When Jiang Mianmian saw Zhou Nanye walking toward her seat, she was thrilled.

She hadn’t expected Zhou Ling’er to choose to sit with Ming Yao, leaving Zhou Nanye to sit with her.

Jiang Mianmian had thought about suggesting that they sit together, but she was afraid of being too forward.

So, she left it up to fate, and as it turned out, the male supporting character had landed at her side. Hehe.

Watching the tall, clean-cut, and handsome boy approach, Jiang Mianmian couldn’t take her eyes off him.

From head to toe, every part of him perfectly aligned with her aesthetic preferences.

Zhou Nanye, sensing her intense gaze, felt a little uneasy.

Was something wrong with him?

Realizing Zhou Nanye’s slight discomfort, Jiang Mianmian quickly reined in her gaze.

No rush, no rush. One step at a time.

She mustn’t scare her little male supporting character.

Zhou Nanye sat down, placed his backpack aside, and then turned toward Jiang Mianmian with a serious expression.

“Th-thank you…”

Thank you for speaking up for me and stopping all those malicious laughs.

His voice was clear and pleasant, like a gentle stream flowing into the heart.

Jiang Mianmian, already focused on him, turned to face him when she noticed him looking her way.

From this closer perspective, the boy’s face looked even more exquisite.

His fair and handsome face, his high nose bridge, and his lips—soft and red like strawberry jelly—were simply irresistible.

Hearing Zhou Nanye thank her so earnestly, Jiang Mianmian couldn’t help but smile. This male supporting character was truly sincere and pure.

Her expression became equally serious as she flashed him a warm smile.

“There’s no need to thank me. After all, we’re desk mates now,” she said cheerfully.

“My name is Jiang Mianmian. I hope we can get along well in the future.”

Not just as ordinary desk mates, she added secretly in her heart.

Zhou Nanye, being the innocent boy he was, didn’t realize he’d already been “marked” by Jiang Mianmian.

The sincerity in her tone and her earnest demeanor caused Zhou Nanye’s lashes to quiver slightly.

On the surface, he appeared calm, but deep inside, he was filled with uncertainty and a restrained sense of joy.

Can I really have this?

Even though he doubted himself, his longing for light was too strong.

In the end, Zhou Nanye managed to tug at the corners of his lips, attempting to give Jiang Mianmian a friendly smile.

“I… my name… is Zhou… Zhou Nanye…”

But as soon as he spoke, the smile he had just managed to muster seemed to vanish, as if shrouded by darkness.

Zhou Nanye stole a glance at Jiang Mianmian, worried he might have annoyed her.

If she didn’t want to hear him speak, he’d stay silent.

He didn’t want to upset her…

However, Jiang Mianmian showed no sign of impatience. She knew Zhou Nanye’s stuttering was a result of the trauma he had endured as a child after being kidnapped.

He had not only lost all the beautiful memories from before but also spent years from ages three to six being subjected to beatings and verbal abuse.

Once a pampered child, his life after being kidnapped had become a living hell.

Even after being abandoned at an orphanage, his circumstances were worlds apart from the privileged life he was meant to have.

And he had developed a stutter as a result.

How could Jiang Mianmian ever mock or belittle him for something like that?

Instead, her patience gave Zhou Nanye an immense sense of encouragement.

Under her supportive gaze, Zhou Nanye pressed his lips together and continued speaking,
“I… I am very… happy… to be your… desk mate…”

“I’m happy too,” Jiang Mianmian replied warmly.

She reached out her hand for a friendly handshake, signaling her sincerity.

When Zhou Nanye felt her soft and delicate hand in his larger one, he instinctively didn’t dare to grip it tightly.

So soft. So warm.

The warmth seeped into his heart.

Meanwhile, over at the window-side desk, Zhou Ling’er was working to establish a friendly connection with Ming Yao.

But Ming Yao seemed distracted.

Why? Because Jiang Mianmian had broken the norm…