May’s butt took a solid smack—not painful, but deeply embarrassing. Still, she had no time to dwell on it and hurried inside.

Before she even touched the nurse’s office door, noisy voices spilled out: Zhao Xiaoluo’s… and the new transfer student’s.

The girl was Su Ziqing. On the first day of school, she’d bought bubble tea for the whole class—a clear sign of wealth. Hair cascading like a waterfall, bright lively eyes, effortlessly elegant. Wealthy, beautiful, graceful—the very picture of a well-bred young lady.

During morning recess, Zhao Xiaoluo and Su Ziqing had gone to tour the school. Worried, May faked a stomachache and slipped away from her friends.

But Su Ziqing and Zhao Xiaoluo found her. Su Ziqing had even said, “I’m sorry to be blunt, but a flippant, carefree girl like you isn’t right for Xiao Luo.”

Zhao Xiaoluo didn’t say a single word in May’s defense. Just stood there, blushing, awkwardly scratching the back of his head.

May fled. Now, hand on the doorknob, she hesitated—should she go in?

Then she remembered what that creep had said.

Gathering her courage, she pushed the door open—

XxxxxxX

“No! Su! We just met today—this isn’t appropriate! Really!”

Zhao Xiaoluo was yanked down and pinned beneath her.

“What’s inappropriate? It’s just us. I only want you to stay a little longer. Don’t tell me you’re thinking *that*?”

Su Ziqing straddled Zhao Xiaoluo’s abdomen, pinning him to the infirmary bed with her weight.

“N-no! Of course not!”

“Your face is so red… lying, huh? You little pervert!”

She had him completely cornered. He lay there, not resisting.

Truth was, Zhao Xiaoluo *could* have pushed back. But roughing up a girl felt wrong. And deep down… he didn’t entirely mind.

“Su! We really can’t do this! Seriously—”

Zhao Xiaoluo pleaded. Su Ziqing’s lips curved into a faint, weary smile. She gazed down at him, eyes glinting.

“It’s fine… I just want you to stay with me a little longer…”

After a silence, her expression turned solemn. Zhao Xiaoluo didn’t know why, but this new acquaintance radiated intense dependence.

He stopped struggling.

“Can we talk properly? I’m not someone’s replacement, Su. We can be real friends—just talk, okay?”

He knew she was seeing someone else in him.

“Mm… no. That’s your flaw. Too gentle. Sometimes it’s better to play dumb.”

“Is that so?”

“Your intuition’s sharp, but you lack courage. You say this to me because I’m an outsider. But for someone truly important? You stay silent. You doubt.”

She was perceptive. He instantly thought of someone.

“What should I—”

“Xiao Luo? And… Su… what are you two… doing…?”

May’s gaze drifted slowly—from the bed, to Zhao Xiaoluo, to Su Ziqing straddling him.

“M-May?! How did you—”

“Oh dear~ Entering without knocking is rude, May! Very rude~”

Su Ziqing covered her mouth with a delicate hand, teasing.

“I… I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to intrude…”

Tears welled in May’s eyes. Zhao Xiaoluo hadn’t even tried to push Su off. She turned and ran.

“Hey! May!”

Zhao Xiaoluo flipped Su Ziqing over, jumped off the bed, and chased after her—but Su Ziqing grabbed his arm.

“I like you. Be with me, okay?”

“Wh-what?!”

“I like you. Or… do you prefer spicy girls?”

“No, that’s not the point! I need to—”

“I’m hurt.”

“But I just bandaged it—”

Zhao Xiaoluo turned back. Su Ziqing had ripped the bandage off her knee and tossed it aside. Fresh blood seeped out. She hissed softly in pain.

She’d go this far just to keep him.

Zhao Xiaoluo still ran after May—but she was gone. Only Chen Yaoyi stood nearby.

“Well, well~ If it isn’t my little bro?”

Chen Yaoyi had been leaving when May zoomed past, then Zhao Xiaoluo burst out. He stopped, turned. Zhao Xiaoluo’s disheveled state screamed *something happened*.

“Ah, Teacher Chen… What are you doing here?”

“Uh… none of your business. But your clothes—unseemly!”

Their eyes met. Zhao Xiaoluo flinched, looked away.

Combined with May’s tearful escape… Chen Yaoyi’s suspicion flared.

Without a word, he strode toward the nurse’s office. Zhao Xiaoluo abandoned the chase, trailing behind, stammering excuses.

Chen Yaoyi pushed inside.

Su Ziqing sat innocently on the bed, clutching the blanket tightly over her chest.

He couldn’t tell if she was actually undressed. But she met his gaze without flinching. Bold. Interesting.

“Good afternoon, Teacher Chen,” Su Ziqing greeted first.

“How intriguing,” Chen Yaoyi murmured. “So *this* is what you two were up to?”