. Yaoyao’s the best. I’ll cherish—and yes, tease—you extra carefully.”

The weight lifted. Joy bloomed. The gloom over Ruihui’s heart was finally chased away by a rainbow. Tonight, she’d sleep soundly. Last night, she’d barely slept, worrying Yao suffered more than she did. No more.

Mu Yao turned her head sideways, cheek facing Ruihui. She was leaning *so* close—like one careless breath would lead to a French kiss. Yao’s brain felt starved of oxygen.

Ruihui had been semi-conscious the whole time—from fainting to Yao carrying her to the infirmary. She’d heard Yao’s frantic pleas: *Hold on. Don’t sleep.*

Yao was undeniably kind. She could’ve walked away. Clearly, she’d cast her anger aside.

“Ruihui, do you know how worried I was when you fainted? So troublesome,” Mu Yao chided, voice brimming with tenderness.

“I… I’ve never fainted before. Must’ve been insomnia. Sorry for worrying you, Yaoyao~”

Rest had revived Ruihui. She dismissed concern, blaming it all on sleeplessness. Yao remembered the doctor’s warning clearly. Quietly, she’d take care of Ruihui’s health—it was her silent vow.

“Ruihui… do you remember what you said in bed?” Mu Yao asked, shyly.

“What did I say?”

Clearly blanked out. Yao prompted gently: “You kept calling my name… saying you were cold… wanted a hug…”

“…”

Ruihui froze. *Wait… that actually happened??*

“You complained until I held you. The moment I hugged you, you quieted down…”

“This…”

*So Yao held me all afternoon?* No wonder she felt warm. Yao wouldn’t lie. She never imagined herself acting so coquettish.

“Stop! Maybe I was sleep-talking—it doesn’t count as conscious intent!” Ruihui defended, flustered.

“Ugh… what a waste of a hug.”

Swish—

The infirmary curtain flew open. Zhou Yuan, rushing in after class, covered her mouth and stepped back, eyes wide.

“You two!!”

She didn’t want explanations. Saw Ruihui pinning Yao down. Saw Yao’s mysteriously flushed face. *They just finished being intimate!*

“Zhou Yuan, wait! It’s not what you think!” Mu Yao’s mind went blank, utterly helpless. *Worst timing ever.*