Jiang Nannan Discovered the Misunderstanding, and Xu Sanshi Cried from the Beating

Lin Fan easily caught her arm with a backhand grab and stopped it.

Then he slid his grip down Xiao Xiao's arm, seized her fist, and swiftly lifted it.

He clasped her hand tight, leaving her no way to break free.

Furious, Xiao Xiao raised her other hand, clenched her fist, and tried the same move again.

But Lin Fan saw it coming. The instant she swung, his hand shot out like lightning and caught her fist.

He held both her hands firmly in one of his, raised high above them.

Enraged, Xiao Xiao stepped in and drove a heavy kick at him.

Lin Fan reacted at once. He set a hand on her shoulder and pushed her against the wall, dodging the kick in the process.

Then he raised his leg to pin hers. Xiao Xiao found she could no longer put any strength into it and panted for breath.

The rapid exchange had caught her completely off guard, leaving her pressed hard against the wall.

Xiao Xiao frowned. She tried to kick, but couldn't. Even with every ounce of strength she had, she couldn't move her leg from under Lin Fan's.

Their faces were barely an inch apart. Each could hear the other breathe.

"Can't move now that I've got you pinned, can you?"

Lin Fan taunted her, opening his mouth to say:

"You... you!"

Xiao Xiao seethed. She couldn't move a limb, no matter how she struggled or twisted. Lin Fan had her firmly trapped.

"Come on, hit me! Hit me! You can't, can you? Let me pinch those little cheeks and see if you'll behave."

Lin Fan grinned and slowly reached toward Xiao Xiao's face as he teased her.

After struggling to no avail, Xiao Xiao bared her pearly teeth and snapped at his approaching hand.

"I'll bite you!"

"You're going to bite me?"

Lin Fan darted toward her left cheek instead. She couldn't reach him with her teeth. His fingertips caught her soft cheek and gave it a pinch.

He looked at her round, peachlike face, rosy pink and adorable even when she was angry.

"Can't bite me now, can you? Going to behave?"

Xiao Xiao's cheek was as soft as marshmallow. He couldn't help wondering what it would taste like if he kissed it.

Feeling Lin Fan pinch her cheek, Xiao Xiao gritted her teeth.

"You're shameless."

How infuriating! If he'd reached straight toward me, I'd have bitten him hard. But he went for the other cheek, where I can't reach him at all!

Lin Fan chuckled.

"How am I shameless? I just got there first."

Xiao Xiao turned her head away, fuming.

"Hmph..."

Lin Fan is such a villain.

Elsewhere.

Two figures hurried toward the Infirmary under the sunlight: Jiang Nannan, furious, and Xu Sanshi, looking delighted.

"Where's your proof, Xu Sanshi? If you made this up, I won't let you off."

Jiang Nannan glanced at him as they walked, her voice full of irritation and anger.

"It's real, I swear. The proof is in the Infirmary. We'll be there in a few steps."

Xu Sanshi turned to her with an ingratiating smile.

"The Infirmary?"

Jiang Nannan looked puzzled.

"Yes, yes! The Infirmary."

Xu Sanshi nodded.

"Oh. You really haven't learned your lesson, have you? You claim there's something wrong with Lin Fan, but I think you just can't get enough of reporting people."

Jiang Nannan gave him a mocking smile.

If Xu Sanshi hadn't hounded her relentlessly, she would never have come.

"No, no, I've had enough. Nannan, I saw Lin Fan go there with a girl. He was carrying her, too. There's definitely something wrong with him."

Xu Sanshi looked awkward as he embellished his story.

He'd already had a close call. Without his ties to the sect, the Academy would surely have warned him or expelled him.

"Oh?"

Jiang Nannan's curiosity stirred, though her voice remained impatient.

"Then hurry up and take me there!"

Lin Fan went to the Infirmary with a girl? Carried her there, even?

Was he hiding some secret? I'd better take a look.

"Of course, of course. I'll take you right now."

