Chapter 50: ◎You Are Always the Most Special in My Eyes.◎

Despite the convoluted process and everyone talking at cross-purposes, the group finally pieced together the subtle situation at hand.

It would be a lie to say they weren’t stunned, but when they met Zhu Lexing’s slightly uneasy gaze, they all tacitly chose to brush it off.

A chorus of drawn-out “Ohhh”s and “Ahhh”s erupted noisily, one after another.

Yan Mian was promptly dragged away by Li Nian. Zhu Lexing finally lost her patience and rounded on the ringleader, Qiao Qiao. “What do you mean by that!”

Qiao Qiao replied, “So it’s true—you really never confessed.”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Zhu Lexing felt utterly mocked.

Qiao Qiao’s teasing continued. “And you had the nerve to critique my love life? I think I’m the one who knows what she’s doing.”

Zhu Lexing shot back, “Does someone who plays games on her first day of dating?”

The two traded glares of mutual disdain before storming back to class.

Of course, Zhu Lexing wasn’t truly angry. Most of her irritation melted away the moment she laid eyes on Yan Mian. During lunch break, she buried her face in her sleeves, replayed the whole chain of events in her mind, and asked Yan Mian, “How am I so stupid?”

Yan Mian replied, “…You’re not stupid.”

Even so, she couldn’t help chuckling at the memory of the cafeteria scene. “But don’t do that again next time.”

Zhu Lexing thought to herself, Next time? As if there’ll be a next time. An experience that seemed foolish at first glance but delightful upon reflection was more than enough for one lifetime.

New year, new vibes.

Before school let out, Zhu Lexing saw the group chat buzzing about fireworks in the city. In truth, the New Year’s Eve display had already happened the night before, but the two of them had been too entangled in that inexplicable Shura Field to notice.

They had watched fireworks together countless times before, so Zhu Lexing wasn’t initially keen to join.

But then Qiao Qiao messaged her privately.

-First day of dating, and no date?

Zhu Lexing: “…”

Zhu Lexing had to admit she had a point.

The last time they had watched fireworks together had been during that awkwardly ambiguous phase. This time was different.

System: 【If I may be so bold, how exactly is it different?】

Zhu Lexing: 【I’ve been made official.】

System: 【…】

Yan Mian happily agreed to the plan.

They would head home anyway, where she could tutor Zhu Lexing on her studies. With schoolwork piling up, Zhu Lexing would only get busier—a balance of work and play was essential.

…Besides, Yan Mian did want to spend time with her.

She wanted to observe how Zhu Lexing interacted with her friends, listen to their chatter, hold her hand amid the crowd.

She wanted to see the world through Zhu Lexing’s eyes.

Everyone had made grand plans in the group chat, but as the saying goes, no plan survives contact with reality. Qiao Qiao got called home by her family, Xu He had piano practice, and even Shi Ruofeng had to go back to revise a manuscript.

Zhu Lexing sent a string of ellipses into the group.

-Still going?

She was asking Song Yingying and Li Nian.

-Of course!

Li Nian replied almost instantly for once. Remembering the murderous glare on her face when she’d dragged Yan Mian away at lunch, Zhu Lexing turned to Yan Mian with a spark of curiosity. “What did she say to you?”

Yan Mian asked, “Do you really have to know?”

Zhu Lexing replied, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.”

Yan Mian simply nodded. “Then I won’t.”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

The fireworks spot was close to the Zhu Family Villa District. After coordinating, Li Nian volunteered to head there early with Song Yingying to snag seats—and grab some street food along the way. Zhu Lexing and Yan Mian would eat dinner at home first and meet them after.

Before heading out, Zhu Lexing stared at Yan Mian, hesitated, then ran upstairs to fetch a new scarf.

Liu Su had professionals deliver her clothes by season, and she had a whole box full of scarves alone. The previous two had come from there as well.

Yan Mian glanced down at the beige scarf, then back up at Zhu Lexing.

Caught in those sparkling eyes, Zhu Lexing cut her off preemptively. “Don’t say thank you.”

“It’s the new year, new vibes,” Zhu Lexing explained.

Since it was so close, they decided not to bother Driver Lin and walked over instead.

New Year’s Day turned out even livelier than New Year’s Eve.

The streets blazed with lights, thronged with people everywhere.

Li Nian had misjudged the timing. By the time she and Song Yingying emerged from Snack Street, the fireworks site was already packed. Snagging a spot was out of the question—catching a glimpse of the bursts would be victory enough.

