Aneko Agu

“Yeah, a laborer — and a full-time one at that.”

If he could, he really wanted to go to the shooting range and fire a few shots right now.

“By the way, how’s your homework coming along? You were only supposed to do one set per day. How’s the second one going?”

It was fine until he mentioned homework — at that, Yuan Yuan felt an urge to punch Ye Hao.

What the hell kind of problems are these?!

The more she did, the weirder they got, and the harder it was to write.

Even when she followed all the steps, it still ended up wrong — and the calculations became more ridiculous each time.

Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud.

If she did, Ye Hao would probably smack her on the head.

Her brain wasn’t that bright to begin with — one more hit and she might really become stupid.

“I think… think it’s okay, pretty good, haha~”

Pretty good, my ass!

At best, she’d only managed to finish the second sub-question on each problem.

The third ones were complete disasters.

They were supposed to be basic, but somehow impossible to write — what was she supposed to do?!

“Hmm, I think as long as you finish all the second sub-questions, that should be enough.”

Even if they were basic questions, Yuan Yuan…

Forget it.

He could only give her the simplest problems — the kind even an idiot could solve.

Saying that, Ye Hao pulled out his water bottle from the drawer, opened it, and took a big gulp.

He hadn’t had time to drink all day — finally, a moment to quench his thirst.

So that’s it?

As long as she finished the second sub-questions, she’d be fine?

Hearing that, Yuan Yuan’s heart lit up with joy.

“Not bad. By the way, that ice-cold teacher of yours — she seems to have a thing for you… The way she looks at you is weird.”

Weird — kind of like the way I look at you.

There was something wrong there…

Homework aside, judging by how things went in class earlier, this was a much bigger problem.

“Pfft!”

“Hey! Haozi, what are you doing?! You just sprayed it all over the desk!”

Seeing the mess, Yuan Yuan quickly pulled out tissues and began wiping the desk clean.

“S-sorry, couldn’t hold it in.”

No way — did Yuan Yuan actually notice?

He himself hadn’t realized that woman liked him, not until just recently.

Wait a minute — so both of them have feelings for me now?

Come on, it’s only a month until exams — can’t I just have some peace?

He’d been running around all day, doing this and that, constantly on guard against surprise kisses.

It was exhausting!

Good thing Yuan Yuan was a guy.

If she were a girl, he’d keep his distance.

Too scary.

Sure, he was handsome — but was he really that irresistible?

Dressed like a broke college kid, it’s not like he looked impressive either.

Women — he’d never understand them.

“No way… You and that…” Yuan Yuan glanced around, making sure no one was listening, then leaned in close and whispered in Ye Hao’s ear.

“You’re not actually involved with that teacher, are you?”

“What nonsense are you talking about? She’s the teacher, I’m the student — how could that even happen? Use your brain.”

Funny thing was — that woman did have feelings for him.

But he didn’t feel the same.

“Yeah, you’re right. No way a female teacher would fall for her own student.”

Nodding, Yuan Yuan took another tissue and wiped the corner of Ye Hao’s mouth and his collar.

“Haozi, if — I mean if — that female teacher really had feelings for you, what would you do?”

Ye Hao froze.

That question hit too close to home.

Because she did like him.

What would he do?

He honestly didn’t know.

If not for Sister Yao Yao, then Jiang Yue was the one who’d taken his first kiss.

But still… it wasn’t right.

“What would I do? Of course, I’d refuse. What else can I do? I’m still a student.”

Yuan Yuan bit her lip, then hooked her arm around Ye Hao’s shoulder like a buddy.

“Haozi, if you get a girlfriend before I do, I swear I’ll be mad. We agreed to stay single together — don’t forget that.”

“Yes, yes, I get it. Honestly, even if you get one, I probably still won’t.”

Sister Yao Yao? Jiang Yue? Impossible.

Those were people way out of his league.

“That’s better.”

Yuan Yuan — timid as ever — didn’t dare confess.

She could only drag things on like this.

After all, she liked Ye Hao no matter what.

Whether he liked her or not didn’t matter.

Even if he bullied her every day… she still liked him.

Liked him the most.

All afternoon, Ye Hao spent his time either browsing the forum for questions, tutoring Yuan Yuan, Li Mengying, and Liu Qianxia, or solving problems in class.

Whenever the bell rang, those three would swarm around him like bees.

“You guys wait a sec.”

Suddenly, a violent urge hit his lower abdomen.

Oh crap.

He needed to go — badly.

“Where are you going?”

Seeing Ye Hao suddenly jump up the moment class ended, Yuan Yuan tugged on his sleeve.

“To take a leak. Can’t hold it anymore.”

Yuan Yuan: “…”

In the bathroom, Ye Hao was enjoying the relief when several rowdy-looking students with brightly dyed hair swaggered in.

“Ah, that’s better.”

Pulling up his pants, Ye Hao turned around — only to find himself surrounded.

Damn!

