After class, Jiang Shuyi suddenly dashed out of the classroom, her face flushed.

Watching her back, which was faster than a rabbit, Wen Yao also got up and walked to the English office.

The English teacher was organizing papers in the office. "Wen Yao, you're just in time. Help me log these students' scores."

"Okay." Wen Yao put down the class log she was holding and nodded as she walked over.

The English teacher's office was on the second floor, with the computer positioned by a window overlooking the courtyard, which looked very peaceful under the streetlights.

Wen Yao flipped through a few test papers, feeling a bit tired as she entered the students' scores into the computer.

Suddenly, she heard rustling sounds from outside the window.

Wen Yao looked up and noticed a small white kitten perched on a tree in the courtyard, staring at her.

After watching for a moment, she thought the kitten probably couldn't get down from the tree.

That's how cats are, they love to climb to high places.

They rush up without thinking, but when it comes time to come down, their claws struggle to grip the branches, leading to the situation where it's easy to go up but hard to come down.

Moreover, they are sensitive by nature, and when a person approaches, they become timid, making them even less likely to come down.

—Such self-inflicted trouble.

Wen Yao felt this kitten resembled someone.

Her fingers paused over the keyboard for a moment, and just as she was about to get up, she saw someone walking under the tree.

Jiang Shuyi quietly climbed up the tree and smiled affectionately at the kitten.

"Don't be afraid, I'll help you down."

The kitten obediently meowed a few times and then climbed into Jiang Shuyi's arms.

Jiang Shuyi held the kitten and jumped down from the tree.

Perhaps due to a lack of balance, she landed on her bottom.

Jiang Shuyi cautiously looked around and, seeing that no one had witnessed her fall, let out a sigh of relief.

"Is she an idiot?" Wen Yao remarked calmly, watching Jiang Shuyi's back.

The Alpha standing in the courtyard playfully poked the kitten in her arms.

The kitten, not holding back, swatted her with its paw and then swept Jiang Shuyi's face with its tail.

Jiang Shuyi immediately stopped smiling.

"Why are you scratching me?"

Wen Yao listened to Jiang Shuyi's bored muttering and quietly rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the distant Alpha.

Jiang Shuyi wanted to reach out and pet the kitten's head, but before she could, the kitten scratched her a few more times.

Jiang Shuyi looked at the kitten in disbelief. "You were so well-behaved when I was helping you, but now that I put you down, you act like a brat, not even allowing me to pet you..."

"...Do you all really dislike me that much?" Jiang Shuyi said, lowering her head and pinching the kitten's paw. "You two are just alike—mean, cold, and unapproachable..."

Wen Yao, listening to Jiang Shuyi's words, turned her head and indifferently flipped a page of the test paper.

---

After dropping the cat off at the school security office, Jiang Shuyi returned to the classroom, where Wen Yao was sitting at her desk reading an English book.

Jiang Shuyi looked at her and cleared her throat. "Wen Yao."

Wen Yao glanced at her but didn't respond.

"This noon, I was wrong. I just saw chalk dust on your head and wanted to help you brush it off. I didn't expect it to make you so unhappy..."

"I won't touch you casually in the future." Jiang Shuyi said somewhat reluctantly.

Upon hearing this, Wen Yao's pen paused on the book.

"I'm sorry." Jiang Shuyi added.

"It's fine." Wen Yao's response was very straightforward.

"Really?" Jiang Shuyi sat up straight.

Feeling a bit fidgety, Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao, uncertain about what she was thinking, and asked, "You really forgive me, right?"

Seeing her anxious expression, Wen Yao calmly lowered her gaze. "Mm."

"But," Wen Yao said in a flat tone, flipping a page of her English book, "you don't have to force yourself to apologize to someone as mean, cold, and unapproachable as me."

Wasn't that what she had just muttered to herself in the courtyard?

"You heard that?" Jiang Shuyi's face turned pale.

"But I'm not making things up, you really are cold to me..." Jiang Shuyi began to argue, feeling a bit guilty.

Wen Yao ignored her.

She stole a glance at Wen Yao. "I'm sorry, so please don't be angry, okay?"

"Saying sorry too much makes it seem insincere." Wen Yao replied coldly.

"..." 

Jiang Shuyi shut her mouth.

— Fine, whatever you say.

"...Can I still ask you questions in the future?" Jiang Shuyi was still hung up on the fact that Wen Yao only answered questions from others.

"Mm."

"Then can you explain this question to me?" Jiang Shuyi pointed to a chemistry problem.

Wen Yao took the book and was about to answer when a voice came from the doorway.

"Is the class monitor here? We need to have a grade meeting soon, and every class's monitor and class committee member needs to attend."

The grade director knocked on the door. "Get ready for the meeting."

"Okay." Wen Yao responded steadily.

She meticulously took out her pen and notebook, glancing at Jiang Shuyi, who was holding a chemistry practice book.

"...You go ahead." Jiang Shuyi waved her hand.

Wen Yao looked at Jiang Shuyi and said calmly as always, "The meeting will probably take about thirty minutes. If you—"

"Oh, then I'll wait for you to come back." Jiang Shuyi immediately sat up like a well-behaved dog, nodding.