The crowd surged around them. Out in public, Zhu Lexing didn’t take Yan Mian’s hand right away, but she kept Yan Mian in her peripheral vision at all times.

When Yan Mian stumbled half a step backward in the press of bodies, Zhu Lexing whipped around, seized the Omega’s hand, and pulled her close.

A winter gust swept past, their palms icy cold where they met—yet the touch sent a rush of warmth surging between them.

Zhu Lexing stared at Yan Mian and blurted, “You okay?”

Yan Mian didn’t mind at all. Instead, she smiled faintly. “I’m not snow.”

The kind that melts at a breath.

The kind that shatters at a touch.

Unthinkingly, Zhu Lexing tightened her grip on Yan Mian’s fingers.

Yan Mian wasn’t snow, but in Zhu Lexing’s eyes, she was even more fragile.

Zhu Lexing could only say solemnly, “Stick with me from here on out.”

Yan Mian asked, “Should we go find Niannian?”

Zhu Lexing scanned the sea of heads around them. “…”

Even if they knew where Li Nian was, they probably couldn’t push through the crowd to reach her.

Yan Mian didn’t mind. She stood her ground, hesitated for a few seconds, then scooted a little closer to Zhu Lexing.

Zhu Lexing eyed her encroaching figure and whispered, “What are you doing? There are so many people around.”

Yan Mian replied righteously, “Didn’t Lexing tell me to follow you?”

Zhu Lexing wanted to point out that she’d only said that when they were walking.

But seeing the sly glint in Yan Mian’s eyes, she decided this wasn’t half bad. She lifted her chin slightly. “I suppose that works.”

Only then did Zhu Lexing realize they still hadn’t let go of each other’s hands.

They stayed like that, clasped together, until Zhu Lexing’s own fingers had warmed up—while Yan Mian’s palm remained a cool contrast.

Omega seemed utterly accustomed to it, paying it no mind. Zhu Lexing stared intently at her for a few seconds to confirm she wasn’t cold, then hesitated before slipping her hand beneath her own scarf anyway.

Warm body heat seeped through the fabric into Yan Mian’s palm. She froze for a moment, then her lips curved into a smile.

“Lexing,” Yan Mian said. “Didn’t you say it yourself? In broad daylight—”

Zhu Lexing ignored her completely, turning her face toward the crowd instead. Yan Mian followed her gaze, then surreptitiously scooted a few centimeters closer while Zhu Lexing wasn’t looking.

The fireworks show was about to begin, and the surrounding crowd spontaneously started counting down.

Zhu Lexing thought to herself that this wasn’t New Year’s Eve—what was there to count down for?

Amid the noisy chaos, she grew a little worried that Yan Mian might not be able to handle it. She glanced down, only to find the girl intently watching the crowd.

People always had a herd mentality. Before she knew it, Zhu Lexing found herself anticipating the same thing.

She shifted her gaze back and thought, Next year, I’ll come here to watch the fireworks with Yan Mian again.

The voices started scattered at first but unified as the countdown hit ten seconds.

“Five—”

Zhu Lexing felt Yan Mian withdraw her hand from beneath the scarf.

“Four—”

Her dangling right hand was suddenly clasped.

“Three—”

Their fingers intertwined tightly, warm knuckles gripping with a force that seemed determined to lock her in place forever.

“Two—”

Zhu Lexing stared at her in stunned silence, but Yan Mian had already lifted her face.

“One.”

Her lips brushed Zhu Lexing’s in the lightest of kisses, like the whisper of a feather.

The world around them was a riot of noise, yet Zhu Lexing felt everything fall utterly still.

In Yan Mian’s warm gaze, she saw the reflection of blooming fireworks.

“Happy New Year!”

Cheers erupted all around. Zhu Lexing gazed at Yan Mian, who had squeezed forward another step to wrap her arms around Zhu Lexing’s waist and bury her face in the crook of her neck.

Beneath the colorful lights, Zhu Lexing eyed Yan Mian’s flushed earlobes and found the sight utterly surreal.

“…You kissed me,” Zhu Lexing said. “Why are you the one who’s shy?”

Yan Mian’s voice came out muffled. “I’m not shy.”

The people nearby were still gleefully celebrating the New Year. Zhu Lexing felt her heart fill with the warmth of the body in her arms—and only then did she truly realize it.

The year was over.

“Happy New Year, Mianmian,” Zhu Lexing whispered softly.

Yan Mian looked up at her, her fervent heart bubbling like it was steeped in honey.

“Happy New Year, Xingxing.”

