Liu Yunqi elegantly picked up a white napkin to dab the corner of her mouth, an action that was pleasing to the eye. She rested both hands on the table and looked out the window.

"I don't know either."

From Zhong Yun's perspective, her long eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her pair of eyes sparkled like two deep black gemstones.

She turned her head and met his gaze; for a fleeting moment, her eyes held a distant, unfocused quality. "Perhaps it's your eyes, they make me feel like you are different from everyone else."

"My eyes?" Zhong Yun reached up to rub his own eyes. "You're not going to tell me I have sleep in my eyes, are you?"

Liu Yunqi broke into a radiant smile, the beauty blooming in that moment more dazzling than the sight of nine stars accompanying the moon. Seeing Zhong Yun staring at her blankly with that peculiar look, she teased mischievously, "Now it seems you aren't that different from other men."

Zhong Yun sighed. "Everyone appreciates beauty. If I acted as if I didn't notice you, that would be pure pretense."

Hearing this, Liu Yunqi pursed her lips in a slight smile, seemingly quite receptive to his flattery.

Watching her smile, Zhong Yun fell into a daze until she couldn't help but ask, "What are you looking at?" A faint blush rose on her jade-like face as she spoke, which she quickly masked by taking a sip of water.

"Having been your classmate for three years, you have smiled more today than in all that time combined," Zhong Yun remarked with a touch of sentiment.

Liu Yunqi paused the hand holding the cup, placed it down on the table, and then said, "I don't know why, but I feel very relaxed when I'm with you. It’s like being with a friend I’ve known for years."

Hearing that she considered him a good friend, it would be a lie to say Zhong Yun wasn't moved. However, this was certainly not the time to let his guard down. He leaned back, resting against the chair.

"Maybe we just click. You know, in class, I only had one friend—or maybe two. And now I have another one."

"As for the others, they probably look down on me, disdaining to be friends with someone whose grades are always at the very bottom."

As he finished speaking, Zhong Yun shrugged, looking somewhat helpless.

"Then we can say we suffer from the same ailment," Liu Yunqi said with a self-deprecating smile. In class, she too kept to herself; she had no friends at all.

It was ironic: she had given up the prospect of attending private schools with far superior educational resources to study at a more common public school, precisely because she detested the customs of the wealthy elite, firmly believing in the truths of equality and freedom.

Yet, at the public school, she found that everyone seemed to avoid her. The girls never invited her to any activities or gatherings, nor would anyone choose to keep her company.

In three years, she hadn't made a single friend, a result that caused her considerable distress.

In truth, it was rather normal. Whether it was her appearance, her family background, or her achievements in music (she was the youngest recipient of the Garan Music Award), she imposed immense pressure on the other girls. Furthermore, her personality differed too greatly from that of the average girl; she loved music, flowers, and painting, spending her free time practicing her instrument, visiting flower markets, or attending art exhibitions.

Ordinary girls were preoccupied with fashion, celebrities, clothes, and jewelry. When they had time, they went to fashion shows, concerts, and shopping malls. They inhabited two completely different worlds, lacking any common ground.

"That's different. They don't befriend me because they look down on me, but they don't befriend you because they are afraid of you," Zhong Yun stated with utmost seriousness.

"Stop it."

Unable to resist his nonsense, Liu Yunqi couldn't help but lightly hit him. At that moment, the subtle, aloof air that usually kept people at arm's length vanished from her, replaced by the approachability of a girl next door.

However, this lapse in composure lasted only a brief moment before she instantly reverted to her usual demeanor, looking at Zhong Yun thoughtfully, lost in some private contemplation.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Seeing her staring at him without blinking, Zhong Yun felt very strange.

Liu Yunqi rested her chin on her hand, almost sighing. "Having a friend feels so good."

Zhong Yun let out a small laugh. "That's all it took to become my friend? You trust people so easily; aren't you afraid I'll turn around and sell you out?"

"Sell me? No one in this world could afford the price," Liu Yunqi declared proudly, tossing her head back slightly.

"Wow," Zhong Yun feigned astonishment. "Right. The youngest Garan Music Award winner in history—that's quite a prize to hold."

As they chatted and laughed, time passed quickly, yet neither suggested leaving. The environment was excellent, a perfect spot for conversation.

After asking a waiter to clear their table, they each ordered a drink and continued talking about an endless array of subjects; the atmosphere was excellent.

They sat for two hours until the sun outside became less harsh. Only then did Zhong Yun suggest a walk by the lake, which Liu Yunqi happily agreed to.

They walked side by side, aimlessly, like a couple. Passersby who saw them couldn't help but steal glances.

Wherever Liu Yunqi went, she was the focus of attention, made even more so by the presence of the unremarkable Zhong Yun beside her, with whom she appeared to share an intimate connection.

The stark contrast in their appearances made it impossible not to draw attention.

Countless men glared at Zhong Yun with jealousy, thinking resentfully, what kind of world is this where someone like that can attract such a top-tier beauty.

Of course, there was envy, too.

Despite enduring the peculiar gazes, Liu Yunqi remained composed. She had experienced this situation too many times and had long since learned to ignore such scrutiny.

Zhong Yun also felt no discomfort. He was not the Zhong Yun of the past.

As a transmigrator from Earth, he carried an inherent pride: I am unique, one of a kind. He often told himself that as a fellow traveler, he absolutely could not embarrass his compatriots back on Earth.

Coupled with possessing "ZER," his greatest secret, he naturally generated a self-assurance—the kind of confidence only the truly capable possess. Therefore, even when facing the incomparably beautiful and powerfully charismatic Liu Yunqi, he maintained a relatively normal mindset. No matter how beautiful you are, there are other beautiful women out there. But my buddy is a unique transmigrator.

The stares of others could not affect him either; on the contrary, they stirred a hint of pride in his heart: What are you looking at? My looks might be mediocre, but I can still snag a top-tier beauty.

Zhong Yun was discussing a piano technique with Liu Yunqi when a small boy, perhaps seven or eight years old, suddenly ran up to them. Both stopped talking and looked at him in surprise.

The boy looked up at Zhong Yun and said, "Big Brother, my cousin says you're his idol." Then he scampered away.

Zhong Yun and Liu Yunqi were stunned for a moment, then Liu Yunqi burst into laughter, shaking charmingly.

The boy ran about ten paces, suddenly stopped, and as if remembering something, ran back again. He approached Liu Yunqi. "Big Sister, my cousin also said you are the prettiest girl he has ever seen." To lend weight to his words, he gestured emphatically with his hands.

"Hahahaha..." This time it was Zhong Yun's turn to laugh, laughing so hard that Liu Yunqi's cheeks flushed pink, dazzling a crowd of envious onlookers.

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