Wei Junze: "……"
He was so angry he laughed.
What was so great about Lu Jinghuai? Could his looks compare to money?
A green-haired guy walked over with a bottle of water he’d taken from the school team. He was about to pat Wei Junze’s shoulder to remind him to prepare for the next match, but after seeing his expression, the outstretched hand swerved mid-air and scratched his own head instead.
Another teammate noticed the movement. "What’s up?"
The green-haired guy smirked, thoroughly amused. "Nothing, just someone’s ego got bruised."
?
...
"Aren’t you cold dressed like that?"
Ji Nian glanced at his thin sweatshirt, then down at her own lightweight down jacket.
"Not really."
Lu Jinghuai rolled up his sleeve to show her. "It’s fleece-lined. Very warm."
Ji Nian reached in to feel it, her fingertips first brushing against the smooth, warm skin of his forearm before tracing the soft inner lining.
Then she gasped. "So soft."
It was like touching a fluffy cloud—light and airy, yet the warmth radiating from Lu Jinghuai’s arm proved how well it retained heat.
Lu Jinghuai smiled. "It’s handmade. I have another one just like it."
Catching the hint, Ji Nian didn’t hesitate. "I want it."
Even if the size wasn’t right, she could still wear it.
Lu Jinghuai agreed.
He usually never wore clothes more than once, but this one… maybe he’d make an exception.
The two hadn’t seen each other in a while, and both missed each other dearly. So they decided—
They’d go to Lu Jinghuai’s place to do homework together.
In the car, Lu Jinghuai showed her photos of his recent trip to Country O.
Though Ji Nian had already seen news about his activities, she still listened with rapt attention.
Princess Feia had indeed returned some authority to the young king, but she hadn’t fully stepped back. Instead, she was personally mentoring Lu Jinghuai.
Popularity in Country O was no joke.
"I took a day off over the weekend and went skydiving."
"Above Lake Zonna, the water looked like crystal from above—clear as a gem, shaped like a teardrop by the surrounding terrain. They call it the ‘Tear of the Goddess.’ Even in winter, it’s warm there. Do you want to go during winter break?"
Before answering, Ji Nian was still staring at his phone screen.
In the photo, Lu Jinghuai was mid-air, arms outstretched, his silver-gray eyes visible behind the goggles—unlike his usual calm, they burned with unrestrained exhilaration. The wind swept his hair back, revealing his entire face.
"I’m in."
Ji Nian stared a moment longer, thinking how unfairly good-looking Lu Jinghuai was, then saved a few shots and sent them to herself.
Unbeknownst to her, Lu Jinghuai, who was watching her just as intently, was thinking the same thing.
So beautiful, Ji Nian. I want to kiss her.
Too bad now wasn’t the time.
Oblivious to his thoughts, Ji Nian was still mulling over skydiving.
"I’ve only tried a three-thousand-meter jump, and just once."
Ji Tingzhou wasn’t a fan of her dabbling in extreme sports.
Instead of pushing her to go higher, Lu Jinghuai said, "Then we’ll stick to three thousand. I’ll guide you."
He’d been skydiving since he was eight, taught by his 104-year-old granduncle. Maybe his mother’s side of the family had adventure in their blood—Lu Zhi, for one, hated this stuff.
Rumor had it, during his parents’ second meeting, his father nearly got kicked by his mother’s horse as she galloped past.
"No way, hahahaha!"
Ji Nian burst out laughing, unable to picture the composed Lu Zhi in such a comical situation.
Having grown up on his parents’ love stories, Lu Jinghuai happily shared more when he saw how much Ji Nian enjoyed them.
She listened all the way to his home.
Just before entering, her phone rang.
She glanced down.
Oh. It was her dad.
Answering, she braced for his usual demands—come home immediately or stay away from Lu Jinghuai.
But Ji Tingzhou only said coolly, "Be back by six."
Then hung up.
Ji Nian was pleasantly surprised.
Seeing her end the call so quickly, Lu Jinghuai leaned in. "Should I prepare in advance?"
She tilted her head. "For what?"
Resting his head lightly on her shoulder, his pale gold lashes fluttered. "Like wearing a steel plate under my clothes, or calling a doctor ahead of time."
In other words, bracing for a beating.
Ji Nian laughed. "If my dad hits you, you’ll just take it?"
Lu Jinghuai hummed in agreement.
"He’ll be my father too someday. What kind of son fights back?"
Ji Nian gave him a look.
Good thing Ji Tingzhou wasn’t here—he’d have thrown hands even if Lu Zhi were present.
"I never realized you could be so…"
Lu Jinghuai finished smoothly, "Shameless."
And nodded approvingly at his own assessment.
Ji Nian pinched his cheeks.
"Alright, you shameless brat. Let’s go in. I’m hungry."
Inside, she swapped into her designated slippers and headed straight for Lu Jinghuai’s snack basket.
It hadn’t existed before, but after her frequent visits, it appeared—stocked with all her favorites.
Incidentally, Lu Jinghuai had swiped the basket from Gu Xiuyuan.
The sole witness, He Xiang, stayed silent and later handcrafted a new one for Gu Xiuyuan’s birthday.
Shen Qingtang, intrigued, tried copying the idea—until Gu Xiuyuan caught on and put an end to it.
As she rummaged, strong arms suddenly lifted her from behind.
Ji Nian stayed curled in a crouch, now cradled against Lu Jinghuai’s chest.
The "culprit" plucked the snacks from her hands.
Nuzzling her cheek, he murmured, almost pouting, "Don’t you want me first?"
Ji Nian’s brain short-circuited.
[Wait, didn’t I come here to study?]
System: [Yep. So reject him. Reignite that academic fire.]
But seeing Lu Jinghuai’s face—practically screaming ‘kiss me’—she grinned.
Sometimes, forgetting your original purpose was fine.
Remembering their last fleeting kiss, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Lu Jinghuai might seem gentle, but he wasn’t.
The moment she initiated, he seized control, pulling her close and kissing her back with far more intensity…
