The school festival was in full swing, and every department was showing off their best. Colorful banners and decorations lined the halls, food stalls filled the air with delicious scents, and excited students rushed from one event to another.

  I, however, had no time to enjoy any of it.

  Between finalizing my performance and making sure everything was in pce, I was drowning in work. And yet, here I was, dealing with another problem.

  I needed a model for an upcoming clothing release.

  I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. "I need someone muscur… and with a permanent scowl on his face."

  Immediately, my mind provided the most obvious answer—Alexei.

  Muscur? Check. Scowling? Check. Naturally intimidating? Check.

  He was perfect.

  But then I scowled to myself. "Wait. No. He’s already modeling for another set of clothes."

  I sighed deeply, tapping my pen against my clipboard. It was frustrating—I didn’t know anyone else who fit the criteria.

  I leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe I could just—

  Wait.

  My eyes widened as I suddenly remembered something.

  'The charity date auction'.

  My brain quickly flipped through the plot. If I was right, someone who fit my exact requirements would be on stage today.

  A grin spread across my face.

  "Mission complete," I whispered, closing my clipboard with a satisfied snap.

  ==================================

  The event was already well underway, the gymnasium filled with students eager to bid on their cssmates. Some people were going for hundreds of dolrs, others barely scraping by with pity bids.

  I sat comfortably under the shade of an umbrel, a luxury provided by none other than Alexei. He had not only brought an umbrel but also a chair, standing beside me like an immovable, overprotective statue.

  I leaned forward slightly, trying to see past the crowd. "Я не вижу." (I can’t see.)

  "Это не важно." (It’s not important.) Alexei didn’t even gnce at the stage, his voice ced with disinterest. "Они не достойны твоего внимания." (They’re not worth your attention.)

  I rolled my eyes. "Они просто школьники, а не преступники." (They’re just students, not criminals.)

  "Разница не такая большая." (The difference isn’t that big.) He muttered, adjusting his grip on the umbrel like some kind of royal attendant.

  I huffed but didn’t argue. Instead, my eyes scanned the crowd, nding on a familiar figure.

  Crystal.

  I hesitated for a moment before raising my hand and waving at her.

  She blinked, her gaze meeting mine, and for a second, I expected her to ignore me. After all, Crystal practically despised attractive people.

  But to my surprise, she gave me a small nod before turning back to the auction.

  I blinked. 'Well, that was unexpected'.

  Before I could dwell on it, the MC’s voice rang out across the gym.

  "Next up, Euntae Lee!"

  I immediately sat up straight, my full attention snapping to the stage.

  And there he was—Vasco.

  He stepped onto the ptform, looking nervous and stiff, his normally confident posture nowhere to be found. His eyes darted across the room, as if searching for an escape route.

  Then, after a long pause, he scowled.

  There!

  My eyes lit up in excitement. That’s exactly the expression I need!

  He looked like someone about to fight an entire army. It was perfect.

  But then I noticed something that made my excitement falter.

  No one was bidding.

  The crowd shifted awkwardly, a few murmurs rising here and there, but no hands went up. Vasco’s scowl twitched, and for a moment, I saw something flicker in his expression—disappointment.

  He tried to py it off, standing even straighter, clenching his fists like he didn’t care.

  But I saw it.

  And I didn’t like it.

  Without hesitation, I raised my hand.

  "500 dolrs."

  Silence.

  The crowd fell into stunned quiet. Even the MC looked momentarily speechless.

  I could feel the eyes on me, could practically hear the collective thought running through everyone’s heads—

  "Did she just bid 500 dolrs on Vasco?!"

  I simply smiled sweetly.

  =================================

  The air in the gym was thick with anticipation as the auction continued, yet the energy noticeably shifted when the test participant stepped onto the stage.

  "Euntae Lee!" the MC announced.

  Vasco walked stiffly to the center, his usually confident presence somewhat subdued under the weight of all the eyes on him. His posture was tense, his expression bnk—until, as if to mask his nervousness, he scowled.

  Despite his best effort, however, the reaction was far from what he had hoped.

  Silence.

  The crowd murmured among themselves, shifting uncomfortably. Some people exchanged hesitant gnces, while others outright avoided looking at the stage, unsure if they should bid or not.

  Seconds passed, and no one raised their hand.

  Vasco’s scowl faltered for a brief moment—so brief that most wouldn't have noticed—but there was an undeniable flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He clenched his fists, standing straighter, acting as if it didn’t bother him.

  But then—

  "500 dolrs."

  The voice was clear, confident, and feminine.

  Heads whipped around, searching for the bidder, and the moment they found her, the silence deepened.

  J High students froze in shock. The boys from J High, in particur, looked like they had just witnessed a tragedy unfold before their very eyes.

  It was her.

  Evelina Solovyova.

  J High’s goddess.

  She sat gracefully under the shade of an umbrel, held carefully by none other than her imposing older brother. With an air of effortless elegance, she smiled sweetly, as if completely unaware of the chaos she had just caused.

  The boys from J High erupted.

  "NO WAY!"

  "WHO BRAINWASHED HER?!"

  "OUR GODDESS HAS BEEN SEDUCED!"

  Meanwhile, students from other schools, unfamiliar with her, simply admired her from afar.

  "She’s gorgeous… Who is she?"

  "I don’t know, but wow. That’s some high-css beauty."

