Ji Nian walked out, forcing herself not to think about the exam questions, instead observing the expressions of those around her. Some strode ahead with light steps, eager to move forward, while others seemed absent-minded, expressionless, or weighed down by tension.
Ji Nian wasn’t walking particularly fast, and before she even reached the exit, she spotted a large crowd of parents stretching their necks to look for their children. Most held banners, and some even carried standees. She wondered if her own family had prepared anything like that.
Then she looked up.
Well… the longest banner belonged to them.
There was even a giant chicken standee.
Quite a few people were staring in their direction—not just because the group stood out in appearance, but also because of the oddly dressed man in the middle, bundled up tightly despite the sweltering heat.
Only Ji Nian knew that it was Ji Tingzhou, wearing a sterile suit because he found the crowded environment too dirty.
Everyone had come.
She even spotted Lu Zhi.
Lu Jinghuai stood beside him, having finished his exam earlier but choosing to wait with Ji Nian’s family instead of leaving. If not for his striking blond hair, she might have missed him entirely.
Chen Mo and Wei Yang stood guard like sentries, blocking the two from view.
Ji Nian found it amusing.
The moment she stepped out, her family noticed.
Gu Xiuyuan and Shen Qingtang were the first to approach. Wei Yang looked like he wanted to rush over too, but a sharp glance from Chen Mo reminded him of the Lu father-son duo behind them, so he stayed put.
"Finally done with the exams! You’ve worked hard, Ji Nian."
Shen Qingtang handed her a pre-bought cup of milk tea, while Gu Xiuyuan turned on a small fan to cool her down.
"Future college student," Gu Xiuyuan teased.
Ji Nian smiled and went to join her family.
Her nerves had been wound tight throughout her entire senior year. Though she had attended university in another world, it couldn’t compare to S University—especially since she was aiming for a highly competitive major. She had even put her collaboration with Wei Junze on hold, dedicating all her free time to studying.
Fortunately, he understood this was a crucial period for her and didn’t disturb her.
"Glad it’s over."
Ji Tingzhou had watched Ji Nian push herself relentlessly this past year, and though it pained him to see her under so much pressure, he admired her dedication.
He held a large bouquet in his arms and handed it to her as she approached.
"Thanks, Dad."
She then hugged Zhiliao before moving on to accept another bouquet from Chen Mo.
The two bouquets were completely different in style—clearly, they hadn’t reached a consensus on what to give her, so they’d each chosen their own.
"Now that exams are over, tell me where you want to go, and I’ll take you," Chen Mo offered.
Ji Nian’s eyes lit up.
Unlike Ji Tingzhou, Chen Mo wasn’t afraid to take her on wild adventures.
Like the summer before her senior year, when he’d whisked her off to a country still steeped in tribal culture. She’d been fascinated by the unfamiliar plants and had tried to bring some back for research—only to be chased by a local cannibalistic tribe for an entire day.
By the time they returned, both of them looked like wildlings, and Ji Tingzhou had been so furious he’d sprayed Chen Mo with insecticide.
Exchanging a conspiratorial glance with Chen Mo, Ji Nian then turned to hug Wei Yang.
While in his embrace, she peeked over his broad shoulder at Lu Zhi and Lu Jinghuai, who were still being shielded from view, and winked at them.
Lu Zhi winked back.
He didn’t seem bothered by being blocked—in fact, he seemed perfectly content to have someone shielding him from the sun.
Lu Jinghuai held two bouquets: one from Lu Zhi and another from Princess Feia, who couldn’t make it.
The moment Ji Nian appeared, the atmosphere grew lively.
But none of them left yet.
After a while, Shen Qingtang murmured, "He’s here," and everyone turned with fresh bouquets to greet He Xiang.
He Xiang had been exempted from the college entrance exams due to his exceptional academic record. He’d been in the area for other matters, and since his schedule aligned with the exam’s end time, they’d waited for him.
He didn’t seem surprised to see them, as if he’d expected his friends to be there.
Though he hadn’t taken the exams, he still received a bouquet of his own.
Accepting the flowers, He Xiang nodded at the suspiciously bundled-up Ji Tingzhou.
"You know this shady character?" Ji Nian asked.
Ji Tingzhou flicked the back of her head lightly.
The others laughed, and even He Xiang’s lips curled slightly.
Amid the cheerful noise, they piled into cars and headed out for a celebratory meal.
The post-exam summer—the most carefree yet slightly anxious holiday of their lives.
Yang Xinyu boldly dyed his hair green, and even Xiang Wan followed suit with pink.
Ji Nian thought it looked great and considered dyeing her own hair. But after just one night of hesitation, she woke up the next day to find Ji Tingzhou had already dyed his hair a chestnut brown.
He already looked young for his age, and the new color made him appear even younger.
Not stopping there, he’d gone to the lab and dug out a bottle of eye-color-changing solution from Ji Nian’s collection—matching his irises to his new hair.
Originally, Ji Nian had made the solution for Shen Qingtang, who loved cosplay but found contact lenses irritating. Now, Ji Tingzhou had repurposed it for himself.
Ji Nian could only stare, her lips twitching in disbelief.
"That color suits you," Lu Zhi remarked approvingly when he saw it.
He even considered changing his own hair—maybe to gold, so they’d look more like a family.
He’d come to China to accompany Lu Jinghuai, but staying in one place grew dull, so he’d started visiting the Ji household for some livelier company.
"I’m heading out."
"Uncle Lu, why don’t you stay here for a few days? Jinghuai isn’t home anyway."
Lu Zhi smiled. "Sure."
In truth, he’d already brought his luggage.
Ji Tingzhou gave him a sidelong glance but said nothing. Having Lu Zhi around wasn’t a bad idea—it gave him someone to vent to whenever he remembered Ji Nian was dating.
Ji Nian and her friends planned a graduation trip.
Instead of working, He Xiang decided to join them.
Lu Jinghuai had come to the Ji residence with Lu Zhi but waited in the car instead of going inside.
When Ji Nian got in, he pulled her close.
She ran a hand over his smooth cheek.
"You look like you have something to say. What is it?"
"Nothing about the bathroom. I’ll wait here for you."
Lu Jinghuai shook his head.
"At Morra Island, Shen Qingtang and Gu Xiuyuan are signing up for a surfing competition, and He Xiang’s joining a cave exploration group."
He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, "Let’s…"
"Run away together."
Ji Nian saw right through him.
"Where to?"
His fingers traced her waist through the thin fabric of her summer clothes, his warmth seeping into her skin.
He draped himself over her, eyes lowered. "I have a private island near Morra."
"Let’s go there."
"The whole island…"
"Just the two of us."
