"'Weren't we... I mean...'" The sparkle in the girl’s eyes slowly dimmed, leaving hollow, lifeless pupils. Noticing this strange shift, Chen Yaoyi’s brow furrowed. He quickly corrected himself: "Hate you? What nonsense are you spouting?"

It was a lesson from his past life—nearly losing his kidneys. When a girl spoke hesitantly with dull eyes, danger often followed.

But even after his correction, the girl only softened slightly.

"Then what did you mean by that?"

Her voice carried a faint quiver.

"I just want you to understand—I’m a new teacher. We can discuss things, but don’t cross the line—"

"Where did I—"

She nearly stood to argue, then seemed to recall something, blushed, and sat back down.

"You want to know why too, right?"

"N-no, it’s not that I don’t..."

Truth was, it was partly Chen Yaoyi’s doing: walking her to school, drinking the cold medicine she’d made herself. Handsome guy, pretty girl—it was bound to spark rumors.

"Since you know, please don’t come find me in front of everyone next time."

He didn’t care much about others’ opinions of him, but the heroine’s reputation had to stay clean. After all, May was destined to end up with the male lead, Zhao Xiaoluo. Any stain, and readers wouldn’t accept it.

"I-I’ll try..."

She lightly clenched her fists, as if urging herself on.

Kinda cute, that little gesture.

"Honestly, confiding in someone trustworthy might help. What about Ang? Your bestie seems to care—"

"Eh... but she just tells me to give up..."

Catching Chen Yaoyi’s eye-roll, May suddenly had an idea. Remembering his flirting tips, she began mustering fake emotion.

*If it weren’t for work, I’d tell you to give up too*—Chen Yaoyi’s honest thought. But before he could speak, May cut in with a deliberately delicate sob:

"But aside from you, you pervert... I have no one else to turn to..."

Her words trapped him. She’d remembered his lesson: strategic softening wins points.

Still, she refused to drop the "pervert" nickname.

May slowly raised a hand to cover half her face, yet kept stealing glances. Clearly testing him.

"*Sigh...*"

Probably the loudest sigh he’d let out since arriving in this world.

"I’ll help you. But after this, don’t bother me again."

"Really?!"

May lunged forward, bracing her hands on his chair arms, eyes sparkling with hope.

Her once-bright face had faded. The playful, slightly coquettish girl from their first meeting was now worn thin by hardship.

Loving someone, acting bold for him, swallowing endless bitterness—Zhao Xiaoluo gave her only pain. She clung to "sweetness after bitterness," but the suffering had lasted too long.

"Too close—"

Chen Yaoyi raised a hand, stopping her face just short of his. His palm also discreetly blocked the slight uniform gap.

"B-but you said to close the distance with Xiaoluo! I’m just rehearsing!"

"Appropriately. Too close repels; too far does nothing. Step back."

"Okay..."

May blinked, blushing as she retreated. Her flimsy excuse actually worked—embarrassment flushed her cheeks. She hadn’t even realized she’d left the sofa until he pointed it out.

She straightened up, chest out, instantly catching his gaze—but stretched and yawned right after, missing his glance entirely.

The moment she finished, Chen Yaoyi’s eyes darted: hand, textbook, ceiling, her chest, her cheeks.

A tiny tear escaped from yawning.

Watching her wipe it away, Chen Yaoyi recalled Yaya’s earlier call. Finally, he chose his "extra’s method" to help this hopeless heroine.

"Tomorrow after school, meet me at the sports storage room. Door’ll be open. Last time I help you."

He shot May a look and pointed to the door.

"Last time..."

She wanted to ask, but he waved her off.

"This is your best shot. Whether you take it is up to you."

"I-I will! I’ll do my best!"

Fists clenched tight, she beamed like a chirping sparrow and dashed out.

"*Sigh...* Just a kid..."

(Though he was only five years older.)

Once she vanished, Chen Yaoyi opened the drawer and took out Su Ziqing’s business card.

It listed her father Su Yu’s name and number—but enough to reach Su Ziqing herself.

He dialed.

"Hello? Good day. I’m a teacher from school. Could you please pass a message to your daughter, Su Ziqing? Thank you."