On the day military training ended, Ji Nian had dinner at home, with Zhiliao personally cooking.
Chen Mo also came over that evening. Seeing Ji Nian lying on the couch playing with her phone, he felt a pang of heartache. "Our Nian Nian has worked hard."
Ji Nian put down her phone.
Truthfully, it hadn’t been too bad.
Aside from the sun being a bit harsh, the intensity wasn’t even as tough as Zhiliao’s usual training sessions with her.
Compared to the others, the instructor had been utterly baffled. At first, he couldn’t understand why everyone else was collapsing from exhaustion while Ji Nian looked completely refreshed, barely even out of breath.
As a result, the instructor kept glancing at Ji Nian every chance he got.
"You look a little tanned."
This sun really doesn’t know how to behave.
Chen Mo frowned.
Ji Nian lifted her arm to examine it. "Seems like it, a little."
She had compared herself to Lu Jinghuai earlier and realized she was indeed slightly darker than him. They used to be about the same shade of pale.
As a child, his skin had been in terrible condition, but the Lu family had somehow managed to restore it using some advanced treatment. However, there were side effects—he could no longer tan, and compared to ordinary people, his wounds healed slower and were more prone to scarring.
Ji Nian couldn’t compare to him. She was normal—her fair complexion came from inheriting Ji Tingzhou’s cool-toned skin, plus her father’s relentless skincare regimen. But even she would tan if exposed to the sun for too long.
"It’s fine. I’ll be pale again in a few days."
Ji Nian smiled dismissively.
With Ji Tingzhou around, she didn’t even need to worry about this.
University life officially began, and it was incredibly busy. The course load at Yida University was packed, even more exhausting than her high school days. At first, Ji Nian still put on makeup, but now she just woke up, changed clothes, washed her face, and headed out.
"Morning."
As soon as she stepped out, she ran into Lu Jinghuai.
"Good morning."
"I thought you didn’t have morning classes today?"
Ji Nian yawned, leaning lazily against him in the elevator.
Lu Jinghuai turned his head to kiss her cheek beneath the brim of her cap. "I’m taking you."
He had a car. Though the university wasn’t far, Lu Jinghuai didn’t want Ji Nian walking or taking the subway.
Ji Nian chuckled. "So thoughtful."
Truthfully, she had cars too—quite a few, in fact. They were gifts from her family. After starting university, Chen Mo had even bought her a Lykan HyperSport. Even more surprising was that the usually low-key Zhiliao had given her a Bugatti.
Both cars were way too flashy. Ji Nian had only driven the Lykan once, on the first day of school, under Chen Mo’s expectant gaze.
The result? A huge commotion. People even camped out to see who the owner was. Within a day, her photos were plastered all over the forums.
It annoyed Ji Nian, so she rarely drove them afterward.
Ji Tingzhou, however, was quite pleased. Now, the entire school knew Ji Nian—even the security guards recognized her as the Ji family’s young miss, with a background so intimidating it left people speechless.
"Here."
Once in Lu Jinghuai’s car, Ji Nian handed him the breakfast she’d brought from home.
Ji Tingzhou had hired someone specifically to cook and clean for her. Since Lu Jinghuai tended to skip breakfast, she had the housekeeper make extra so she could bring him a portion.
If Ji Nian gave it to him, he’d eat it without complaint.
"I’m off. I’ll pick you up for lunch."
After dropping Ji Nian off at her lecture hall, Lu Jinghuai rested his head on the steering wheel, watching her through the window.
Ji Nian hummed in acknowledgment, but Lu Jinghuai didn’t move.
Reading the unspoken request in his eyes, she shook her head. "Too many people."
Her fame at this university far surpassed what it had been at S High. Back then, at least everyone was from a similar social class. Though she’d still drawn attention, no one had stared at her constantly.
Now, it was different. With so many students around during class hours, the moment she appeared, whispers followed—people wondering if she was that Ji Nian.
After seeing Lu Jinghuai off, Ji Nian headed into the building with her backpack. A classmate approached her with a smile.
"Morning, Ji Nian."
Ji Nian glanced over. It was a girl from her class whom she’d grown closer to during military training.
They’d actually met before—her family’s company had collaborated with the Ji Group. Ji Nian often saw her at banquets but hadn’t expected them to end up in the same university, same major, and same class.
"Morning."
"Did your boyfriend drop you off?"
The girl teased, winking.
Ji Nian nodded.
Among their year, aside from Ji Nian, the most famous student was probably Lu Jinghuai—the young O-country prince who drove the international students wild.
No one had expected the two most talked-about freshmen to be dating. The revelation had caused an overnight wave of heartbreak among countless admirers.
"Liu Ziyang’s birthday is this weekend at the new club on East Street. You going?"
They all moved in the same circles. Even if they weren’t close, they knew of each other. After starting university, they naturally hung out together, seeking thrills when they didn’t have classes—clubbing at night, though they were careful to keep anything unsavory away from Ji Nian.
So, for events that weren’t exactly wholesome, they didn’t bother inviting her.
Ji Nian thought for a moment. "I’ve got plans, but I’ll send a gift. Let him know I said happy birthday."
The girl nodded. "Sure."
Even if Ji Nian didn’t attend, the gift alone would be enough to flatter Liu Ziyang.
Ji Nian didn’t dislike these people—she genuinely had something else scheduled for the weekend.
She had work. An actual job commitment.
The professor for this class was also a familiar face—the son of Professor Jin, whom Wei Junze had mentioned before.
They exchanged a knowing glance.
On the surface, Ji Nian was his student. Privately, he had to address her as "President Ji."
As the semester progressed and finals week loomed closer, Ji Nian and Lu Jinghuai’s dates mostly took place in the library. But with limited seating, Ji Nian ended up renting a private study room, and the two relocated there.
Studying at home wasn’t an option—because the moment Lu Jinghuai locked eyes with her, things quickly spiraled out of control…
During winter break, He Xiang didn’t return home, so Ji Nian and Lu Jinghuai visited him in the capital. He took them on a tour of the legendary Capital University.
Compared to the modern architecture of S University, Capital University had an air of classical elegance. The cafeteria food was also better than Ji Nian’s school.
He Xiang planned to move off-campus in his second year and was currently saving up, working part-time throughout the winter break.
"Fine, but make sure you come back after New Year’s Eve. If you don’t, Brother Niu might come drag you back himself."
Ji Nian teased He Xiang, whom she hadn’t seen in a semester, when someone suddenly bumped into her.
"Sorry."
It was a girl with glasses, looking very studious.
In the distance, someone called out to her. "Qianqian, hurry up!"
"Coming!"
After apologizing again, the girl named Qianqian couldn’t help but steal another glance at Ji Nian’s stunningly beautiful face before rushing off to join her friends.
Noticing Ji Nian’s lingering gaze, Lu Jinghuai asked, “Do you know her?”
He Xiang also turned a questioning look her way.
Ji Nian shifted her attention back to them, offering a faint smile.
“Maybe.”
