*

Ning Xi sat in Class Seven’s classroom, staring blankly at the blackboard.

On the podium, Chemistry teacher Guo Zhen was passionately lecturing on organic chemistry, covering the entire board with organic equations.

“Here!” Guo Zhen forcefully circled a part of the blackboard, his voice almost bursting from his throat. “Adding bromine tetrachloride to the sample causes decolorization, proving the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond!”

Ning Xi had long since memorized these basic concepts. Perhaps it was the discomfort of returning to high school life, but the moment class started, he felt overwhelmingly drowsy.

Maybe out of sheer boredom, Ning Xi leaned back, tilting his chair dangerously, and pulled his phone out of his pocket. He opened WeChat and sent Bai Xuyu a message.

[Student Xiao Xi: You there?]

About five minutes later, the reply came:

[Bai Xuyu: What’s up? I’m in class.]

[Student Xiao Xi: Nothing]

[Student Xiao Xi: Just wanted to tell you something.]

[Student Xiao Xi: I got his WeChat.]

[Bai Xuyu: Oh]

[Bai Xuyu: Not bad ah, Xi’er.]

[Bai Xuyu: Have you chatted with him? Checked his Moments? Any status updates?]

Ning Xi opened Song Yize’s WeChat. It was completely empty. The background image was a solitary tree, and below it was the message:

“Friends can only view the last three days of Moments.”

[Student Xiao Xi: Nothing at all.]

[Bai Xuyu: Tsk.]

[Bai Xuyu: Go after him! Just go for it! Start a conversation with him!]

[Student Xiao Xi: ?]

[Student Xiao Xi: I’m in class right now.]

[Bai Xuyu: ?]

[Bai Xuyu: So you do know you’re in class too ah.]

Ning Xi rocked his chair restlessly.

Back in his own high school days, he hadn’t been the most well-behaved either—playing games on his phone during class.

When phone checks were especially strict, teachers would walk around the classroom with a phone detector, scanning every student.

In those cases, Ning Xi and his classmates would stash their phones in their bags and then throw them out the window, where they get thrown in the flowerbed on the first floor.

But Ning Xi was certain that Song Yize was different.

He looked like an honest and obedient xueba. The kind to sit through class properly, never touching his phone.

As he thought about this, Ning Xi opened his chat with Song Yize. The “Mensao Didi” contact name was strangely endearing, making him want to laugh.

He pulled up the keyboard, curious to see what kind of stickers were saved on this phone.

To be honest, the Ning Xi of this world seemed to have a few peculiar habits.

For instance, at the very bottom of his sticker collection, there was a bunch of: [Husband Kiss.JPG] [Husband Hug.JPG] [Husband, I Love You.JPG] [Handsome Husband, Look At Me.JPG].

There are Q versions of the little yellow cartoon heads with their tongues out exaggeratedly, and bright eyes while holding little hearts. Others depicted cute chibi-style little boys acting all cutesy.

Of course, every single one of them made sure the word “Husband” was bold and eye-catching.

…Way too flirty.

Ning Xi couldn’t take it. He wanted to delete them all immediately.

However, what was particularly unfortunate was that—

Ning Xi’s hand slipped.

His finger accidentally tapped on a [Husband, I Love You.JPG] sticker, and with a crisp click, it was sent straight to Song Yize.

Ning Xi: “!!!”

That [Husband, I Love You.JPG] sticker was absolutely horrifying—with an oversized tongue sticking out, clutching a massive bouquet of roses. It was tacky beyond belief, with a retro, flashy font next to it that read: “Husband, saranghaeyo~”

Ning Xi instantly jerked his chair back upright.

Frantically, he tapped the unsend button. No problem. It hadn’t been three minutes yet—he could still retract it.

It didn’t matter. Song Yize was focused on class. He wouldn’t see the message.

And if he did ask about it, he could just say it was a slip of the hand…

[Mensao Didi: ?]

Ning Xi: ”…???”

He hadn’t expected Song Yize to actually reply. Panicked, he quickly lowered his head and started typing.

[Student Xiao Xi: Aren’t you in class!]

[Mensao Didi: What did you just send?]

Help. Song Yize saw the [Husband, I Love You.JPG].

But instead of worrying about how Song Yize felt about the sticker, Ning Xi was far more caught up in the shocking fact that “Song Yize was actually checking his phone during class.”

[Student Xiao Xi: How can you be on your phone in class!]

The reply came instantly.

[Mensao Didi: How are you on your phone in class?]

[Student Xiao Xi: We’re not the same.]

[Student Xiao Xi: You shouldn’t be using your phone in class ah.]

Ning Xi kept circling back to those two sentences. In his heart, Song Yize was a model student—both morally upright and academically dedicated.

Otherwise, why would his former female deskmate always pray for Song Yize’s blessing before every exam?

[Mensao Didi: I’m working on competition problems.]

Ning Xi frowned.

What did that mean?

[Mensao Didi: The class is too easy.]

Ning Xi: ”…”

He really had nothing to say to that.

[Mensao Didi: So why are you on your phone in class?]

[Mensao Didi: Are you working on competition problems too?]

Great. Song Yize was mocking him now.

Ning Xi refused to back down. This was no time to cower at this time. He had to stand his ground, maintain his image, and protect his dignity.

He swiftly opened the keyboard and typed:

[Student Xiao Xi: The class is too hard.]

