Chapter 45: Can I Not Get a Shot?

“Chunqi Meng?”

“Yup, that’s me!”

Her shoulder-length cherry blossom pink hair gleamed, her beauty rivaling Yixin Xue’s, but her petite frame—barely 1.45 meters—made her look like an elementary schooler if not for her Hengjiang High uniform.

Though small, her figure radiated a captivating feminine charm, blending cuteness with mature allure.

She was Chunqi Meng, a first-year and one of the school’s top five beauties.

“First time meeting a guy from our school who doesn’t know my name.”

She pouted, voicing her displeasure.

Ling Yuan gave an awkward smile. Spending his days goofing off, how could he remember her name? His school life revolved around his bros and Yixin Xue.

“I thought you were an elementary schooler.”

“You’re the elementary schooler! Your whole family’s elementary schoolers! Think you’re hot stuff because you’re tall!?”

She huffed, cheeks puffed out, his words hitting her sore spot. What could she do about her height? She *wanted* to be taller!

“Emmm…”

He scratched his head, not wanting to argue with a loli. He needed to get back to gaming.

“Go home. It’s late to be out.”

“Had a fight with my parents. Don’t wanna go back.”

“Oh?”

He shot her a curious look, the situation feeling oddly familiar.

Chunqi Meng toyed with her hair.

“Just dyed it. Why can Yixin Xue in second year have white hair, but I can’t? The teacher even called my parents.”

“Her white hair’s natural, I think…”

He mumbled.

“Her red eyes too?”

Her pout grew.

“No way. It’s gotta be dyed, and she wears contacts. Teachers let it slide because she’s a top student! So biased!”

“I think they’re natural…”

“Hey! Why’re you siding with her!?”

She glared fiercely.

“I’m right here, and you won’t even say something nice! Got a girlfriend!?”

[Yixin Xue?]

The name made him want to slap himself. What was he thinking? The Class President just wanted his body.

Once the novelty wore off, she’d probably lose interest.

“Nope…”

“Hmph~”

She flashed a devilish grin.

“I’ve got nothing to repay you with, so how about I be your girlfriend for a week?”

“No, no, no!”

He waved his hands frantically.

That kind of repayment? Yixin Xue would kill him. Yan Xi too.

“Ugh?”

She squinted. Rejecting such an enticing offer? Guys she’d met before would’ve jumped at the chance!

“That thousand yuan… I can’t pay it back…”

“It’s fine, just a thousand…”

His words were casual, but his heart bled. He really didn’t want to touch the money in the bank card his stepmother gave him.

“Rich guy?”

She eyed him suspiciously.

“Not really… Just think of it as a donation…”

He sighed deeply.

“Anyway, it’s not safe for a girl this late. Go home. I’ve got stuff to do.”

“No way. You spent a thousand, I’ve gotta do something. Otherwise, I’ll feel bad!”

She insisted stubbornly, then noticed his green school badge. At Hengjiang High, first-years had blue badges, second-years green, third-years yellow.

“You’re a second-year, huh? Senpai! Easy then. I’ll go to the second-year classes tomorrow, find you class by class. For guys, having a cute girlfriend is something to brag about.

Since you saved me, hm~ I wouldn’t mind being your girlfriend till the semester ends.”

As the loli rambled, he started walking away.

“Eh?”

She got annoyed, chasing after him, barely keeping up.

“Senpai, don’t walk so fast~”

“Go home, I’m begging you. That’s the best repayment.”

A girlfriend? That was a one-way ticket to hell.

[You have to listen to me obediently~]

Yixin Xue’s voice echoed in his mind, sending shivers down his spine.

Terrifying. Too terrifying.

Those flame-red eyes, blending gentleness and obsession, still haunted him.

“Fine, fine, if you’re that reluctant, I won’t push.”

Chunqi Meng stopped.

“My home’s that way.”

“Mm.”

“See you, Senpai~”

She drew out the last syllable in a sweet, teasing tone.

“Bye.”

He sighed in relief. She was gone. Now to pray Yan Xi wasn’t home.

[I just want to game and climb ranks. What did I do wrong?]

***

[So cold…]

Her flame-red eyes opened slowly.

[Feels so cold…]

Yixin Xue pulled her blanket tighter, but touching her body, she felt hot. The chaotic mix made her crave more blankets to warm up and ice to cool down.

“Xue’er, what’s wrong?”

Her movements woke Yingnan Xue beside her.

“Yingnan… so cold… so hot…”

Her weak tone alarmed Yingnan Xue, who sat up and touched her forehead.

“You’re burning up!”

“Don’t know…”

“Ugh.”

Yingnan Xue rushed to the bathroom, soaking a towel, wringing it out, and placing it on Yixin Xue’s forehead.

“Probably caught a cold from last night’s bath.”

She brought a basin of water, sitting by the bed, looking at her sister with concern.

“Ugh… uncomfortable…”

“You need rest. You’ve been staying up late for homework, and your immune system’s shot. I’ll ask the teacher for a few days off.”

She sighed.

“If the fever doesn’t break by morning, it’s the hospital.”

“No… I don’t want shots…”

Yixin Xue buried her face in the blanket, trembling.

“No way around it.”

Yingnan Xue smiled softly.

“No shots, no recovery~ You won’t see Ling Yuan then~ Someone else might snatch him~”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t bundle up so tight, it traps heat.”

She tugged the blanket down.

“What happened between you two?”

“Nothing… Yingnan, stop asking…”

She turned her face away.

“Can I not get a shot…”