Chapter 42 Part 1

Zhu Lexing hopped off the Ferris Wheel and immediately checked her favorability level—

Sure enough, just as the System had said, it hadn’t budged an inch. It was stuck at the previous mark, still in negative territory.

Zhu Lexing felt like she had grown a little.

In the past, she probably would have taken the System’s word at face value without a second thought.

As expected, sophomore year and senior year were worlds apart. Leveling up really did make a person stronger!

Her mind wandering, Zhu Lexing didn’t forget to tell Yan Mian, “Wait here for a sec. I need to grab something.”

The park was about to close, but the staff hadn’t clocked out yet. It would only take a few minutes, so Zhu Lexing wasn’t worried about Yan Mian getting lost.

In her original plan, Yan Mian would have nodded silently in agreement before receiving her surprise—

But one misstep led to another. Yan Mian didn’t agree. Instead, she asked, “Grab what?”

Zhu Lexing looked at her stone-faced.

Yan Mian met her gaze head-on, even curling her lips in a playful smile.

Zhu Lexing felt like life itself was a trial by fire. She took a deep breath. “Fine. Come with me.”

Yan Mian trailed after her, matching her steps perfectly—no longer keeping that careful distance from before. The lily of the valley pheromone had clearly faded, but as she drew closer, Zhu Lexing felt enveloped once more in Yan Mian’s unique scent.

It threw her off. She glanced back at Yan Mian, only for the girl to extend her hand.

Zhu Lexing blinked. ?

“…Too many people,” Yan Mian said flatly, even though the crowds had thinned out considerably.

Zhu Lexing stared at her in disbelief. “Are you afraid I’ll get lost?”

Yan Mian shook her head, but she stretched her hand out farther.

Zhu Lexing bit her lip before finally taking Yan Mian’s hand. She wasn’t even sure why she did it—her brain just supplied an excuse on autopilot: It was Yan Mian’s birthday, after all. She was the star of the show.

Of course, Yan Mian thought, she wouldn’t refuse.

Zhu Lexing had ordered a six-inch cake. Layers of cream gave it the texture of soft fur, with cookie sheep horns on either side and a cute chocolate “0w0” face.

Two people couldn’t possibly finish it, so it would be perfect for Yan Mian to share with her roommates.

It was a shame she couldn’t watch Yan Mian blow out the candles, but Zhu Lexing had accomplished her main goal for the day. She wasn’t going to dwell on it.

Yan Mian called out to her suddenly. “Heading back just like that?”

Zhu Lexing turned to her.

Standing in front of the display case, Yan Mian ordered a tiny cake—just big enough for the two of them. It was a budget version of the Little Sheep cake, complete with sunglasses and an arrogantly wicked expression.

Zhu Lexing paused. “Won’t we be late?”

“The teachers won’t yell,” Yan Mian replied.

They left the Cake Shop and found an empty bench to sit on. Zhu Lexing carefully set the cake down. Under the dazzling lights, she watched from the side as Yan Mian unpacked the little cake.

The shop had thrown in some number candles. Yan Mian picked out the “18” and murmured out of nowhere, “Today, I’m still 17.”

She remembered this day last year—or rather, tomorrow, in her timeline. By then, Jiang Yue and Zhu Lin’s relationship had stabilized. They’d moved again, and their living conditions had improved. Compared to keeping tabs on her, Jiang Yue preferred spending her time with Zhu Lin.

Yan Mian was invisible at school, and no different at home. She was used to the neglect, so she hadn’t bothered celebrating her birthday. Homework, dinner, dead silence on social media—the only thing out of the ordinary was that she’d gone downstairs after dinner to buy a paper cup cake. Once it was gone, so was the day.

That was why, at Li Nian’s birthday party, Yan Mian had felt more hollow than afraid or on edge.

She knew not everyone was as overlooked as she was, but there was always an indescribable gap between hearing about it and seeing it for herself.

Head bowed, Yan Mian was about to set the candle in place when Zhu Lexing snatched it from her hand.

She looked up at the Alpha on instinct. Zhu Lexing pulled out the “7” and placed it right next to the “1” that Yan Mian had already positioned.

“There. That’s 17,” Zhu Lexing said, pleased with herself.

She had no idea what was going through Yan Mian’s mind, but hearing her mention “17” made her realize the girl’s last birthday probably hadn’t been a happy one. If it sucked, then forget it. Overwrite it with a new memory.

“Of course.” Zhu Lexing pointed at the standard Little Sheep cake. “And there’s your 18 right here.”

Yan Mian looked away and blinked slowly. She lit the candle with a lighter, and the orange flame flickered to life. Zhu Lexing suddenly felt a twinge of nerves and cleared her throat. “So, uh… should we sing the birthday song?”

Yan Mian wondered if she could really pull it off.

A soft “Mm” escaped her throat anyway.

She knew better than to believe wishes came true easily, so she never bothered with them. But in that moment, she found her hands clasped together, eyes shut.

Music drifted from the distant rides, and a breeze whispered past her ears. Yan Mian felt a sudden disorientation.

It had been so long since she’d made a wish that she wasn’t even sure what to ask for—until a clumsy “Happy birthday to you” reached her ears.

The moment she started singing, Zhu Lexing’s confidence flooded back.

She couldn’t vouch for much, but she’d practiced the birthday song plenty of times. It was her go-to ace in the hole.

She finished all four lines, but Yan Mian still hadn’t opened her eyes.

As expected of the female protagonist, Zhu Lexing thought—her wishes took longer than most. She couldn’t let the mood drop, though. After a moment’s thought, she decided to switch keys and sing it again.

