The girl’s long, slightly wavy black hair was glossy and soft. Her delicate features seemed as though they had been meticulously sculpted. Every glance and movement of her eyes exuded a natural charm.

Her skin was fair and smooth, her lips soft and pink like peach blossoms, and her expressive eyes sparkled, as if holding stars within.

Ming Yao found himself unable to look away.

Unconsciously, he swallowed.

S-So beautiful…

Every feature seemed perfectly tailored to his preferences.

“Boss, Boss!”

“Got distracted, didn’t you? Well, let me tell you, that’s Mianmian! She’s undergone a stunning transformation!”

Seeing Ming Yao go from annoyed indifference to a dazed fool, a few boys exchanged amused glances and mercilessly spilled the truth.

Ming Yao had always shown his disdain for Jiang Mianmian, refusing to spare her a second glance. But now that she’d ditched her overly dramatic style, her newfound beauty was nothing short of breathtaking. The boys couldn’t help but wonder how awkward Ming Yao must feel now.

“W-What!? That… that’s Jiang Mianmian!?”

Snapping out of his daze, Ming Yao stuttered in shock at his friends’ words.

Realizing that this captivating girl who ticked every box of his preferences was none other than Jiang Mianmian, Ming Yao couldn’t help but stare at her repeatedly to confirm it.

Eventually, he admitted it—beneath her current transformation, her features matched those he remembered from childhood.

It seemed that she had started rebelling and wearing heavy makeup since middle school. Over time, Ming Yao forgot what her natural appearance looked like, associating her only with the garish style that had always annoyed him.

He had assumed she had grown less attractive. But now, seeing her like this, she was just as stunning as the girl he remembered.

Ming Yao felt a swirl of conflicting emotions. His mind flashed back to the bold statement he’d made moments earlier:

“I, Ming Yao, will never, ever have feelings for Jiang Mianmian!”

Looking at the radiant and lively girl seated not far away, Ming Yao suddenly felt a twinge of guilt, even finding himself subtly blaming Jiang Mianmian.

If she looked this beautiful, why did she insist on wearing that garish makeup to irritate him before?

Of course, Ming Yao had no idea why. The original Jiang Mianmian didn’t know any better. She thought that to maintain her image as a school bully, she needed a bold and mature appearance to project confidence and dominance. She believed such a look suited her role and status.

Now, however, seeing this transformed Jiang Mianmian, Ming Yao was thoroughly conflicted.

He was eating his words.

Meanwhile, Zhou Ling’er, sitting beside Ming Yao, also glanced toward Jiang Mianmian. When she saw Jiang Mianmian’s updated look, even she, as a fellow girl, had to admit her beauty.

This realization crushed Zhou Ling’er’s confidence, which had been unwavering against Jiang Mianmian until now.

What had happened to Jiang Mianmian? Yesterday she was still dressed like a non-mainstream delinquent! How could she suddenly become so beautiful today?

Zhou Ling’er’s gaze lingered on Jiang Mianmian, her eyes betraying a hint of jealousy.

In the past, she never worried about Jiang Mianmian’s overly dramatic style. No matter how many Jiang Mianmian lookalikes appeared, Zhou Ling’er knew her pure and demure demeanor would outshine them.

But now, Zhou Ling’er had no advantage to compare herself with Jiang Mianmian.

Still, the thought of giving up on Ming Yao left Zhou Ling’er deeply unwilling.

As she watched Jiang Mianmian, Zhou Ling’er noticed her close interactions with Zhou Nanye and recalled the rumors from yesterday.

Some said Jiang Mianmian had shifted her affections to Zhou Nanye.

Initially, Zhou Ling’er dismissed the idea, believing it was just a ploy to make Ming Yao jealous.

But now, seeing how comfortable Jiang Mianmian seemed with Zhou Nanye, Zhou Ling’er started thinking it might be true.

Perhaps Jiang Mianmian had genuinely given up on Ming Yao, completely disappointed and moving on to Zhou Nanye, who was equally handsome.

Zhou Ling’er couldn’t help but hope this was true.

If so, Ming Yao would finally be hers.

Ming Yao, meanwhile, was in turmoil.

He wanted to approach Jiang Mianmian, now transformed into someone who perfectly fit his aesthetic. But his pride wouldn’t let him.

After all, Jiang Mianmian had always been the one chasing after him, and he had always treated her coldly.

Now, to turn the tables and pursue her instead? Impossible.

“Boss, are you regretting it now that you’ve seen how Mianmian looks?” The boys couldn’t resist teasing him, noticing his conflicted expression.

Anyone would feel awkward in his shoes—having rejected someone persistently chasing them, only for that person to transform into a stunning beauty.

“Boss, we’ve heard rumors that Mianmian no longer has feelings for you. After liking you for so many years without reciprocation, it seems she’s moved on to someone else—Zhou Nanye, the stuttering guy.”

“Though we hate to admit it, that stutterer is pretty attractive to girls.”

The boys recalled the rumors, marveling at the twist of fate.

Jiang Mianmian, who once guarded Ming Yao jealously, had seemingly given up after being ignored for too long. Perhaps Zhou Nanye’s good looks and vulnerability drew her in.

Regardless, as Ming Yao’s friends, they advised him to stop being stubborn. If he liked Jiang Mianmian, he should act quickly. Otherwise, if she truly fell for Zhou Nanye, Ming Yao would regret it.

Listening to their words, Ming Yao still refused to believe it.

“Impossible. You all know she’s liked me for over a decade. How could she just stop liking me?”

Even though Jiang Mianmian had behaved differently lately, Ming Yao dismissed it as a tactic to make him jealous.

She was probably waiting for him to cave and seek her out!

“Besides,” Ming Yao added confidently, “you’re saying she’d choose a stutterer over me? That’s absurd. This is just her playing games.”

The more he spoke, the more convinced he became. To prove his point, Ming Yao turned to Zhou Ling’er beside him.

“Let me ask you—if you had to choose between me and that stutterer, who would you pick?”