Ning Xi sat in the classroom, enduring a torturous morning.

By this stage of senior year, they had already entered the second round of review. Since they were using summer vacation for extra lessons, the class schedule felt both empty and endless.

Ning Xi watched as the math teacher drew diagrams on the blackboard, explaining a complex solid geometry problem. He was on the verge of falling asleep.

He wasn’t sure whether the class’s foundation was just too weak or if the teacher was simply too thorough, but every single concept, big or small, was explained meticulously, with nothing left out.

Yet, Ning Xi had already mastered all of this back in his first year of high school.

Not to brag, but if he hadn’t slacked off in the later years of high school and skipped learning calculus and linear algebra, he wouldn’t have needed the college entrance exam to get into Tsinghua or Peking University.

He might have been directly recommended for admission ages ago.

After dozing through the unbearably dull Chinese, English, and math classes, Ning Xi finally collapsed during the last self-study session.

He lay on the table and buried his head into his arm.

“Classmate Ning, do you not understand?”

Seated in front of him was the study committee member from Class Seven, whom Guo Zhen had deliberately arranged to sit there, saying he could help Ning Xi with his studies.

Ning Xi slowly lifted his head. The words “too easy” were on the tip of his tongue, but he forcibly swallowed them and changed them to: “Yeah, it’s ridiculously hard. I don’t understand.”

The study committee member was a boy with glasses thicker than a beer bottle. If it’s according to the novel, he would probably be an Omega too.

Whether it was out of camaraderie between Omegas or some sort of intellectual sympathy, he kindly offered, “I can explain it to you. Which question do you not understand?”

Ning Xi casually pointed to an analytic geometry.

“Oh, this one ah,” the study committee member adjusted his glasses. “For this question, you see, it’s an ellipse. So first, we set up equations for the ellipse and the hyperbola…”

The study committee member was probably a textbook Omega—fair-skinned, small in stature, with a few freckles on his face. His voice was soft and gentle, which only made people sleepier.

Every time the committee member spoke, Ning Xi would respond with an “Mm” in agreement, playing along.

But halfway through his explanation, he got stuck and couldn’t solve the problem.

“Uh… Do we set up another equation to find the intersection point…” He hesitated, unconsciously clicking the spring-loaded pen in his hand.

The sound of the pen brought Ning Xi’s drifting thoughts back. Seeing the committee member frowning in frustration, he instinctively offered a hint:

“Here, add an auxiliary line.”

The committee member looked at the line Ning Xi had indicated and suddenly had a eureka moment. “Ah, you’re right ah!”

Then he looked up at Ning Xi in surprise. “Classmate Ning, so you actually know how to do it! That’s amazing!”

Ning Xi: “…”

Crap. He might’ve just blown his cover.

“Ah, I just guessed blindly,” Ning Xi said awkwardly. “It’s all thanks to you, school committee’s great explanation.”

But the committee member didn’t seem to hear that. “You’re really smart, hey. Why did Teacher Guo ask me to tutor you?”

“No, no, I’m dumb as a rock,” Ning Xi hurriedly shook his head. “I can’t understand the lessons, and I can’t solve the problems. Math gave me a headache even back in middle school.”

The school committee looked at him suspiciously.

Ning Xi took a deep breath and said heavily, “After all, I only scored 65 on my middle school math exam.”

At this, the committee member’s entire expression, tone, and even his very presence radiated pure pity and sympathy. “Ah, it’s like this.”

Seeing his reaction, Ning Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But then, the next thing the committee member said was: “And yet you were still able to figure out the auxiliary line. You must be a genius!”

Ning Xi: “…”

How did this guy’s brain circuits even qualify him to be a student committee member?

By that logic, shouldn’t he be able to run for president in America?

At this time, the bell finally rang.

Feeling as if he had been granted salvation, Ning Xi shot up from his seat and said, “Thanks, committee member! I’ll be going now!”

Without waiting for a response, he bolted out of the classroom, swept away in the tidal wave of students rushing out like a swarm of locusts.

The committee member watched as Ning Xi disappeared down the hallway, then slowly retracted his gaze.

He tapped lightly on the scratch paper in front of him before turning back around.

—

Ning Xi didn’t follow the crowd to the cafeteria. Instead, after asking for directions, he made his way toward the experimental class.

He wasn’t sure why, but he had a feeling that Song Yize would be waiting for him in the classroom.

After all, he was so nice.

And he was the male lead.

By now, the lunch rush had passed, and the hallways were noticeably emptier.

Ning Xi’s classroom was on the second floor, and the experimental class was on the third floor, which was actually still relatively close. It was just a matter of needing to go up one floor.

At the entrance of the stairwell, he took two steps at a time, eager to reach Song Yize as quickly as possible.

The morning had gone surprisingly well for him. If this was really the male lead’s halo at work, ensuring his little life, he wouldn’t even mind being Song Yize’s sidekick.

But before Ning Xi could fully enjoy his peaceful morning, trouble struck again.

For no reason at all, his foot slipped, and he missed a step on the staircase.

Ning Xi immediately lost his balance and reached out to grab the nearby handrail. But even though it was right in front of him when he reached for it, it felt like an illusion—his hand grasped nothing but air.

With nothing to support him, Ning Xi couldn’t steady himself and tumbled straight down the stairs.

He fell from the very top to the very bottom. Though he tried his best to protect his knees and head, his ankle, arm, and even his waist were badly bruised.

“Bang—”

The loud crash echoed through the stairwell.

Ning Xi bared his teeth in pain for a moment. He tried to push himself up from the floor, only to realize his foot twisted.

Ah.

Living in this novel was seriously cutting down his lifespan ah.

What now? How was he supposed to find Song Yize like this ah?

