Handsome

"Since the weather is getting hotter, starting today, one of the weekly P.E. classes will be replaced with swimming lessons."

Two weeks had passed since the water park incident. During today's homeroom session, Li Chunhua stood at the podium and addressed recent events. "There’s one more thing—some female students in our grade have reported being followed by strangers on their way home."

"This is no joke. A few girls have already encountered dangerous situations, and the police are now involved."

"Even though you’re all adults now, as your homeroom teacher, I still want to remind you: girls, please protect yourselves. If anything happens, notify the school or call the police immediately."

After noticing the hushed whispers among the girls in class, Li Chunhua cast a stern glance at the boys.

"And boys, don’t think you’re safe either. There are plenty of creeps out there—watch out or you might get ‘blossomed’ from behind."

Hearing this, many of the boys shuddered.

"Class is almost over. Later, write down your swimwear sizes on the form. The school will distribute the swimsuits before P.E. this afternoon."

"Alright, study quietly now."

Li Chunhua seemed to have other matters to attend to. After instructing the class to keep quiet, she left the classroom.

Naturally, the room soon buzzed with chatter.

"Stalkers? I heard a second-year girl got targeted, and even after reporting it, the police still haven’t caught the guy."

"No way, that’s terrifying! With all the surveillance cameras these days, how could they not catch him?"

"Who knows? Cameras have blind spots, and some people live in pretty remote areas."

"Ugh, I feel like my butt’s in danger now."

"Pfft, as if anyone would want your 200-pound ‘blossom.’"

As the class erupted in gossip, Tang Keke turned to Bai Yuyou, who was quietly studying with her head down.

"Yuyou, Yuyou, stalkers—sounds dangerous, huh?"

"Stalkers…" Bai Yuyou lifted her head, her profile as serene and indifferent as ever. Softly, she replied, "I’ve met one."

"Huh?! You’ve met one?!" Tang Keke’s eyes widened. "Were you okay?"

"Mm." Bai Yuyou nodded. "A neighbor auntie helped catch him."

"Another time… someone tried to pick my lock. Ye Shuang caught him."

Bai Yuyou still remembered those incidents. Living alone and walking to and from school without company, she had indeed encountered a stalker before meeting Ye Shuang. Back then, she hadn’t understood the man’s intentions—until one day, a nosy neighbor dragged him straight to the police station.

It had been a close call.

"Wow, sounds like your life before was pretty risky." Tang Keke couldn’t help but imagine how unsafe those old neighborhoods must have been—no security cameras, and even the gatekeeper looked like a stiff breeze could knock him over.

But that neighbor auntie had some serious guts. Most people wouldn’t dare confront a stalker, especially after what happened with that amusement park murderer, Xu Huan, who suddenly pulled a knife and stabbed someone.

"Your apartment now must be way safer, right?" The building Bai Yuyou currently lived in had surveillance on every floor and at every entrance. Plus, she usually walked home with Tang Keke, and Ye Shuang sometimes picked them up.

No worries there.

After class, the two girls went to fill out the swimwear form. Since personal swimsuits weren’t allowed for the lessons, the school provided them—and even replaced them yearly.

Once Tang Keke and Bai Yuyou had written down their sizes, a few boys started snickering and waving the form around.

"Oho-ho-ho, Tang Keke, your measurements are insane! Reincarnated dairy cow, huh? Hahaha, ‘milk truck’ over here—"

Tang Keke’s expression immediately darkened. She hated being teased about her body, but as a shy and socially anxious girl, all she could do was pout and lower her head in silence.

At that moment, Bai Yuyou slowly stood up and walked over to the boy holding the form.

"What?"

"Apologize… please." Bai Yuyou’s voice was quiet but firm.

"Why should I? Did I say anything wrong?"

"Because Keke is upset." Bai Yuyou’s tone remained cool. "Also, you’re short and chubby. Why mock someone else’s body?"

"Y-You—" The boy’s face flushed red at the mention of his height.

"Apologize."

"Like hell I will!"

"Then I’ll call the police." Bai Yuyou pulled out her phone. "Ye Shuang said malicious slander is grounds for a lawsuit…"

"Whoa, isn’t that too much?! It was just a joke! She didn’t even say anything—why are you making a big deal out of it?"

"Making fun of someone’s pain isn’t a joke." Bai Yuyou took a step forward, her gaze as still as a deep well.

"Apologize."

"F-Fine, sorry! Happy now?" Seeing Bai Yuyou’s determination to escalate things, the boy quickly backed down. He tossed the form aside and stormed out of the classroom, clearly embarrassed.

The other students watched in surprise. The Bai Yuyou standing before them now seemed completely different from the girl they once knew.

"Rumor has it Bai Yuyou’s actually a rich family’s long-lost heiress. No wonder she acts so different now that she’s loaded."

"Better not mess with the wealthy—they can ruin us in a heartbeat."

"But he was in the wrong. No girl would like being talked about like that."

"Damn, threatening a lawsuit over a joke? Some people just can’t take a joke."

Amid the murmurs, Bai Yuyou returned to Tang Keke’s side.

"Yuyou, you were so cool just now…"

"Cool?" Bai Yuyou blinked, tilting her head.

"Yeah, like—amazing!"

"Ye Shuang said… don’t be afraid."

"Hehe, so true! Love you so much!" Tang Keke hugged Bai Yuyou’s arm, overjoyed. She couldn’t be happier to have such a fearless best friend.

Nearby, Luo Che observed the scene, resting his chin on his hand, lost in thought.

He, too, had noticed how much Bai Yuyou had changed.

Was it… confidence?

Recalling something someone once told him, he sighed deeply, feeling his aspirations slip further away.