It had been two years — two whole years since anyone had tried to block his way.

Honestly, he felt a bit nostalgic.

“What do you guys want?”

He walked over to wash his hands, glancing casually at the punks.

With those flashy hairstyles, they were clearly lackeys — probably didn’t even know who they were dealing with.

“Ye Hao, right? I’m warning you — stay away from Li Mengying, got it?”

Li Mengying?

What did she have to do with this?

She was the one who kept coming to him — what was he supposed to do?

“What about her?”

“Li Mengying’s our boss’s girl. Not just any random mutt can get close to her, got it?”

“Who are you calling a mutt?”

“You, obviously!”

Ye Hao: “…Oh~ so I’m the mutt, huh? Bye, mutts.”

“You little—!”

Moments later, Ye Hao walked out of the bathroom, shaking his still-damp hands and casually closing the door behind him.

“Can’t I have one peaceful day around here?”

He wiped his hands on his pants and left that troublesome place.

Better to go back and tutor that fool Yuan Yuan.

Inside the bathroom, several bruised and battered punks lay sprawled on the floor — one with his head in the toilet, another slumped over the sink.

“Yuan Yuan, how’s it going? Done yet?”

“No! You think everyone’s like you?!”

What was he, a robot? She was human!

How could she possibly finish that fast?

And why the hell did it take him so long in the bathroom?!

“Come on, don’t say that. You’ll make me blush.”

“Can’t you tell I’m mocking you?”

She wanted to hit him — what should she do?

She really wanted to hit him today!

Calm down, Yuan Yuan.

You can’t beat him.

If anyone gets beaten, it’ll be you.

“I heard you. Just playing along.”

Ye Hao scratched his head.

What, can’t I joke with you a bit?

Fine, no more joking then.

Seeing his petty, sulky face, Yuan Yuan almost lost it.

This guy was so punchable.

If she were stronger, she’d have slammed his head onto the desk by now.

“Huff…”

Taking a deep breath, Yuan Yuan tried her best to stay calm.

“By the way, Yuan Yuan, I won’t be walking home with you today. Got something to do after school.”

Ye Hao thought back to those punks earlier.

Who were they again?

Sounded like they worked for someone “important.”

Funny — he didn’t know there were any big shots around here.

So he planned to check it out after school.

“Eh? Fine, I was planning to stay over at your place tonight though.”

“You really treat my house like your own, huh?”

What do you mean “stay over”?

“Eh? Isn’t your home also mine?”

“I—”

Alright, fine, whatever you say.

They practically took turns staying at each other’s places anyway.

Except for the other night when he went to Yuan Yuan’s, it had been a while.

“You sure aren’t shy.” Ye Hao genuinely didn’t know what to do with this guy.

He couldn’t hit him.

Couldn’t scold him.

Could only spoil him.

“Of course. What’s there to be polite about between us?”

Ye Hao: “…”

Suddenly, he didn’t feel like talking anymore.

What was he supposed to do with this one?

…

Time flew by, and before he knew it, the final bell rang.

“I’m heading out. See you tomorrow.”

Ye Hao patted Yuan Yuan’s not-so-smart head, slung his bag over his shoulder, and walked out of the classroom.

“Liu Qianxia, let’s go too.”

Watching Ye Hao leave, Li Mengying nudged Liu Qianxia with her elbow.

“Huh? Go where? My family’s picking me up today, so I’m not in a rush.”

Putting down her pen, Liu Qianxia spoke calmly.

“Alright, alright. Then I’ll go first.”

After waiting a moment for Yuan Yuan to leave, Li Mengying finally stood up and followed her.

At the corner of the stairs, Yuan Yuan leaned against the wall, staring straight at the girl sneaking behind her.

“Li Mengying, right? Why are you following me?”

“I won’t give up.”

Yuan Yuan: “???”

“I won’t give up on Ye Hao. I know you’re his childhood friend. After thinking it over last week, I’ve decided — I won’t give up. So you don’t have to worry.”

Yuan Yuan: utterly baffled.

What the hell did that mean?

Was she openly declaring war now?

She didn’t know why Ye Hao kept attracting so many girls out of nowhere — but not many dared go against her.

After all, she liked Ye Hao too.

Even though she looked like a cross-dressing boy in public — she was actually a real girl!

“What’s the point of telling me? Shouldn’t you be telling Ye Hao? And no, I don’t feel comfortable leaving him to you. He used to be reliable, but now? No way.”

She knew Ye Hao well.

He wasn’t the same as before.

If he used to be a lion, now he was a house cat.

Give him to someone else? Dream on!

Besides, Ye Hao had said he wouldn’t date anyone for now.

Even if she confessed, it wouldn’t work — it’d just make him think she was trying to trick him.

She wanted to be closer to him — she just never had the chance.

To this day, Ye Hao still thought she was a guy.

But… if she’d told him the truth from the start, maybe they wouldn’t be this close now.