With only two teams left on the field and their targets clearly defined, the competition grew heated.

Ming Yao took the initiative to attack, aiming to knock Zhou Nanye down and force Jiang Mianmian off his back, ensuring their defeat.

But Zhou Nanye, despite carrying Jiang Mianmian, moved with agility. As Ming Yao lunged at him, Zhou Nanye swiftly dodged.

Ming Yao, caught off guard, hesitated momentarily.

Seizing the opportunity, Jiang Mianmian reached for the name tag on Zhou Ling’er’s back.

Zhou Ling’er, unprepared for Zhou Nanye’s quick evasion, was stunned. Seeing Jiang Mianmian’s hand closing in on her name tag, she felt a surge of resentment.

Unwilling to lose so easily, she glanced at Jiang Mianmian’s fair, delicate arm and hatched a malicious thought.

If I’m going to lose, I’ll make sure Jiang Mianmian suffers for it!

Her hand darted toward Jiang Mianmian, not for the name tag but to scratch her arm.

Just as Zhou Ling’er was about to succeed, Zhou Nanye, who had been watching over Mianmian attentively, noticed her intentions. His brows furrowed, and without hesitation, he rammed into Ming Yao, sending him crashing to the ground. As a result, Zhou Ling’er also fell onto the grass.

She let out a pained cry as Ming Yao landed on her leg, causing it to ache terribly.

At the same time, Jiang Mianmian successfully tore off Zhou Ling’er’s name tag.

Now, with the two sprawled on the ground in a disheveled heap, Jiang Mianmian, perched safely on Zhou Nanye’s steady back, held the name tag triumphantly, her laughter ringing out joyfully.

She had been prepared to abandon the attempt and fend off Zhou Ling’er when the latter reached for her arm. But thanks to Zhou Nanye’s quick thinking, she managed to claim the tag unscathed.

Seeing Zhou Ling’er brought down by her own actions, Jiang Mianmian couldn’t help but sneer.

Turning to Zhou Nanye, she teased, “Nanye, you’re so quick on your feet!”

Zhou Nanye blushed at her praise, embarrassed yet pleased.

Then, glancing at Zhou Ling’er, who had attempted to harm Mianmian, his brows knitted. “Z-Zhou Ling’er… she’s b-b-bad… now even w-w-worse…”

From a young age, Zhou Nanye had sensed that Zhou Ling’er wasn’t as kind as she appeared. Though she often spoke up for him in public, earning praise for being understanding and compassionate, she would privately declare, “Your snacks and toys are mine. You’re just a stutterer, and I’m your only friend.”

Feeling lonely and desperate for companionship, Zhou Nanye tolerated her behavior, giving her what she wanted and believing she was his friend.

As they grew older, Zhou Ling’er continued to use him to craft her “kind-hearted” image, seamlessly blending into social groups while leaving Zhou Nanye isolated as the stuttering boy with no friends.

Zhou Nanye wasn’t oblivious to her manipulative ways. But living in darkness, he yearned for light and friendship—even if it was all a lie.

Then came Mianmian.

She showed him what a real friend was. Someone who never belittled him for their own gain, someone who truly cared for him, someone who made him want to improve himself.

This connection felt like friendship, but there was something more—a feeling Zhou Nanye was beginning to understand.

Hearing his comment, Jiang Mianmian realized, “Nanye, so you knew Zhou Ling’er wasn’t nice?”

“Y-Yes… I… I d-didn’t have… any f-friends, so…”

Although he trailed off, his lowered lashes spoke volumes.

Jiang Mianmian’s heart ached as she pieced everything together.

So Nanye, desperate for companionship, had tolerated Zhou Ling’er’s behavior, pretending not to notice her manipulation. He had been enduring everything alone, a pitiable boy who sacrificed his own happiness for the illusion of friendship.

“It’s okay,” Jiang Mianmian said, patting his shoulder comfortingly. “From now on, I’ll be your most important friend!”

After all, isn’t a girlfriend the most important friend of all?

“Mm…”

But Zhou Nanye didn’t catch her deeper meaning. A trace of disappointment flickered in his heart.

Just a friend?

Of course. I shouldn’t expect too much. From the start, I only wanted Mianmian to stay with me.

But people are greedy…

He realized he was no longer content with mere friendship. He wanted something more—something closer, more intimate.

As the teacher announced Jiang Mianmian’s team as the winners, Ming Yao, having recovered from his fall, protested loudly.

“I’m not convinced! That stutterer knocked me down—otherwise, I wouldn’t have lost!”