He was truly handsome—and growing more so by day. A straight, noble nose. Skin as smooth and pale as porcelain. Thin lips pressed into a delicate line. But what held her gaze longest were his gentle, water-soft eyes and brows—almost too delicate for a boy, carrying a faint, bewitching allure.

He hadn’t shone this brightly before. As the boy’s youthful features matured, like rough stone polished free of grit, he now gleamed—drawing more admirers with every passing day.

You were the one who first noticed the bud. Even now, in full bloom and radiant, it still belongs to you. No one else may glance twice. If anyone dares covet what’s yours? Gouge out their eyes. Make them pay for reaching where they shouldn’t.

The evening breeze lifted the grayish curtain, tousling Xia Qian Ge’s hair. She gently combed a strand aside, her ink-black eyes filled only with him.

The pre-evening-study break stretched long. Most students strolled the playground after dinner to unwind. The classroom stood nearly empty—just scattered footsteps coming and going. No one noticed Xia Qian Ge’s quiet movements in the corner.

She watched, having skipped dinner, afraid to miss this perfect moment. Su Yu slept deeply. The basketball game had drained him; he’d collapsed onto his desk the second he returned.

Her expression twisted—mad infatuation swirling with the bitter ache of longing.

Xia Qian Ge ached to touch his cheek but feared waking him. Her fingertips barely grazed the corner of his lips before pulling back. *God, I’m tired of this.* Sneaking like a shadow-thief. But not yet. Just… wait a little longer.

She clenched her thighs against the sour flutter rising low in her belly, a flush creeping up her pale skin. *No… I shouldn’t crave his body.* But why couldn’t she stop? Not just his soul—*everything* about him, body included, should be hers.

After all… she was here first.

Suddenly, Xia Qian Ge shot a venomous glare at the half-empty mineral water bottle on Su Yu’s desk—the one he’d gulped from.

That other girl’s face flashed in her mind. For the first time, a flicker of crisis stirred. *He likes me.* Why else would he sneak glances at my profile? Message me silly topics? Even pretend a confession was just “Truth or Dare”?

If *she’s* the reason he’s changing… plans must shift. No one touches what’s mine.

Jealousy strips reason. Leaves only ugliness.

Xia Qian Ge stared at the bottle—each second sharper, like a thorn lodged in her throat. Silently, she lifted it, dropped it into the trash, then scattered crumpled paper over it.

A gentle smile returned to her lips. Once more, she was the kind, flawless girl everyone knew: Xia Qian Ge.

…

A tingling itch on his neck jolted Su Yu awake.

He blinked. The itch vanished. Confused, he scanned the half-empty classroom. Only he remained in this corner… and—

His pupils tightened. A pork floss bread. A fresh bottle of mineral water. Neatly placed on his desk.

*Who left these?* He glanced ahead. Xia Qian Ge sat bent over her homework, her profile serene, impossibly lovely.

He tapped her back lightly with his pen. She turned, eyes calm and waiting.

“Bread and water—who left these?”

“Me,” she said softly, nodding toward the desk. “Heard your team won. Saw you were still asleep after dinner, so I brought these.”

“Oh. Thanks.”

Su Yu yawned, sleep still heavy in his eyes—then froze. *My half-finished bottle… He Muqing’s bottle… gone.*

“Wait, my other water? The half-empty one?”

“Didn’t see it,” Xia Qian Ge shook her head, brows furrowed. “Cleaners were here earlier. Maybe it fell and got tossed?”

“Huh. Guess so.”

His stomach growled. He tore open the bread and took a huge bite. *Xia Qian Ge buying me dinner? Never happened last life. “Winner gets spoils”?* He shoved the thought away. Didn’t matter. After graduation, he’d head to Qingchuan, she to Jiangnan—worlds apart. Maybe never meet again.

“Teacher said we’re simulating college apps in the computer lab next week,” Xia Qian Ge said, eyes bright. “Still undecided?”

“Yeah… I’ll think more,” Su Yu swallowed the last bite, washed it down. “My grades aren’t as solid as yours. Can’t dream too far.”

“Better decide soon. I’ll go practice listening.”

She turned. The smile vanished. Ice flooded her eyes. Headphones on—but no study audio played. Only music. *His* playlist. Every song.

Xia Qian Ge listened, heart turning colder. His old songs sounded like a lovestruck teen’s heart. Now? Everything changed. Just like him.

“Xia Qian Ge… English homework? I forgot. Due soon.”

Su Yu tapped her back again. She turned—eyes still shadowed with frost. His breath caught.

“You okay…?”

“Here.” She slid the notebook onto his desk. “Don’t copy blindly. Study the key parts.” Her voice, as always, gentle.

“Thanks.”

He traced the elegant handwriting of *Xia Qian Ge*.

Girls were like water—soft to the touch, impossible to see through.