Autumn's sun bites hard, but luckily the cool breeze offers relief. Lin Yu sat under the shadow of a willow tree, occasionally scanning the crowd in the playground without turning his head.
"Why hasn't she come yet?" Lin Yu murmured quietly.
His choice to sit beneath this secluded willow wasn't to emulate some artistic youth persona. Despite the cool shade, it lacked the comfort of an air-conditioned classroom. The main reason Lin Yu chose this spot was Tang Manman. He was waiting for her to approach him, whether to express gratitude or to return clothing, surely she felt compelled to say something to the person who had saved her.
This corner of the playground, largely ignored by passersby but visible from the cafeteria, was ideal given Lin Yu’s distinct blonde hair, making it easy for Tang Manman to spot him.
Once she arrived, it would be the perfect time to ramp up her disdain for him. Lin Yu felt a surge of excitement at the thought of how he might antagonise her upon her arrival, as he quietly waited under the willow tree for the proverbial rabbit to walk into his snare...
Thirty minutes later, Lin Yu, who had dozed off, suddenly jerked awake with a start. Rubbing his eyes and checking his phone, he realized it was already 12:15 PM – only fifteen minutes left before the afternoon self-study session.
Recognizing that she likely wouldn’t appear at this hour, Lin Yu stretched beneath the tree, preparing to leave. At that moment, he paused to sniff the air, intrigued by a pleasant floral scent as if spring had arrived early. Puzzled, he wondered what autumn-blooming flowers the school might have planted.
Standing up and dusting off his trousers, a soft voice from his left halted him just as he was about to head back to class.
"Hello, fellow student."
The gentle, familiar voice stopped Lin Yu in his tracks. Without turning, he lifted the hair obstructing his left eye.
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As expected, Tang Manman stood to his left, clutching the sports jacket he had purchased for her the previous night. Her lips were slightly parted, her cheeks flushed either from the heat or another unexplained reason, her eyes gleaming with suppressed laughter, evidently amused by Lin Yu's hair-flipping movements.
"Damn hair, I swear I’ll shave you off when I get the chance!" Lin Yu cursed internally.
After letting his yellow locks fall back into place, Lin Yu faced Tang Manman, adopting a sleazy persona. He gave her an up-and-down look before smirking, "Hey, beauty, looking for me?"
It was as if Lin Yu, with his memories of being blond, was naturally portraying a thug, especially with his distinctive hairstyle and the tattoo peeking out from under his school uniform.
As Tang Manman's smile faded and she instinctively shrank away at Lin Yu's unfamiliar demeanor, Lin Yu's plan seemed to be working.
He decided then to intensify his act. Knowing Tang Manman disliked such gazes and expressions, Lin Yu swept his eyes over her disdainfully, his smirk growing wider.
Seeing Tang Manman's fearful reaction, Lin Yu's resolve softened momentarily. But reminded of the dark outcomes in the comic and his role as the admin of a pure love forum, he steeled himself once more.
"Thank me?" Lin Yu teased, advancing the taunting further. "After such a big favor, how do you plan to thank me?"
Instead of accepting the sportswear, Lin Yu reached past it, attempting to touch Tang Manman’s hand provocatively.
"Do you think a simple kiss is enough to repay me?"
He deliberately slowed his hand, giving Tang Manman ample time to react. As expected, she withdrew, avoiding Lin Yu's advances.
"I'm sorry. I... I don’t know how to thank you," she stammered, the fear evident in her eyes reminiscent of a deer negotiating with a wolf.
Touched by her submissive, adorable demeanor, Lin Yu’s hard façade momentarily crumbled, no longer wanting to scare her. Yet, recalling the need to prevent a tragic future, he hardened his resolve once more.
"What, help with my homework?" Lin Yu replied cynically. "Don’t you know I never do homework?"
Tang Manman looked surprised, speechless at the realization that not doing homework was beyond her comprehension.
Watching her stunned naivety, Lin Yu’s resolve began to waver again but quickly fortified himself, adopting once more a lecherous grin and gazing lasciviously at her slender figure.
"Or perhaps you could help me with something else?" Lin Yu suggested, his heart softening yet determined to act tough for her own good and ensure a better future for her.