Yan Mian added, “Let’s come watch the fireworks here again next year.”

~~~

A biting cold wind raged through Rong City, pushing temperatures to new lows.

The competition results were announced on a weekday.

The call came straight to Zhu Xing—the first time in senior year that a class had been interrupted midway.

Zhu Xing’s announcement was even more bombastic than the last, dragging on for a full five minutes with just one core message: Yan Mian had placed third, and the teacher handling her recommendation agreement was already en route.

The entire class erupted in shock, all eyes turning to Yan Mian.

Zhu Lexing wasn’t surprised.

Even in her eyes, Yan Mian was destined for success no matter what she did.

But when the news became official, Zhu Lexing still felt deeply moved.

Her gaze lingered on Yan Mian’s face for a long time. This, she thought, was the life Yan Mian deserved.

Everyone was staring at Yan Mian, but the Omega turned only to look back at Zhu Lexing. Her pen tip rubbed against the paper as she wrote:

—Efforts weren’t in vain.

The news that “Yan Mian had been recommended for admission” spread through the school like wildfire. By the end of that single class period, the forum had upgraded her title from “study overlord” to “study god.”

During the break, a crowd piled up outside the windows, all there to glimpse the study god in her glory.

Zhu Lexing thought it looked just like the Six Great Sects besieging Bright Summit.

Others might have been too polite or unfamiliar to speak up.

But Li Nian thrust her head right through the window and shoved a bouquet of flowers at the classmate by the sill. “Mianmian! Congratulations!”

Zhu Lexing stared at the sunflowers. “…”

Wasn’t this a bit too efficient?

The real efficiency was only just beginning.

Throughout the entire lunch period, everyone sitting with Yan Mian could feel the surrounding stares and whispers.

Xu He’s eyes sparkled. “Mianmian, you’re amazing! I couldn’t even understand those Math Olympiad problems—”

Yan Mian replied, “If you’re interested, I can explain them to you.”

The stars vanished from Xu He’s eyes. “Next time for sure.”

Qiao Qiao propped her chin on her hand, eyeing the people staring at Yan Mian.

“Look over there,” she said, pointing for the group. Zhu Lexing followed her direction and spotted an unfamiliar face.

She blinked in confusion. “What about her?”

Qiao Qiao said, “She’s not from our school.”

Zhu Lexing: “…”

A single drop of sweat trickled down everyone’s backs in silence.

Even Yan Mian couldn’t help asking, “What’s your basis for that?”

Qiao Qiao explained, “Because I’ve seen her before. Her surname is Song. She’s a reporter.”

Zhu Lexing: “…An undercover one, no less.”

Reporter Song had probably wanted a firsthand interview and had slipped into the school upon hearing the news. Her gaze kept drifting toward their group now and then.

She suddenly met their collective stares and fell silent.

After lunch, Reporter Song went with Yan Mian to the Guidance Office. After a brief discussion, she conducted an exclusive interview.

Zhu Lexing waited outside the Teaching Building and noticed that, at some point, a massive mailbox had appeared by the main entrance. It was labeled “Opinion Collection Office,” with a notice posted beside it. In short, anyone with feedback for the school could write a letter and drop it in—the school would seriously consider and selectively adopt the best suggestions.

Zhu Lexing usually went upstairs from the right side with Yan Mian and hadn’t noticed it until now, waiting along the way.

The mailbox clearly hadn’t been there long—plenty of people were still gathered around reading the notice.

Xu He muttered, “Is this for real?”

Zhu Lexing said, “You’ll know if you try dropping something in.”

Qiao Qiao said, “If you don’t take my advice, then writing even a single extra word is a waste.”

Zhu Lexing: “……”

It didn’t sound wrong at all.

The teacher who had come to oversee the signing arrived just before lunch break began.

At this hour, most people opted to rest, but a few heard the commotion and poked their heads out to look.

Local media outlets from Rong City had swarmed the place, fiddling with their equipment while snapping photos of the campus facilities—clearly gearing up for their stories.

Cameras surrounded Yan Mian as she signed the agreement. Teachers stood beside her, offering congratulations and running through the key details. She stared at the page, but her mind was on Zhu Lexing.

What’s Xingxing up to right now?

As she put down the first stroke of her name, Yan Mian figured she was probably napping… or maybe listening in on the scene through that special connection of theirs.

She lifted her eyes and scanned the surroundings. The sudden pause put everyone on edge—even the principal leaned in with concern. “Yan, everything alright? Run out of ink?”

