Fang Jingcheng had never fought so hard for academics in his life, and the unfamiliar feeling made him sigh. Luckily, he wasn’t too lonely in the quiet of midnight, with a beautiful companion by his side.

Xia Fu was lying not far from him, her thin back rising and falling with each steady breath. The control panel on the computer screen before her streamed rows of data, casting faint blue hues over her soft, white dress.

Though he was the one writing the paper now, the selection of references and flow of narrative were still under Xia Fu’s control. Not to mention, she was meticulously checking the theoretical calculations. She’d only woken up about ten minutes ago. Setting a half-hour alarm, she planned to adjust the details as soon as the next simulation results were ready. And if Fang Jingcheng managed to finish the introduction before then, he could wake her up to discuss it together.

He had promised to call her, after all. But looking at her weary state, how could he possibly bring himself to do it?

With a deep sigh, Fang Jingcheng picked up a small bottle of eye drops from the desk, leaning back in his chair to soothe his tired eyes.

But as soon as the tapping sounds on the keyboard stopped, the girl woke up. She mumbled softly, “All done already?” Her small head was still buried in her arms, and she rubbed her forehead against her arm, clearly exhausted.

Fang Jingcheng couldn’t help but chuckle. Softly, he said, “I haven’t called you yet. Why not sleep a little longer?” He gently placed his large hand on Xia Fu’s back and patted her as if comforting a child startled from a nightmare.

A soft sigh escaped Xia Fu’s throat as she mustered every bit of willpower to resist falling back asleep.

“No, I wasn’t really sleeping, just lying down a bit. The sound of your typing is kind of soothing. When it stops suddenly, it feels a bit strange… We promised to do this together; I don’t want you staying up all night alone.”

Rubbing the tears from the corners of her eyes, Xia Fu’s affectionate tone made Fang Jingcheng feel like pulling her into a hug.

“Alright then, let’s look over the new part together. I hope I got your ideas right?”

Reluctantly, he lifted his hand from her back, then, under the guise of needing to view the document on the same computer, placed his hand on the back of her chair and quietly leaned closer.

Xia Fu read the text carefully and acknowledged his efforts. “Yes, it’s very complete. This first draft of the introduction will do.”

As she finished reading, her alarm went off again. She glanced at her phone screen, frowning slightly.

“It’s already this late. Why don’t you get some sleep first? We can handle the rest tomorrow. I’ll stay a bit longer to check this simulation result before I rest.”

Initially, she’d split up the workload with him to give him a bit of involvement, so he wouldn’t feel out of place during the presentation. But she hadn’t expected he would actually go all in like this…

The effects of his hair spray had faded over time, and his carefully styled silver hair began to fall, partially covering his eyebrows. The previously clear blue eyes now seemed veiled with a hint of fog, like the dim depths of the ocean.

Even though he looked utterly exhausted, there was an undeniable allure to his disheveled appearance.

As Xia Fu noticed the faint dark circles under his eyes, she felt a pang of guilt, like spotting a dark speck on fine porcelain. She bit her lip and suggested, “Actually, according to our agreement, I could finish this on my own. You don’t have to push yourself this hard.”

Tilting his head, his smile faded, and he looked a bit hurt. “What? You don’t like how I’m doing it?”

“No, you’re very clear. You’re better than anyone I’ve worked with in the class. With you helping on the writing, I’ve had it much easier.”

Perhaps because they’d participated in group meetings together so often, Fang Jingcheng could genuinely understand her ideas better than any past partner she’d had. His writing ability far surpassed what Xia Fu had imagined from a “rich playboy.”

No guy in her class even came close to him.

Most were either lazy, incompetent, or just hung around her trying to get her help. Who else could do what he did—help with her spoken English, consult their advisor, and gather materials?

Fang Jingcheng grinned, unable to hide his self-satisfaction.

“That’s good to hear. I haven’t been this dedicated to anything academic since…probably the college entrance exam.”

“Well, since we’re both awake, how about a little chat?”

“Sure.”

There was still some time before the simulation results came out, and she could use a distraction to ease her nerves.

With her encouragement, he continued on the earlier topic of “writing.” Propping his head on one hand, he extended his other arm, tattooed and all, between them, showing her his open, ink-free palm under the warm glow of the lamp.

The contrast between black and white, almost like a reflection of his plain high school days.

“I think I told you before, right? I’m not an art student; I got here through regular exams. Back then, I’d study late into the night like now, without any tattoos.”

He wanted to come across as dependable in front of her, but when he thought about all the special concessions he’d had and compared it to Xia Fu’s undeniable academic prowess, his confidence faltered a little.

“Even with the benefit of local residency, my scores still passed the F University Finance line, so I’m not that bad at studying… For my circle of friends, I’m already considered a ‘good student,’ but for my parents…well, that’s another story.”

As if trying to grasp onto something, he clenched his hand tightly, then let it go, the warm light slipping through his fingers like sand.

Xia Fu lowered her gaze to his open palm, seeming to glimpse something unspoken from his gestures.

“Is it because you have an exceptional brother?”

For the first time, Xia Fu asked him something personal, not just to encourage him for the competition or praise his abilities.

Previously, their conversations mostly revolved around school activities, internet gossip, or their studies, rarely touching on each other’s deeper thoughts.

Just as Fang Jingcheng had comforted her before, Xia Fu hesitated for a moment, then gently placed the side of her palm on the back of his hand.

Trying hard without being acknowledged was nothing new.

As the eldest daughter, she was used to being overlooked, so instead of pitying or comforting him, Xia Fu offered him her silent listening, focusing on him in a way that encouraged him to open up more.

The warmth of her hand on his skin made Fang Jingcheng’s resolve waver.

No doubt, Xia Fu had struck a nerve. He’d only intended to chat to pass the time. He hadn’t meant to reveal anything about his brother’s brilliance. He was supposed to protect her, not show any of his own weaknesses.

Yet, here he was, feeling as though a butterfly was fluttering in his stomach, the twitching in his gut pushing the words out uncontrollably—

“Yeah, they say it’s just natural, right? I’ve tried plenty of things beyond academics, but it seems like everything I do is just…average.”

“But this time, it feels different.”

“This time, I found you. I have a feeling you’ll amaze everyone… I’m really enjoying the process this time. That’s why I don’t feel tired, even pulling all-nighters.”

He turned his wrist and held Xia Fu’s hand, capturing the restless “butterfly” in his grasp.