NOVPUBJi Nian paused mid-bite as she brought food to her mouth.
It happened to be diced carrots—something she disliked—so she promptly placed them back in her bowl, feigning surprise. "Huh, another parent-teacher meeting already?"
Gu Xiuyuan, who rarely joined them in the cafeteria, let out a cold laugh and glanced at the carrots she’d left on her plate.
No need to guess why Ji Nian’s tray still had carrot and potato stew despite her aversion—Gu Xiuyuan must have insisted on it.
"Right after exams? Isn’t that a bit rushed?"
Lu Jinghuai, seated beside Ji Nian, suddenly spoke up.
Out of politeness, though the blond-haired boy rubbed him the wrong way, Gu Xiuyuan shifted his gaze to answer. "This year’s schedule is tighter, but it’ll allow an earlier break."
Distracted by the exchange, Ji Nian seized the chance to stealthily transfer her carrot pieces to Shen Qingtang across the table.
Shen Qingtang grinned and swallowed the evidence in one bite. By the time Gu Xiuyuan turned back, Ji Nian’s plate was carrot-free, earning her an approving glance.
Ji Nian huffed. "Unlike my dad, who acts like a child, I do eat nutritious foods even if I don’t like them."
Lu Jinghuai chuckled softly beside her.
Unfazed, Ji Nian maintained her act as if she’d genuinely eaten the carrots.
Though the atmosphere felt odd, Gu Xiuyuan’s time was up. He collected his tray and left first.
With the three teens now alone, Ji Nian shot Lu Jinghuai a grateful look.
It had been days since they’d last met. When Ji Nian arrived at school that morning, she’d been momentarily stunned by Lu Jinghuai’s face upon entering the classroom, lingering so long she blocked the doorway until a classmate nudged her back to reality.
Oddly, Shen Qingtang mentioned Lu Jinghuai had also been absent for days, returning only today.
"About the parent-teacher meeting—Ji Nian, are you telling Uncle Ji this time?"
After sipping her vegetable juice, Ji Nian waved a hand. "Nope."
No way. If Ji Tingzhou showed up, the school would have to launch a full-scale cleanup in advance—way too much hassle.
With her dad’s temperament, expecting him to play nice was hopeless. Anyone seated near him would likely get scowled at until they fled.
The thought of Ji Tingzhou attending was a disaster waiting to happen. Her peaceful school life would explode like a firecracker in a cesspool—utter chaos, no peace in sight.
"Grandpa will probably come for me. Grandma came last year. They argue so much they take turns now," Shen Qingtang said, then glanced at Lu Jinghuai, who had finished eating and was dabbing his lips elegantly with a napkin.
"What about you, young lord? Will your family come?"
Ji Nian perked up, curious if the princess might appear—though a royal visit seemed unlikely.
Sure enough, Lu Jinghuai met her gaze and answered as if reading her thoughts. "My mother can’t attend."
"But my father might."
Lu Zhi had always been keen on participating in his son’s school life.
A sentimental man, he’d been committed to giving Lu Jinghuai a perfect childhood ever since the incident.
Ji Nian didn’t mind Uncle Lu either—it’d been ages since she’d seen him.
"Are you free after school today?"
As they walked back to class, Lu Jinghuai suddenly asked Ji Nian.
Shen Qingtang’s eyes gleamed—a date?
She smirked and cut in, "Oh, I just remembered the teacher needed me for something. Gotta go!"
Ji Nian waved her off, then tugged Lu Jinghuai toward the school store as they neared the building.
"I’m free. Where are we going?"
With the antidote project wrapped up and the new product team handled by Zuo Yi and Chen Mo’s subordinates, her evenings were just homework and lab time—plenty of free hours.
Another go-kart session? The thrill of their last race still lingered, making her fingers itch.
Lu Jinghuai smiled mysteriously, offering no clues.
After grabbing snacks, Ji Nian noticed Lu Jinghuai staring at a club recruitment poster. "Thinking of joining one?"
Instead of answering, he asked, "Did you join any?"
Ji Nian nodded.
That surprised Lu Jinghuai—he’d never seen her participate in any activities.
Then Ji Nian deadpanned, "I’m in the ‘Punctual Homebound Club.’" 𝓃𝓸𝓋𝓅𝓾𝒷.𝒸ℴ𝓂
Lu Jinghuai: "……"
That’s a thing?
Back in class, Ji Nian realized she still hadn’t learned if Lu Jinghuai had any club interests.
He Xiang returned just before afternoon classes, having worked a cafeteria side job that included lunch. His top-tier grades and known family situation made the staff turn a blind eye.
Unable to catch him earlier, Ji Nian seized the chance now. With time before the bell, she yanked He Xiang’s sleeve as he headed to his seat.
His dark eyes flashed with intensity at first, his height casting an imposing shadow, but the moment he recognized her, his guard dropped, and he followed obediently.
Ji Nian pulled He Xiang outside the classroom and led him to her storage locker next door.
"I have something for you."
He Xiang nodded, watching as she opened the locker and fished something out.
"I was afraid it might suffocate in there, so I wanted to give it to you as soon as possible."
Ji Nian pulled out a large bag and from it, retrieved a potted plant.
Having been locked in the locker for too long, the delicate pink-blue flowers looked wilted.
No explanation was needed—He Xiang recognized the flower at a glance.
"Flowers from the hills of Linshan Village."
Surprised that he recognized it so easily, Ji Nian handed it to him. "Yes."
"After all these years, you still remember. When I passed by, I saw them and thought of digging one up for you."
He Xiang cradled the small pot in both hands, gazing at the drooping pink-blue blossoms as if looking back at a hometown he hadn’t returned to in ten years.
That land that had raised him.
The sea of flowers at the edge of the village had always been a playground for children. Every day, after walking an hour and a half back from school, He Xiang would stand there, watching his peers laugh and play.
Perhaps, when his parents were still around, he too had once run freely through those fields as a small child.
Now, the once-vivid memory of that flower field had condensed into a single pot of blossoms in his hands. This time, he didn’t have to just stand and watch—because someone had picked the flowers for him.
He blinked, lifting his gaze to Ji Nian, his voice hoarse and rough. "...Thank you."
His voice was changing, and even around Ji Nian, he rarely spoke.
Hearing his voice after so long, Ji Nian patted his shoulder. "It’s nothing. The bag also has some nutrients and fertilizer I got from the gardener at home—you can use them for the plant."
Worried that leaving it in the locker would harm it further, and afraid of any mishaps if he took it back to the classroom, He Xiang checked the time and hurried to his dormitory, carrying the plant and the bag Ji Nian had given him.
Most students here came from well-off families and lived in nearby apartments if they were far from home, so boarders were rare. He Xiang’s dormitory had only him in it.
After seeing He Xiang off, Ji Nian tidied her locker and locked it again. When she turned around, her vision was suddenly filled with a soft golden glow, making her squint. It took her a moment to realize it was Lu Jinghuai.
She hadn’t noticed when he had arrived. Perhaps because there was no one else around, he wasn’t standing as rigidly as usual but was instead leaning loosely against the wall, his moonlit silver eyes gently fixed on her.
"Hm? Little Royal Grandson, here to get something too?"
Feeling her gaze, a faint smile touched his lips. He raised one hand, drawing her attention to the small, green, and adorably clumsy turtle in his palm.
"No," he said softly.
"I’m just taking my little turtle out for some sun."
