When Ming Yao approached Mianmian, Zhou Nanye, who had been focused on solving problems, instinctively tightened his grip on his pen. A wave of unease surged through his heart.

As expected, the thing he dreaded the most was finally happening…

Ming Yao had realized how great Mianmian was and shamelessly decided to try and win her back.

Zhou Nanye had thought that simply staying by Mianmian’s side, quietly supporting her, would be enough. But the mere thought of her being close to someone else in the future filled him with bitterness and fear.

The faint spark of possessiveness within him stirred, making him realize that his feelings for Mianmian were far from pure.

He wanted to possess her. He wanted her to belong to him and only him…

This hidden desire was both ugly and undeniable. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing her.

Zhou Nanye’s thoughts were in disarray. He wanted to observe Mianmian’s reaction to Ming Yao’s arrival, yet he couldn’t bring himself to glance in her direction.

He was afraid—afraid of witnessing a moment where she might still harbor feelings for Ming Yao.

The mere possibility of such a scene made his chest tighten, leaving him breathless.

“What do you want?”

Mianmian, who had been fully engrossed in her studies, first noticed Zhou Nanye’s body tense up beside her. It was only then that she realized Ming Yao was calling her.

Lazily, she cast a faint glance at Ming Yao standing in front of her.

As the male protagonist and someone the original owner had liked for over a decade, Ming Yao did indeed possess a handsome, sunny appearance. But Jiang Mianmian found herself utterly incapable of feeling any attraction toward him.

From the original owner’s memories, it was clear that Ming Yao had feelings for her, too.

However, because the original owner had loved him too humbly and clingily, losing her sense of self, Ming Yao had grown tired of her devotion. Coupled with his rebellious streak and desire to defy his parents, he decided not to be with her.

He had given her hope for a relationship, only to cruelly cut it off by getting together with the female lead instead.

The original owner’s relentless efforts and long waiting became nothing more than a joke.

She had loved someone so deeply, someone who had also liked her, yet her constant pursuit and loyalty only ended in heartbreak.

That alone might be forgivable, perhaps even chalked up to the original owner’s foolish love.

But now, when Jiang Mianmian had, as he wished, stopped clinging to him and moved on with her life, Ming Yao had unexpectedly come seeking her out.

Had it been the original owner, she would have been overjoyed. After all, she had always been the one chasing after him.

But once she caught up to him, Ming Yao would probably lose interest again.

The easily obtained is rarely cherished.

The one who is loved takes it for granted, while the one who cannot have burns with longing.

Ming Yao embodied this perfectly.

And so, Jiang Mianmian had no intention of being polite. She had none of the starry-eyed admiration the original owner once held.

Ming Yao, however, found himself staring at the girl’s stunningly beautiful face as she lifted her head. Her icy demeanor was striking, and to his surprise, his heartbeat quickened.

“Jiang… Jiang Mianmian… Let’s sign up for the fun competition happening next week.”

Nervously, he spoke, his face slightly flushed as he awkwardly made his request.

He found himself unable to meet her mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes directly. His throat felt dry, and he was inexplicably parched.

Jiang Mianmian… had become so unbelievably beautiful…

At that moment, Ming Yao deeply regretted not securing Jiang Mianmian earlier.

Such a beautiful girl filled him with an overwhelming sense of urgency, fearing she might be snatched away by another boy.

“…”

Hearing Ming Yao’s invitation, Zhou Nanye’s gaze darkened considerably.

His heart was overwhelmed with panic.

Mianmian… Please don’t agree to him…