You are all bad women! Don't come over!

"You're... Shen Mochen, right?"

Gu Yange quickly walked up to the two of them, staring at Shen Mochen with eyes that seemed intent on seeing through his bangs.

"...Yeah, what a coincidence, classmate Gu Yange."

With no escape, Shen Mochen could only offer an awkward smile.

"It really is you!" exclaimed Gu Yange with delight, clasping her hands nervously and blushing, "Are you on vacation?"

"Yeah, it's the separation month, so I'm taking a break," said Shen Mochen.

"You really are Shen Mochen!" The two girls behind Gu Yange were also thrilled, stepping forward and examining him with curiosity.

They were all students from First Middle School, and they should have seen Shen Mochen in this guise before, but no one had paid particular attention before his true identity was exposed. In their memory, Shen Mochen was just like a crystal—pure, fragile, an exceptionally beautiful young man.

"Oh, right, this is..."

Gu Yange eyed the girl sitting in a wheelchair beside Shen Mochen, scrutinizing her closely.

She was so beautiful, as if she had stepped out of a two-dimensional world, more exquisite than a porcelain doll, inducing envy. The only flaw was, it seemed, she had a physical disability... What was her relationship with Shen Mochen?

"Comrade-in-arms," blurted Han Muxue first.

She looked at Gu Yange's youthful and beautiful face; being a girl herself, how could she not see the admiration brimming in those eyes?

She covered the watch on her wrist with her hand and bit her lip.

Gu Yange reached out, "Oh, so you're a Buque as well! Hello, hello, my name's Gu Yange, I am Shen Mochen's... classmate!"

Han Muxue didn't speak, nor did she extend her hand.

Seeing the awkwardness in the air, Shen Mochen smiled and stepped in for Han Muxue, "My comrade here is quite introverted, so please don't take it personally."

"Oh, it's okay, no problem at all," Gu Yange quickly retracted her hand, blinking, "Are you guys going to get something to eat? Why don't you join me? My treat!"

"No thanks, we're heading back soon."

Shen Mochen lied seamlessly, knowing Han Muxue wouldn't want to have a meal with strangers.

"Oh... I see," Gu Yange's expression dimmed instantly, understanding it was an excuse from Shen Mochen, who just didn't want others to disturb them.

"Oh, right, I forgot to introduce her." Shen Mochen suddenly remembered something, bent down to Han Muxue and said, "Gu Yange is the cousin of the captain's fiancé..."

Upon hearing this, Han Muxue's expression subtly shifted as she instinctively glanced at Gu Yange before lowering her head again, "Oh."

Gu Yange cheerfully said, "Do you know my cousin... Oh, right, if you're comrades, then you must be in the same squad as my sister-in-law!"

"I'm a bit tired… Let's head back," Han Muxue spoke up.

She didn't look at anyone, but Shen Mochen knew to whom she was speaking.

"Okay, let's head back," Shen Mochen said to Gu Yange and the others with an apologetic smile, "Sorry, she's not in good health, so we'll be heading back now."

"Wait a minute..."

Seeing Shen Mochen about to leave, Gu Yange, anxious, grabbed hold of Shen Mochen, looking like she had something to say.

"What is it?" Shen Mochen obligingly stepped aside with her.

"I..." Gu Yange found herself at a loss for words; she didn't actually have anything important to say, she just didn't want to part with Shen Mochen like this.

"That... What happened with the Princess situation in the end?" Gu Yange quietly asked.

The incident of Shen Mochen's bride rescue had become an open secret in high society; though no one would discuss it openly, everyone was curious.

Especially the girls who knew about it, they were insanely jealous of Catherine; to have such a brave and handsome young man oppose the entire world for her, that's like a classic Mary Sue storyline! If it were them, even if Shen Mochen had nothing left, they would follow him to the ends of the earth without a second thought!

"Not much, she went back to Roman, and probably will return in a month or two."

Gu Yange was silent, feeling a pang in her heart.

"I'll head back first if there's nothing else, she's waiting for me," Shen Mochen said, gesturing to Han Muxue not far away.

Gu Yange had no excuse to make him stay, so she let Shen Mochen leave, then suddenly added, "Oh yeah, it's my brother's birthday in a couple of days, you, do you want to come to his birthday party..."

"I'd better not, you guys have fun," Shen Mochen waved his hand.

The two of them left.

"Isn't Shen Mochen with the Princess... Who is that in the wheelchair?"

After Shen Mochen and Han Muxue left, Gu Yange's companion hurriedly asked her.

"Didn't they say they were war buddies?" Gu Yange pursed her lips.

"But I feel like their relationship doesn't seem like just war buddies..."

However, the two only murmured to themselves, as everyone in First Middle School knew that Gu Yange was the first to confess to Shen Mochen, earlier than anyone else.

It seemed that Gu Yange really believed she and Shen Mochen were just war buddies... On the way out, Han Muxue's mouth twitched inexplicably.

What an idiot.

Actually, you can't blame her completely, sometimes, girls also deceive themselves.

I'm also an idiot, Han Muxue thought to herself.

Having learned from earlier, Shen Mochen and Han Muxue took the elevator to the underground parking lot, but unfortunately, just as they arrived and were about to head up, Han Muxue's wheelchair ran out of power.

The parking lot was underground with a slope leading up to the exit. Shen Mochen silently helped Han Muxue push her wheelchair from behind.

Han Muxue didn't say a word the whole time, letting Shen Mochen push her back to ground level with some difficulty, only clenching her fist slightly.

"Are you coming home for dinner tonight?" Shen Mochen asked.

Actually, Shen Mochen really wanted to eat out at a restaurant before going home, but he didn't want Han Muxue to go through the embarrassment like at noon again, to dine amid strange looks.

Others indeed meant no harm, but it was just irksome for the person involved.

Perhaps, she had gotten used to it, but that definitely didn't mean she didn't care.

"Mhm."

Han Muxue nodded, looking down to send a text message.

"Or... you could come to my place for dinner?" Shen Mochen suggested.

Actually, it would be fine for Han Muxue to stay over at his place tonight, but Shen Mochen's concern was, after all, this wasn't a dormitory, and with parents at home, it really wouldn't be appropriate to bring Han Muxue over to stay the night.

"No, thanks," Han Muxue gently shook her head.

Shen Mochen hailed a taxi at the roadside and took a cab to Han Muxue's house.

About half an hour later, the taxi stopped in front of a row of old bungalows.

This place was at the edge of Su Yan District; although it was much better than a slum, it was still an area for the lower-middle class. The highest buildings were two-story houses built by a few families, and the main road was pitted and uneven.

"You can go back," Han Muxue said as she got out of the car.

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Shen Mochen's face looked hurt.

"You should go back."

Han Muxue repeated.