As it turned out, May had overthought it. During the break between second and third period that morning, she spotted the blond guy again—right in her line of sight.

"Yo! Hey, beautiful, quick question?"

Chen Yaoyi flashed a dazzling, sunny-boy grin, teeth gleaming. The girl pinned against the wall instantly saw pink sparkles.

"Y-yes! Of course!"

Eyes locked on his face, the wall-pinned girl stammered.

Arms full of textbooks, May walked through the courtyard with her friends. Catching that all-too-familiar scene, a wave of nausea rose in her throat.

"May? You okay? Aren’t we heading to the science building?"

Her friend turned back, noticing May had stopped.

May forced a smile, gave a slight wave, and said softly, "You go ahead. I’ve got something to handle…"

"Alright—just don’t be late!"

After the reminder, May stood alone.

The school courtyard connected all academic buildings, dotted with flowerbeds—a decent date spot, if not for the disciplinary master’s ever-watchful eyes. It was also the first place you reached after entering the main gate.

"Could you tell me where the principal’s office is—"

Before Chen Yaoyi finished, May kicked him squarely. He stumbled sideways toward the flowerbed, barely catching the bench to avoid landing in the damp soil.

"Aren’t you leaving? Waiting to get harassed by this creep?" May snapped at the girl, who scurried off with her head down.

May watched her retreat, then shot a glare at the man now standing behind her. "Pervert."

"As a reunion gift… a little harsh, don’t you think?" Chen Yaoyi rubbed his waist and brushed the faint footprint off his suit.

"What are you doing here?" May turned, shot him a glare, tightened her grip on her books, and subtly stepped back.

"Just checking on your love life!" Chen Yaoyi shamelessly closed the distance.

"Disgusting! Like I need your concern?"

"Come on—lay off the hostility. We’re comrades-in-arms sharing a secret, right? And I’ve got a legit reason to be here today!"

"A flirt like you? What ‘legit reason’? Disgusting!" May ignored his explanation completely.

Chen Yaoyi looked sharp—tailored suit, slicked-back hair, briefcase in hand—but to May, he was all dressed up and still a scoundrel. Truth was, he was here as a guest lecturer, temporarily replacing a teacher on maternity leave. Per company orders, he’d stay on as the flirtatious blond teacher until May and Zhao Xiaoluo’s relationship played out. (Why the hair was still blond? Nobody knew.)

"Alright, alright—this isn’t the place to talk. Walk with me?" Chen Yaoyi grinned, gesturing toward the distant building.

"Hah? Why the hell would I—"

Annoyance flashed across May’s face—then panic. She spotted a familiar figure approaching. Her eyes darted for cover.

"Hm?"

Reading her expression, Chen Yaoyi turned—only to be yanked by May into a narrow path behind the building.

Face to face: Chen Yaoyi leaned against the wall; May braced her hands beside his shoulders, sneaking glances back toward the courtyard.

"Look—"

"Shh!"

May clamped a hand over his mouth, tense. Zhao Xiaoluo walked over with a chubby classmate, pausing exactly where they’d stood moments ago.

"Huh? Did I just see… May?" he muttered.

His friend shot him a skeptical look. After scanning the area, Zhao Xiaoluo sighed and walked on.

*No way another girl has her ash-blonde hair and figure… Wait—was she with some guy?* He shook his head. *Must’ve imagined it. Someone like me… asking about her life? Way out of line.*

May and Zhao Xiaoluo shared chemistry next—hence crossing the courtyard. Chen Yaoyi was headed to the admin building. Lost, he’d tried asking for directions… and got kicked mid-sentence.

Now *he* was pinned. May’s hand covered his mouth; her body kept careful distance. *Why so dramatic?* he thought. *Totally unnecessary.*

After Zhao Xiaoluo vanished, May pulled her hand back and wiped it briskly on her skirt.

"Goodbye. And leave. Now." She shot Chen Yaoyi one last glare and turned.

*If Xiaoluo saw us together… he’d remember yesterday. Especially me wrapped in Chen’s jacket. He can’t find out we ate together.*

"Wait! Don’t go—I haven’t said my piece!" Chen Yaoyi grabbed her arm, stopped her, then released instantly.

"Trying to make me hate you more? Huh? Want me to call the cops?"

"Hey… no need to be hostile. We *did* share a meal. And you wouldn’t want Zhao Xiaoluo knowing about yesterday… would you, May?"

"You—!"

May went pale. *This morning, Xiaoluo finally explained why he stood me up… and now Chen’s using it to threaten me?*

"You think that little—"

"Let me be clear," Chen Yaoyi cut in, voice low. "You really don’t want Zhao Xiaoluo learning you had dinner with me… or that I called you *my wife*, do you? May?"