Wen Yao paused. She had intended to say that if Jiang Shuyi was in a hurry, she could go find the chemistry teacher.

She glanced at Jiang Shuyi's hand.

There were several scratches on the back of Jiang Shuyi's hand from the kitten.

"Put your hand out." Wen Yao slowly took something out of her coat pocket.

Jiang Shuyi was a bit confused but obediently extended her right hand.

Seeing her dog-like demeanor, Wen Yao tore off a band-aid and placed it over her wound.

Wen Yao's fingers were cold, and when she pressed the band-aid down gently, Jiang Shuyi felt a cool sensation.

It was somewhat soothing.

Jiang Shuyi looked at Wen Yao, swallowing nervously. "Why do you have a band-aid...?"

Wen Yao, whose hand had been gentle, pressed a bit harder on the band-aid. "Don't talk so much."

"Ow," Jiang Shuyi winced as the pressure hit her wound, looking at her in confusion. "Oh, got it."

"Jiang Shuyi," Wen Yao took out another band-aid and quietly applied it to her wound. "You act too much like a dog."

"That's exactly why cats dislike you." Wen Yao left that remark behind as she slowly got up and left the classroom.

---

An hour had passed since Wen Yao went to the meeting.

After the evening self-study session ended, Jiang Shuyi swung her legs, watching the other students leave one by one.

She rested her chin on her hand, feeling a bit bored as she looked at Wen Yao's empty seat.

The books were neatly organized and categorized, a clean, unworn plastic ruler, a mechanical pencil, and neatly arranged drafts on the school's provided notepad.

The classroom bell rang, signaling it was nine o'clock.

As the third half-hour passed without any sign of Wen Yao returning, Jiang Shuyi sighed.

—Wasn't the grade meeting a bit too long? They were just a bunch of students, how much could they possibly have to discuss?

The days in late October grew dark very early, and now the sky had faint twinkling stars.

A hazy moon hung in the distance.

Staying in the quiet classroom, Jiang Shuyi suddenly felt very hungry.

A security guard walked in, his flashlight sweeping across the room.

"Student, why haven't you left yet?"

"...Ah, I stayed because of the grade meeting."

"Is that so?"

After Jiang Shuyi responded a few times, the security guard left.

Jiang Shuyi rested her head on the desk, feeling really hungry.

She wanted to eat something...

There should still be food for sale at the entrance.

—But what if Wen Yao comes back and sees I'm not here and just leaves?

"What kind of meeting are they having? Why is it dragging on like this? Don't they see the class monitor as a person?"

"I'm so hungry." Jiang Shuyi felt her vision darkening from hunger.

—With my speed, I should be fine running back quickly.

But as soon as Jiang Shuyi thought of the moment Wen Yao applied the band-aid to her, she felt as if her bottom was glued to the chair, unable to stand up.

"...I'll wait for ten more minutes. If she doesn't come back after ten minutes, I won't wait anymore."

---

The grade meeting ended, and Deng Ningxuan and Wen Yao walked back to the classroom one after the other.

"It's already so late, should I walk you home?" Deng Ningxuan glanced at the moon outside.

"There's no need." Wen Yao said calmly, pushing open the classroom door.

What she thought would be a thirty-minute meeting ended up lasting two and a half hours.

Wen Yao figured there wouldn't be anyone left in the classroom by now.

However, when she opened the door and saw the Alpha sleeping at her desk, she found herself at a loss for words.

"..."

"Why hasn't she left yet?" Deng Ningxuan muttered quietly as he slung his bag over his shoulder.

Wen Yao shook Jiang Shuyi's shoulder.

Jiang Shuyi didn't budge.

Looking at the Alpha drooling on the desk, Wen Yao sighed, "...What on earth is she dreaming about?"

"Wen Yao," Deng Ningxuan looked at her, "aren't you leaving?"

After tidying up the desk, he turned at Wen Yao.

"You go ahead." Wen Yao pulled out a chair and sat down.

Deng Ningxuan glanced at Jiang Shuyi lying next to Wen Yao, pausing his steps. "You're not planning to wait for her, are you?"

Wen Yao's tone was indifferent, and she didn't answer Deng Ningxuan's question. "I'll lock the door."

"Wen Yao, it's not safe for an Omega to go home alone at night. You should go back now," Deng Ningxuan said with a frown, a bit worried. "Why wait for her alone?"

"It's fine," Wen Yao shook her head, her tone calm. "You should go back."

"..." Deng Ningxuan walked out.

As he closed the door, he quietly turned around to look at Wen Yao.

Wen Yao was silently gazing at Jiang Shuyi's sleeping face, her expression very serious.

Deng Ningxuan immediately furrowed his brows, hesitating as he spoke. "Wen Yao, Jiang Shuyi isn't a good student. You should be careful not to get too close to her..."

Wen Yao glanced at him. "Why are you saying this? What does it have to do with you?"

"It doesn't, but I'm just worried that she might influence you." Deng Ningxuan said seriously, adjusting his backpack.

"No one can influence me, Deng Ningxuan." Wen Yao replied flatly.

"Please don't meddle in my affairs."

Deng Ningxuan felt a bit awkward and closed his mouth. "..."

After leaving the classroom, he clenched his fists in frustration.

----

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