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A few people leaned against the railing outside the playground.

The person on the far left stood out particularly. Despite wearing the same uniform, he appeared strikingly tall and upright, with his sleeves rolled up to his wrists, playing with a small object.

Even from afar, one could see the aggressive outline of his features.

Chen Yang was also looking in this direction, his gaze meeting Le Ya’s just as she looked over. Under the warm glow of the lights, half of his face was shrouded in shadow, accentuating his sharp angles.

Le Ya quickly averted her eyes.

The milk tea in her hand was at room temperature, mostly pink in color. She didn’t know what flavor it was, but she assumed it couldn’t be bad.

“There, so it wasn’t me who bought it. My task is done; I’ll leave now,” the girl said, about to walk away.

Le Ya stopped her. “Can you return it for me?”

The girl hastily waved her hands. “You can return it yourself. I don’t dare.”

Though she didn’t know much about Class 17, even being asked to deliver milk tea had made her excited enough.

She didn’t recognize the girl receiving the drink either.

Afraid that Le Ya might really hand the milk tea back to her, the girl slipped away quickly, giving her a thumbs-up before leaving.

Le Ya glanced furtively again, then looked down at the milk tea.

“Are you going to return it?” Xie Qingyu asked. “Who’s that guy? He’s pretty handsome. Could it be he has a thing for you?”

In her opinion, the actions from earlier weren’t meaningless. Sending milk tea at night—how could it not have another meaning?

Le Ya hesitated. “I’m afraid he might…”

She didn’t finish her sentence. After all, he had blocked her path multiple times before, which didn’t make him seem easy to deal with.

Xie Qingyu scrutinized Le Ya carefully. Her gentle demeanor and soft voice indeed made her an easy target for certain kinds of attention.

She suggested: “Why don’t you do this? Just walk past them and shove it into his arms. It won’t fall, right? Then we can leave together.”

Le Ya thought for a moment. “Alright.”

Though she felt uneasy, she couldn’t accept someone’s gift without reason, especially something like milk tea.

Le Ya stood up, brushed off the grass from her clothes, glanced at Chen Yang in the distance, and started walking towards him.

…

Lin Xinqiao neatly packed the items and tied an elegant bow.

Before she could stand up, a friend messaged her: “I just saw Chen Yang on the playground. Do you want to go over?”

Lin Xinqiao definitely wanted to go.

Although she had originally planned to visit the classroom, changing the location didn’t matter. She picked up the gift box, replied to her friend, and headed straight for the playground.

Jiang Yuan came over and linked arms with her. “Going to give your gift? Good timing—I’m heading there too. Let’s go together.”

The school wasn’t overly strict with art students, focusing more on other students. Unless a relationship became public, it was usually ignored.

Girls of this age loved to gather in groups, and Lin Xinqiao was popular. Many had previously confessed to Chen Yang like her but eventually gave up, while she persisted.

On the surface, they congratulated her, but privately, everyone knew she had no chance—they were just enjoying the show.

The two walked toward the playground together.

As soon as they reached the edge of the square, Lin Xinqiao immediately spotted Chen Yang in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat, and her hand holding the paper box unconsciously tightened.

Jiang Yuan glanced over. “Hey, only Liang Qian is beside him. It’s perfect timing; no one will disturb you.”

Lin Xinqiao smoothed her hair. “I know.”

Jiang Yuan smiled. “Wish you success. You’ve been working on this for weeks.”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Lin Xinqiao’s face.

But thinking about what would happen next, she ignored the problematic tone of Jiang Yuan’s words. Once Chen Yang became her boyfriend, it would be their turn to feel embarrassed.

After taking a few steps, Jiang Yuan nudged her. “Did you see that? Someone beat you to it. Who’s that girl?”

Hearing this, Lin Xinqiao quickly looked over.

She never expected that the girl who had seen her paintings last time would know Chen Yang and stand so close to him.

Countless thoughts raced through Lin Xinqiao’s mind.

Jiang Yuan stroked her chin. “I haven’t seen this girl before. Has she ever spoken to Chen Yang? Are you still going?”

