Luo Chen was smirking.

Later on, Luo Chen and An Jinchu would have a very complicated relationship. Not “complicated” in the romantic sense, though—it was more like the kind of brotherly bond between two guys who were best friends.

Who knew how many clueless men had fallen at An Jinchu’s feet, turning into obedient little simps?

Luo Chen was a proud man. And, for the record, Lin Yuqi had already shaped his tastes enough to make him immune to An Jinchu’s damn charm.

There was just one thing… Lin Yuqi was half a head shorter than An Jinchu, because An Jinchu had longer legs.

And Luo Chen had a thing for legs.

Lin Yuqi’s legs were lovely, sure, but… men always had their flaws.

So, whenever she got bored, An Jinchu would make some teasingly seductive gesture at Luo Chen, then stop just as he started getting his hopes up. She’d give him a cold laugh, call him a “pervert,” and make fun of him.

Luo Chen fell for it countless times before he finally built up some resistance.

So he knew An Jinchu wasn’t going to hike her hand any higher and expose her smooth, pale thighs. He turned his head away early and said, “You’re so slutty.”

The price was… An Jinchu pinched his waist the very next second and twisted hard.

They were still in class, so Luo Chen gritted his teeth through the pain and turned to glare at her.

An Jinchu stared coolly back at him, looking like she was daring him to hit her.

Of course, Luo Chen couldn’t bring himself to hit her. An Jinchu let go after giving him a pinch.

“Go die!” An Jinchu snapped angrily, then turned her head away.

…So little An Jinchu really wasn’t much different from the fully grown version? They were both like puppies who bit you when they lost.

Facing the lectern with an expressionless face, An Jinchu said coolly, “Luo Xi went home and cried again last night.”

“Let her cry. It’s no big deal.”

“Can’t you show her a little concern and comfort her? Her parents are overseas… She’s living with me right now.”

Luo Chen paused, then said, “Oh,” and nodded.

“Then tell her for me: don’t cry. If she cries again, she’s an idiot.”

An Jinchu’s mouth twitched. “You’re more of an idiot,” she said coolly.

“…” Luo Chen pursed his lips and gave a small sniff. He caught a faint, pleasant scent.

“Are you wearing perfume?”

“No,” An Jinchu replied coolly.

“Your laundry detergent smells nice.” Luo Chen nodded, as if that settled it.

“…So you’re a pervert who likes sniffing girls for no reason?”

“Body odor… No, I’m not interested in that at all, so I suggest you find somewhere else.” Luo Xi retorted without batting an eye.

“This is the only empty seat. Do you think I wanted to sit here?”

“If you wanted to switch, there’s no way the teacher wouldn’t let you. Transferring here must’ve cost you a pretty penny in school fees, right?”

“It cost a little. Not much.”

“Damn capitalism.”

“What can I say? You’re poor.”

“…Then give me some. I don’t mind.”

“Fair exchange. What can you offer me?” An Jinchu gave him a sidelong glance.

“I can be your simp. I promise I’ll make you happy.”

“Ew. Gross.”

Luo Chen scratched his head. Something felt a little off, so he asked, “Why do I feel like I’ve met you before? Talking to you just feels… weirdly familiar and easy.”

Right—Luo Chen had asked, “Have I met you before?” Not, “Have you met me before?”

He had a very strange suspicion… which was why he’d used such strange wording.

If this were that An Jinchu, she’d understand what he meant.

“This is our first time meeting. Don’t flatter yourself.” An Jinchu replied coolly, her usual aloof expression returning.

“All right. Maybe I dreamed about you once…”

“Ew… Gross.”

“…” Luo Chen shrugged, too lazy to argue.

Because class had started.

……………………

The first class of the morning ended, and the sunlight outside had climbed higher. The desks were bathed in gold once again, and Luo Chen’s seat happened to block the sunlight that would’ve fallen on An Jinchu.

When Luo Chen had been sitting alone, he’d never noticed. Now that someone was beside him and he was stuck blocking the sun for her, he couldn’t help feeling that things were unfair.

“Aren’t you cold?” Luo Chen asked her out of the blue.

“I’m not cold. Go ahead and enjoy the sunshine. Don’t worry about how I feel,” An Jinchu replied coolly.

“…Are you even human?” Luo Chen’s mouth twitched.

“You’re blaming me for that? Hey… That’s too much.” An Jinchu rolled her eyes at him.

“Before you came along, I could sit in your seat… and avoid the sun.”

“…Then how about we switch?” An Jinchu tilted her face up to look at him.

“Forget it… Protecting a beautiful girl from the sun is our duty.”

“Good.” An Jinchu nodded approvingly.

Since it was break time, Luo Chen saw Lin Yuqi from the row ahead walking over to his desk.

Lin Yuqi wore the school uniform on top, its white-and-blue fabric fitting her figure. A small part of her collarbone showed at the neckline. She wore light blue jeans on the bottom, which hugged her slender legs and showed off their already pleasing shape.

…Too bad Luo Chen was a pleated-skirt guy.

Her short black ponytail swayed gently as she came over to Luo Chen’s desk.

With a stack of notebooks in her arms and no expression on her face, she stopped in front of Luo Chen.

For some reason, Luo Chen thought he saw a hint of anger in her eyes. Before he could figure out why, Lin Yuqi tapped on his desk and spoke in a cool voice.

“Luo Chen, hand in your homework.”

“…Huh?”

…Homework? What was that?