Hidden Mission

Shen Nian and Xia Yanchun stared at each other in silence.

Bored out of their minds, they resorted to a staring contest—seeing who could last longer without blinking.

Eventually, Xia Yanchun couldn’t take it anymore and buried her face in her hands with a huff.

The temperature outside felt like 38°C, hardly autumn-like. In the southern city of Cinan, snowfall in winter was rare enough to make headlines. When people thought of Cinan, the first things that came to mind were the heat and the local specialty—twin-tailed girls.

Xia Yanchun had already given up on napping now. She’d just sneak in some sleep during the afternoon self-study session.

A sudden chill against the soft flesh of her arm made her flinch. She shot Shen Nian a glare, her almond-shaped eyes burning with indignation.

Shen Nian grinned shamelessly. The moment he sat next to Xia Yanchun, he couldn’t resist messing with her—this time by pressing his iced tea cup against her skin.

"We’ve already cut ties. Stop bothering me."

"I unilaterally declare a truce."

"Truce denied!" Xia Yanchun raised a finger defiantly.

If only she wore glasses, she’d look exactly like someone about to say, "I’ve got an idea."

"I veto your denial." Shen Nian grabbed her small hand, forcibly pressing down her stubborn finger.

Her palm felt soft and cool—something he’d never noticed before. Now, his hand could completely engulf hers.

Xia Yanchun’s hands were smooth, with barely any visible hair. Girls usually hit puberty in middle school, and Shen Nian had seen plenty with arm hair, leg hair, even faint mustaches—all normal development. Xia Yanchun had gone through that phase too, but at some point, her body hair had thinned into fine, barely-there fuzz.

Looking back, the bratty little girl he’d grown up with had somehow blossomed into a sweet, delicate beauty. Funny how he hadn’t noticed the change.

Sweet and delicate to others, sure. But around him? Her aggression needed serious toning down.

Back in their class, some guys had tried to get close to her, but her polite-yet-distant demeanor had deterred them long before any confessions could happen.

Shen Nian fell into thought.

Unsure, he gave her hand another squeeze.

And another.

Xia Yanchun shuddered, yanking her hand back. "You freak! Are you in heat or something?"

"Damn, that’s harsh." Shen Nian’s face darkened. Thank goodness the classroom was empty—if anyone heard, his reputation would be ruined.

"Then why were you groping me? You—you absolute pervert!"

"Who was groping you?" Shen Nian sputtered. "I was just vetoing your denial! Don’t twist my words!"

Xia Yanchun wasn’t buying it. She knew the difference between a casual hold and a deliberate touch. In her eyes, Shen Nian had always been a borderline degenerate, and this just confirmed it.

The thought of what he might’ve been imagining made her skin crawl.

"Ugh, stay away from me."

"What, pregnant? I didn’t even—"

"Shut uuuup!"

Shen Nian struck a dramatic pose: "Hah! Got you to react."

[Image: A comedic exaggerated gesture—"The Great Desolate Imprisoning Heaven Finger"]

Sumimasen, Yanchun-chan… I couldn’t help being a little shit again. We’re bros, right? Cut me some slack?

Xia Yanchun stewed in frustration. She’d lost today’s battle of wits, and lately, Shen Nian had been outmaneuvering her too often. She needed to analyze where she kept slipping up.

Seriously, how had that adorable little kid turned into… this? Raised in a sewer?

But her mood quickly shifted. Lifting her chin smugly, she crossed her arms. "Fine, since you’re so desperate to be friends, I’ll reluctantly agree. But you owe me a friendship fee."

"…" Shen Nian didn’t reply. Instead, he returned to his seat, rummaged through his bag, and pulled out a 100-yuan bill.

He grabbed Xia Yanchun’s hand and pressed the money into her palm.

"Yanchun, please be my friend!"

"…Huh?"

Xia Yanchun froze, her wide eyes reflecting Shen Nian’s smirk.

Short of him being reborn or possessed, she couldn’t fathom why he’d do this.

Honestly? She was mortified.

"Take it. Consider it bro-tax." Shen Nian chuckled. "Money can’t buy sincerity, but I’d rather have you than cash. Keep it."

"I was joking! What about your allowance?"

"I’ve got cash. Didn’t I tell you I’ve been selling fish? I could literally throw money at your face right now."

Relief washed over Xia Yanchun. Okay, definitely not possessed.

"Take it." Shen Nian curled her fingers around the bill.

"…Okay."

Shen Nian (barely containing laughter)

You actually took it? Checkmate, Xia Yanchun.

Just wait till I tell your mom, "Auntie, Yanchun said she won’t hang out with me unless I pay her." You’re so dead.

Trapped? No idea what you mean. Go explain to your mom.

Shen Nian played dirty—but dirty in a totally harmless way.

Done teasing, he headed to the bathroom to splash cold water on his face.

Xia Yanchun sat stiffly, the bill clutched in her hand, at a loss for words.

Biting her lip, she shifted, tucking her hands between her thighs. The heat was unbearable—even the tips of her ears had turned pink.

The ceiling fan blew hot air, tousling her hair. Annoyed, she pulled out her hair tie.

Today was the hottest in recent memory. The two-hour lunch break dragged endlessly. The school’s central AC guzzled power, and with so few students around at noon, the administration cut it off to save costs—never mind the day students suffering in the swelter.

No wonder this school can’t compete with No. 1 High. No. 2 High is just their punching bag.

Screw this place. Dust Release: Parental Disappearance Technique!

Back in Li Shiyan’s seat, Shen Nian lazily propped his head up, stealing glances at Xia Yanchun with her hair down.

Long, straight hair usually looked messy when loose, but Xia Yanchun’s shoulder-length strands suited her—adding a touch of sophistication.

Most guys would’ve been utterly entranced. A slight exaggeration, maybe, but Shen Nian didn’t doubt her charm.

Objectively: A 160cm fair-skinned beauty with sweet vibes.

Subjectively: Flat-chested, hot-tempered, and lethally combative.

Spotting the sapphire hair tie on her desk, Shen Nian snatched it up, rolling it between his fingers.

Hm?

Ding!

【Hidden Quest Triggered: Lucky Star (This hidden quest is a long-term mission with no time limit.)

Pray to the Goddess of Fate to earn her favor and become her devout follower.】

【Quest Steps: Offer a prayer to the Goddess of Fate 0/1

Item Collection: Tear of Cloud and Sea 1/1; Bell of Wind and Song 0/1; Raft of Poem and Painting 0/1

Rewards: 10,000 gold coins, Title: Lucky Star (Luck +5)】

Wow, awesome! A new system quest!

Wait… a hidden quest?