Zhou Nanye felt his face heat up slightly from the compliments. He was very modest and believed that a big part of his success was due to Mianmian’s careful teaching.

And also because of the desire to win that burned within him for her.

Jiang Mianmian looked at him, seeing how humble and composed he was, not the least bit arrogant. He even attributed the credit to her. This made her feel an ache of fondness, so she reached out to ruffle his fluffy hair.

Zhou Nanye liked it when Mianmian showed him affection. He was like an obedient little puppy, his clear eyes gazing at the girl with the slightest curve of his lips—a look of affection he couldn’t hide.

From the very beginning, he had warned himself not to have any improper thoughts about Mianmian. But as his feelings deepened, he could no longer rationally suppress his emotions.

When he saw Ming Yao trying to get close to Mianmian, that surge of unwillingness and possessiveness screamed at him—

He liked Mianmian. The kind of liking between a man and a woman…

A feeling of wanting to monopolize her, to be her one and only.

Mianmian, maybe we were never meant to belong to the same world.

I’m just an orphan, a stutterer. But the gods smiled on me and let me enter your world, allowing me to meet you and stay by your side.

It’s like a beautiful dream.

Then let me stay immersed in this dream where you’re by my side. Forever, without waking up…

Zhou Nanye looked at Jiang Mianmian, silently saying this in his heart.

Meanwhile, the leaders announced the winning team. “The first-place team is Jiang Mianmian and Zhou Nanye. Please come to the stage to receive your prizes.”

First, they received a pair of couple’s smartwatches. The latest design was exceptionally beautiful: the girls’ version was a soft pink cherry blossom color, while the boys’ version was a gentle sky blue.

Individually, they didn’t seem like a couple’s design. But when worn together, it was instantly clear they were a matched pair.

There was also a pair of platinum necklaces with a lock and key design. Typically, the one with the stronger sense of dominance and possessiveness would choose the key, while the one wearing the lock symbolized loyalty to the keyholder.

Jiang Mianmian didn’t want to make the decision unilaterally, so she asked Zhou Nanye,
“Xiao Nanye, do you want the key or the lock necklace?”

Most people would naturally prefer the key, symbolizing being in control.

But Zhou Nanye looked at Jiang Mianmian and said,
“I… I’ll take the lock… The key… the key belongs to Mianmian…”

Only Mianmian could unlock the lock in his heart.

If he couldn’t be with Mianmian in this lifetime, then he would remain “locked” forever, never falling for anyone else.

However, as Zhou Nanye gazed at the radiant and lovely girl, the thought of not being with her made his heart ache faintly.

Jiang Mianmian, focused on examining the delicate necklaces, didn’t notice the deep, infatuated look in Zhou Nanye’s eyes.

“Xiao Nanye, help me put this on.”

“Okay…” Zhou Nanye quickly agreed. As he fastened the necklace around her fair and delicate neck, his eyes blinked slightly.

“Let me put yours on too.”

Jiang Mianmian asked Zhou Nanye to crouch slightly, and she helped him wear the necklace.

The two were incredibly close, their breaths almost mingling.

Zhou Nanye couldn’t help but grow tense, his breathing heavy. Looking at her stunning face and her tender pink lips, his gaze darkened.

Flustered, he quickly turned his eyes away.

“It’s done.”

“Hey, this lock has a keyhole. I wonder if my key necklace can unlock it…”

After helping Zhou Nanye with his necklace, Jiang Mianmian noticed the clever design of the lock pendant. She couldn’t help but try using her key necklace to unlock it.

This brought them even closer together.

As Jiang Mianmian excitedly discovered that her key could indeed unlock his lock necklace, she looked up. In that moment, her lips accidentally brushed against his fair cheek.