The shield has been raised.

After being punished to stand outside for a few minutes during morning self-study, Xu Lin was ultimately summoned into the classroom by the kind-hearted homeroom teacher, who wanted him to achieve good grades. This left him with no time for breakfast. Only after the early class was over did he take out his now-cold flaky pancake and a cup of lukewarm rice porridge.

"Xu Lin, you just recovered from a cold and you're still eating cold food," Ji Yun scolded gently, snatching away his pancake.

"I couldn't help it. I was late and didn't have time to eat," Xu Lin replied, tugging the pancake back from her grasp.

Their interaction was innocent enough, yet the students lingering in the classroom, not having left for the cafeteria, immediately gave them knowing, almost maternal smiles. Clearly, even if the two weren't officially dating, their relationship was special enough to make some people envious. After all, one was a unanimously acknowledged class beauty—perhaps even the most beautiful girl in the school—and the other, though not quite a classic heartthrob, had the kind of looks that grew more pleasing the longer one looked at him. The envy was understandable.

Feeling all the eyes on her, Ji Yun instinctively wanted to shrink away, but this time, she stood her ground and continued, "But why were you late today?"

"I didn't ride my bike. I ran here, so I ended up late," Xu Lin explained.

"What? You actually ran all the way? I thought you were just saying that," Ji Yun replied, a little surprised. Remembering how weak he'd been from his fever the previous day, she could see why he might be motivated to exercise.

"But you'll have to stick with it," she added.

"I will. For the sake of my health, I plan to keep at it," Xu Lin promised.

"But if you keep this up, won't you end up missing class?" Ji Yun asked, worried.

"Then I'll just get up earlier. I woke up at five today. If I get up even earlier, it'll be fine," he said lightly.

"But that's barely any sleep," Ji Yun replied, her gaze drifting to the dark circles under his fair eyes. Almost unconsciously, she reached out a hand to touch his face, but quickly pulled it back. What am I doing? Ji Yun, you're supposed to be a good girl—you can't just touch a boy like that.

"If I go to bed early—say, sleep at eleven and get up at five—I'll still manage six hours," Xu Lin reasoned.

"That's not enough! How about this: I'll bring you breakfast from now on. You can just come straight to school," Ji Yun suggested, looking at the almost-empty rice porridge on his desk as inspiration struck her.

"You're not even his girlfriend yet, and you're already fussing over his breakfast like a little housewife?" a teasing voice interrupted. Ji Yun turned to see Zhuo Yan sitting down beside them with a carton of yogurt, shooting Xu Lin a glare.

"Zhuo Yan, we're just classmates," Ji Yun replied, a little embarrassed.

"We've been desk mates since middle school, but I've never seen you bring me breakfast," Zhuo Yan protested, pouting.

"Zhuo Committee Member, are you jealous? You can ask Ji Yun to bring you breakfast. I don’t mind eating in the cafeteria—it’s not a big deal," Xu Lin said with a laugh.

"The cafeteria food is decent, but eating the same thing every day gets old. It’s nice to have a change once in a while," Zhuo Yan replied, surprisingly amenable.

"Then I’ll just bring breakfast for both of you when it’s convenient. If I buy something, we’ll eat together; if not, then it’s the cafeteria," Ji Yun concluded after a moment’s thought. Both nodded in agreement, though this meant she wouldn’t get to have breakfast with Xu Lin alone anymore.

Thinking about sharing food, Xu Lin couldn’t help recalling the senior he’d run into that morning—Bai Xiaoxiao. Now that he could see others’ affection levels, he opened up his system interface:

[Bai Xiaoxiao]
[Age: 18]
[Gender: Female]
[Zodiac: Pig]
[Intelligence: 7.4]
[Constitution: 5.5]
[Charm: 8]
[Affection: 7]

Her charm was an impressive 8 points—no wonder the system was such a lecher. Though she was indeed attractive, with refined features, he wouldn't have placed her at an 8—higher even than Ji Yun’s current score. Teacher Su also had an 8, and Chu Qingchan was a 9. Still, the system must have its reasons.

If this girl gained some weight and her figure filled out, and if her complexion became fairer, then an 8 would be reasonable. Yet the system had already assigned her that score. As for her constitution, 5.5 was remarkable for someone who could carry so many books. According to the system, the average adult male had a constitution of 6, so she was nearly at that level even while looking so frail and malnourished. Xu Lin had an idea: if he ensured she ate well, maybe she’d become a well-rounded warrior—intelligence 8, constitution 8, charm 8.

But if her constitution reached 7, she’d be like one of those textbook biological marvels… The thought made him shiver. Still, since affection levels were now visible, he ought to try raising them, since his goal was to become stronger himself. Points that once seemed unimportant now needed to be pursued.

Yet he was baffled by how affection increased. For example, Teacher Su, who'd been his class teacher for a long time, started at only 12 when he unlocked her affection meter. Ji Yun’s started at 15, even after he’d saved her like a hero. Raising these numbers was painfully slow and hardly proportional. Even now, after becoming quite close with these three, their affection was only at 30.

Presumably, the cap must be 100. But what does 100 affection mean? Even lifelong parents might not reach that. Wouldn’t 100 mean someone was a copy of himself—self-love incarnate? And as for that so-called ultimate reward for collecting the energy of all twelve zodiac signs, he had long since given up hope.

After morning classes ended, Xu Lin didn’t see Teacher Su—there was no English class for Class 8 that morning. But Class 7 next door did, so after school, Xu Lin headed straight to the teachers’ office, just in time to see Su Qingwan emerge, her face radiating energy and joy.

"Well, Teacher Su, you look positively glowing. I take it you finished your task?" he joked.

She gave him a wide smile, glanced around the corridor, and then suddenly hugged him. Xu Lin froze, stunned by the unexpected embrace. She rested her head gently on his shoulder, her voice trembling with the edge of tears.

"I did it… I did it. Thank you, thank you!"

"Well… Teacher, your courage won’t go to waste. And you should thank your family, too," Xu Lin replied, taking a deep breath. He moved the hand he’d been about to place on her waist and simply patted her shoulder instead.

Though he’d helped, it was also her own courage and the understanding of her family that made it possible. Before his rebirth, he’d hardly been a mature man—just a twenty-something kid. There were things he couldn’t solve alone. If her parents had been truly stubborn, nothing he said would have mattered, no matter how she protested.

But since he’d seen her divorced in his previous life, he knew her parents cared about her happiness, not just their own interests. That’s why he’d dared to encourage her.

"I told them directly that I didn’t like Jia Qing, and I had a serious talk with Uncle Jia. He wasn’t upset—at least not openly. Later, after the guests had left, I had a good talk with my parents. Only then did I realize how much they love me. They said my happiness matters most."

"Mmm." Xu Lin’s thoughts drifted to his own parents, and his demeanor softened.

She slowly lifted her head from his shoulder, blinking shyly at him—so adorable she seemed.

"But… um," she hesitated.

"What is it?" Her cuteness made Xu Lin suddenly wary.

"Sorry, I used you as my shield. My parents want to meet you."

"No way!" Xu Lin refused instantly, spun on his heel, and strode off. Su Qingwan took a couple of steps after him, but in a flash, Xu Lin was already gone around the corner.