The next day, Yijiu Feng walked into class—only to find a disheveled panda sitting right behind her.

Yijiu Feng: ???

Seeing that same hollow-eyed look Xiao Juzi had right after being neutered, Yijiu Feng steeled herself, kept her expression composed, and walked over to pat Li Hao’s shoulder with grave solemnity.

*Bro, seriously? Not that deep. Not at all.*

Watching her offer this solemn comfort, Li Hao felt something shift. For the first time, this unnaturally handsome guy didn’t seem so bad.

After dropping her bag, Yijiu Feng slumped onto her desk—barely holding it together. Her expression left deskmate Ruan Ming utterly baffled.

Today, Li Hao unusually left her alone.

Seated up front, Yijiu Feng didn’t dare slack off either. She studied quietly during class. The teacher didn’t object—tacitly approving her head start.

“Ugh, c’mon. You can’t grind games like this…” After the bell, Yijiu Feng turned to Li Hao.

“I just wanted one win before bed,” Li Hao mumbled listlessly. Thinking of his near-Platinum rank versus the genuine King-tier player before him, he felt utterly defeated by life—that trash game.

*Sir! No one’s policing cheaters?! How can someone ace studies, be hot, rich, AND dominate games?!*

*Damn designer—doesn’t this monster deserve a nerf?!* Li Hao raged inwardly.

“Pfft. Climbing ranks? I’ll teach you!” Yijiu Feng clapped his shoulder generously—while silently condemning her own mischievous streak.

Li Hao felt a flicker of shame. Gazing at that exquisitely handsome face, he nodded. “Okay.”

*This friend? Accepted. Not quite a brother yet—but rival? Troublemaking buddy? Absolutely.*

“But don’t slack on studies. I’ll lose respect,” Yijiu Feng added after a pause, feeling she should toss this clueless guy a lifeline.

*Too easy to fool… makes the instigator feel guilty.*

Hearing her faux-stern tone, warmth bloomed in Li Hao’s chest. “Once your leg heals, I’ll take you balling. Need help with rehab?”

Yijiu Feng: !!!

*Ugh. I know he means well—but why does sincere mockery feel this brutal?!*

“…Thanks,” she muttered, face twitching as she swallowed back a mouthful of vintage blood.

*Ding-ding-ding!* The bell saved her. She turned away—topic neatly dodged.

Politics class. The stern teacher + Li Hao’s sleep deprivation = heavy eyelids.

He popped two strong mints, chased them with icy iced tea—*jolt!* Alert.

Noticing Yijiu Feng ahead also slumping, he hesitated, then gently poked her back with the half-strip of mints.

She jolted, spotted the candies on her bag, slipped one in, and slid the rest onto his desk.

*Hmph. One candy to bribe me?*

*Keep the sugar coating. Return the shell. And no—Zhou Wenyao won’t hear a good word from me.*

“Li Hao!” The teacher caught him fidgeting. “Answer!”

Yijiu Feng heard frantic page-flipping behind her. With a sigh, she formed a silent “C” under the desk.

“T-Teacher… C. Option C.”

“Correct. Sit. Pay attention next time.” The warning landed softly—elite-class reality: science-bound talents rarely prioritized humanities.

Li Hao exhaled. *Almost became the chicken meant to scare the monkeys.*

Once the teacher left, Li Hao tapped her shoulder. “Thanks.”

“Tch. Zero sincerity,” Yijiu Feng rolled her eyes. “Show real gratitude!”

Watching this rich kid demand payment, Li Hao grumbled inwardly—but recognized her style.

Gritting his teeth, he pulled out his last bill. “Here. Today’s allowance. Figure it out.”

“Hah?” Yijiu Feng blinked at the twenty-yuan note. *His dad’s a board member—even a silent one—and this is all?!*

She thought of her vault-like card, WeChat wallet linked to Dad’s account… yet *he* worried *she* lacked cash?

Seeing Li Hao’s pitiful twenty, exploitation felt pointless.

“Forget it. You owe me,” she waved dismissively. “Short on cash? Tell me.”

Li Hao looked up—*Possessed?!*

“Stop grinning like a dreamer. It’s repayable,” she snapped. “Interest applies. Can’t pay? I’ll ask Uncle Li.”

His near-tears vanished. *Sentimental idiot.*

“Anyway.” Yijiu Feng turned lazily—then swiveled back, whispering: “Hey… debut as a female cosplayer? I’ll be your sugar daddy.”

Li Hao clenched his fists. *Gentleman uses words, not fists…*

*Damn. We’re not starving! Who invented “raise sons poor, daughters rich”?!*

Chest heaving, he hissed: “One more bet. Midterms. Same stakes?”

“Ugh. Done it once,” Yijiu Feng scoffed. “No novelty left.”

“Then… a *reasonable* condition?” Li Hao glared, mentally shoving her into a dress.

*Come on! Hurt each other! Chicken out = dog!*