Zhou Nanye’s features were exquisitely handsome. When he looked at you seriously, his clear eyes reflected only you, no one else, as if his entire world revolved around you.

How could Jiang Mianmian bear to look away from him?

Especially when this adorable fool took her casual questions so seriously.

How could anyone not cherish and adore such a male supporting character?

Jiang Mianmian smiled as she explained to him,
“Actually, the reason I changed my appearance is because I want to turn over a new leaf and become a top student alongside you, Nanye.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Nanye’s eyes lit up with a faint sparkle, inexplicably happy.

Excited, he earnestly replied, “I-I will d-definitely… help, h-help Mianmian s-study well…”

“Great!” Jiang Mianmian responded cheerfully. Then she thought for a moment before asking, “Nanye, which university do you want to attend in the future?”

Of course, she planned to attend the same one.

Although Zhou Nanye didn’t understand why she asked, he still quickly replied, “Q-Qingda University.”

“Qingda University? Then it looks like I’ll have to work super hard because I want to get into the same university as you, Nanye!”

Her delicate, charming face lit up with a bright smile. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“…”

Thump-thump-thump.

Watching her shine like sunlight, Zhou Nanye froze momentarily. The world seemed to quiet down; only she, he, and his rapidly beating heart remained.

His heart raced…

Without thinking, he softly murmured, “Okay.”

Jiang Mianmian’s smile widened. “It’s a deal. I’ll work hard to attend the same university as you, Nanye.”

“Pinky promise, no takebacks!”

She gently took the boy’s slender, slightly stunned finger in hers, hooked it, and gave it a little shake before pressing their thumbs together.

Jiang Mianmian’s small hand and Zhou Nanye’s larger one contrasted starkly, yet they looked perfectly harmonious.

Zhou Nanye lowered his gaze to their clasped hands, feeling waves of emotions ripple through him.

Yes… it’s a promise…

Jiang Mianmian and Zhou Nanye began their study mode in earnest, while Ming Yao and Zhou Ling’er strolled into the classroom late, after an entire period had passed.

Ming Yao lazily sauntered in, yawning, paying no attention to the classroom. He didn’t notice Jiang Mianmian’s completely transformed appearance and only wanted to return to his seat for a nap.

Zhou Ling’er, on the other hand, felt a little self-conscious. She hadn’t expected to stay out so late at the bar with Ming Yao last night and ended up sleeping elsewhere, making her late this morning.

As a so-called “good student,” she felt a twinge of guilt.

But not for long. She soon reminisced about everything she had seen at the bar with Ming Yao the previous night.

The dazzling lights, the extravagant luxury.

A single drink cost several hundred yuan, and even a small piece of cake was priced similarly. Ming Yao paid for everything without batting an eye, treating her to it all.

In one evening, he spent over twenty thousand yuan, leaving her astounded.

Ming Yao found her amazement amusing. With a monthly allowance exceeding a million, two thousand yuan was mere pocket change.

Hearing about his opulent lifestyle made Zhou Ling’er’s eyes gleam with ambition.

If only she could get close to Ming Yao…

Back at the orphanage, she had seen the stark difference between the harsh, strict treatment given to orphans like herself and the fawning servitude shown to the wealthy visitors.

Even as a child, Zhou Ling’er felt the world was inherently unfair.

She was prettier than the children from wealthy families, so why was she an orphan, a poor girl?

She believed she was meant to be a cherished daughter of a wealthy household.

To achieve that, she began pretending to be kind, sincere, and friendly, earning everyone’s affection.

Finally, a wealthy family adopted her. She thought her dream had come true, only to be abandoned when they had a biological daughter. They dismissed her as an outsider and sent her back to the orphanage.

Her dream of wealth shattered.

She realized that without blood ties, even being adopted by a rich family wouldn’t guarantee security.

So, she decided to take another path: to change her fate through education.

Her efforts led her to transfer to Miston, a prestigious private school for the elite.

Before enrolling, she researched the wealthy scions there, including Ming Yao.

Seeing his lavish spending firsthand, Zhou Ling’er made up her mind.

She must win over Ming Yao!

She must rise above her station and become someone significant!

With this determination, Zhou Ling’er followed closely behind Ming Yao.

When the two entered the classroom late together, whispers broke out among their classmates. Could it be that the school king, like the school queen, had taken an interest in the transfer student?

If Jiang Mianmian were still dressed as she used to be, most of the boys would think Zhou Ling’er was the better choice. They’d feel Ming Yao made the right decision.

But with Jiang Mianmian’s transformed appearance, Zhou Ling’er’s once-cute charm paled in comparison, like plain porridge next to a gourmet meal.

The boys close to Ming Yao couldn’t help but feel it was a waste.

How could he ignore a stunning beauty like Jiang Mianmian and instead focus on someone leagues below her, like Zhou Ling’er? Was he blind?

After Ming Yao sat down, the boys nudged him, whispering, “Boss, you have to look at her—Mianmian!”

Irritated by his lack of sleep, Ming Yao’s mood darkened further when he heard them mention Jiang Mianmian. He sneered, assuming she was scheming something.

“Jiang Mianmian finally dropped her act and sent you here to beg me to take her back?”

“She can dream on. Go tell her I’ll never, in this lifetime, have any interest in her!”

The boys were speechless for a moment.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ling’er felt a surge of joy. She had done her homework on Jiang Mianmian, the infamous school bully, and found her reputation unimpressive.

With her fresh and innocent demeanor, Zhou Ling’er was confident she’d stand out against someone like Jiang Mianmian.

“No, Boss, it’s not like that!” The boys quickly denied, eager to set the record straight.

“We just wanted you to take a look at her. Mianmian… she’s become so beautiful! Absolutely stunning!”

Her?

Ming Yao’s first reaction was disbelief.

His childhood memories painted her as a pretty girl, but as she grew older, her brash and garish style repelled him.

Thinking about being pursued by such a woman for over a decade filled him with disgust.

Still, the boys’ constant pestering wore him down. Annoyed, Ming Yao reluctantly turned to glance at Jiang Mianmian.

He planned to take a quick look and immediately turn away.

But with just one glance, his eyes froze, and his pupils trembled.