Don't be soft Harden up quickly

The autumn sun was scorching, but thankfully a cool breeze provided some relief.

Lin Yu sat in the shade of a willow tree, occasionally glancing sideways at the crowd on the playground without turning his head.

"Why hasn’t she come yet?"

Lin Yu muttered under his breath.

Choosing to sit under this secluded willow tree to think things through, Lin Yu certainly wasn’t trying to pose as some artsy youth.

Though the shade was somewhat cooler, it was nowhere near as comfortable as the air-conditioned classroom.

The main reason Lin Yu was here was Tang Manman.

He was waiting for her—waiting for her to seek him out on her own.

Whether it was to express gratitude or return the clothes he’d lent her, she must have something to say to her savior.

This spot was tucked away in a corner of the playground, almost deserted, but anyone coming from the cafeteria could easily spot it. With his distinctive yellow hair, Tang Manman should have no trouble recognizing him.

Once she approached, it would be the perfect opportunity to rack up some serious "dislike points"!

After plotting how to bully Tang Manman when she arrived, Lin Yu felt a small thrill of excitement. He sat quietly under the willow tree, waiting for the little rabbit to walk right into his trap...

Thirty minutes later.

Lin Yu, who had dozed off under the willow tree, suddenly jerked awake as the sensation of falling pulled him from his light slumber.

Rubbing his eyes, he looked around the now nearly empty playground and checked his phone.

"12:15 already?"

Lin Yu gasped. There were only fifteen minutes left before afternoon study hall!

Putting his phone away, he surveyed the deserted playground.

He knew she probably wasn’t coming at this point.

Stretching lazily under the tree, Lin Yu prepared to leave. As he did, he caught a whiff of an unexpectedly sweet floral scent in the air, like spring had arrived early. A wave of confusion washed over him.

Strange, did the school plant some kind of flower that bloomed in autumn?

It smelled amazing.

It definitely hadn’t been there when he first arrived.

Puzzled, he stood up and brushed the dust off his pants, ready to head back to the classroom. Just then, a soft voice called out from his left.

"Hello, classmate."

Hearing that gentle yet familiar voice, Lin Yu froze.

Instead of turning his head, he pushed aside the strand of hair covering his left eye.

Sure enough, Tang Manman stood there obediently, clutching the sports jacket he’d bought her the night before.

Her lips were lightly pursed, her cheeks flushed—whether from the heat or something else, he couldn’t tell. Her peach-blossom eyes sparkled with suppressed laughter, her lips trembling as if she was trying hard not to laugh at his ridiculous hair-flipping gesture.

Damn it!

Stupid hair!

Just wait till I get the chance—I’ll shave you all off!

After cursing his unruly yellow locks, Lin Yu let his hair fall back over his left eye and turned to face Tang Manman, putting on his best lecherous delinquent act. He gave her a slow, head-to-toe once-over before smirking and asking,

"What’s up, pretty girl? Need something from me?"

Honestly, with the memories of his delinquent persona, Lin Yu played the part of a thug flawlessly—especially with his wild, anime-villain hairstyle and the tattoos peeking out from under his uniform. He looked every bit the troublemaker.

Tang Manman’s smile vanished the moment she saw his expression, which practically screamed "pervert." She instinctively shrunk back, her slender frame tensing as if startled by this unfamiliar side of him.

Lin Yu’s eyes lit up.

It’s working!

Keep it up!

Realizing Tang Manman disliked this kind of attention, Lin Yu doubled down, raking his gaze over her with exaggerated scrutiny, his expression growing even more shameless. When his eyes lingered on her less-than-voluptuous figure, he even clicked his tongue and shook his head in mock disappointment.

He looked like such a creep that even seasoned perverts would be put to shame.

Tang Manman stood frozen, her gaze blank, as if unable to believe the person who had saved her three times could now be acting like a total sleazeball.

Nervously, her delicate fingers twisted the edge of the sports jacket. After a brief internal struggle, she finally took a small step forward and held out the clothes with both hands, mustering all her courage to say,

"Here’s the jacket from last night. I washed it."

"And... thank you for helping me this morning, yesterday afternoon, and last night."

"Thank you."

With that, she gave a slight bow.

Seeing Tang Manman’s earnest gratitude, Lin Yu genuinely didn’t want to bully her. But then he remembered the tragic ending from the original story—and his past life as the moderator of a "pure love" forum.

So he hardened his resolve.

His heart, that is!

"Thank me?"

Lin Yu sneered. "I helped you that much, and you think a simple ‘thank you’ is enough?"

He reached out—but not for the jacket. Instead, his hand drifted toward Tang Manman’s pale, delicate fingers.

"You’re not seriously thinking a few words can repay such a huge favor, are you?"

He deliberately slowed his movements, giving her plenty of time to react.

Sure enough, just before his fingers could brush hers, Tang Manman flinched and pulled her hand back.

"I—I’m sorry."

"I don’t know how else to thank you."

"But... if you’d like, I could... do your homework for you?"

Her voice was soft, her doe eyes timidly meeting his, like a helpless fawn bargaining with a wolf, offering carrots in exchange for its life.

Lin Yu’s resolve wavered at the sight of her pitiful yet adorable expression. He couldn’t bear to scare her any longer.

But then—bam—he steeled himself again!

This is for her own good! To ensure she and her childhood sweetheart have a happy ending!

Lin Yu! Don’t you dare soften up now!!!

"What?"

"Do my homework?"

Lin Yu scoffed. "You do know I never do homework, right?"

"I..."

Tang Manman’s lips parted slightly in shock, as if the concept of a student skipping homework was beyond comprehension.

Seeing her dumbfounded cuteness, Lin Yu injected another dose of resolve into his weakening heart. Then, with a renewed leer, he let his gaze roam over her slender frame, his lips curling into a wicked smirk.

"Then how about... you help me with something else?"