“Hey, student, are you okay!” A female teacher passing by saw Ning Xi sprawled on the ground, unable to get up, and rushed over in a panic.

She glanced at his injuries. “How did you twist your foot? Did you fall down the stairs? How could you be so careless? Ai, wait here. I’ll call someone to help you to the infirmary.”

“Ai, no need…” Ning Xi tried to stop her. Right now, he just wanted to see Song Yize as soon as possible.

“How can you say that? You can’t even stand up!” the female teacher insisted. “I’ll find an Alpha to help you to the infirmary. You need to get that foot checked—don’t let it damage the tendons.”

Then she turned around and randomly grabbed an Alpha from the hallway. “Hey, you—Alpha student over there, come here for a moment!”

The Alpha she called over was a tall guy with a buzz cut, wearing his school uniform loosely.

The Alpha pointed at himself, looking skeptical as if questioning whether the teacher had called the wrong person.

“Yes, you. Yes, you,” the female teacher said firmly. “Take this Omega to the infirmary, he’s twisted his foot.”

The Alpha’s face practically screamed “Why the hell are you picking me for this?” But when he saw Ning Xi sitting on the ground, looking all soft and delicate, his attitude suddenly changed.

“Okay, teacher, I’ll take him over,” the Alpha replied lazily, shoving his hands into his pockets as he strolled toward Ning Xi.

—

Ning Xi sat on the infirmary bed, with nothing left to live for.

The school doctor had just finished treating his injuries and couldn’t help but sigh. “Aiya, how do you have so many bruises? Poor kid…”

Ning Xi has gotten used to the world feeling sorry for him.

Because, honestly, he thought so too.

“All done. Just rest here for a bit,” the school doctor said, placing the iodine bottle on the table. “I haven’t had lunch yet, so I’m stepping out for a bit ha.”

“Okay, thank you, doctor.” Ning Xi smiled sweetly.

When the school doctor left, Ning Xi’s expression immediately collapsed.

He shifted slightly, his long lashes drooping as he leaned back casually, propping himself up with one arm. His whole posture exuded laziness.

He was already dead tired. His original plan was to stick close to Song Yize for some good luck, but before he could even find him, he got himself into this mess.

After not looking for him for so long, Song Yize had probably gone to eat by himself by now.

It seemed like there was no chance of seeing him at lunch.

Just then, a voice popped up from the side.

“Hey there, classmate ya. My name’s Li Yiming. Nice to meet you ah.”

Ning Xi suddenly remembered that there was someone else here. It was that Alpha who had helped him over.

“Mm.” Ning Xi responded perfunctorily.

Since it wasn’t Song Yize, Ning Xi didn’t even feel like putting on an act.

Li Yiming, however, seemed completely oblivious to Ning Xi’s attitude and kept chatting. “Hey, how come I’ve never seen you before ah? You’re not wearing a uniform either. Are you new here?”

Ning Xi nodded absentmindedly, his mind occupied with figuring out how to meet up with Song Yize again.

“A transfer student, huh?” Li Yiming’s grin widened. “Want me to show you around the campus? The sweet and sour ribs at our school cafeteria are really good. Ai, and I can take you to our school’s famous Lovers’ Slope—the view there is amazing.”

Ning Xi was still thinking and ignored him.

Li Yiming didn’t seem the least bit discouraged. “I feel like we really have a connection. If you ever need anything, just ask me.”

Saying that he leaned in slightly and grinned. “Let’s add each other on WeChat?”

The scent of his sage-infused pheromones carried a cheap plastic-like smell, laced with an intrusive undertone as he attempted to approach Ning Xi.

Sensing the discomfort, Ning Xi frowned. He leaned back slightly and said, “I don’t have WeChat.”

“Ai, don’t be like that. Who doesn’t have WeChat these days?” Li Yiming inched even closer.

Ning Xi found his tone increasingly grating. His brows furrowed tighter, and he snapped impatiently, “No phone.”

“How come …”

“Broke.”^[1]He meant he was poor here. Not that his phone was broken.

Li Yiming: “…”

Very good, this Omega has a character.

Ning Xi figured he needed to either hurry back to class or track down Song Yize—anything but waste more time here.

For the sake of his safe and intact future.

But Li Yiming still wouldn’t give up. “Your pheromones smell really nice. What scent is it…”

Before he could finish, he was interrupted by the infirmary door being burst open with a loud bang.

Ning Xi had been feeling irritated, but when he glanced over and saw who had just entered, his eyes lit up instantly.

Song Yize had clearly sprinted here—his bangs were blown to the sides, his chest rising and falling with his breath. His gaze swept across the room until it landed on Ning Xi, who was sitting on the infirmary bed.

It was Song Yize!

A real, living, Song Yize!

Ning Xi was so moved he almost teared up. Ignoring Li Yiming completely, he jumped off the bed on one foot and bounced over to Song Yize. Grabbing onto the hem of his uniform, he spoke in an extra sweet tone. “Yize, why are you here?”

His voice carried a hint of grievance. “I’m sorry ah, I didn’t come find you. It wasn’t on purpose—I fell down the stairs and twisted my foot… I really didn’t mean to. Don’t be mad at ya~”

Song Yize looked at him, his expression unreadable, but his voice was noticeably gentle. “I’m not mad.”

“Oh, good, good.” Ning Xi let out a relieved sigh.

Li Yiming on the side, watched the drastic shift in Ning Xi’s attitude and was just about to cut in when he heard Ning Xi continue.

“Oh, right, Yize. I feel like we really have a connection. And you know so much—can I ask you if I don’t understand something?” Ning Xi gazed at Song Yize, the light in his eyes was practically coming out.

“Let’s add each other on WeChat?”

Li Yiming, who had been ignored for saying the exact same thing just moments ago, felt a giant question mark form in his head.

?