The girl from the Conservatory of Music, startled by the commotion, nervously scanned the crowd. A handsome young man broke through the throng and pulled her aside. Yet, he didn't rush to leave, instead waiting to see how the drama unfolded.

The girl asked her boyfriend what had happened, and he leaned in close to briefly explain.

Her eyes immediately widened. She happened to be in the same class as Liu Yunqi. Even though Liu Yunqi had only arrived two days ago, she commanded the attention of everyone, including the other girls.

The mood among the students regarding Liu Yunqi's arrival was complex. The Conservatory of Music always held a special status within Mingzhu School. To say that they, the music girls, were showered with affection might be an overstatement, but they were undeniably pursued by every male student.

The caliber of the girls in the Conservatory was indeed the highest in the entire school. While there might have been one or two exceptional individuals, the overall quality was relatively consistent.

Liu Yunqi’s appearance shattered the Conservatory’s tranquility. Every girl paled in comparison to her. Standing before her, the other girls felt a profound sense of inadequacy; how unfair was the Creator to fashion her like a completely flawless work of art, inspiring only awe.

Furthermore, after two days of observation, she realized that while Liu Yunqi appeared amiable to everyone on the surface, she held an icy indifference that kept people at arm’s length. Perhaps it was the detached aura about her, as if unconcerned with worldly affairs, that made her seem unapproachable. Getting close to her simply made one feel ill at ease. Sometimes, she couldn't help but harbor a malicious thought: given how cold to the bone she seemed, could she possibly be sterile?

However, today she overheard a rumor: Liu Yunqi had an incredibly impressive boyfriend back in middle school who had tested into Mingzhu School as the top student.

Strangely, this boyfriend had never shown his face, and no one had ever seen him.

The girl glanced instinctively at Zhong Yun. Could it be him? Then she immediately shook her head. Absolutely not. No matter how poor Liu Yunqi’s taste might be, she wouldn't choose someone so plain.

Actually, Zhong Yun wasn’t plain; perhaps his looks were merely conventional, certainly not ugly. It was just that this music major girl had been spoiled by the attention at Mingzhu School. Surrounded by countless handsome men, her standards were naturally sky-high.

Just like Zhong Yun, who often focused only on Liu Yunqi. To him, other girls, no matter how pretty, were merely "decent."

Several other girls emerged successively—some passing by, others meeting their boyfriends, or arriving for dates with admirers—but Liu Yunqi was conspicuously absent.

Despite being scrutinized by numerous strange gazes, Zhong Yun remained composed, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding murmurs.

Seeing his calm demeanor, the Mingzhu School students grew more displeased with him. Just keep pretending, they thought. We’ll see how you act once you’re thoroughly embarrassed.

Time ticked by, second by second. Another figure appeared at the doorway. Upon seeing that familiar silhouette, a slight smile curved Zhong Yun’s lips.

For some unknown reason, the male onlookers felt an impulse to beat Zhong Yun just by seeing that irritating smile of his.

The door slowly opened, revealing an exquisitely beautiful figure.

Silence descended. Everyone in the hall seemed to have their mouths stuffed with a duck egg, stretched wide enough to crack. Every pair of eyes froze instantly, staring dazedly at the figure.

Liu Yunqi. She had actually come out.

A coincidence. It must be a coincidence. Some people tried to reassure themselves.

But faced with the brutal reality, their psychological defenses were as fragile as a maidenhead.

Liu Yunqi’s sharp, almond-shaped eyes flickered, and she spotted Zhong Yun standing to the side, a breathtaking smile blooming on her face.

She smiled. And in that moment, the hearts of every male student present shattered. She was smiling at that boy from Yuehu.

Zhong Yun walked toward her. “Surprised?”

“Mmm,” Liu Yunqi replied, naturally linking her arm with his left one. Her eyes sparkled as she took in the expressions of the stunned boys around them, leaning even closer. “Didn’t go home today?”

Feeling the warmth of her skin through their thin layers of clothing, Zhong Yun’s breath hitched momentarily. They had never been in such intimate contact.

“Ahem, have you eaten?” Zhong Yun’s momentary lapse passed quickly, and he stated the purpose of his visit.

Liu Yunqi shook her head, then gently rested her head on his shoulder. “Where do you want to go?”

Her sudden docility and compliance greatly surprised Zhong Yun, filling him with ecstatic joy. Did this mean she had finally surrendered to him?

“I know a restaurant with a nice atmosphere,” Zhong Yun managed, his voice sounding slightly unsteady from excitement.

They talked as they walked. When they passed the person who had directed him earlier, that good samaritan let the flowers in his hand drop with a soft thud. He didn't bother to pick them up; his entire being was caught in a state of confusion. Three words cycled endlessly in his mind: Why? Why? Why?

No one knew why. Everyone simply stared blankly as the pair walked away, looking like a couple deeply in love. Their backs were pressed closely together, appearing perfectly matched.

