Zhou Nanye’s eyes widened as he felt the soft and tender sensation of the girl’s lips brushing against his cheek. His body froze instantly.

The next moment, a rush of heat flooded his face.

Jiang Mianmian seemed a little embarrassed as well. She lightly covered her lips with her hand and said, “I… I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s… it’s fine…”

Zhou Nanye blinked nervously and barely managed to respond.

Even though he said it was fine, his heart was pounding wildly. Thinking about the softness of her lips, Zhou Nanye felt both shy and overjoyed.

With that, the fun competition came to a close, offering the students a welcome break from their rigorous studies. But soon, they returned to focusing on academics.

Determined to fulfill her promise of getting into Qing University with Zhou Nanye, Jiang Mianmian devoted herself fully to her studies.

Aside from taking Zhou Nanye to his regular hospital visits on weekends, she spent all her time immersed in studying.

During the most recent exams, her grades improved significantly in all areas.

The teachers, noticing Jiang Mianmian’s newfound dedication and Zhou Nanye’s patient tutoring, called them to the office to praise them both.

The two walked in, wearing matching couple necklaces and smartwatches. Seeing them, the teachers couldn’t help but smile knowingly.

Since both students were adults and their mutual support had actually enhanced their academic performance, the teachers had no objections to their relationship.

First, the teachers commended Jiang Mianmian for her marked progress, then they praised Zhou Nanye for his attentive guidance.

Zhou Nanye blushed slightly, feeling shy under the teachers’ teasing gazes, which clearly misunderstood their dynamic.

Although the teachers didn’t explicitly mention anything, Zhou Nanye didn’t feel it was appropriate to explain.

When the conversation turned to Zhou Nanye helping Jiang Mianmian with her studies, he couldn’t help but compliment her, “M-Mianmian is s-so smart… She learns everything in one go.”

“But without your tutoring and encouragement, it would have been really hard for me to study alone,” Jiang Mianmian said, unwilling to let him downplay his contributions. She gently grabbed his finger and shook it, signaling him to quiet down.

“…,” Zhou Nanye immediately went silent.

He stood there, his face completely flushed with embarrassment.

Meanwhile, Jiang Mianmian, confident and composed, held his hand like a little wife and told the teachers,
“Teacher, Xiao Nanye and I are aiming for Qing University. We’ll work hard to achieve it!”

“Good, good…”

“We believe in you.”

The teachers were pleased and encouraged by the vibrant energy of the two young students, a quality they admired deeply.

Jiang Mianmian, beaming with joy, held Zhou Nanye’s hand as they walked back to the classroom.

Zhou Nanye didn’t say a word, quietly walking by her side and letting her hold his hand. His gaze at her was filled with warmth and tenderness.

Their hand-holding caught the attention of their classmates when they entered the classroom.

Some students smirked playfully, whispering and spreading gossip. Before long, a new thread titled “The Love Story of the Bossy Queen and Her Stuttering Little Husband” began circulating and gained instant popularity.

While the whole class buzzed with gossip, Zhou Nanye and Jiang Mianmian’s hand-holding also drew the attention of Ming Yao, who sat by the window.

Though the story of his tennis defeat to Zhou Nanye had been suppressed and was no longer discussed, Ming Yao still felt indignant about it.

He watched Jiang Mianmian, her radiant smile as dazzling as blooming peach blossoms, and thought bitterly to himself that she should have been his.

Zhou Nanye, a stuttering, penniless student from who-knows-where, had no right to be with Mianmian!

“Jiang Mianmian, the day after tomorrow is my birthday. You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

As soon as Jiang Mianmian and Zhou Nanye sat down, Ming Yao suddenly appeared in front of her, speaking directly.