During the class break.
Jiang Yunlu handed over a few pieces of chocolate.
"This is today's 'best friend fee.'"
Lin Mo looked down and saw a long string of French text.
Clearly, it was imported candy.
But Lin Mo never refused the "best friend fee."
He unwrapped it and popped it into his mouth.
A strong, bitter taste spread, and Lin Mo's expression changed slightly.
"Giggle~" Seeing his face, Jiang Yunlu couldn't help but laugh.
"This is 99% dark chocolate—super bitter, not a hint of sweetness."
As she spoke, she ate a piece herself, but her tolerance seemed higher, showing no sign of discomfort.
"You handle bitterness so well—you must love bitter melon, huh?"
Jiang Yunlu tilted her head. "Bitter melon? Is it bitter? I’ve never tried it."
Oh, of course, the rich girl doesn’t eat bitter melon.
No wonder she wouldn’t understand the true meaning of the song Bitter Melon.
......
Fourth period in the morning.
Finally, it was P.E. class.
Since P.E. counted for 20 points in the college entrance exam, the school didn’t let other teachers take over the period.
At least that was a good thing.
After lining up, the P.E. teacher, Jiang Daming, a track-and-field guy, looked lean and wiry but had incredibly strong lower-body muscles.
Dressed in a white T-shirt and athletic shorts, he held a roster in his hand.
"Fall in!"
Everyone quickly arranged themselves in formation.
"Count off!"
Only the first row called out numbers, but that was enough to tally the class size.
Seeing everyone present, Jiang Daming skipped roll call but still asked,
"Who’s Lin Mo?"
Lin Mo sighed and stepped forward from the first row.
"That’s me."
"Good. From now on, you’re the class P.E. monitor. You’ll lead warm-ups and organize the class for P.E. Got it?"
"Got it!"
Though it was P.E., Jiang Daming didn’t have anything special planned.
First, he had everyone run two laps to warm up.
Then came timed 50-meter sprints to scout potential track team members.
After the sprints, he simply announced free time.
He even had Lin Mo fetch badminton and basketball equipment for the class to use.
The girls weren’t big on sports. Most just chatted in the shade or played badminton.
"Hey, did you see that?"
One girl grinned, then mimed cupping two nonexistent mounds in front of her chest, exaggerating, "So impressive. Even my sister’s aren’t that big."
No name was mentioned, but every girl there knew who she meant.
"When she was running, so many guys were staring at the finish line."
"Linlin, you’re her desk mate—do you know her size?"
"Probably... a D? I’m not sure."
A girl with narrow eyes replied, her tone dripping with envy.
"I heard that if men touch them a lot, they get bigger. So, you think..."
"She’s always buried in those novels. Who knows if she... takes care of herself at home?"
The group burst into shrill laughter.
But beneath the giggles was an unmistakable hint of bitterness.
The boys, meanwhile, were all about sweating it out—playing badminton with kill shots, soccer, or basketball.
"Lin Mo!"
A ball came flying toward Lin Mo, who caught it with one hand, dribbled it between his legs, instantly bypassed a defender, and charged straight for the basket before lifting his hand for a layup.
"No way, no way! Lin Mo’s too strong—we demand an extra player!"
"What do you mean Lin Mo’s strong? You guys are just weak. Adding someone just to double-team him? What’s even the point of playing then?"
A half-court 3v3 game was the most common match during gym class.
After all, a full-court game was exhausting, and rotating players ensured everyone had fun and got some rest.
Teams were usually assigned on the spot, but Lin Mo’s squad had already won two rounds in a row.
So Lin Mo waved his hand and said, "You guys go ahead. I’ll sit this one out and rest."
Fang Jun watched helplessly as Lin Mo left the team, forcing him to pull in another player to keep the game going.
But they were already worn out, so unsurprisingly, they lost this round.
As for Lin Mo, he headed to the nearby restroom to wash his face.
Basketball made him sweat even more than running. Thankfully, his sweat didn’t stink—otherwise, he’d have to go back to his rented place for a shower before afternoon classes.
Meanwhile, his spiritual sense continued to extend outward.
Instantly, he overheard voices coming from the girls' restroom.
"Don’t you think that Chu Miaomiao is such a poser? She only ever nods when you greet her."
"Well, she’s got big boobs, of course she acts high and mighty. I heard half the guys in class are trying to get with her."
"Don’t put it so crudely—they just want to date her."
"Pfft, ‘date’? Please. They’re just lusting after those things. She’s nothing but a slut."
Lin Mo heard every word clearly. A faint smirk curled at his lips—because there was someone else still inside the restroom.
The group of girls walked out and immediately spotted Lin Mo drinking water nearby.
They’d always thought Lin Mo was handsome, especially with his strength—the way he’d overpowered the drill instructor during training had been downright cool.
But they only glanced at him a few times before walking away.
After all, they were all together.
Watching their retreating figures, Lin Mo sneered.
In his past life, when news of Chu Miaomiao’s death had spread, they hadn’t acted like this. Back then, they’d been all tears and pity.
Guess they were generous with their kindness toward the dead.
Lin Mo stayed put. A few minutes later, Chu Miaomiao finally stepped out of the restroom.
"Finally decided to come out?"
Chu Miaomiao startled, looking up at Lin Mo, her wide eyes filled with surprise behind thick glasses.
"I saw you go in. Then I heard them talking without restraint."
The introverted Chu Miaomiao lowered her head. "I-It’s fine. I’m used to it. I’ve heard stuff like this since middle school."
Lin Mo chuckled.
"Gossip is human nature. Everyone becomes someone else’s topic. A dorm of four girls can have eleven different group chats—that’s just how it is.
But you don’t owe anyone an apology for their words. The fault isn’t yours—it’s the world’s."
Chu Miaomiao froze, then looked up at Lin Mo before blurting out, "Lin Mo, you... sound so chuunibyou."
Damn it!
I’m only saying this to keep you from offing yourself!
Who knows if you killed yourself because of their crap?
Lin Mo wasn’t entirely sure, but he had to try.
Still, Chu Miaomiao’s lips curled slightly.
"Honestly, people used to call me ‘Big Milk Cow’ and stuff. But I know—they were just jealous."
Well, well, well, she’s got quite the mental resilience, huh? Then why on earth did she jump off a building just like that?
This is truly a mystery.
"Let’s go."
Lin Mo walked straight toward the line without even glancing sideways.
But his spiritual sense had already circled Chu Miaomiao several times.
Cultivating immortality and calming the mind? What does that have to do with Lin Mo? He’s just an ordinary person.
Still, Chu Miaomiao is undeniably beautiful, with a figure to match.
It’s hard not to feel envious.
If she were just pretty-faced, people might’ve naturally gravitated around her.
If she had a great body but an average face, she’d still hold her own in the class.
But alas, her face is stunning, and her figure is downright unfair.
This indiscriminately draws the attention of every guy around.
And that’s why she’s become public enemy number one among the girls.