The news that Liu Yunqi had a boyfriend spread like a hurricane, quickly reaching every corner of Mingzhu School. The fact that the school’s newly crowned Flower of the Year, only two days old, had been snatched away by a student from the rival Yuehu Academy filled all the male students of Mingzhu with bitter grief.

Especially those outstanding boys who considered themselves capable of pursuing Liu Yunqi, they ground their teeth in hatred.

“Are you trying to use me as a shield?” Zhong Yun suddenly asked once they reached an uncrowded spot.

Liu Yunqi closed her eyes, completely relaxed, allowing Zhong Yun to guide her. “Are you unwilling?”

Her uncharacteristic intimacy today was indeed motivated by this. Unlike the First Middle School, Mingzhu School was an elite hub, lacking nothing in self-important individuals. Within just two days, someone had openly pursued her, which she found relentlessly annoying.

“Then I’m taking a huge loss,” Zhong Yun said dramatically. “Think how many people will hate me. I’ll have to watch my back on late-night walks, or who knows what brick will fly out of nowhere and crack my head open.”

“Don’t you dare act innocent after benefiting this much,” a flush spread across Liu Yunqi’s face, smooth as jade cream, as she chided him softly.

Zhong Yun laughed, a hearty, unrestrained sound.

To be seen embracing a girl like Liu Yunqi anywhere was an immense source of pride. The gazes of passersby made Zhong Yun feel drunk, floating as he walked.

Zhong Yun took Liu Yunqi onto a sky-shuttle and arrived at a restaurant on the Central Avenue downtown. The place was called Shuixin, recommended by Chen Wen. "It's a great spot for dating," he had said. Zhong Yun trusted his judgment and had been looking for an opportunity to bring Liu Yunqi here.

Seeing two young people in school uniforms approach, the hostess hesitated for a moment before letting them in. She was momentarily stunned by the female student’s beauty, finding herself incapable of stopping them.

“Th-this way, please.” The young waiter’s usually smooth delivery faltered slightly upon seeing Liu Yunqi. He quickly averted his gaze, daring not to look longer, and led them to the best seating area in the restaurant.

The interior was elegantly decorated, possessing an exotic flair that somehow didn't feel out of place. The designer had skillfully separated the tables; due to the angles, patrons at one table could not see those at another, and vice versa.

The lighting was perfectly balanced—neither too dim nor too bright. In the center of the room, a musician played a gentle melody, the sound soft yet audible to everyone present.

“What would you like to order?” Zhong Yun picked up the menu, flipping through it casually.

This kind of establishment was also new to Liu Yunqi. She flipped through two pages before setting the menu down. “You decide.”

Zhong Yun ordered a few items. Unsure of Liu Yunqi’s appetite, he added a soup. Seeing her shake her head at the offer of dessert, he closed the menu and addressed the waiter, who seemed slightly preoccupied, standing by. “Just these for now, please.”

Zhong Yun rarely visited places like this, which resembled the Western restaurants of his past life—expensive and not necessarily delicious, but certainly ideal for a date. The setting was the main attraction.

“I thought you wouldn’t dare come to Mingzhu School,” Liu Yunqi remarked with a smile.

“Why?” Zhong Yun looked into her eyes, feeling profoundly drawn in.

She picked up her water glass, using the motion to shield herself from his intense gaze. His look felt as if it were melting her, making her feel incredibly shy. It was a strange sensation, a sour, astringent feeling in her chest, as if her tongue had been dipped in lemon juice. Her face felt hot. She had never felt this way in front of another man.

“Weren’t you afraid your status as a survivor of the Tongguang Star would be exposed?”

Suddenly, Zhong Yun grasped the hand she held on the water glass. Liu Yunqi flinched but did not pull away, instinctively glancing around. “What are you doing?” Her reaction was no different from that of an ordinary girl at that moment.

“With you helping me,” Zhong Yun said earnestly, “I fear nothing.”

Zhong Yun was about to say more when the waiter arrived with the food. He released Liu Yunqi’s hand, and only after the waiter had set everything down and left did he continue. “This is thanks to the **Law (*The **Law stipulates that, unless one is a wanted criminal or involved in a major incident, one's photograph cannot be released in any news or public forum without the express permission of the individual). Few people at Mingzhu Academy recognize me, and even fewer know that I was on the Tongguang Star.”

“You know,” Liu Yunqi said.

“Thank you,” Zhong Yun patted the back of her hand, picking up his knife and fork. “And, of course, your grandfather. Without you two, I truly wouldn't have dared to show my face so openly at Mingzhu School.”

“Zhong... Zhong Yun?” A shriek not only interrupted their conversation but also startled everyone in the entire restaurant.

Zhong Yun immediately knew it was someone familiar with him and aware of his experience on the Tongguang Star. He inwardly cursed his bad luck and turned his head, only to see a familiar face, pale with cold sweat, as if seeing a ghost.

It was an expression Zhong Yun had once seen on Elder Huang.

P: Finally finished writing on time, exhausted. Nine thousand characters delivered. I will make up the bonus chapter tomorrow. Only eleven votes away from seventh place, brothers, work hard!