Zhou Ling’er couldn’t have been more eager for Ming Yao not to take the initiative to approach Jiang Mianmian. Although she suspected that the rumors about Jiang Mianmian shifting her affections might be true, she didn’t want to remind Ming Yao of this.

Let him continue to mistakenly believe Jiang Mianmian still liked him and stubbornly refuse to go to her. By the time Jiang Mianmian truly fell for Zhou Nanye, even if Ming Yao was willing to lower his pride and seek her out, she would no longer want to be with him.

So Zhou Ling’er quickly replied, “Of course, I’d choose you, Ming Yao.”

“Honestly, it’s not polite to say this about someone who was once my friend, but come on, he’s a stutterer. Even listening to him speak is exhausting. Who would like someone like that?”

Hearing Zhou Ling’er’s answer, Ming Yao felt reassured.

See? Jiang Mianmian must still have feelings for him!

Getting close to that stutterer, spreading rumors about moving on—it was all just a tactic to make him jealous and force him to apologize.

And with her completely refreshed appearance today, it was undoubtedly meant to lure him in, to make him unable to resist seeking her out.

But Ming Yao was used to being adored by Jiang Mianmian. There was no way he would humble himself to pursue her.

He certainly wouldn’t fall into her trap and show any signs of liking her. Otherwise, wouldn’t she have him wrapped around her little finger in the future?

Ming Yao stole one last reluctant glance at the stunningly beautiful Jiang Mianmian before arrogantly turning away.

He wouldn’t go after her. He would wait, as always, for her to come to him. Then, he would graciously acknowledge her decade of devotion and agree to date her.

Having realized Jiang Mianmian’s appearance perfectly matched his preferences, Ming Yao’s thoughts quickly shifted.

He abandoned his previous declarations of never liking her. Instead, he began imagining a future where she returned to clinging to him, and he could generously accept her feelings.

Unfortunately for Ming Yao, this Jiang Mianmian was not the same as the one before. She would never pursue him again, no matter how long he waited.

The boys, seeing Ming Yao ignore their advice and smugly assume Jiang Mianmian would continue loving him, could only walk away in exasperation.

To believe someone would cling to unreciprocated love forever was the height of foolishness.

No matter how deep someone’s affection, it would eventually run dry if constantly met with rejection. If someone else came along offering warmth and reciprocation, the unresponsive one would naturally be left behind.

Jiang Mianmian was entirely unaware of the discussion about her on Ming Yao’s side. Even if she knew, she wouldn’t care.

Her story with Ming Yao had no chance of progressing.

Meanwhile, Zhou Nanye noticed Ming Yao’s lingering gaze on Jiang Mianmian and felt a sudden surge of displeasure.

He was deeply worried that Ming Yao would recognize how much Jiang Mianmian had changed and shamelessly try to win her back.

If that happened, would Jiang Mianmian still want to stay with him?

The thought alone made Zhou Nanye feel stifled.

He couldn’t bear the idea of Jiang Mianmian becoming distant from him.

Jiang Mianmian quickly noticed Zhou Nanye’s sudden drop in mood and asked with concern, “What’s wrong, Little Nanye? Are you feeling unwell?”

“M-Mian… Mianmian… W-Will you… really… go… to-to… the same university… as me?” Zhou Nanye couldn’t bring himself to ask directly whether she would abandon him. Instead, he veered into safer territory.

“Of course I will! Didn’t we already make a pinky promise and seal it with a stamp?”

“We’re definitely going to the same university!”

Otherwise, how could she date him? Letting him go off to university alone? What if some other girl set her sights on him?

After all, Zhou Nanye was fair-skinned, with strikingly handsome features and a tall figure expected to surpass 180 cm. He was the epitome of a sincere and endearing boy-next-door.

A guy like him would be incredibly popular with girls!

Perhaps because he was a supporting character, his charm had been overshadowed by the male and female leads in the original plot.

Hearing Jiang Mianmian’s words, Zhou Nanye unconsciously rubbed the hand that had locked pinkies with hers. It was as if he could still feel the softness and warmth of her touch.

He knew he shouldn’t ask for too much.

But hearing her promise to stay with him made him indescribably happy.

Even if it was just attending the same university, it filled him with immense satisfaction.