Startled by Jiang Nannan's tone, Xu Sanshi lowered his head at once, an evil smile curling his lips.

Lin Fan, your good days are finally over. Let's see how you flirt with my Nannan after this.

Once she finds out what you've done and loses faith in you, I'll step in and comfort her. Then she'll definitely fall for me.

Heaven is on my side! Hahaha...

Soon.

Xu Sanshi led Jiang Nannan to the Infirmary door, where they heard Lin Fan and a girl arguing inside.

Jiang Nannan promptly opened the door and saw Lin Fan and Xiao Xiao grappling with each other.

She stared in surprise. Why is Lin Fan fighting with this girl? And why do they look so indecent?

Xu Sanshi was beside himself with delight. He hadn't expected Lin Fan to move so fast. If things went as he'd imagined, Jiang Nannan would soon be his.

The sound of the door opening caught Lin Fan's and Xiao Xiao's attention. They turned to see Jiang Nannan, with Xu Sanshi behind her.

Embarrassed at the sight of Jiang Nannan, Lin Fan immediately released Xiao Xiao's hands. Then he frowned. Why is Xu Sanshi here?

Once free, Xiao Xiao shook out her fists. Seeing the two older students come in, she lowered her head slightly, mortified.

Their arrival had caught her by surprise. They had seen her in such an embarrassing position, and she blamed Lin Fan all the more for it.

The four of them exchanged looks, at a loss for words. The silence grew awkward until Lin Fan broke it.

"Jiang Nannan, what brings you here? Let me introduce you. This is Xiao Xiao, my classmate."

Lin Fan turned to Xiao Xiao with a cheerful look.

"Hello. I'm Xiao Xiao."

Xiao Xiao froze for a moment, then managed a strained smile.

"See, Jiang Nannan? I wasn't lying! There's definitely something wrong with Lin Fan. First he flirted with you, and now he's after someone else."

Xu Sanshi strode up beside Jiang Nannan, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"That's a false accusation! Don't let Xu Sanshi fool you, Jiang Nannan. I was only giving Xiao Xiao a massage!"

Lin Fan hurried to explain himself.

"That's right! Lin Fan was just giving me a massage. Stop making baseless accusations about people, will you?"

Xiao Xiao bristled at Xu Sanshi's words and immediately spoke up for Lin Fan.

"Jiang Nannan, he's lying to you! He's making excuses. Watch me teach this brat a lesson!"

Xu Sanshi grew frantic. He raised his arm and clenched his fist, looking ready to strike.

I can't let him keep talking. If he does, Jiang Nannan might believe him.

Before his words had even faded.

Xu Sanshi rushed at Lin Fan and threw a punch as fast as lightning.

Just as Lin Fan was about to dodge, Jiang Nannan jolted in alarm.

She moved ahead of Xu Sanshi, shielding Lin Fan with her body as his fist came toward them.

"Stop! Xu Sanshi, what are you doing?"

Jiang Nannan shouted at him.

"Jiang Nannan, that brat is obviously lying to you!"

Xu Sanshi stopped his fist short, furious.

"I can decide for myself whether he's lying. I don't need you to tell me!"

Jiang Nannan glared at him.

"Jiang Nannan, I'm scared."

Standing behind her, Lin Fan's eyes flickered. His expression changed to feigned fear, and his voice trembled.

"I'm so scared!"

Before the words had even left his mouth, Lin Fan ducked his head and wrapped both arms around Jiang Nannan's waist.

At once, he felt as though he were nestled between two towering, snow-covered peaks.

Lying in that snow, drifting between them... This feels wonderful~

Jiang Nannan gave a start. Feeling Lin Fan hold her so tightly, she shivered.

Beside them, Xiao Xiao gaped, as if she had witnessed something astonishing.

"Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Two rosy clouds bloomed on Jiang Nannan's cheeks at Lin Fan's embrace. She fought down her embarrassment as she spoke.

Why is Lin Fan holding me so tightly?