A distinct distance had formed between Lu Yu and Lin Beixing during PE class.

But after leaving the infirmary, that gap simply vanished.

Surrounded by classmates, Lin Beixing was gentle and approachable—but with Lu Yu, she showed a different, truer self.

Lu Yu cherished that authenticity.

It made someone as exceptional as Class President Lin feel… not so unreachable.

Before the bell rang, Lu Yu returned to class.

Lin Beixing stepped in first; Lu Yu followed right after.

Ren Jie had somehow fudged the post-PE lineup.

The PE teacher barely knew the roster. Though he noticed fewer faces, he didn’t check names.

Spotting Lu Yu back, Ren Jie patted his chest with relief and grinned.

"Bro Lu, guess how many showed for roll call?"

"Less than half!"

"Nearly half the class stayed in the cool classroom—no one wanted to climb stairs and bake."

"But me! I gritted my teeth and told Teacher Li we were all here. He bought it!"

"Pretty impressive, huh?"

Ren Jie pounded his chest like a gorilla.

"Truly impressive," Lu Yu said flatly, sitting down.

His reply was perfunctory, but Ren Jie didn’t mind. He leaned closer, eyeing Lu Yu’s arm.

"You okay?"

"Nothing at all," Lu Yu shook his head slightly.

Ren Jie’s attention soon drifted. He glanced at Lin Beixing’s group, then back at Lu Yu.

"Bro Lu, we’re buddies. Be real—what’s up with you and Class President Lin?"

"I heard her call you mid-game last night! I barely slept, puzzling over it. You owe me!"

Ren Jie wouldn’t drop it.

Lu Yu had to admit—sometimes he admired that relentless curiosity.

He hesitated.

Truth was, aside from the body swap, there was nothing between him and Lin Beixing.

But he couldn’t tell Ren Jie. Not because he didn’t trust him—but Ren Jie’s big mouth was legendary.

Spill this, and they’d be lab specimens by tomorrow.

"Nothing," Lu Yu waved dismissively.

"Swear it."

"I swear."

"If there’s anything, you’ll eat noodles through your nose!"

"I’ll eat them."

Lu Yu made the bet without blinking.

After all… there really was nothing.

At least, not yet.

Ren Jie sucked in a breath. Lu Yu’s calm certainty almost convinced him.

Knowing Lu Yu wasn’t flippant, Ren Jie reluctantly let it go.

"Fine. I’m crashing. Next class is Chinese self-study—nothing to do." He flopped onto his arms.

"Sleep on," Lu Yu said. "I’ll keep watch."

Ren Jie’s eyes snapped open. "Wait—you’re *not* sleeping?!"

"Not sleeping. Studying sheet music."

Lu Yu recalled Lin Beixing’s words outside the infirmary.

The swap’s cause was still just a guess. No one knew when it’d happen again.

To prepare, he really needed piano basics.

"No way—you’re learning piano?!" Ren Jie looked stunned.

Lu Yu sighed. "Just sleep."

Ren Jie shook his head. *Elementary school is when people start piano… He’s graduating soon. And he’s no prodigy—just another slacker like me.*

But it was Lu Yu’s choice. He stayed quiet and dozed off.

Lu Yu survived Chinese class. English class? No chance.

Three years without vocabulary. Grammar long gone. His faint language sense evaporated under the teacher’s shaky pronunciation.

English felt like listening to chanting sutras—hypnotic. He listened, grew drowsy, slumped… and slept straight till dismissal.

A muffled commotion stirred him awake.

He checked the clock: twenty minutes past dismissal.

Why hadn’t Ren Jie woken him? He turned.

Ren Jie was folded nearly in half under the desk—arms hugging knees, face buried.

Lu Yu blinked. Then—a familiar, comforting scent drifted close.

He looked up.

Lin Beixing sat sideways in the front seat, cradling exercise books.

Had she… been watching him sleep?

Sunset light slanted through the window, gilding Lu Yu’s brown-tipped hair like powdered gold.

Soft rays traced his sharp features; the glow reflected deep in her dark eyes.

She watched quietly, as if time had slowed.

Their eyes met for a heartbeat—then both looked away.

Lu Yu glanced at the clock. "…What’s up?"

"N-nothing… Just saw you sleeping."

Her gaze darted to the blackboard behind him.

"Today’s homework has three items. Don’t forget."

She placed the exercise books gently on his desk—his copies, retrieved from the podium while he slept.

She glanced at the deeply sleeping Ren Jie.

The empty classroom felt hushed, air thick with silence. To ease the tension, she added softly:

"Yesterday… before Auntie left, she said to visit home if you’re free this weekend."

Lu Yu took the books without looking up. Silent.

He never spoke of family.

Lin Beixing paused, then stood.

"…I’m heading back."

Sunlight dusted the top of his head. His light-brown hair looked soft, fluffy.

*So… touchable.*

She cleared her throat. "I’ll take good care of my body."

"You said the swap might be my body’s self-protection. So… to avoid troubling you, I’ll cherish it."

Her voice stayed gentle. Lu Yu looked up.

He wanted to say it wasn’t trouble. He’d accepted it.

Living someone else’s life… wasn’t so bad.

Then he noticed her gaze on the notebook beside his hand—filled with hastily copied staff lines.

He closed it casually.

"Yaaawn~~"

Ren Jie jolted awake, stretching. His eyes locked on Lu Yu—and Lin Beixing.

"I—"

Before he could finish, Lin Beixing’s voice cut in, crisp and formal:

"Finish the homework. I’m leaving."

She slung her backpack on and walked out without turning back.

Lu Yu watched her go.

Ren Jie whispered, "…Did I wake up at a bad time?"

"Perfect timing," Lu Yu zipped his bag. "Hurry. Gate closes soon."

"Right…" Ren Jie scrambled to the podium, dug through the messy pile for his book, then followed Lu Yu out to close the windows.