Sweet Water

"Sweet soda~"

"Sweet soda~"

"My ice-cold sweet soda~"

As soon as class ended, Lin Yu eagerly dashed downstairs to retrieve the carbonated drink she had hidden in a snow pile during the last break, hoping to cool off from the stifling heat.

No other choice.

The school’s heating system was just too efficient!

In the dead of winter, it was so warm that everyone had to crack open windows for fresh air!

At the stairwell landing, Lin Yu paused and waited, watching as Gu Yue excitedly appeared at her classroom door. Lin Yu quickly waved her over, signaling her to hurry—otherwise, someone might steal their hidden treasure!

Once reunited, the two hurried down the stairs, exited the building, and stopped under a leafy tree in front of the school. Crouching down, they began digging through the thick snow.

After just a few scoops, two emerald-green bottles emerged side by side from the snow.

Seeing their ice-cold drinks perfectly preserved, they exchanged a glance and grinned.

Pulling the bottles free, Lin Yu blew off the snowflakes clinging to them and handed one to Gu Yue. Standing up, she was about to twist off the cap and take a big swig when—

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure.

Forgetting about the soda for a moment, Lin Yu instinctively turned her head. There, stepping out of the school building, was Tang Manman. Her fair cheeks were flushed pink, clearly suffering from the classroom’s relentless heat too.

Just as Lin Yu noticed her, Tang Manman seemed to sense the gaze. As if sharing the same thought, she turned and looked back.

Their eyes met, and for a second, both froze.

Lin Yu, ever the bold one, flashed a toothy grin and waved.

Tang Manman, however, reacted with shyness. Pressing her lips together, she offered a soft, delicate smile—her bright eyes sparkling with happiness, though she couldn’t quite hold Lin Yu’s gaze, her shyness making her glance away.

Noticing Tang Manman’s flushed face, Lin Yu seized the opportunity to avoid awkward silence. Without hesitation, she strode over, ice-cold drink in hand.

"Here, you take it."

She shoved the chilled bottle into Tang Manman’s grasp.

"Won’t you drink it?" Tang Manman held the bottle, looking up at Lin Yu with wide eyes. She clearly understood just how precious an ice-cold drink was in the sweltering classroom.

"Keep it. I’ll just buy another one and freeze it later."

Lin Yu waved a hand dismissively.

Tang Manman clutched the bottle, hesitating. Her gaze flickered briefly behind Lin Yu before returning, her delicate face breaking into a sweet, grateful smile.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Lin Yu fought the urge to ruffle her hair, grinning instead.

Tang Manman had likely come downstairs to buy a drink herself. Now, with an unexpected ice-cold soda in hand, she turned and headed back inside.

Watching her go, Lin Yu felt a pang of loss—her long-awaited treat was gone—but her mood remained bright.

With that good cheer intact, she decided to head to the store and grab another soda to freeze for later.

Lin Yu turned around and looked at Gu Yue, the smile on his face quickly fading, replaced by a puzzled expression.

What was wrong with Gu Yue?

She looked like she had been wronged by someone.

Ignoring Gu Yue’s sudden and inexplicable sulkiness, Lin Yu decided to head to the supermarket to buy another bottle of water and chill it.

But soon, he realized it was already the break before the last class of the day. Once this final class ended, it would be time to leave school.

In that case, there was no point in buying and chilling a drink anymore.

Once he left school, wouldn’t the cold weather make him shiver anyway?

Who’d still want an ice-cold drink then?

With a faint sigh of regret, Lin Yu turned back toward the building. It was just one more class—he could tough it out.

As he stepped into the school building, he hadn’t gone far when he heard the sound of quick footsteps jogging up behind him.

Lin Yu could guess it was Gu Yue, so he didn’t bother looking.

Just as he expected, the footsteps stopped beside him, and a cool breeze carrying the soothing scent of lavender washed over him—Gu Yue’s perfume.

"Here, Long Ge, you can have it."

Lin Yu was surprised when he saw the drink Gu Yue was handing him.

Turning to look at her, he asked curiously,

"Aren’t you drinking it?"

Gu Yue shook her head, her pink lips slightly pouted in an unhappy expression.

"You take it."

Lin Yu didn’t immediately accept the ice-cold drink. Instead, he studied Gu Yue’s sullen face and asked again,

"What’s wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

Her voice was tinged with dejection. After a pause, she added,

"I’m not feeling well today. I can’t have anything cold. You drink it."

"Oh."

"So that’s how it is."

Lin Yu didn’t question it further and happily took the soda from Gu Yue, drinking it with relish.

"Long Ge..."

Gu Yue spoke in a soft, subdued voice.

"What’s up?"

Lin Yu turned to look at her.

Gu Yue lifted her face slightly, her eyes filled with a sorrow Lin Yu couldn’t decipher. She asked quietly,

"You… you and Tang Manman..."

"Adult matters are none of a kid’s business!"

Lin Yu glared at her fiercely, clearly unwilling to discuss the topic, and snapped irritably.

Gu Yue’s lips quivered, looking even more aggrieved.

The elevator doors slid open, and the two stepped inside. They rode silently to the eighth floor, then exited one after the other.

Inside the elevator, Gu Yue kept her head down, not saying a word. Even though Lin Yu wasn’t paying much attention to her, he couldn’t help but notice something was off.

Standing in the hallway, Lin Yu was about to ask her what was really going on today when a familiar wave of sourness filled the air. He looked ahead and saw the corridor packed with male students, all wearing expressions of bitter envy.

?

Seeing this all-too-familiar look on their faces, a question mark popped up in Lin Yu’s mind.

What was going on?

Usually, they only wore these jealous expressions when Qing Mo was waiting for him at the school gates in her sports car.

Had Qing Mo come again today?

That shouldn’t be the case.

Lin Yu frowned.

He and Qing Mo had already exchanged contact info. If she wanted him to do something, she could just message him directly.

Why would she go through the trouble of waiting outside the school again?

Was she just born with a servile personality?

...

...

Actually… maybe she was.

Lin Yu didn’t bother overthinking it. He walked to the window and looked outside.

Sure enough.

That flashy supercar was parked arrogantly at the school entrance, impossible to miss.

Damn it!

Why was this woman so insufferable?!

Lin Yu gritted his teeth in frustration, too agitated to care about anything else. He pulled out his phone and strode to the deserted end of the hallway before dialing Qing Mo.

After two short rings, the call connected, and Qing Mo’s cool, detached voice came through the receiver with a simple, "Hello."

Lin Yu had no patience for pleasantries. He snapped immediately:

"Who told you to park your car at the school gate again?"

"Get the hell out of here!"

"Stop embarrassing me in public!"

Qing Mo let out a mocking laugh, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she shot back:

"What’s wrong? Afraid your little girlfriend will find out about us?"

The jab hit its mark. Lin Yu’s temper flared instantly. Suppressing his voice to a furious hiss, he barked:

"Cut the crap!"

"Get lost, NOW!!!"