[Student Xiao Xi: I’m reviewing middle school chemistry concepts.]

The other side went completely silent.

Seeing that Song Yize wasn’t replying, Ning Xi suddenly felt a rush of satisfaction.

That damn competitive streak.

However, the opposite party suddenly sent a bunch of messages.

Watching the screen scroll rapidly, Ning Xi was baffled. He scrolled back up—only to find that Song Yize had sent him a whole bunch of files.

<Complete Explanation of Middle School Chemistry Concepts>

<Top Students’ Study Guide – Middle School Chemistry>

<Chemistry for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide>

<High School Chemistry Preparation Guide>

…

[Mensao Didi: These are e-books my younger cousin used in middle school.]

[Mensao Didi: Maybe they’ll help you.]

Ning Xi: ”…”

At this point, should he be praising Song Yize for being so kind and considerate, or should he just go beat him up?

There was no way this wasn’t on purpose.

Ning Xi took a deep breath and replied:

[Student Xiao Xi: Thanks. [Rose.JPG]]

The other side went silent again.

Ning Xi didn’t want him to reply anyway. It was better for Song Yize to focus on his studies. If he really was using his phone for competition problems, then it was best not to disturb him.

Ning Xi let out a long sigh of relief.

He slowly straightened his waist and rolled his shoulders, stretching lazily.

The air conditioning in the classroom was pleasantly cool, and the half-drawn curtains blocked just enough sunlight.

Ning Xi felt a little more awake in the afternoon when he was more prone to drowsiness.

But just as he turned his head to glance out the window, his entire body froze.

Director Liu—the very one who had confiscated his phone—was crouched at the window, eyes locked onto the device in Ning Xi’s hand.

Ning Xi stiffly shoved the phone into his pocket, then turned his head back, awkwardly meeting Director Liu’s gaze.

“Having a good chat ah?” Director Liu’s expression was eerily similar to Meng Po, the old woman who served soup by the Naihe Bridge in the underworld. “I’ve been watching you chat for half the class now. So focused oh.”

Ning Xi squeezed out an awkward smile.

The moment he did, the expression on Director Liu’s face vanished completely.

He was extremely serious with a tone as hard as diamond, utterly devoid of any sympathy.

“You. Step outside.”

—

Ning Xi was called out by Director Liu.

He hadn’t expected that on his very first day at this new school, he’d already get caught using his phone in class.

And the phone Director Liu was holding was the one from his original world.

It really took a lot of his life.　　

If Ning Xi was originally in high school, his defiant attitude could have easily overpowered the authority of the discipline director.

But right now, he really felt that the less trouble, the better. If he accidentally triggered some major character or plot development, not even Song Yize’s male lead halo could save him.

The director looked Ning Xi up and down and frowned, “Why is it you again ah?”

Ning Xi pursed his lips.

Yeah, how come it’s you again.

“Last time, it was your phone too, wasn’t it?” Director Liu said. “You never even turned in the reflection paper I asked for. And now you’re here with another phone? What, got too many of them and want to help the discipline office stock up?”

Ning Xi pouted. “I’m sorry…”

“What’s your name?”

“Ning Xi.”

The director looked at the obedient-looking Omega standing before him, skillfully had his head down with his hands clasped behind his back. “Tell me, who’s the other person?”

Ning Xi forced an awkward smile. “What do you mean ah, Director?”

“The person you were chatting with,” Director Liu said. “I saw you glued to your phone for half a day. Who was it ah?”

Holy ***.

The person he was chatting with was Song Yize.

No way. Taking the fall himself was one thing, but there was no way he could drag Song Yize into this.

“No, teacher.” Ning Xi said, “I was just talking to myself.”

“Yeah, right.” Director Liu said. “I’m giving you a chance to confess now and be lenient. If I find out myself, both of you are finished!”

Ning Xi wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead. Why is this Instructor Director so hard to deal with?

“Well… Director Liu, you know how it is. If I snitch, wouldn’t that make me a terrible friend? It doesn’t matter who I was talking to—just punish me instead.” Ning Xi said.

“Okay, can ah,” Director Liu nodded, showing zero signs of mercy. “Then write a 5,000-word reflection. After self-study this week, you’ll have 30 minutes on the podium to read it out loud. Make sure you thoroughly describe your touching brotherhood!”

“…”

Did he really have to make such a big show out of this?

Well, whatever. As long as Song Yize was safe.

“Okay, okay, Director Liu.” Ning Xi, never one to care much about face, agreed without hesitation.

Director Liu extended his hand, palm open, and curled his fingers in a beckoning motion.

“Ai, okay.” Ning Xi obediently took out his phone and handed it over to Director Liu with both hands, acting as respectful as possible.

Director Liu stuffed the phone into his pocket. “No matter if you’re an Alpha, Beta, or Omega, you should be learning from outstanding role models, not playing on your phone during class. You’re already a senior—don’t you understand this by now? The college entrance exam is coming up. Don’t you care about your grades?”

Ning Xi hurriedly nodded his head.

But just as he did, his phone suddenly vibrated in Director Liu’s pocket.

Ning Xi froze. Before he could stop Director Liu from checking the notification, the man had already adjusted his glasses and leaned in to read the message with a frown.

WeChat message alert:

[Mensao Didi: You’re welcome.]

[Mensao Didi: But that ‘Husband, Saranghaeyo’ thing you retracted earlier—what was that?]