Autumn James didn't take it to heart at all. She just cast Ethan James a faint glance and chose strategic silence.
Seeing the veins bulging on his forehead, she even found it a bit amusing.
When he should've cared, he didn't. Now that she doesn't need him to, he's clinging on like glue.
Ignoring him, she lifted her foot, ready to return to class—
—but then she saw Ethan suddenly sway and collapse straight toward her.
The students nearby were all stunned. No one understood what was wrong with the science prodigy.
Because the distance wasn't close, all they could do was watch nervously.
Instinctively, Autumn wanted to dodge aside.
But looking at the smooth marble floor—even though it was dusty and had more friction now—if he fell hard like that, he'd still be in for a world of pain.
Fortunately, at the last second, her conscience kicked in. Though she stepped aside, she still reached out a hand and grabbed Ethan's arm.
Ethan was very heavy. Autumn couldn't steady him—instead, she almost got dragged down with him.
Her body wobbled. She gritted her teeth, wanting to let go, but Ethan's grip was deathly tight. No matter how she struggled, she couldn't break free.
Autumn shut her eyes.
Forget it. My heart's already a little broken—let's just die together.
But the expected crash never came.
A refreshing scent of mint drifted in the air.
Ethan's body was suddenly steadied.
Autumn sensed something was off and cautiously opened one eye—
—and met Luke Warren's gaze directly.
She jolted in shock.
Immediately, she stood up straight.
"Oh! What a coincidence, Luke! What are you doing here?"
Luke's lips curved into a half-smile. "Yeah, what a coincidence. I'm here for class. You too?"
Autumn didn't know why, but she suddenly felt nervous.
"Uh, yeah. Since it's such a coincidence, I'll reward you—help send Ethan to the infirmary. He doesn't seem too well."
Luke glanced at the unconscious Ethan, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Doesn't seem too well?" More like "barely alive."
Still, Luke nodded.
After all, the guy fainted right at their classroom door. He might as well do a good deed for the day.
Hearing Luke agree, Autumn exhaled in relief.
She pried Ethan's hand off her wrist and placed it onto Luke's arm, trusting him completely. "Alright, hurry up then. I'll wait for you back in class."
Luke: "?? Alone?"
Suddenly, that good deed didn't sound quite as necessary.
Autumn blinked at him. "What, you can't do it alone?"
Luke immediately straightened his back. A man can't say he can't!
But spending time alone with Ethan like this? Yeah, no thanks.
Drooping his eyelids, he didn't argue further.
He waved a hand, summoning a classmate to help.
No one dared refuse—the infamous class bully's authority was unquestionable. The classmate jogged over obediently.
Together, they carried Ethan toward the infirmary.
Autumn narrowed her eyes, smiling brightly as she called out, "When you come back, I'll buy you bubble tea!"
Luke snorted. Who wanted her lousy bubble tea anyway?
The infirmary wasn't far—just a five or six-minute walk.
They dumped Ethan on a chair, waiting for the doctor to notice, and Luke turned to leave.
The sidekick stood frozen, staring between Ethan and Luke.
Watching Luke nearly reach the door, the sidekick panicked, spinning in place. "Bro, you're just gonna leave him?!"
Luke waved carelessly. "He's not dying. Relax. The doctor will find him soon."
The sidekick: …Couldn't walk away, couldn't stay either. Truly, a trapped mouse.
With a sigh, he slumped onto the chair beside Ethan.
Luckily, it didn't take long before the school doctor—wearing a white coat and a mask—stepped out.
"What's wrong, student?" The doctor's gaze fell on the unconscious Ethan.
"Oh, uh, he suddenly fainted at our science Class A's door. Please check on him, Doctor—I've got class now!"
The sidekick rattled off the explanation at lightning speed, clearly itching to escape.
Just then, Ethan stirred, eyes fluttering open.
He caught the boy's wrist instinctively, his grip strong enough to hurt.
The sidekick flinched. He wanted to run, but couldn't.
He pried open Ethan's fingers one by one—red marks forming on his skin from the pressure.
Even the calmest person would be angry now.
Speaking rapidly, he said, "Doctor, please take care of him. He's Ethan James from Science Class A. If there's a problem, talk to his homeroom teacher—I'm leaving!"
And with that, he bolted out like he was being chased by ghosts.
Ethan blinked groggily, murmuring Autumn's name.
But the faint shred of rationality told him—this tall figure in front of him couldn't possibly be her.
He swallowed the name back down.
The doctor took his temperature—39.5°C.
"My goodness," the doctor muttered, "how could he wait till his fever got this bad? Another hour and his brain would've fried."
Meanwhile, Luke had already returned to class, heading straight toward Autumn.
Autumn was chatting cheerfully with her classmates, not noticing his stormy approach.
Her delicate features glowed with laughter, and even Luke couldn't help but smile for a second—before quickly suppressing it.
He definitely didn't think she looked good.
Ugly. Totally ugly.
"Hey, don't forget what you promised me," Luke said coolly, standing beside her like he owned the place.
Everyone turned to look curiously.
Autumn's face flushed. The way he said it—it sounded scandalous.
"I know, I know—it's just a cup of bubble tea, right? I'll buy it after class. Whatever flavor you want, okay?"
"Alright," Luke said, lips twitching faintly.
"Oh, right—what about that classmate who helped you? Ask him what he wants too."
Luke frowned. "He's not drinking."
At the doorway, the returning classmate froze, expression blank—So these years of loyalty… were all for nothing?!
Watching the two interact, the rest of the class stared in disbelief.
If memory served, Luke Warren was supposed to be the class troublemaker.
His grades were average—barely good enough for Class A—but he never worried about being dropped. After all, his father could always "sponsor" him back in.
Luke was notoriously arrogant. Yet now, seeing him so obedient and mild—everyone was stunned.
What kind of magic did Autumn James have, to make Luke Warren this tame?