The next day, May and Zhao Xiaoluo met in awkward silence. He offered no explanation for his earlier behavior with Su Ziqing—only calling the whole thing an accident.

Zhao Xiaoluo seemed to have caught a cold. Mask covering half his face, dark circles under his eyes, he deliberately avoided May’s gaze. Neither was good with words—especially not around the person they liked. For the entire afternoon, barely a sentence passed between them. Only two things were clarified: a brief mention of yesterday’s incident, and that he wasn’t angry.

May barely registered the lesson. Her attention stayed fixed on Zhao Xiaoluo beside her—exhausted, drowsy. Each time she stole a glance, her eyes accidentally met his looking back. She opened her mouth to ask if he was okay, but seeing his heavy eyelids, she fell silent. Meanwhile, Su Ziqing in the front row kept glancing back at them.

May hated her. Earlier that afternoon, Su Ziqing had refused to leave May’s seat, chatting endlessly with Zhao Xiaoluo as if his cold meant nothing. Still, May couldn’t help wondering why *she* hadn’t fallen ill after standing in the rain so long. No time to ponder—she dashed out to buy cold medicine.

The school store only sold powdered Ganmaoling that needed hot water. Annoying, but necessary. She sprinted back just before class resumed, clutching her pink thermos, racing from the cafeteria—

Only to witness Su Ziqing stepping away from her seat, hand gripping—no, *yanking*—Zhao Xiaoluo’s wrist, placing a small packet of pills on his desk before scurrying back to the front row.

May froze at the doorway. Su Ziqing settled into her seat. Their eyes locked. A smug smile curled Su Ziqing’s lips.

“You!”

May clenched her teeth but no sharp words came. Just then, the plainly dressed girl from earlier slipped in through the back door. After scanning the room, she hurried to Zhao Xiaoluo’s side. They exchanged a few words. She left a thermos on his desk and fled, cheeks flushed.

May stood drenched in sweat, breath ragged—feeling utterly ridiculous.

Zhao Xiaoluo’s gaze shifted from the girl to Su Ziqing, then landed on May at the door. Mask hid half his face, but May read the panic and unease in his eyes. They held the look a heartbeat—then looked away.

Zhao Xiaoluo dropped his head first, dodging May’s burning stare. Only then did May turn away in despair.

Her eyes fell to the steaming thermos in her hands. She’d run with the lid open to cool it; hot water had splashed her palms—stinging, painful. Yet earlier, that very sting had felt meaningful, proof she was doing something for him. Now? All for nothing.

Why was she even here?

The class bell chimed overhead. *Ding.* Each ring pressed heavier on her chest.

*You pervert… you lied to me!* she screamed inwardly. She squeezed the cup tighter. Scalding pain seeped through the metal—a sharp, burning reminder of the truth.

The whole class had seen Su Ziqing’s flirtatious gestures, the plainly dressed girl’s visit. All eyes now settled on May, frozen at the door.

More than embarrassment, a hot urge to cry welled up.

*You said it was a misunderstanding… then why accept their kindness?* Su Ziqing’s teasing glances screamed *not just friends*.

*Why won’t Zhao Xiaoluo just say something?*

May’s legs trembled. She tried stepping back to vanish from view—

“Hey, don’t block the door! Class is starting!” a voice grumbled behind her.

“Ah…”

She turned. Seeing Chen Yaoyi’s face, she bit her lip hard—metallic blood flooded her mouth before she realized how fiercely she’d clenched.

Chen Yaoyi frowned. Glanced at smug Su Ziqing up front. Then at Zhao Xiaoluo by the window, eyes darting away. He pieced it together.

“Uh… you! May’s best friend—An Ge! Come here! Take May to the nurse’s office—*now*!” He tapped his textbook against his forehead, struggling to recall the name.

“It’s *An Ge*!” a bun-haired girl in the second row snapped, face flushed with embarrassment. The class erupted in laughter.

Tension eased—for everyone but May and Zhao Xiaoluo.

“Hand it over. I’m sick,” Zhao Xiaoluo muttered unconvincingly. He pried the scalding thermos from May’s tight grip and walked straight to the podium.

May stared at frowning An Ge rushing toward her, then at Chen Yaoyi at the front—completely lost.

“Come *on*! Let’s go!” An Ge puffed her cheeks, yanking May away. Weak-kneed, May stumbled, collapsing against her friend’s shoulder.

At the podium, an unremarkable teacher tapped the desk. Class began.