"Lu Li, are you here?"

No! Lu Li desperately wanted to shout it—but he least wanted to see An Baili. Just as the silly goose, having heard An Baili’s call, was about to foolishly answer, Lu Li quickly covered the girl’s mouth and pulled her close, enveloped in her sweet fragrance.

"Shh… don’t let her find us."

The silly goose in his arms struggled slightly, then stilled. Just as Lu Li loosened his grip, dragging footsteps echoed from the hallway.

An Baili’s steps always dragged—like ill-fitting rain boots trudging through muddy post-rain ground. Crouched against the wall with Chu Jingyi, Lu Li stayed hidden. He felt like a thief. A shameful sneak. When overwhelmed, he always defaulted to escape. He couldn’t handle An Baili’s unreasonable persistence—so he hid.

If only he had mind-reading. Then he’d know what swirled inside that head of hers.

Warmth brushed his arm—Chu Jingyi’s breath seeping through their uniforms. He felt her heartbeat: rapid as a war drum, steady as pouring rain. Lu Li signaled silence, but his gaze locked onto her.

Chu Jingyi’s cheeks flushed pink. Her hazy eyes lifted to his; her lips glistened like ripe cherries. Peering inward, he faintly saw (censored).

His breath hitched. "Don’t speak."

Chu Jingyi nodded obediently—like a docile lamb.

*Don’t be so obedient,* Lu Li thought. *It makes me want to tease you.*

"Lu Li, are you here?" An Baili’s voice drifted from the classroom. She peered through the window. "Waiwai, where are you?"

Lu Li (censored). His thoughts froze.

She instinctively wanted to push him away—but a voice whispered: *Hugs between good friends are normal.* Was it? Her reason fought back… then drowned in unfamiliar warmth.

Being held felt… comfortable. Warm. Safe. And… sleepy.

Lu Li dared not look down. Hiding from An Baili had backfired—now they were trapped in unbearable closeness. If An Baili saw them like this… especially with the silly goose gazing up at him, eyes soft and dewy like a lovestruck maiden… He slapped his own cheek. *How old are you? Did you really need to hide?*

"Please don’t hit yourself," the silly goose murmured—voice tender, intimate.

Normally graceful and gentle, this tone was different. *If she marries someday,* Lu Li realized, *she’ll be the perfect wife—kind, dignified, devoted.* Only now did he see: Chu Jingyi was his ideal. Except for… the chasm of class between them.

"I didn’t want An Baili to find me."

"Mm…" A whisper thick with quiet surrender. That single sound held oceans. Lu Li finally understood—the silly goose wasn’t silly at all. She’d always known. She just chose to play the part for him.

Even heroes fall for beauty—and Lu Li was no hero. His heart hammered. In the silent lake of his emotions, a crimson carp named Chu Jingyi leaped.

The next second, her lips were covered. Her body stiffened.

*B-between good friends… k-kissing… is… normal, right…?*

Nonsense. She’d lost all sense. Chu Jingyi felt (censored). *I’ve done the unimaginable.*

An Baili’s anxious calls still echoed outside. Guilt twisted in her chest—as if she’d stolen something precious.

An Baili’s voice faded. (censored).

Now the silly goose truly looked dazed—staring blankly at Lu Li, brain short-circuited.

Lu Li inhaled her sweet scent and froze. *I went too far.* Panic had blurred his judgment. He’d actually thought, *I want to spend my life with her*—then kissed her. Now? Cold clarity. It was just lust.

*Blame hormones. Blame her expression. Anyone would’ve faltered.*

"K-kiss… um… why… did you use your tongue…?" the silly goose stammered.

*That’s your question? Shouldn’t you slap me?*

"Um. Yeah. That’s how it’s done. Everyone does. Yep. Right."

"…Between good friends… is this… normal?" Her voice trembled.

Seeing her vulnerable eyes, Lu Li couldn’t lie. "No. It’s not." He knew—if he said "yes," she’d believe him utterly. But his last shred of conscience held firm.

Chu Jingyi’s eyes welled. "Th-then what… did I… make a huge mistake…?"

"I kissed you first. The fault is mine."

Her tiny pink fists pummeled his chest—soft, weightless. Lu Li straightened slightly to make it easier.

"You’re the world’s biggest bad guy! It’s all your fault! Waaah…"

Her tears shattered him. He reached to comfort her—then froze. Hands hung midair. Not her resistance stopped him. It was the ghost of her family name flashing in his mind.

She stood abruptly, choked back a sob, and fled. Her face: three parts regret, three panic, three confusion… and one secret joy.

As if possessed, Lu Li called after her: "I’m not a jerk!"

Then, louder: "I *really* am not a jerk!"

*

Back in Grade 11 Liberal Arts Class 1, the seats behind him—Chu Jingyi’s and An Baili’s—were empty.

His female deskmate smirked. "Offend them?"

Lu Li gave a dry laugh. He unzipped his bag—and paled.

The document Chu Xiaodong entrusted to him… was gone.