CHAPTER 3

The classroom was small and shabby, with walls that looked like they had been unevenly coated with gray plaster. In some places, the plaster had peeled off, exposing bricks that resembled dried mud. The ceiling lacked any paneling, leaving the beams exposed. Two thick wooden beams lay across the ceiling, where they were inserted into the walls, cracks radiating from the insertion points and branching out in jagged lines.

Battered by wind, sun, and heavy rain for over thirty years, the classroom was due for renovations now that funding had come through.

The principal personally carried desks and chairs into the room for the two young benefactors. He carefully wiped them down, though the scratches and grime accumulated over years of use were impossible to remove entirely.

He reminded Wen Yang and Qi Chen to talk to the two newcomers and help them adapt. Kids of the same age naturally had shared topics to discuss, and he hoped the two could guide them.

The principal’s real intention, however, was for Wen Yang and Qi Chen to establish good relationships with the benefactors’ children. One day, if the two students encountered difficulties they couldn’t overcome on their own, they would have someone to lean on. Still, he didn’t want them to lose their sincerity and naturalness by pandering excessively, so he spoke in a roundabout way.

Having two more people in the classroom didn’t make much of a difference.

Qi Chen focused on studying, while Xiao Yan used her phone as a mirror, sneaking glances at Qi Chen behind her. She adjusted the angle of her phone to capture his reflection, carefully observing him in secret.

As for Xu Yi, he lounged with his feet propped up on the desk and leaned back on the chair. His body formed a lazy V shape, balanced precariously on the small stool.

Sitting near him, Wen Yang couldn’t ignore the sweaty smell coming from his close-cropped hair. Silently, she dragged her desk a bit farther back.

When the principal learned the teachers had rushed to the school early that morning without eating breakfast, he hurried to the village to buy some pork and prepared lunch in advance. As soon as the bell rang, he called for the students to line up and collect their meals.

The school didn’t have a cafeteria, so students ate at their desks. In the summer heat, flies swarmed around them, waiting for a chance to land. Students ate quickly while swatting at the pesky insects with their chopsticks.

Wen Yang sat alone in the classroom. The male lead had gone home to cook for his grandmother, whose legs were immobile. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and Qi Chen had been called to eat with the other teachers.

Soon, the two returned, looking displeased.

Clearly, they couldn’t stomach the communal meal, preferring hunger over taking a single bite.

Wen Yang didn’t eat for the same reason.

When the principal heard that the “little deities” hadn’t eaten, he panicked more than anyone else. After some thought, he decided to entrust Wen Yang with the task. He told her to take them home, let them rest, pack their luggage, and maybe even nap a little.

He handed her five hundred yuan, explaining that while they were staying at her house, she couldn’t be at a loss. Since they disliked the school meals, she should buy snacks from the village shop for them.

“Okay,” Wen Yang replied as she accepted the money. She tucked the crisp, new bills into her pocket without hesitation.

The three of them set out under the blazing midday sun, heading toward the village.

The deafening sound of cicadas echoed in the forest, their relentless calls so loud they almost caused ringing in the ears.

The mountain path was rugged and full of potholes. Xu Yi dragged a suitcase stacked with two large bags—one his own, the other added by Xiao Yan, who had faked a sweet voice and insisted on it. His steps grew heavier as the journey wore on.

Xiao Yan, with her slender limbs, struggled even more. Wen Yang wanted to help but refrained, keeping in character as the “villainess.” Besides, the male lead wasn’t there for decoration—this was his chance to showcase his chivalry and earn the heroine’s favor.

Sure enough, the “laws of attraction” worked their magic.

Wen Yang stepped aside, allowing Qi Chen, who was approaching, to notice Xiao Yan lagging behind.

“Qi Chen,” Wen Yang greeted, her gaze deliberately shifting toward Xiao Yan.

Qi Chen asked her, though his attention wasn’t on her, “Are you heading back to the village?”

“Yes,” she replied, stepping forward. She was about to pretend to stumble as part of her performance but stopped abruptly, recalling the system’s mocking laughter from earlier. She silently retracted her foot, choosing not to tempt fate again.

In her original script, the villainess was supposed to lean toward Qi Chen, whispering about how the two newcomers disliked the school meals and how the principal had instructed her to cook for them separately. This was meant to make Qi Chen view the heroine as spoiled and unreasonable while painting the villainess as pitiful.

But Qi Chen had no patience for such manipulation. Grateful for the benefactors, he naturally treated the newcomers with kindness.

Wen Yang muttered inwardly to her system, From now on, I’ll cut all unnecessary lines and actions.

The system, chastised, whimpered in submission, Got it. I’ll never laugh at you again.

Qi Chen reached Xiao Yan and asked politely, “Want me to carry that for you?”

Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment before handing over her suitcase with a slightly reserved demeanor.