  "Forget the auction, who cares about the guys? Can we bid on her?" (AN - I know what you are.)

  The MC, regaining his composure, quickly confirmed the bid. "500 dolrs, going once, going twice… Sold! Euntae Lee has been auctioned for 500 dolrs!"

  A round of appuse followed, though it was mixed with stunned disbelief from J High students still processing what had just happened.

  Vasco hesitated before stepping down from the stage, looking toward the bidder—the girl who had unexpectedly saved him from being left unchosen.

  Evelina, however, had already risen from her seat. With a graceful movement, she made her way toward the backstage area, completely ignoring her brother’s irritated muttering in Russian.

  Alexei followed close behind, still holding the umbrel like a royal attendant, his expression unreadable.

  The auction continued, but the buzz in the crowd didn’t die down.

  J High had just witnessed the impossible.

  Evelina Solovyova had bid on Vasco.

  =================================

  Evelina's POV

  The backstage area was quieter than the bustling gymnasium, but the energy still lingered. I walked through the corridor with my usual grace, my brother Alexei trailing beside me like a silent bodyguard. Vasco stood near one of the walls, looking stiff as a board, his posture overly formal.

  The moment he saw me approach, he quickly straightened and bowed deeply.

  "I-I'll follow whatever you want me to do!" Vasco decred, voice full of determination.

  I blinked, then ughed softly. "You don’t have to be so stiff. Just treat me as a close friend.a"

  Vasco hesitated before nodding, his shoulders slightly rexing. "Then… where do we go now?" he asked, his voice quieter, almost shy.

  I smiled. "To be honest, I was looking for a model today. And you—" I gestured toward him lightly. "—are perfect for it."

  Vasco blinked. Then again. His hand lifted and pointed at himself, his expression somewhere between disbelief and confusion. "Me?"

  I nodded. "Yes. You."

  Vasco stood frozen for a few seconds, processing my words. Then, slowly, his lips curled into a bright, almost boyish smile. He extended his hand toward me, and I shook it firmly.

  "Thank you!" he said enthusiastically, his previous nervousness completely forgotten.

  I chuckled. "Technically, this isn’t a date… but with all the styling and adjustments I’m about to put you through, I can guarantee you’ll have one in no time."

  Vasco’s eyes widened in surprise before his expression turned excited, like a kid given a golden opportunity. "Really?"

  I nodded.

  Then, as I let go of his hand, I added, "Oh, and you’ll also get paid."

  Vasco immediately shook his head. "No, no! Helping me today is already more than enough! You already bought me for a date tonight, so I don’t need anything else!"

  I sighed, crossing my arms. "Just take the money and consider it an early investment."

  Vasco tilted his head, confused. "Investment?"

  I smiled. "I want to hire you as a professional model, Vasco. I’m not forcing you, of course, but if you enjoy today’s experience, maybe you’ll consider my proposal in the future."

  Vasco’s eyes widened again before he nodded eagerly. "I’ll do my best!"

  Alexei, who had been standing silently beside me, finally sighed and moved forward. "Пора идти." (It’s time to go.)

  He led us outside, where a sleek bck car was parked near the curb. Just as we reached the car, someone called Vasco’s name.

  He turned toward the voice and nodded before gncing at me. "I'll be quick!"

  I nodded, offering a small smile. "Be careful."

  Vasco grinned before jogging off, disappearing behind one of the school buildings.

  As soon as he was out of sight, I gnced at Alexei, who had his arms crossed and his usual unreadable expression.

  "What do you think of him?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.

  Alexei exhaled through his nose. "У него есть потенциал стать твоим телохранителем." (He has the potential to be one of your bodyguards.)

  I sighed. "Не это. Я имею в виду как модель." (Not that. I meant as a model.)

  Alexei was silent for a moment before he looked at me with a hint of skepticism. "Пока что я не понимаю, почему ты уверена, что он будет хорошо выглядеть, если его одеть… но я доверяю своей маленькой сестре." (For now, I can't comprehend how you're so sure he'll look nice if he's dressed properly… but I trust my little sister.)

  I smiled at his words. "Вот и хорошо." (That’s good then.)

  ==================================

  A few minutes passed. I checked my phone, mentally going over the schedule for the rest of the day. Just as I was about to search for Vasco, I heard footsteps approaching.

  Vasco returned—his expression as cheerful as before—but there was something different.

  His white shirt now had bloodstains spttered across the front.

  Alexei and I both stared.

  Vasco, oblivious to our scrutiny, simply walked up to us and stretched his arms. "Okay! I'm ready now!"

  I blinked once. Then twice.

  In my mind, I quickly pieced it together. 'Ah. He probably just met him. Gun'. Just like in the manhwa. It was best not to question it.

  Alexei, standing beside me, examined Vasco for a few more seconds before sighing. "It’s time to go."

  Without another word, he opened the car door for Vasco.

  Vasco hesitated for a moment, but under Alexei’s sharp stare, he quickly got inside.

  Then, my ever-dutiful brother circled to the other side, opening the passenger seat door for me. I stepped inside smoothly, and as soon as I was settled, he shut the door firmly before taking his own seat behind the wheel.

  With a smooth motion, the car pulled away from the school.

  I didn’t ask.

  Alexei didn’t ask.

  Some things were just better left alone.

  But at least, a new model had been found.

  DaoistDumpling