Yan Mian shook her head. As she started to look away, she caught a quiet gaze from just outside the window.

The girl had no idea how long she’d been standing there. She only retreated a step once she realized she’d been spotted.

Yan Mian let out a helpless chuckle.

The moment Yan Mian’s name hit the paper for real, Zhu Lexing heard the System prompt: 【Congratulations, Host. You’ve successfully completed Hidden Mission 29. Gained 50 points…】

A fleeting rush of joy washed over her, only for a quiet worry to settle in afterward.

Based on the Original Host’s time of death, she’d have to stick around here at least until Yan Mian graduated from university.

Now that Yan Mian had locked in her spot at a top school with that recommendation agreement, staying by her side longer meant Zhu Lexing would have to redouble her efforts from here on out.

She couldn’t help thinking the plot had veered right into the drama Yan Mian starred in.

How to banish sorrow? Only through study.

When Yan Mian returned to the classroom, she found Zhu Lexing hard at work on her practice problems.

She didn’t say anything at first, but the moment she dropped into the seat beside her, Zhu Lexing noticed.

Unlike before, though, Zhu Lexing didn’t set aside her work to chat. She finished working through the solution step by step, then asked primly, “All done?”

Yan Mian nodded. “The reporter fired off a few questions and took off.”

Students still needed their lunch break, after all. Lingering too long would’ve been overkill.

While Yan Mian fielded her solo interview, Zhu Lexing had been off with Qiao Qiao and the others, gesturing at the mailbox—so she’d missed Reporter Song’s line of questioning entirely.

Curiosity gnawed at her, but she didn’t want to show her hand. She circled around it instead. “What’d the reporter ask about?”

Yan Mian replied, “Learning… tips.”

Zhu Lexing pressed. “And how’d you answer?”

Yan Mian deadpanned, “Get yourself a girlfriend with worse grades than you. Tutor her a bunch, and it’ll come naturally.”

Zhu Lexing: “…………”

Coming from anyone but Yan Mian, Zhu Lexing would’ve dismissed it as a joke without a second thought.

But Yan Mian looked utterly sincere, leaving Zhu Lexing to falter. “You—”

Stared down by that bewildered look, Yan Mian nearly cracked up. She started to explain—only for Zhu Lexing to murmur even softer, “Aren’t you scared of getting found out?”

“By who?” Yan Mian paused to consider. “Auntie Liu?”

She grew earnest. “Auntie adores you. Even if she doesn’t want us together, she’d never yell at you over it.”

Zhu Lexing: “…And you?”

Yan Mian took it in stride. “With you around, would they ever kick me out?”

The easy trust in her voice ignited Zhu Lexing’s protective instincts on the spot. She vowed, “They could sweep me out the door, and you’d still be fine!”

Then she caught Yan Mian’s smiling eyes and the soft “Okay” that followed—and realized she’d been had.

Zhu Lexing flicked a glance at her screen. Two minutes until the bell.

She’d just resolved to ignore Yan Mian until then when a notification pinged on her phone.

—New Rong Newspaper Exclusive: The 18-Year-Old C University Prodigy’s Biggest Thanks Goes To…

Zhu Lexing: “……”

No missing who that was about. She tapped it open without hesitation.

The video stitched together a few clips, including the one about study habits Yan Mian had mentioned. Her answer came swift and sure, like she’d seen the question coming a mile away.

Confidence radiated from the screen. Zhu Lexing watched, transfixed, a swell of delight rising in her chest.

Near the end, the reporter’s voice cut in again. “With results like these, anyone you’d like to thank?”

This was the first time Yan Mian hesitated on camera.

Zhu Lexing figured parents would be the safe play in a spot like that.

Yan Mian wouldn’t name Jiang Yue, couldn’t mention Liu Su—so friends it was.

In the video, Yan Mian went quiet for several seconds before saying gravely, “My friend.”

“If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t be here right now. She means more to me than anyone.”

Zhu Lexing poked Yan Mian’s side.

Yan Mian looked up to find her tone laced with inexplicable jealousy. “Li Nian’s that special to you?”

Yan Mian eyed the still-playing screen. “I thanked her right at the start. They must’ve cut that part.”

Zhu Lexing: “……”

“Not Li Nian—who then?”

Yan Mian stifled a laugh at the sight of the Alpha, who clearly knew the answer already. Her ears had gone pink, but she pressed on anyway.

Yan Mian didn’t dodge the question. “You’re the most special one in my eyes. Always.”

Zhu Lexing stammered, “Oh. Oh.”

A long silence stretched out before Yan Mian finally heard her whisper, “You’re… the same for me.”