Before Qi Chen could take it, Xu Yi grabbed it back and slung it into Xiao Yan’s arms. With the weight reduced, his steps instantly lightened.

Qi Chen gestured toward the bag she still carried. “I can take that too.”

Xiao Yan, now freed of the bulk, walked lightly like a carefree swan. She glanced back disdainfully at Xu Yi. “You’re so stingy.”

After walking for over an hour, they finally arrived at the village.

Wen Yang stopped in front of a house, waiting for the others to catch up.

The house was two stories tall. Wen Yang led them upstairs, the wooden staircase creaking loudly with each step. She glanced down at it uneasily before quickly climbing the rest of the way. Stepping onto the second floor, she felt slightly reassured.

Though the system had repeatedly assured her that the stairs wouldn’t collapse, nor would the floorboards give way or the house topple, she still trusted her instincts more.

She pointed to the eastern room and told Xu Yi, “You’ll stay here.”

Then she gestured to the western room for Xiao Yan, “This one’s yours.”

The house was simple and messy. A faint trace of impatience and disdain flickered in Xiao Yan and Xu Yi’s eyes, but their upbringing restrained them from making things difficult for a girl.

Seeing Qi Chen place his luggage and prepare to leave, Wen Yang stopped him and delivered her lines rigidly, “Girls from the big city are delicate. They have maids at home to clean up. I’m worried she’ll break something in the room. Could you go in and keep an eye on her?”

Wen Yang felt her words sounded strange—wasn’t this more like helping the antagonist?

Qi Chen also felt something off about it, as if the words came from an emotionless robot.

Once her minimal part in this scene was done, Wen Yang went into her own room.

The room was dim. On the TV, an animated show called Happy Cattle was playing. Wen Yang lay on the small bed, zoning out.

Here, she had no phone, no internet, and no entertainment. Apart from farming, the locals either gossiped at doorways or stayed indoors. She didn’t have much money either. The only thing that could somewhat distract her was the animation channel on TV, which had been her sole companion during these monotonous five months.

Staring at the dark wooden beams overhead, she turned over, got up, and pulled down the mosquito net. Holding the net’s edge, she slid into it, leaving only her long legs dangling outside.

When she first arrived, she was constantly afraid that unidentified bugs would fall from the beams and crawl into her nose, ears, or clothes.

Five months later, she still wasn’t used to it. Both her body and soul screamed for escape. The tranquility here was suffocating. She was a lively soul at heart. Though not one for chaos, she had grown up in a bustling city. Humans are social creatures, yet she was stuck here, with people she couldn’t connect to. Without real social interaction, she felt she’d eventually lose her mind.

She wasn’t sure how much time passed, but when she looked up, the sky outside had darkened. The crimson glow of the sunset spilled onto the cluttered balcony, and the room had fallen into complete darkness.

Knock, knock.

The door to her room was rapped. Wen Yang snapped back to reality and got up to check.

Xu Yi stood in the doorway, hands in his pockets, and asked in a low voice, “Got anything to eat?”

Wen Yang glanced at the tightly shut wooden door nearby and replied weakly, “Yeah.”

She went downstairs, switched on the light, and headed to the kitchen. Pulling out a packet of instant noodles, she turned on the gas and stood at the stove. “Do you know how to cook it yourself?”

Xu Yi didn’t enter, leaning casually outside instead. He thought to himself, How hard can cooking noodles be? But not wanting to move, he shamelessly said, “Nope.”

Sweat beaded on Wen Yang’s face from the steam. Her mind drifted. Wait, why am I even cooking for him? Isn’t instant just fine? Cooking noodles is my premium treatment for myself!

At some point, Xu Yi had walked in behind her. His calm, deep voice startled her, “Add two more packs. This won’t be enough.”

Wen Yang, keeping her expression neutral, went to fetch two more packs. Feeling around the nearly empty box, she realized this was the last layer.

Reminding herself she’d just earned 500 yuan from lodging fees earlier, she swallowed her irritation. Tomorrow’s Saturday; I’ll go to town to stock up. She sighed inwardly at how pathetic her situation had become—stooping to count every pack of noodles as if it were a luxury.

Tearing open the packaging, she tossed the noodle blocks into the boiling water. As bubbles began to froth, she noticed the water level was low and bent to grab the thermos.

Having busied herself with this entire process, Wen Yang had lost all appetite for the steaming bowl of noodles. She found a large metal basin for Xu Yi and told him to pour it out himself.

Now I even have to wash the pot after he’s done. I’ve basically turned into his maid, she thought grimly.

Xu Yi sat on a wooden stool in the courtyard, the basin of steaming noodles before him. Picking up a strand with his chopsticks, he blew on it slowly, savoring it. Suddenly, he remembered something. Swallowing his bite, he called toward the person in the yard, “What’s your name?”