She’d barely gotten the first note out when Yan Mian blew out the candle. Her eyes were a little red. “That one was kinda off. Don’t sing anymore.”

Caught off guard, Zhu Lexing sighed and tried her best to ignore the glimmer of moisture in Yan Mian’s eyes. “Actually… I thought it was fine.”

Yan Mian said nothing more and gave two-thirds of the cake to Zhu Lexing.

Zhu Lexing hadn’t eaten dinner yet, so she devoured it all on the spot. The two of them switched roles—from Zhu Lexing watching Yan Mian to Yan Mian watching Zhu Lexing. In the end, Yan Mian even made a special trip back to the Cake Shop to buy her two loaves of bread and a drink.

By the time Zhu Lexing belatedly realized what was happening, the fork in her hand trembled slightly.

Wasn’t this supposed to be Yan Mian’s birthday? How had it turned into Yan Mian feeding her instead?

Zhu Lexing steeled her resolve and politely refused Yan Mian’s attempt to shove more bread her way. She stood up coolly. “No need. That’s enough. I’ll walk you back.”

Yan Mian had the teacher’s contact information and had already messaged her on the way to the Amusement Park, letting her know she might be home late.

When the middle-aged woman arrived to pick her up, Yan Mian was asking Zhu Lexing, “Where do you live?”

Zhu Lexing pointed off into the distance, but the hotel was completely hidden behind towering skyscrapers. She could only say, “Not too far, anyway.”

As the teacher drew near, Zhu Lexing finally handed the cake to Yan Mian.

Yan Mian paused for a moment, as if she wanted to say or do something. In the end, though, she remained silent and simply said goodbye to Zhu Lexing.

The two parted ways. Zhu Lexing stood there in a daze for quite a while before wandering forward aimlessly.

She had given the gift, and though she hadn’t eaten the cake, she had at least tried it. Yet suddenly, an inexplicable sense of loss washed over her.

Halfway back to the hotel, Zhu Lexing received Yan Mian’s 【I’ve arrived at the dorm】 message. She instantly forgot all her earlier feelings and replied, “Get some rest,” before humming a tune to herself as she remembered to message Qiao Qiao.

Neither Qiao Qiao nor Xu He had replied yet, but her notification bar pinged to inform Zhu Lexing that her friend 【Even Dogs Won’t Eat Chocolate】 was teaming up with 【Chocolate Everyone Loves to Eat】 and waiting for her to join.

Zhu Lexing thought to herself, who on earth courts someone in a game?

She didn’t understand it—and she hadn’t dated anyone herself—so Zhu Lexing held back from passing judgment.

That’s when she remembered Yan Mian’s post. She skimmed it at first; it was nothing more than a run-of-the-mill superstition share, the kind people reposted for good luck.

But Yan Mian had shared it, so there had to be some special reason behind it. Zhu Lexing examined it more closely and discovered that the original poster had put up twenty such superstitious posts in just ten days, all following the same pattern—even phrases like “Bad luck if you don’t repost.”

It started to annoy her, so she scrolled back to Yan Mian’s comment section instead. Omegas rarely shared posts like that, and the comments were lively.

– Does Mianmian believe this stuff too hhhh

– Reposting the second I see it! Skeptics are in for trouble!

Zhu Lexing wondered if it was for real, but her finger tapped the repost button all the same.

Even so, nothing good happened by the time the wee hours of the morning rolled around.

Zhu Lexing resolved to report the poster for promoting feudal superstition as soon as she could.

She was exhausted, but she stayed up until midnight anyway.

In the stillness, the sharp “tick-tock” of the clock stood out clearly.

Yan Mian rarely stayed awake past midnight waiting for messages. Her body felt weary, but her mind buzzed with excitement. On her fifth time unlocking her phone, the screen finally ticked over to 00:00.

She lingered on the lock screen as messages came flooding in like a tidal wave.

Yan Mian didn’t have many friends on her list, but most of them sent birthday wishes right on the dot—including Qiao Qiao and Xu He.

– Mianmian~ Happy birthday! Let’s grab food together when you get back… (9)

– [Qiao Qiao transferred money to you]… (2)

– [Cake] (2)

– Happy birthday! Good luck in the competition [arm] (2)

– Mianmian [crying] (99)

– Happy birthday (1)

Yan Mian replied to each one in turn.

She saved the earliest message for last.

– I think this year’s cake isn’t pretty.

Zhu Lexing received it just as her head hit the pillow and sleep was about to claim her. She clung to a sliver of awareness for Yan Mian, squinting at the screen. 【Then how about a new one tomorrow?】

– Today

– I already have two cakes. I’m very happy.

Happy about the cakes, but not satisfied with this year’s…

Zhu Lexing hesitated before typing: 【Then… next year?】

She was only testing the waters, but Yan Mian shot back instantly: Good.

Before Zhu Lexing could respond, Yan Mian followed up with a [Good night] sticker.

Zhu Lexing felt like she’d been neatly outmaneuvered.

But it didn’t feel bad at all.

The next day.

Zhu Lexing finally heard the full story from Qiao Qiao and thoroughly despised her for sending a confession only to take it back. The two bickered pointlessly for a bit until Qiao Qiao asked, “So what about you?”

Zhu Lexing blinked. “What about me?”

She was munching on the hotel’s breakfast delivery, replying offhandedly, “I’m doing great.”

She even threw in some beginner-level English phrases for good measure. Qiao Qiao fell silent for a moment before asking, “Did she turn you down? It happens to everyone—don’t take it too hard—”

She launched into a rambling pep talk straight out of a folksy advice column, urging Zhu Lexing as an Alpha to stay strong and not let a momentary crush derail her path.