Chapter 3

The class bell rang, and only then did Wen Feixi arrive, hugging a stack of math test papers as she sauntered in.

She wore a dark school uniform jacket today, with a white shirt underneath. Her ink-black hair was hooked behind her ear, giving her an air of untouchable nobility.

She stood at the podium, passed out the papers, and returned to her seat. That’s when she noticed the milk tea on her desk and paused in surprise.

“This milk tea?”

“Aren’t you shocked? It’s from the Ice Beauty,” Tang Yimo said mysteriously.

Wen Feixi raised an eyebrow and instinctively glanced behind her.

In the back row, in the corner, Lu Chenyu was bent over her own test paper, her profile cool and detached.

Ever since the class shuffle in their sophomore year, Lu Chenyu had always sat alone in the back row, studying.

Wen Feixi was popular throughout the grade—almost no one disliked her. She had tried talking to Lu Chenyu before, but it usually ended like yesterday: either completely ignored or met with cold indifference.

“Wenwen, when did you and her get to the point of exchanging milk tea?” Tang Yimo teased.

Wen Feixi frowned, thinking it over for a moment. “Maybe because I helped her yesterday, and she wanted to repay the favor.”

Even though Lu Chenyu hadn’t taken the ointment.

Tang Yimo went on, “No wonder you went to the infirmary yesterday. I figured even though you fell with Lu Top Student, you weren’t hurt—and you bought ointment. Turns out it was for her.”

Wen Feixi looked down at the milk tea label and felt a jolt of surprise.

It was her favorite flavor.

She couldn’t help turning around again. “This really came from her?”

Tang Yimo replied, “I saw her put it on your desk with my own eyes. Could it be fake? It’s the limited-edition special, too—super hard to get.”

Wen Feixi fell silent for a beat before sticking a straw into the milk tea.

Tang Yimo gaped in shock. “Wenwen, you’re actually accepting milk tea from someone else? Bai Xian sent you one yesterday, and you didn’t touch it.”

This was a first. Wen Feixi was popular, sure, but she never accepted random gifts from people.

“Maybe because…” Wen Feixi smiled faintly. “She’s not second in the grade?”

Tang Yimo shot back, “What does second in the grade have to do with it? You discriminating against underachievers?”

Wen Feixi didn’t respond. She just lazily narrowed her eyes.

But in Tang Yimo’s mind, a certain spark lit up.

Was Lu Chenyu finally warming up to Wenwen?

From what she knew, the tension between Wen Feixi and Lu Chenyu dated back to the start of sophomore year.

Everyone was still getting to know each other after the class shuffle. During Wen Feixi’s self-introduction, every pair of eyes in the room lit up—except Lu Chenyu’s. She sat at the very back, nose in a book, face cold as if she hadn’t heard a word.

The homeroom teacher, Old Xu, was a savvy guy. He grinned and called on Lu Chenyu.

“Classmate Lu, what’s the name of the classmate up front?”

Lu Chenyu replied, “Forgot.”

Forgot. Tang Yimo had nearly jumped out of her skin hearing that.

Seats hadn’t been assigned yet, so everyone was sitting wherever. Wen Feixi noticed the spot next to Lu Chenyu was empty and wanted to sit there.

But Lu Chenyu shifted over to the aisle seat and plopped her backpack on the empty one inside.

Wen Feixi had a great temper—generous, beautiful. In this world, who couldn’t she befriend?

Tang Yimo had been classmates with Wen Feixi for so long and had never seen anyone reject her like that.

…

It wasn’t until class that Tang Yimo realized she’d been wrong.

With everyone still unfamiliar after the shuffle, during the next math lesson, their homeroom teacher Xu Maolin announced with a grin, “Let’s split into groups for today’s class, okay?”

Old Xu was one of Fourth High School’s best teachers. He always spiced up lessons with unconventional activities and loved group problem-solving.

“I’ll grab the worksheets from the print room first. Find your teammates while I’m gone—we’ll start as soon as I’m back.”

The moment Old Xu left, the class erupted.

Every eye turned to Wen Feixi. A few bold ones pounced like hungry tigers, surrounding her.

“Wenwen, team with me!”

“Add me too, Sister Wen. I hit 110 in math this time.” Arts committee member Cao Linruo shoved her test paper forward.

“Get lost—you’re bragging about 110? Sister Wen, I got 120.”

“Cao Linruo, Chen Xin—” Tang Yimo counted heads. “We’re one short.”

