"Please… could you… please stop staring… staring at my classmate?"

The boy forced the words out, eyes fixed firmly on the floor, unable to meet the gaze of the blond-haired man before him.

Chen Yaoyi frowned at the boy’s flustered, timid posture. *If you’re a man, stop being so wishy-washy!*

"Haa—ah!"

He’d meant to shoo the boy off—but a sharp kick from under the table made him yelp.

May stomped hard on his foot, gripped the floral shirt with both hands, and shot Chen Yaoyi a glare from where Zhao Xiaoluo couldn’t see—*Don’t you dare be rude to Xiao Luo.*

"Are you alright?" Zhao Xiaoluo asked, noticing Chen Yaoyi’s pained expression.

"Ah, n-nothing…" Chen Yaoyi rubbed his calf with a wry chuckle and waved him off. *May’s still obviously pissed.*

"If you’re fine… could you please stop staring? My friend is scared!" Zhao Xiaoluo’s voice rose slightly on the word "friend."

*Is he the type who’d endure anything for himself… but go to any lengths for a friend?*

Chen Yaoyi’s gaze flickered from May to Zhao Xiaoluo. He wasn’t trying to corner the boy—he saw May’s panicked eyes, her white-knuckled grip on the shirt—and decided to help.

Zhao Xiaoluo stood beside her, the oversized floral shirt swallowing her head. Only strands of flaxen hair peeked out.

"Actually, little bro!" Chen Yaoyi beamed, scratching his neck. "I just saw my younger self in you two! Back then, I was *that* shy with my girlfriend too!"

"So sorry! Stared at you lovebirds a bit too long—"

"Uh… I-I… we… um… that is…" Zhao Xiaoluo’s ears flushed slightly. *She’s not my girlfriend—just a plain girl I’m friends with!* Teased like this, he froze.

"Mmph…"

May’s grip tightened. She bit her lip hard, glaring daggers at Chen Yaoyi.

*Why say something so cruel? Hurting me again?* Yet curiosity burned: *Who’s the girl he mentioned? Does he… really hate me?*

"N-no! We’re not like that! Just ordinary friends—we ran into each other today…"

A flicker of dejection crossed Zhao Xiaoluo’s face. *May…*

"Just friends? But you’re dressed so sharp today—*really*?" Chen Yaoyi grinned. "Hehehe…" Obliviously, he waved Zhao Xiaoluo closer.

May yanked the shirt over her face, turned sideways to listen—and kicked Chen Yaoyi’s calf.

"Hss… Seriously not?" He reached down to rub it—*thump!*—another kick to the hand.

"Yes," Zhao Xiaoluo replied softly.

Naturally curious about the hidden girl, he had no idea she was his date. *Handsome guy, hot girl…* Her outfit was undeniably spicy… and oddly familiar. *Like May?*

"I was supposed to meet a friend today… but things went wrong. Phone died. Couldn’t contact her. I’ll apologize Monday…"

"Oho! Must be someone special, huh? Hehe—*ow!*" Chen Yaoyi slung an arm around his shoulder—only to get kicked again under the table.

"Ahhh! My bad! Too forward—I get excited seeing young couples like you! Really!" Chen Yaoyi laughed, glancing at May. Her fingertips were red. *Hearing his words… she’s blushing.*

"May I… ask you something?"

Surprised but guilty, Chen Yaoyi nodded.

"What is it?"

"You seem experienced… If I stood up a friend today… and apologized… could we make up?" Zhao Xiaoluo frowned, voice tight with worry.

"Of course—*ah!*"

May shot up—but Chen Yaoyi swept her legs swiftly, dropping her back onto the sofa.

"Uh… what was that…?" Zhao Xiaoluo tilted his head. *That voice… sounds familiar.*

"Nothing! Totally fine! Just explain clearly—misunderstandings clear up easy!" Chen Yaoyi cut in loudly. *They both still like each other…*

"This little hiccup? Nothing! Trust me!"

"I see…" Zhao Xiaoluo relaxed slightly. *I have to fix this. For May.*

"But… who is she? Wearing a soiled shirt like that—won’t she catch cold? And that strange sound just now…"

He almost said *“sounds like May”*—but held back. Genuinely worried.

"Ah… uh… my wife! Yeah, my old lady! We were young once too—that’s why I stared! Ahahaha…"

Blond-haired Chen Yaoyi’s arm rested on protagonist Zhao Xiaoluo’s shoulder. Across the table sat May—the heroine he adored.