The Mi family’s steward came to pick them up. The carriage carried the two of them out of the northern district and into the southern district.
The Mi family was one of the three major local powers in the southern district, a real estate tycoon in Silver Moon City.
When Mystic Academy was first being established, the astute family head at the time had immediately shelled out a fortune to buy up undeveloped land in the northern district and build new residences there.
It was a money-losing venture at first, but as Mystic Academy recruited more and more students—many of whom moved out to secure some personal space—the family gradually struck it rich.
Later, the Mi family even partnered with Mystic Academy to construct new school buildings and dormitories, transitioning from upstart status into Silver Moon City’s upper echelons and becoming the fifth great clan.
The Mi family had designs on marrying into one of the top-ranked powers, so Mi Xue’er had been introduced in turn to Xiao Mie, Yu Yue, and Lan Ke. But Mi Xue’er had no intention of becoming a pawn in a political marriage and sabotaged each one, causing them all to fall through.
It was worth noting that Lan Ke, in a fit of humiliated rage, had tried to leverage the city lord’s mansion to pressure the Mi family into submission. Mentor Yu Xuan had stepped in to defuse the situation.
In her previous life, Mi Xue’er’s goal had been to enter Holy Land Academy and become a strong, independent woman like Mentor Yu Xuan—someone everyone could rely on.
After reincarnating, she was even less inclined to obey her family’s arrangements. Instead, she wanted to turn the situation to her advantage and win over the object of her affections.
Inside the carriage, Mi Xue’er rapidly briefed Yan Zhen on their backstory—or rather, the fantasy she’d spun up in her previous life.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, listen up. The story is that I fell for you at first sight, which is why I let you move into the house. As we spent more time together day by day, we got to know each other, and you started developing feelings for me too. Then your performance at the academy got more and more dazzling, I fell harder for you, and finally, after you took first place in the monthly assessment, I confessed. That’s how we got together… Got it?”
Yan Zhen nodded. Apart from the “living together” part, it mostly matched the “setup” described in the script.
“And as for how intimate we are… to make them give up for good, let’s just say we’ve already gone all the way.”
—What? Wasn’t it supposed to be “not quite at that final step yet”?
Yan Zhen shot her a sideways glance.
“Senior Sister Xue’er, anyone with experience can tell at a glance if you’re still a virgin.”
Mi Xue’er swatted him.
“Hey, I know that! My mom’s sharp as a tack. I’m just saying it loud enough for her to hear, to show her how serious I am!”
She was right—Mi Xue’er’s mom was cunning enough to see right through their fake couple act. To prove her point, Mi Xue’er had worked up the nerve to kiss him on the cheek, only to get mocked by her mother.
“That’s it? A kiss on the cheek makes you a couple?”
Mi Xue’er had fired back even more boldly.
“Ours is a pure, innocent romance—heart over body. That’s all the rage these days. You’re the outdated ones from your generation, jumping into bed after a couple meetings without any romance at all!”
Then mother and daughter had gone at it, leaving Mi Xue’er’s dad and Yan Zhen utterly embarrassed. Neither dared utter a word, silently sipping their tea.
Thinking of the family drama about to unfold, Yan Zhen’s toes curled in his shoes.
“Oh, and Little Brother Yan Zhen, if we’re forced into any intimate moments later, you have to act natural.”
“OK.”
A kiss on the cheek wasn’t so bad. After all, Meng’er planted one on him practically every day—he was used to it.
“What’s ‘OK’ mean?”
“It means ‘got it’ or ‘sure’.”
“Then let’s practice first.”
“Sure.”
“Start with linking arms.”
With that, Mi Xue’er cozied up and hooked her arm through Yan Zhen’s. Her breasts, a touch less ample than Yan Meng’er’s, pressed against him. He could clearly feel the uniform-clad curves deforming under the squeeze.
Breathing in her faint fragrance, Yan Zhen’s heart raced. He wasn’t some innocent kid anymore; having tasted the forbidden fruit made him far more sensitive to this kind of teasing.
Mi Xue’er rested her head on his shoulder, adopting a dainty, bird-in-a-branch pose.
“Don’t be nervous, Little Brother Yan Zhen. Just pretend I’m Meng’er. Doesn’t she link arms with you like this every day?”
Yan Zhen tried to relax.
“Meng’er is my cousin, after all. We’ve been used to it since we were kids.”
“But I’m your Senior Sister Xue’er too. We’ve been living together for over three months, eating meals and going to school together every day. We’re practically family by now, right?”
“That’s true, but guys and girls are still different. Doesn’t it feel a bit awkward for you, Senior Sister Xue’er?”
“Of course it does! That’s exactly why we need to practice now, so we don’t slip up later and ruin the whole plan. Next up—how about a hug, Little Brother Yan Zhen?”
Mi Xue’er gazed at him intently, her eyes brimming with tension, anticipation, shyness, and a well-hidden joy.
Yan Zhen paused. Wasn’t linking arms enough? They just needed to seem affectionate without giving themselves away. Why practice hugging?
“No need for a hug, right?”
“Of course we do! Casual hugs and cuddles are the hallmark of a loving couple.”
“W-Well, okay then.”
Delighted by his agreement, the girl beamed and slowly spread her arms, drawing the boy she adored into a gentle embrace. She pressed her chest firmly against his, as if trying to draw their hearts closer through the contact.
Thump-thump. Mi Xue’er’s heartbeat quickened palpably, her cheeks flushing pink. She kept a calm facade, but her body’s reactions betrayed her.
“Little Brother Yan Zhen, you try hugging me too. Otherwise, my parents will think you don’t like me.”
“Oh.”
Yan Zhen wrapped his arms around her slender waist.
Mi Xue’er closed her eyes in bliss, quietly inhaling the captivating scent of Yan Zhen’s body, quickly losing herself in it.
“Senior Sister Xue’er, that’s enough, right?”
“Huh? Yeah, I guess. Next—want to try kissing cheeks? I-I’m worried my mom will see through us. We need to practice intimate stuff to prove it to her.”
Mi Xue’er’s face was flushed bright red, a mix of shyness and guilt.
—Am I pushing too far? Will Little Brother Yan Zhen get suspicious? He agreed to fake being my boyfriend on the condition that I don’t actually like him. If he finds out how I feel, he’ll definitely want no part of this mess.
Yan Zhen nearly laughed to himself. Her mom would see through it, sure—but a cheek kiss would just get them mocked. Senior Sister Xue’er was still so naive.
The script didn’t call for practice sessions like this, but since cheek-kissing was in the cards, he wasn’t opposed.
“If you’re okay with it, Senior Sister Xue’er, sure. I don’t lose out anyway.”
“I’m totally fine with it!” Mi Xue’er wanted to whoop for joy. She bit her lip, fidgeting as she said, “Okay then, Little Brother Yan Zhen, close your eyes.”
Yan Zhen quietly shut his eyes.
Staring at his face so close, Mi Xue’er swallowed hard. Her hands cradled his cheeks, her gaze inevitably drawn to those cherry lips.
—If only I could kiss him for real.
The shy thought sent a powerful urge surging through her.
—No, no! If I actually kiss his lips, Little Brother Yan Zhen will get mad.