“Wen Feixi, I…” A boy sidled up eagerly to nominate himself, but Wen Feixi ignored him. She turned and looked toward the back row.

No one had noticed Lu Chenyu sitting there.

“Who’d want Lu Chenyu? Look at her school uniform—washed so thin it’s faded and pilling, and it’s huge, clearly not hers. Did she steal it?” said Xia Weiwei, the girl seated diagonally in front of Lu Chenyu.

“And she always has that sourpuss face. If I got grouped with her, I’d hang myself,” another girl sneered.

“But… our group’s missing one. If we don’t fill it, Old Xu might randomly assign her to us.”

“No way, absolutely not!” Xia Weiwei said. “Hey, Huang Xinrui, got a group yet?”

They gossiped without a care, their voices carrying. Lu Chenyu sat there stone-faced, as if she hadn’t heard a thing.

She was used to it by now, Lu Chenyu thought. She came to school to study, not to make friends.

Pretending not to hear was usually the easiest way out.

Lu Chenyu was an odd one in class—top grades, barely spoke to anyone, her biggest hobby solving problems.

And she was poor.

She wore the same school uniform every day, carried a faded backpack, and tied her hair with fifty-cent black rubber bands.

Aside from her few dormmates in 502, hardly anyone in the grade wanted to get close.

But there were always exceptions.

Take Chen Shaocuan, the boy in class with his good looks that drew girls like flies. His grades sucked, though, so no one wanted him on their team.

Right then, he was leaning on Lu Chenyu’s desk, grinning. “Lu Top Student, add me to your team?”

“What? Chen Shaocuan’s going after Lu Chenyu?” Xia Weiwei blurted in shock.

Screeech—

The sound of a chair scraping the floor cut through. Under everyone’s stares, Wen Feixi stood up.

In the dead silence, she walked to Lu Chenyu’s desk, planted her hands on it, and leaned down. “Lu Chenyu, team with me.”

Wen Feixi’s eyes were stunning—clear double eyelids with smooth folds, the outer corners slightly upturned, blending gentleness with an aloof distance.

Her pupils were deep and clear, a rich brown under the lights.

Every hedgehog quill on Lu Chenyu bristled.

She met Wen Feixi’s gaze in silence for a moment, then glanced at the boy beside her. “Sorry, I’m already teamed with Chen Shaocuan.”

…

The class plunged into stunned quiet.

No one had expected anyone to turn down Wen Feixi’s invitation!

Wen Feixi froze in place.

Tang Yimo hurried over, tugging her arm and laughing it off. “Wenwen, come on—Bai Xian wants to join us.”

…

Back at her seat, Tang Yimo was still reeling. “Okay, I thought the milk tea from Lu Chenyu was a good sign, but clearly I was wrong.”

Old Xu had returned, passing out worksheets one by one. “We’re having a race today—first group to finish wins!”

Wen Feixi said nothing, just scanned the problems, her pen flying across the page.

These group problems were tough; each person handled a different approach. Wen Feixi finished her part early and waited idly, only to notice Chen Xin next to her fidgeting in frustration.

“What’s wrong?” Wen Feixi asked.

“Sister Wen, I can’t get it…”

Class time flew by. Wen Feixi jotted a quick step-by-step on scratch paper.

Chen Xin stared at it for a while, then flushed. “I still don’t get it.”

“No worries—I’ll do it for you.”

“Really? Thanks so much, Sister Wen!” Chen Xin’s cheeks burned brighter.

“Sorry…”

Wen Feixi curved her lips. “It’s fine. This one’s tricky—I took ages too.”

Chen Xin was done for, slain by her warmth and consideration.

They weren’t wrong—Wen Feixi’s voice was lovely.

When she spoke next to you, it felt like a girlfriend’s gentle coaxing.

Wen Feixi had already mapped out all the solutions while working her own part. She finished Chen Xin’s for her.

By then, the others had handed over their answers too.

Wen Feixi checked them all, compiled everything, and was about to stand.

That’s when the scrape of a chair echoed in the quiet room.

She looked up to see Lu Chenyu striding to the podium, answer sheet in hand, still frowning over it as she checked.

Old Xu chuckled. “First place! Everyone, hurry up!”

The class burst into murmurs.

“No way—is Lu Chenyu a demon? Their group’s just two people, and Chen Shaocuan sucks at math. She did everyone’s share solo?”

“Mom, look at Wen Feixi—she was about to stand too. They’re clashing again!”

“Duh, Lu Chenyu rushed up to beat Wenwen to it.”

