By afternoon, no one really had the heart to focus on class. Homeroom teacher Mr. Wang turned the Chinese lesson into a class meeting—not just for announcements, but most importantly, seat reshuffling.

"Alright, let’s begin changing seats," Mr. Wang cleared his throat and pulled out a prepared seating chart. "This arrangement is based on academic performance. Desk partners should support and complement each other…"

He projected the chart onto the big screen.

Feng Yijiu squinted slightly. Honestly, she was a little reluctant to leave her current sweet spot—but the teacher had clearly placed her in row three, group two.

Li Hao scanned the chart. Relief washed over him when he saw Feng Yijiu wasn’t his new partner… followed by a strange, indescribable twinge. Then his eyebrows twitched. *That guy*… was now seated right in front of him.

Good grief. Why does this nuisance haunt him everywhere?

Li Hao was certain—he must be having a seriously unlucky year.

"Everyone, study quietly for a bit. We’ll line up for the auditorium soon. Seats will be changed after class to avoid disturbing other classes," Mr. Wang said, settling at the podium with a dismissive wave.

Feng Yijiu slightly furrowed her brow. Truth be told, she preferred the back rows. And her next desk partner seemed to be a girl… would she notice anything off?

Hmm. Maybe this blockhead beside her wasn’t entirely useless after all.

*Sigh.* Good times were over.

She cherished these last lazy moments. Reading novels in the front three rows? That was practically playing with fire.

"Got snacks?" Feng Yijiu reached straight toward the "Sugar Hoarder" beside her.

Li Hao sighed and handed over half a strip of strong mint candies.

"Alright, head downstairs once seats are changed."

Amid the rumbling of desks being pushed, the great reshuffle began.

"Class Reps! Over here!" Mr. Jiang appeared at the door, gave Mr. Wang an apologetic smile, and called out.

"Math reps, go ahead. I’ll have others move your desks," Mr. Wang said kindly, waving Feng Yijiu and Li Hao forward.

"Come help count these papers," Mr. Jiang said. "Two sets—A4 exercise sheets. Simple. No need to collect; we’ll review tomorrow."

"You’re too slow." Feng Yijiu snatched the stack after finishing. Li Hao was still flipping pages one by one. "Watch: tilt the corner like this. Count faster."

Thanks to Li Hao’s slowness, the class had already marched off to the auditorium.

Feng Yijiu spotted the snack shop tucked in the building’s corner.

"Want anything?" she asked Li Hao.

"No thanks." He kept his nose in his vocabulary book.

She bought fruit milk candies and a small cookie box—over an hour ahead, after all.

"Here." She tossed him a strip.

Li Hao caught it, waiting.

"Bored." She rolled her eyes dramatically.

"Yijiu, over here." Mr. Wang guided them into the auditorium. Their class was already seated, so they squeezed into the outermost spots.

Li Hao felt annoyed. The moment the teacher left, this "hamster" beside him started munching—shattering his study focus.

Then the lights dimmed one by one. Any hope of studying vanished.

But darkness didn’t stop Feng Yijiu’s snacking fervor.

Li Hao finally gave in. He unwrapped the candy, peeled the foil, and popped one in.

Two boys and two girls—the student hosts—stepped onto the stage.

"Teachers, fellow students, good afternoon…"

"Sooo… how’d you fall for Zhou Wenyao?" Feng Yijiu whispered, bored by the long script.

"Well…"

"Just thirsty for her, huh?" She flashed a knowing, mischievous grin. "Wenyao really is gentle."

Li Hao nodded silently. *Finally, something sensible.*

"But competition’s fierce," she added with a wicked smirk. "Heard a guy’s chased her since middle school. Super persistent."

Li Hao’s chest tightened. He leaned in to ask—

—but she’d already zoned out. The show was starting.

*Ugh. Why does every chat with you end on a cliffhanger?* He felt that breath stuck in his throat.

"Whoa! First act’s from our class!" Feng Yijiu murmured, watching four elegantly dressed girls take the stage.

Three accompanied; one sang an ancient-style song of this world. Feng Yijiu listened, utterly absorbed.

"Who’s that guy you mentioned?" Li Hao finally blurted after the song ended.

"What guy?" Feng Yijiu blinked, staring at him like he was a clueless normie.

Li Hao: ??

"Oh, *that*," she said slowly, just as he was about to burst. "Qingqing mentioned it. Didn’t give details."

Li Hao clenched his jaw—and crushed the hard candy in his mouth.

*Crunch. Crunch.*

Feng Yijiu shrank back. *Does this guy have ‘devour-you-without-a-trace’ energy?*

*What did the poor candy ever do?*

Defiantly, she tore open her cookies and bit down with exaggerated force.

*Crackle. Crackle.* Hers was way more efficient.

And tooth-friendly. Non-sticky. Perfect.

Amid their silent snack rivalry, the hosts returned to the stage. This announcement made both sit up straight, posture perfect.

"…Next, please welcome Zhou Wenyao, Ma Qianqian, and eleven classmates from Class 16 with their chorus performance…"