The Irrational Her

"No way, absolutely no way!" Nangong Ye waved his hand dismissively. "I haven't done anything to provoke her. How could she suddenly like me? Give me a reason, please."

Liu Muye replied, "Does liking someone need a reason?"

"Doesn't it?"

"Does it?"

"Doesn't it?"

The two of them argued back and forth as they walked, eventually stepping into the classroom.

Shangguan Yurou, who was sharing breakfast with Han Juyou, saw this scene and immediately started overthinking again.

With her "shipping goggles" firmly in place, Shangguan Yurou's first thought was—Ah, couples fight sometimes. It’s totally normal.

Just as Shangguan Yurou was lost in her thoughts, Liu Muye suddenly approached, snapping her out of it.

"Shangguan, switch seats with me. I need to talk to her properly," Liu Muye said.

"Huh? Oh…"

Shangguan Yurou glanced at Han Juyou, then back at Liu Muye before nodding. "Alright."

So, Nangong Ye is upset because Liu Muye has been getting too close to Juyou, and now there’s tension between them? Shangguan Yurou mused internally. I should help clear things up.

If Liu Muye and Nangong Ye knew what Shangguan Yurou was thinking, they’d probably be furious!

Han Juyou quickly grabbed Shangguan Yurou’s hand. "Yurou, don’t move. Just stay here."

Shangguan Yurou waved her off. "It’s fine, Juyou. You talk things out with Liu Muye. I’ll go have a chat with Nangong Ye."

"Wait, Yurou—"

Without letting Han Juyou finish, Shangguan Yurou turned and headed to the back of the classroom, where Nangong Ye naturally took the seat beside her.

Liu Muye plopped down in Shangguan Yurou’s former spot and stared intently at Han Juyou.

Han Juyou wrinkled her nose, putting on a fierce expression as she glared back at him.

The two engaged in a silent staring contest for a while before Liu Muye finally broke the silence.

"Be honest with me—do you have feelings for someone?"

"!"

Han Juyou’s heart skipped a beat. Just a second ago, she had been telling herself to stay calm and rational, but now she was flustered.

"W-what nonsense are you spouting?" she stammered. "I don’t like—"

Noticing her odd reaction, Liu Muye cut her off, leaning closer. "You do like Nangong Ye, don’t you?"

"I don’t—huh? What?"

The blush on Han Juyou’s face instantly faded, replaced by a cold frown. "Are you out of your mind? Why on earth would I like Nangong Ye?"

"Then… why have you been ignoring me?" Liu Muye’s confidence wavered.

"What does me ignoring you have to do with Nangong Ye? What kind of logic is that?" Han Juyou snapped, annoyed.

Seeing her anger, Liu Muye shrank back slightly. "So… you really don’t like him?"

"Why would I like him for no reason?"

"Then… why have you been avoiding me?"

"I haven’t been avoiding you." Seeing Liu Muye’s dejected expression, Han Juyou almost laughed, her tone softening. "I just thought… it’s not good for us to be so close."

"Why not?"

Han Juyou hesitated for a few seconds before deciding to be honest. "Look, you’re Young Master Liu. The entire Siliya Academy belongs to you. I’m just a scholarship student from a humble background. The gap between us is huge. If we hang out too much, people will talk."

"Who dares talk about you?" Liu Muye propped his chin on his hand, resting his elbow on the desk. "Relax. No one will dare gossip about you if you’re with me. If anyone even tries, I’ll make sure they regret it."

"Pfft—"

Han Juyou burst out laughing. "What, are you some kind of gangster now? ‘Make them regret it’?"

Liu Muye grinned. "It’s called hyperbole—a literary device. Ever heard of it?"

"Hahaha!" Han Juyou covered her mouth, giggling. "You’re ridiculous."

Watching her laugh, Liu Muye suddenly recalled her subtle expression last night when she heard his funds had been unfrozen. Finally, he understood why she had been keeping her distance.

The realization made him smile inwardly.

Han Juyou, you’re such a strange girl. Everyone else clings to me the moment they find out who I am, desperate to latch onto my influence. But you? You run in the opposite direction.

And yet… this same strange girl is the one who later turns into a scheming, ruthless villain in the story, meeting a tragic end…

The thought made his heart ache for her even more.

"Han Juyou," he said suddenly.

"Hmm?" She looked at him curiously.

"Be my friend. Don’t overthink it."

"Really?"

"Of course." Liu Muye nodded firmly.

"Why, though?"

Her fox-like eyes, brimming with emotion, locked onto his.

"Because…"

He wanted to tell her—Because I’ve lived the same life as you. Because I understand what you’re going through. Because I want to help you, to change your fate.

But none of those words made it past his lips.

Instead, he said, "Because… I want to be your best friend."

"…"

Han Juyou’s lips parted slightly. A flicker of disappointment flashed in her eyes before she quickly masked it.

She smiled, meeting his gaze seriously. "You really mean that?"

"I mean it. Best friends."

Best friends…

Han Juyou comforted herself—Isn’t that good enough? At least he’s not just pitying me.

But then… why did her chest feel so tight?

When emotions took over, even the most rational girl could lose control.

Han Juyou lifted her head and suddenly realized just how close they were—close enough to feel each other’s breath.

Her cheeks burned, her thoughts scattering as she stumbled over her words. "Y-you… move back!"

"Not until you promise you won’t ignore me again!"

With Liu Muye’s face still inches from hers, Han Juyou’s rationality had long since fled. "I… I promise."

"That’s more like it."

Liu Muye finally leaned back, satisfied now that their misunderstanding was resolved.

As Han Juyou’s emotions settled, something suddenly occurred to her. "Liu Muye… I’m sorry, but you might be in for some trouble later."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Liu Muye had just finished asking his question when Sun Zihan and Zhang Ning walked into the classroom, dressed in outrageously flashy outfits.

...