Lin Xinqiao, frustrated, snapped: “Yes.”

Just as she finished speaking, Jiang Yuan, who had been staring at the scene, pinched Lin Xinqiao’s arm. “Look!”

Lin Xinqiao raised her eyes and nearly bit her teeth in frustration.

Not far away, Chen Yang casually hooked his arm around the girl’s and pulled her to the side of the railing, where they stood extremely close.

Especially when he slightly tilted his head—it was a side of Chen Yang she had never seen.

Lin Xinqiao felt a surge of anger. She had shown the girl her painting last time, and yet the girl dared to approach Chen Yang?

Or had she used the painting as an excuse to seduce him?

Lin Xinqiao suddenly felt she had uncovered the truth.

How coincidental was it that the girl claimed to be from Class One last time, having only arrived at the main campus a week ago? How could she possibly know Chen Yang?

After pondering for a while, Lin Xinqiao finally remembered the girl’s name.

…

A breeze swept across the playground, carrying a hint of coolness.

Le Ya stood close to Chen Yang, her cheeks slightly flushed. Every time she looked up, her gaze met his dark eyes, her fine black hair fluttering in the wind.

She shoved the milk tea into his arms. “Here, it’s yours.”

Chen Yang’s pinky hooked the almost-falling milk tea, the bag rustling. He tilted his head. “It’s for you.”

His fingers were beautiful, capturing Le Ya’s full attention. When she snapped out of it and heard his words, she shook her head. “No, thank you.”

She spoke earnestly. “I should be the one treating you. I still owe you.”

Liang Qian silently applauded in his heart. How had it only been a few days since he last saw them, and already this girl owed Chen Yang a milk tea? Their encounters wouldn’t stop here—impressive.

Chen Yang casually fabricated an excuse: “Consider it a thank-you for this morning.”

Le Ya was momentarily confused. “Thank-you?”

This morning, he had clearly snatched the test paper. If anything, it should have been an apology, not a thank-you.

Was she misunderstanding?

Chen Yang reconsidered his own words and thought about Le Ya’s reaction earlier. He said seriously: “That was my test paper.”

Le Ya’s eyes widened for a moment before returning to normal. “Oh.”

As if anyone believed that.

Liang Qian, who had been eavesdropping, couldn’t help but burst into laughter: “Hahahaha, this might be the most epic failure of a person.”

Even he could tell that Le Ya didn’t believe it.

Chen Yang was amused by her dismissive tone, his head starting to ache. He asked: “You don’t believe I’m Chen Yang?”

Le Ya blinked innocently. “I believe.”

Of course, standing in front of him now, she could only say she believed.

Chen Yang was supposed to be the bespectacled boy. The person in front of her didn’t look malnourished at all, and his demeanor was completely different.

Le Ya inexplicably felt he was very refined and precious.

Hearing her insincere response, Chen Yang laughed bitterly.

“I’m going back,” Le Ya stepped away from the railing, preparing to walk past him. “Class is starting soon.”

Always using the same excuse, Chen Yang watched her with a carefree expression.

Then, as if remembering something, he parted his lips and spoke in a thin, cool tone: “If you don’t want it, throw it away.”

His tone was calm, as if he had suddenly become angry.

Even Le Ya felt somewhat at a loss.

Liang Qian couldn’t bear to watch anymore. He reminded her: “Just take it. He’s capable of throwing it away, and wasting it would be such a shame.”

He could tell that Chen Yang was upset.

Upon hearing this, Le Ya lowered her head, remained silent for a moment, and finally whispered, “… Then don’t do this next time.”

She reached for the bag dangling from his finger.

At that moment, a pale white hand suddenly extended.

Lin Xinqiao’s heartbeat skipped a beat when she touched the milk tea bag. She had already imagined Chen Yang handing the drink to her, and her drinking it.

But what happened next was unexpected by everyone.

Chen Yang retracted his hand and effortlessly tossed the bag into a nearby trash can, as if it were nothing more than a trivial action.

The sound of the heavy object hitting the inside was particularly clear.

