Yifia didn’t leave right away. After asking the knocker for the location, she opened her wardrobe and began changing into a disguise.

Today’s classroom incident had sounded the alarm: just being near the female lead and her circle brought bad luck. Even if she wanted to watch the drama, she wouldn’t let it backfire on herself!

Before enrolling at Pris Academy, Yifia had only bought nice clothes on her first day out. The next two days, she wore drab boy’s attire with a flaxen wig.

Old habits kicked in—once in trousers, she walked with a swagger even more manly than most guys.

Zero awkwardness in the gender switch.

Back at that shady clinic, she’d even teased a pretty nurse into laughter… only to be chased down the street moments later by a burly man whose arm was twice the thickness of her legs.

She’d only escaped when the nurse scolded him, saving her from running till her legs gave out—and worse.

So despite her rosy, delicate looks, no one mistook her for a girl.

At most: “This guy’s kinda cute.”

Zero rugged vibes.

Recalling that close call, Yifia finished changing fast. She jammed on a khaki baseball cap, tugged the brim low to shadow her face, and instantly became an utterly ordinary boy.

Even Eileen wouldn’t recognize her face-to-face.

Pris Academy had no dress code outside class. Nobles strutted like peacocks in flamboyant outfits; commoner students wore the same worn threads daily.

Yifia’s disguise? Perfectly bland. Zero chance of drawing attention.

Ready, she slipped out of the dorm, buzzing with gossip-hound excitement.

“Ronnie! After all these years together, have you forgotten everything? Now you’re hurting me for Brittany’s sake? Waaah… Ronnie, you’re so cruel!”

The moment she arrived, Fina’s voice cut through the air.

Plenty of fellow gossip-hounds had gathered. Onlookers formed a tight circle, tiptoeing eagerly as if watching a free movie—missing only sunflower seeds and popcorn.

Close to the dorms, the crowd was all commoners.

No nobles in sight—too beneath their dignity, or simply uninterested.

Jostled in the throng, Yifia pressed a hand to her cap, shoved forward, and finally glimpsed the scene: Eileen’s trio stood there, plus a tall, thin stranger—Ronnie, Fina’s ex.

The one Brittany had stolen.

Ronnie was gaunt, face merely passable. Yifia saw zero charm to justify Fina’s lingering devotion.

Compared to that blind Prince Caroy? Ronnie didn’t stand a chance.

“Fina, don’t cry. Absolutely don’t agree to his request,” Eileen urged.

“Exactly! Broke up already, and now begging your ex for cash? Ronnie, lost all shame? Did tagging along with nobles turn you into a shameless dog?” George snapped, shifting instantly from comfort to condemnation.

Ronnie didn’t flinch.

He just gazed at Fina with sorrowful eyes, let out a bitter, helpless smile—as if weighed down by unspeakable pain. Before he spoke, Fina’s defenses shattered.

She yanked free of Eileen’s grip, staggered to him, sobbing: “Ronnie, you still love me, right? Brittany’s forcing you! Don’t fear—Pris Academy isn’t her kingdom. If we reunite, nothing can stop us!”

From the crowd, Yifia clicked her tongue.

*Good grief. Textbook love-struck foolishness.*

*How long had she been pining? Even the female lead couldn’t pull her back.*

Yifia glanced at Eileen: brow furrowed, face darkening, warmth in her gaze toward Fina fading into clear impatience.

*Meddling wastes study time.*

*If Fina listened, fine. But she never does.*

*As friends, they couldn’t walk away—yet Fina only felt more annoyed.*

She stopped watching the pair and scanned the crowd for her roommate Yifia.

Eileen wasn’t foolish. Brittany’s provocation and Ronnie’s sudden appearance reeked of conspiracy. Piecing clues together, she zeroed in on Yifia.

Simple: Brittany hated beautiful girls. Yifia was stunning.

The bet? Likely meant to drive Yifia out. Brittany had other traps ready—acing the exam would be tough.

But Eileen would never leave Pris Academy.

Why send Ronnie to borrow from Fina? To corner Yifia. If Fina asked, Yifia’d have to lend money to avoid exclusion.

Yet Fina went straight for an outrageous demand!

Brittany would seize the cash, stripping Yifia bare before forcing her out.

A vicious scheme—aimed straight for the heart.

Eileen felt a flicker of sympathy… but self-preservation came first.

After this, she’d distance herself from Fina.

Emotionally unstable. Holds grudges.

Once harmless, now a liability.

Still, guessing the plot, Eileen stayed silent. Let Brittany have this win—or worse tricks might follow.

A mere roommate bond wasn’t worth risking herself for.

Then she spotted the messenger returning… alone.

“Fina, if you’re short, it’s fine. I’ll ask someone else.”

As Eileen’s search failed, fresh chaos erupted.

Ronnie ignored Fina’s plea, turning away with slumped shoulders and hollow eyes. Fina burst into tears, clutching his arm: “I’ll lend it! I’ll lend it! Ronnie, wait—I’ll get the money now!”

Tears wiped, she turned to Eileen and George. Unspoken, but clear: *Lend me money.*

Their faces tightened. Pure “please let me vanish” energy.

Yifia in the crowd felt immense relief.

*Phew. Thank goodness I was smart.*

*Without this disguise, I’d be the spectacle.*

“Where’s Yifia? She’s got money—enough for Ronnie.”

Silent George suddenly spoke up, naming her directly.

*What a classic move to divert the trouble elsewhere!!!*