Ni Anqi bolted out of our dorm like a startled deer.
Bucktooth, Big Luo, Little Luo, and the rest stared at me with envy, while Linda's expression was anything but pleasant. Her beautiful face was dark and stormy, and the way she stared at me felt like sharp knives slicing into my skin—I was terrified.
All I did was tease Ni Anqi with a little joke. I had no idea Linda would show up in our dorm at that exact moment. She had just warned me last week not to hang out with female classmates and to focus on my studies. Now that she saw Ni Anqi washing my underwear, it was bound to cause a misunderstanding.
Thankfully, Bucktooth and the others were present, so Linda didn't explode right away. Instead, she shot me a look full of icy murder and snapped, "Why are you still standing there? Grab your stuff and head to the field—we're about to leave."
Afraid she'd keep me behind to scold me, I quickly grabbed my backpack with two sets of clothes and fled the room like my life depended on it.
When I reached the school field, I saw the other classes had already started boarding buses. Each class had its own bus, and Class 163 was already gathered and being counted off under class president Harper's direction.
After roll call, Linda came over to give us a pep talk: don't wander off after arriving at Qingyun Mountain, follow the teachers' instructions, and stay safe. Once her briefing ended, everyone burst into laughter and began boarding the bus.
Bucktooth and I got on last. Only three seats were left—two of them side-by-side. Seeing Linda behind me, I was nervous about sitting next to her. So I tugged at Bucktooth's sleeve and whispered, "Let's take the two seats together."
To my surprise, Bucktooth shook his head and said, "Nah, I'm sitting with Xu Jie."
Then off he trotted toward the empty seat next to Xu Jie—the busty girl he's been crushing on forever. I grumbled under my breath, "Traitor. Bros before..."
With no choice, I sat in the single empty seat. As expected, Linda boarded, counted the students, scanned the bus, and locked eyes with the only vacant spot—next to me. Click-clack—her heels echoed as she walked over.
Afraid she'd confront me about Ni Anqi washing my underwear, I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep.
A faint floral scent reached me, and the seat beside me shifted slightly—Linda had sat down. Amid the engine's low hum and the buzz of classmates chatting excitedly, I heard her soft voice: "Andrew—"
I stayed still, eyes closed, feigning sleep like a pro.
Linda, not one to play along, reached over and gave my thigh a vicious pinch. It hurt like hell—I yelped like a cat that had its tail stepped on: "Ow—!"
My shout silenced the entire bus. Everyone stared at me in confusion. Bucktooth asked, "Andrew, what the heck was that?"
Linda sat beside me with an innocent look on her face. Under everyone's gaze, I was mortified. I couldn't very well say my teacher pinched me, so I forced a laugh and said, "Oh—let's goooo—!"
Black lines appeared on everyone's foreheads. Somewhere, a crow cawed in the sky...
"Idiot."
"You're such a clown."
"Could you *be* more lame?"
I sat down awkwardly amid the jeers. Linda, still wearing her stern face, had a hint of laughter in her eyes. She glanced sideways and said, "So vain."
Seeing no one was looking, I whispered through gritted teeth, "Ms. Zhang, how could you bully someone who's asleep? That's just too much."
Linda snorted, "Cut the act. Falling asleep the moment you get on? Who are you fooling? Now explain. What happened back there? Why was Ni Anqi washing your underwear?"
"Well… Last night, I slept in a bad position and pinched a nerve in my left pinky. This morning, my arm was numb, and I couldn't do laundry. Ni Anqi is just the helpful type, so—"
Before I could finish, Linda's hand crept over again, clearly a threat: say more nonsense, and you'll get pinched again.
I lowered my voice, "Alright, alright. Honestly, I just wanted to prank her—asked her to wash it for fun. I didn't expect she'd actually do it. I was embarrassed too. And then you walked in at the worst possible time…"
Linda looked half convinced. She glanced at Ni Anqi in the distance, then quietly asked, "You're really not dating her?"
"Nope."
She stared into my eyes. I didn't flinch. She finally relaxed a bit and said softly, "Fine, I'll believe you this time. But remember, you promised—no dating girls at school."
I grumbled, "Why just me? The school may say 'no dating,' but most teachers turn a blind eye. Even in our class, there are couples. Why are you so strict with me?"
Honestly, I hoped she'd say, "Because you're my husband." But instead, Linda smiled and said, "Because despite all your flaws, I've realized you're actually a kind-hearted person. In my eyes, you're like a little brother. And as your older sister, I feel responsible for you. Besides, even though you're technically my live-in husband now, it's all in name only. One day, the truth will come out, and we'll go our separate ways."
I wasn't happy hearing that. *I don't want to part from you*, I thought. Even though you bully me, you've shown you care—especially when you stood up to David for me. A woman who protects me like that… she's worth chasing.
Linda didn't know what I was thinking. She continued, "But during your three years of high school, I'll keep up the act. That'll give me the freedom I need. You, meanwhile, need to study hard. Aim for a top university. That way, even if we part, you'll have a good future."
That only made me more frustrated. So she'd already mapped out our ending? No wonder she cared so much about my grades—she feels guilty and wants to help me succeed as compensation for this fake marriage.
Under my breath, I muttered, "I don't want to be your brother—I want a forbidden romance."
"What?"
She didn't catch that. I didn't repeat it. "Nothing," I replied.
Linda didn't press further. By now, the bus had left the city and was heading toward Qingyun Mountain—a trip of over 300 kilometers, about four hours. Linda said she was going to take a nap and asked not to be disturbed.
She crossed her arms and closed her eyes. Her embroidered dress rode up slightly as she sat, revealing her long, slender legs. Her black heels made her look even more alluring.
I didn't know why, but her words left me bitter. She'd already decided we'd split after the college entrance exam.
I stared at her, conflicted. My phone slipped and hit the floor with a *thud*. As I bent down to pick it up, my cheek brushed against her thigh—smooth as a freshly peeled boiled egg. Maybe it was resentment, maybe it was impulse, but before I knew it, I ran my tongue along her leg… my petty form of revenge.