The classroom wasn’t as noisy as expected—lunch had just ended, and few students had returned yet.

Still, Su Yuejin’s sudden appearance stirred quiet surprise. Their auras clashed: different classes, visibly opposite personalities. They shouldn’t have crossed paths at all.

Luo Shuishui came across as gentle, reserved, quiet. Su Yuejin? Flamboyant, flirtatious, effortlessly alluring.

Lin An had considered waiting to ask Luo Shuishui later. Everyone was watching—wouldn’t it draw too much attention?

Yet this had to involve him somehow. Why else would Su Yuejin seek her out?

After a brief hesitation, he walked to Luo Shuishui’s seat. She looked up.

Their eyes met for one second.

She tucked a stray strand behind her ear, voice soft, a faint smile on her lips. “Something wrong, Lin An?”

“Nothing much. Just wondering what she wanted.”

“Are you worried about her… or me?”

“Mostly satisfying my own curiosity,” he replied vaguely. Luo Shuishui shook her head with a helpless smile. “She wanted to transfer into our class. I refused.”

“I see…” Lin An’s expression froze for half a second. He nodded and returned to his seat.

Luo Shuishui watched his back—and for a moment, *she* was the one stunned.

*Why didn’t he ask… why I refused?*

………………………………

Lin An hadn’t planned to ask. No need. Who knew what Luo Shuishui was thinking? He realized then: he didn’t know her well. People only show what they want others to see.

She probably hoped he’d ask. But he wouldn’t. Asking meant losing ground. Besides—he was certain she no longer liked him.

At least, not anymore.

Love was chaotic, reckless—not warm or pure.

Lin An rested his head on the desk, resumed the Japanese drama Luo Shuishui recommended, then settled in for a nap. Pulling all-nighters dulled memory, fogged the mind, frayed emotions. A noon nap? High ROI.

He slept. Afternoon PE was already halfway through—loosely supervised, more recreation than class. Waking, he glanced at the sunlit field below: students playing basketball. He stepped into the hallway, silent.

Then he spotted Su Yuejin.

Sitting alone under a tree, iced cola in hand, dappled light tracing her cheek. She didn’t seem lonely—not abandoned by others, but as if *she’d* abandoned everyone. Lin An let out a quiet chuckle. He wasn’t sure why.

He went downstairs, bought mineral water. Su Yuejin’s gaze had swept the field the whole time—both classes shared PE, yet she’d missed him.

Until now.

She stood—then saw him walking toward the tree. She sat back down. Lin An joined her.

Deep autumn had cooled the air. Un-swept leaves scattered the ground. His eyes traced her light gray knit sweater, then settled on her face.

“What did you say to Luo Shuishui today?”

“Nothing. My ‘surprise’… gone now.” Her tone held a trace of displeasure—but her glare fixed on Luo Shuishui playing badminton below, teeth faintly gritted.

“We’ll see each other at school anyway. No difference,” Lin An murmured.

“You already asked her?” She turned, studying his calm face. He nodded. She shifted closer until their shoulders touched.

“She broke up with you… why still care?” she muttered.

“Who knows? A woman’s heart is hard to read. A girl’s? Even harder.”

“Then guess what *I’m* thinking.” She cupped his cheeks, eyes crinkling with mischief.

“You’re thinking of kissing me to make Luo Shuishui jealous—she just glanced over.”

“Smart!”

“But I refuse.”

“Scared?”

“Obviously. I’m no little crazy. Can’t keep up with wild ideas.”

He gently moved her hands away. “The sweater looks nice.”

“Compliment my figure directly, hmpf.” She tilted her chin up with a playful hum. “I work out daily, hehe.”

“I know.”

Her waist slender as a willow, skin smooth as cream.

They sat under the tree—a rare quiet moment—chatting softly about school, meals, shows.

Then National Day plans.

“Where to for the holiday?” Su Yuejin’s brows lifted slightly.

“Haven’t decided. Probably game at home.”

“Honor of Kings?”

Lin An subtly shifted ten centimeters away.

“Huh? Don’t guys all play that? Or Onmyoji, Azur Lane, Peacekeeper Elite, Brawl Stars, Arknights, Princess Connect, Honkai Impact 3rd?”

“…I don’t play any. You?” Lin An avoided gacha grinds and blind spending on anime-style games. No judgment—play what brings joy. He just found them too simple. And the matchmaking? Brutally unbalanced. Still… useful for socializing.

“I play LOL.” She added, “League of Legends.”

Lin An reached out, shook her hand firmly.

“Then we still have things to talk about.” He moved back beside her.

“Your rank? Wanna duo?”

“Silver IV.”

“Huh? Can’t queue. I’m Diamond IV on Electric Two.” A flicker of pride in her voice. Lin An nodded, inwardly relieved.

*Good. Saves time. No profit anyway. Truly a loss.*

“But I can carry you after school?” Her eyes sparkled.

“Ah… no. Got plans.” *Miss Xiao Chacha’s Diamond II promotion match is critical.*

“How are you always busy? You ranked second in exams—you don’t need to study! What *do* you do?”

“Read. Write. Draw. Sleep.”

Su Yuejin blinked. “You promised to send me your book. Haven’t yet.”

“Later.” He felt no guilt. Skills that earn money? Respectable. Charm girls via Honor of Kings? Cool. Network socially? Cool. Earn ten grand monthly? Extremely cool.

They chatted longer. Su Yuejin’s eyes gleamed with quiet delight.

“Do you like my outfit today?”

Light gray sweater hugged her frame, revealing neck and a hint of collarbone. Light blue jeans traced slender legs—calves hidden.

“Huh? Honestly… your waist and legs are the highlights. No extras needed.” He knew what she meant.

People always wanted others’ girlfriends in less: tiny tops, micro shorts, thigh-highs. For their own? A little modesty.

But Lin An didn’t care. Style was personal. Never to judge. Never.

“So you admit my legs are nice?”

She whispered into his ear. He nodded slightly. Joy bloomed in her eyes. She looped her arms around his neck. “Come to my place tonight. I’ll let you see… and touch, okay?”

“Ah? Not really. Truly busy tonight.”

“Tomorrow night?”

“Also busy.”

“Superhero saving the world nightly?”

“I’m a ‘super sea king’—dates with different girls every night.”

“Wow. Any prettier than me? Hmm?”

“None currently. But my ex was prettier.”

“Luo Shuishui?”

“No. Luo has a better personality, but her figure’s petite—not my type. *Yours* is. My ex-ex? Great figure, gentle… clever as a fox.”

“The one ‘tricked away by another man’?”

“That was a story. A lie to deceive *you*, Miss Su Yuejin. I said it. You didn’t believe me.” He gave a wry smile.

“Then, Mr. Lin An… who *was* she?”

“If I say… you might know her. But you won’t believe me. Pointless. And honestly?” He added sheepishly, “Seventy percent chance you’ll bite me if we keep talking.”

Su Yuejin’s cold smile faded. “You *know* you keep praising other girls to provoke me, right?”

“Yes.”

“But I’m not angry. Hehe. Does *that* annoy you?”

“…”