Chapter 9: The Unexpected Favor

Shen Yu had hoped—prayed, even—that Lu Zhixuan would eventually grow bored of him. But instead, the opposite happened. It felt like every time Shen Yu turned around, Lu Zhixuan was there, smirking like he had a secret no one else knew. It was unnerving.

And exhausting.

Then, one day, the most unexpected thing happened.

"Zhao Rui."

Shen Yu had just stepped out of class, ready to make his usual escape route when Lu Zhixuan's voice cut through the air. He flinched instinctively. It was like he had developed a sixth sense for trouble, and Lu Zhixuan was the prime source.

Shen Yu turned slowly, eyes narrowing. "What do you want now?"

Lu Zhixuan leaned casually against the doorframe, watching him with that infuriatingly unreadable expression. "You're always so defensive. Relax. I just have a favor to ask."

Shen Yu blinked. That was... new. "A favor?"

Lu Zhixuan stepped closer, his voice lowering slightly. "Help me reject a confession."

Shen Yu nearly tripped over his own feet. "W-What?!"

"A girl from Class B keeps leaving love letters in my locker." Lu Zhixuan sighed like it was some great inconvenience. "I don't feel like dealing with it."

Shen Yu stared at him. Of all the things Lu Zhixuan could have said, that was the last thing he expected.

"And why do I have to be involved?!" he sputtered.

Lu Zhixuan's lips curled into a smirk. "Because it'll be fun."

"FOR WHO?!" Shen Yu shrieked.

Lu Zhixuan ignored him. "And you owe me."

Shen Yu gaped at him. "I owe you nothing!"

Lu Zhixuan gave him a pointed look. "Didn't I help you get out of that student council paperwork last week?"

Shen Yu scowled. "That was because you were the one who dragged me into student council duties in the first place!"

"Details." Lu Zhixuan waved a hand dismissively. "Point is, I helped you. Now it's your turn."

Shen Yu let out a strangled noise. "That's not how favors work!"

Lu Zhixuan tilted his head. "Then consider this an opportunity. Didn't you say you wanted Bai Xue?"

Shen Yu stiffened. "What does that have to do with anything?"

Lu Zhixuan's smirk deepened. "If you help me, I'll owe you a favor. And I'm sure there's something I could do that would help you get closer to Bai Xue."

Shen Yu hesitated. That... actually sounded like a good deal.

Except for the part where he had to publicly interfere with a confession.

He glanced at Lu Zhixuan suspiciously. "What exactly do you expect me to do?"

"It's simple," Lu Zhixuan said smoothly. "I'll let her confess. Then, right before she finishes, you come in and create a distraction."

Shen Yu frowned. "What kind of distraction?"

Lu Zhixuan shrugged. "Anything that makes her leave before I have to respond."

Shen Yu narrowed his eyes. "That sounds suspiciously like I'll be the one getting punched."

Lu Zhixuan's smirk didn't fade. "Only if you do it wrong."

Shen Yu groaned, pressing his fingers to his temples. "This is a terrible idea."

"You say that, but you're going to do it, aren't you?" Lu Zhixuan said, eyes glinting with amusement.

Shen Yu wanted to scream.

But somehow, against all logic, he found himself nodding. "Fine. But if this backfires, I'm blaming you."

Lu Zhixuan chuckled. "Naturally."

Shen Yu had no idea what he was getting himself into, but he had a sinking feeling it wasn't going to end well.