Old Xu grinned at Lu Chenyu, then at Wen Feixi below. “Watch out, Wen Feixi—Lu Chenyu’s about to surpass you~”

Lu Chenyu stood at the podium and glanced at Wen Feixi, a faint challenge flickering in her eyes.

Hah.

Wen Feixi arched a brow. Their gazes locked, sparks flying like electricity.

Lu Chenyu returned to her seat. Wen Feixi turned to look.

Chen Shaocuan lounged with a cheeky grin, chatting at her. A hint of amusement lit Lu Chenyu’s peach-blossom eyes, and she nodded lightly.

Wen Feixi narrowed her eyes. A faint displeasure spread through her.

…

Class ended in a flash.

In WeChat, a group called 【Monthly Exam Survivors Alliance】 lit up with a new message.

Chen Shaocuan: [photo.jpg]

Chen Shaocuan: [Our class goddess, pretty, huh?]

Clipclip Aunt My Palace Headache: [Gorgeous, Chen bro! New crush?]

Bunny Egg Pumpkin: [Holy crap, that’s Lu Chenyu? Grade’s number-two goddess?]

Chen Shaocuan: [smug cat.jpg]

[Tomorrow, I’m starting my pursuit.]

All Dogs: [Yeah right. That’s Ice Beauty—the untouchable one. She only likes studying.]

Chen Shaocuan: [No girl in this world I can’t win. Math group activity today—she picked me! Means I’m hotter than Wen Feixi?]

…

The classroom buzzed.

Tang Yimo sighed. “Ugh, Wenwen, I feel bad for you.”

Wen Feixi: ?

“Even though Lu Chenyu sent you milk tea today—which is huge—her attitude hasn’t budged an inch otherwise!”

Wen Feixi took another sip and glanced back, unexpectedly meeting a gaze from behind.

Lu Chenyu was looking at her too. Her skin was pale, her amber eyes like jade, her aura icy. Staring blankly, she had this subtle oppressiveness.

Wen Feixi met her eyes, and Lu Chenyu quickly looked away.

Wen Feixi narrowed her eyes again.

Tang Yimo prattled on. “Some people just clash vibes. Sigh, not to bash, but I know you wanna befriend Lu Chenyu. This friendship? Doomed from the start.”

“Really?” Wen Feixi said.

“Huh?”

Wen Feixi gave her a blank look, then stood with elegant, measured steps and headed to the back.

Tang Yimo watched the scene, breaking into a cold sweat without realizing.

Oh no, whenever Wenwen got that expression, it meant she was pissed.

Lu Chenyu never wasted a second of downtime—she planned to memorize vocab for the break.

She’d just opened her word list.

“Classmate Lu~”

Lu Chenyu was hypersensitive to Wen Feixi’s voice now. She jerked her head up to find Wen Feixi right there, smiling at her. Those beautiful, narrow phoenix eyes curved enchantingly.

“Something wrong?” Lu Chenyu straightened instinctively.

Wen Feixi dragged over the chair beside her and sat down like they were old pals, her hand brushing Lu Chenyu’s thigh on the chair.

Lu Chenyu jolted like she’d been shocked, twisting away like a bristling cat and glaring.

Wen Feixi spotted her reddening ears and raised a surprised brow.

She grinned at Lu Chenyu. “Classmate Lu, you’re amazing—finished so fast and handed it in before me.”

“Wen Feixi, that’s not right,” Lu Chenyu said. “Classmates solve problems to learn from each other. Speed doesn’t matter.”

Lu Chenyu looked up, her amber eyes steady on Wen Feixi. “Comparing’s childish and harms class harmony.”

She said it with such passive-aggressive bite, all straight-faced.

Wen Feixi replied, “If that’s so, why didn’t you wait for me, Classmate Lu? We could’ve handed in together.”

“Can’t believe Classmate Lu… is kinda childish?”

Lu Chenyu: “…”

“Pffahaha!” Tang Yimo, eavesdropping from the front, cracked up.

“Laughing to Death.”

“What’s up?” Bai Xian glanced back. “They at it again?”

Tang Yimo sighed. “Thought Deer Goddess won a round with that problem set today. Nope—Wenwen still edges her out.”

“Isn’t that normal?” Bai Xian laughed. “With that mouth of hers. She always one-sidedly crushes Lu Chenyu.”

Tang Yimo didn’t get it. “Wenwen really holds back with her… Why’s she always so cold to Wenwen?”