Le Ya blinked, her lashes trembling lightly, and let out a soft “Ah.”

Chen Yang casually slipped his hand back into his pocket. “I’ll treat you next time.”

His tone was light and casual.

If Le Ya hadn’t glimpsed his displeased expression earlier, she might have thought he wasn’t referring to this incident—it happened so fast.

Throwing away an untouched milk tea was regrettable, no matter how you looked at it.

Moreover, Le Ya felt there might be something wrong with Chen Yang’s logic. He had been perfectly fine just moments ago, but suddenly lost his temper.

Lin Xinqiao’s face turned pale. Chen Yang’s words were crystal clear to her—the only explanation was because she had touched it earlier.

Just because she touched it, he decided not to keep it?

But he was so handsome, and she liked him. Once she became his girlfriend, everyone would know her, Lin Xinqiao.

Chen Yang gently patted the top of Le Ya’s head.

Her head was soft and fluffy, with a little swirl. Even through her hair, his palm could feel the warmth, contrasting sharply with his cold hand.

Le Ya was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected such an intimate gesture. Growing up, only family members had done this—it made her feel shy. But when she looked up and saw him staring at her, she felt even more uncomfortable.

Chen Yang nonchalantly withdrew his hand and lazily leaned against the railing.

Seeing Le Ya’s guarded expression, he deliberately raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, class is about to start.”

Sure enough, Le Ya’s attention was diverted.

She squeezed her hands and said: “I’ll go first.”

Her voice, soft and sweet like fruit candy, carried a natural sweetness.

Chen Yang responded with a light “Mm.”

Hearing this, Le Ya felt as if she had been released. Her smile unconsciously widened, and she hurriedly took a few steps to leave.

Xie Qingyu waved to her from ahead.

There were still several minutes before class, and many students had already left the playground.

Lin Xinqiao had been listening to the conversation between Chen Yang and Le Ya, including the earlier head-patting gesture. Her palms bore red marks from clenching them tightly.

Only after Le Ya left did Lin Xinqiao’s expression improve slightly. She exhaled softly.

With a smile, she extended the gift box, cooing sweetly: “An early birthday present.”

Chen Yang responded indifferently: “No need.”

A cigarette dangled from his fingertips, unlit. He was idly playing with it, his movements absent-minded.

Chen Yang stood up and walked away without a second glance.

Lin Xinqiao tried to say something but was thoroughly ignored.

Only after everyone disappeared did Jiang Yuan approach. She glanced at the gift box in Lin Xinqiao’s hand and asked: “What happened? Did Chen Yang refuse your gift? Didn’t he just throw something away?”

Lin Xinqiao replied: “Nothing, just trash.”

Jiang Yuan, who had seen everything clearly, mused thoughtfully: “Earlier, Chen Yang patted that girl’s head. Maybe she’s his sister—they seem very close.”

Lin Xinqiao’s face darkened further. She couldn’t utter a single word.

What sister? From their conversation, it was obvious they weren’t related. They didn’t even share the same surname, and they didn’t resemble each other in the slightest.

“Wait until his birthday to give it.” Jiang Yuan smiled. “A thoughtful gift like yours will surely stand out.”

Lin Xinqiao’s face remained expressionless.

Only a cold laugh echoed in her heart.

…

The square was filled with students rushing back to the teaching building.

An empty soda can lay on the ground, kicked away by Chen Yang in an arc that landed it directly in the trash can.

Liang Qian whistled.

As they neared the teaching building, he finished his milk tea, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sweetness. He asked, “Hey, Brother Yang, have you met Le Ya before?”

This question had been on his mind for a while.

Chen Yang frowned. “Why?”

“No reason, nothing important.” Liang Qian called out twice: “I just think you probably haven’t met, but…”

But it didn’t seem that way. It was obvious that Le Ya didn’t recognize Chen Yang. Even with the real person in front of her, she still didn’t believe it.

Liang Qian couldn’t understand this situation.

Chen Yang merely smiled deeply, not directly answering his question.

Never met?

How could they have never met?

They had known each other for years.