Classmates could all see that Li Zuhao’s injuries were getting worse by the day.
At first, he just had a bandage wrapped around his right hand and wore a medical eye patch, which people mocked as being some chūnibyō act.
Then, the bandages extended to his right palm, and a strip appeared around his neck.
Now, his nose and the corners of his mouth were covered with medical adhesive, his forehead was wrapped in bandages, and the only exposed eye—the left one—was swollen shut.
But this time, no one doubted the severity of his injuries anymore.
Because there was video evidence!
Li Zuhao’s face had indeed been pummeled with consecutive punches, leaving him disfigured.
After sleeping it off, Li Zuhao woke up with a sore back and waist, his face completely altered, one eye barely open, struggling to breathe properly, and unable to open his mouth wide enough to eat breakfast.
Anyone else would have already taken leave and stayed home to recover.
But Li Zuhao was not an ordinary person.
He had worked hard to get himself into such a miserable state—how could he skip school and not let those yandere girls see it?
He definitely had to go to school to win some sympathy!
However, judging by Kaixin Min’s reaction, the effect was underwhelming.
That woman truly had an iron heart.
Didn’t she feel any pain seeing me like this?
On the other hand, the other delinquent girls who saw Li Zuhao’s battered appearance had already fallen completely for his tragic, wounded beauty, regretting their previous coldness.
Seeing Li Zuhao approach, the delinquent girls quickly scattered, too ashamed to face him.
“Heh, you really look pathetic like this.”
Kaixin Min didn’t just withhold sympathy—she mocked him mercilessly, her cruelty absolute.
“I’m still alive, no need for your concern,” Li Zuhao replied coldly, putting on a front.
“……”
Kaixin Min said nothing.
But inside, her heart was not as cold as her expression suggested.
Her fondness for Li Zuhao had returned to normal; she had already helped him several times before.
Still, help was help, fondness was fondness.
On the surface, she would never admit it—her pride would never allow her to say she had feelings for him. That was just her twisted personality.
Kaixin Min sat silently, sulking and daydreaming through the entire class.
She waited for someone to ask for her help—she would never volunteer.
Li Zuhao immediately saw through her little scheme and naturally wouldn’t ask for help.
He wanted to face the Evil Forces alone, deliberately putting Kaixin Min into this anxious and conflicted state.
After all, Li Zuhao’s approach to handling Kaixin Min was just like with Ace of Swordsmanship Saki Haruka—he only knew how to use the Strategy of Self-inflicted Injury.
Or rather, Li Zuhao only knew this one trick and hadn’t figured out any other ways to win a girl’s heart.
“Ring ring ring!”
The class bell rang.
Li Zuhao stood and shuffled over to Kaixin Min, asking weakly, “What are you eating for breakfast today?”
“What?”
Kaixin Min doubted her ears.
“What’s wrong? I’m helping you buy breakfast. Didn’t I always do that before?”
Li Zuhao asked calmly.
He often ran errands for the delinquent girls—buying breakfast and drinks—usually getting exploited.
“I know you like curry hot dogs and bitter melon juice, so I’ll get those for you.”
Li Zuhao limped, supporting himself with a crutch as he prepared to leave.
“Stop right there! I didn’t ask you to run errands.”
Kaixin Min finally lost her composure, standing up and grabbing Li Zuhao.
“Ah! It hurts, don’t touch me.”
Li Zuhao cried out in pain at the slightest touch.
Kaixin Min was startled and immediately withdrew her hand, unsure how to help.
She awkwardly froze in place, embarrassed.
Li Zuhao swayed, holding onto his chair, and smiled bitterly, “Sorry, looks like I can’t buy your breakfast today.”
Gotta say, aside from the plot being a bit cheesy, his acting was flawless.
He was faking the pain and playing the victim the whole time.
His arm didn’t hurt at all. Even if it did, he wouldn’t cry out like that.
But the delinquent girl Kaixin Min couldn’t see through it and felt a bit of heartache.
“Your leg’s broken. I don’t need you to buy my breakfast.”
Kaixin Min said coldly.
After that, she crossed her arms, turned her back, and strode off to buy her own breakfast.
Li Zuhao watched her retreating figure with a humbled expression, secretly pleased.
Good. Under his psychological influence, the delinquent girl Kaixin Min was gradually “softening.”
Forget attacking or hurting him—the once-violent Kaixin Min was unknowingly turning into a little lamb.
The delinquent girls’ best friends also quietly observed the situation from the classroom corner.
They were shocked to see their boss voluntarily buying breakfast on her own!
But they understood—it was only natural for delinquent girls to have a conscience.
They hadn’t stooped low enough to bully a battered cripple.
A moment later, Kaixin Min returned with a plastic bag.
Li Zuhao started spacing out—he was genuinely injured after all, and pretending to buy breakfast was just an excuse to avoid moving.
Kaixin Min sat beside him, taking out a carton of chocolate milk and a hot dog, placing them on the table.
“What’s this?”
Li Zuhao asked, puzzled.
“It’s for you.”
Kaixin Min turned away, pretending to be cold.
“Is this a new kind of prank?”
Li Zuhao asked.
“Stop talking nonsense, eat it.”
Kaixin Min spun back around and glared fiercely at him.
“……”
Li Zuhao had no choice but to start eating pitifully.
“I’m not pranking you. Eat up,”
Kaixin Min said thoughtfully, noticing his reluctant expression.
“Thank you.”
Li Zuhao expressed genuine gratitude.
At the same time, he pretended to struggle to open the hot dog package, acting like his injured hand couldn’t exert any force.
After several attempts, he couldn’t open the packaging.
In the end, Kaixin Min took the hot dog, tore the package open with ease, and handed it back to him with considerate care.
“Thanks.”
Li Zuhao thanked her again, finally able to eat the hot dog.
But he could only take small bites, using half his mouth.
His mouth corner was injured and couldn’t open wide.
Watching Li Zuhao eat, Kaixin Min felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
It was like feeding a small, hungry animal—like doing a good deed that brought immense satisfaction.
But she was a delinquent girl!
A natural rebel!
How could she feel this way?
This didn’t fit her cold and aloof persona!
“Aren’t you eating? Class is about to start—hurry up and finish your breakfast so you’re not hungry during class.”
Just as Kaixin Min’s inner turmoil deepened, Li Zuhao softly and gently urged her.
The shadow over Kaixin Min’s heart instantly lifted.
She sat down beside him and ate her own breakfast.
Though they sat a seat apart, it felt as if they were sharing breakfast together, enjoying a moment of peaceful tranquility.