At this moment, Aier couldn’t help but softly scold, “You could at least come in or stand a bit further inside… Just look at your clothes, they’re all soaked through.”
Mary was delighted; her junior still cared about her!
“A little water—what does it matter? Besides, you and I aren’t in the same year, it wouldn’t look good if I just walked in casually.”
Aier reached out, wanting to help tidy Mary’s wet hair, but just as she extended her hand, she withdrew it again.
“You really don’t need to do this for me. I can take care of myself, really, no need—”
Mary interrupted her, “How could I not? I noticed your hair was still damp. I just want to help you as much as I can when we run into each other.”
With that, she shoved a bundle into Aier’s hand, then rubbed her own hands. “I’m off now. Senior, don’t forget to use it.”
Aier watched Mary’s departing figure, her heart a tangled mess.
Why is she so good to me…?
Mary walked back along the corridor, the spring air still holding a hint of chill around her sleeves, but her mood was as clear as the sky after rain.
From childhood until now, apart from her mother, Mary had seldom received warmth or kindness.
In her father’s eyes, there was only the Noble Clan’s reputation, the family’s interests, and that ever-annoying houseguest who always disrupted her mother’s peace.
Only at the Academy could she truly enjoy her own time.
Only at the Academy could she fully release her true nature.
She loved the feeling of being noticed, especially the sense that a few simple words from her could make a newcomer laugh or cry.
It gave her a sense of control over life.
Until the day of freshman registration a month ago.
Among the crowd, Mary spotted that golden-haired, green-eyed Aier at a glance, timid as a young deer.
It was unexpected—she’d never believed in love at first sight, and even now she couldn’t explain why.
From that day on, she began to approach this junior—sometimes intentionally, sometimes not.
The more she understood, the more she felt this junior was special.
On the surface, Aier looked meek and easy to push around, but deep down, she had a stubbornness all her own; clearly intelligent, yet at times adorably clueless about certain things.
As her understanding of Aier deepened, Mary found herself wanting more—to have her, to possess her forever…
Aier returned to the Classroom, stowing the Medicine Packet Mary had given her into the Student Roster drawer, then sat down.
Her deskmate arrived soon after and sat beside her.
Without lifting her eyelids, Aier opened her book and buried her face in it, pretending to study.
But the person beside her clearly didn’t intend to let her be.
Aier felt something lightly poke her arm.
She ignored it.
Then another poke, this time a little harder.
Aier snapped her head around, meeting Tang Huan’s amber eyes, twinkling with mischief.
“Hey.”
Tang Huan grinned and greeted her, not at all aware of her own cheekiness.
Aier frowned, “What is it?”
Tang Huan immediately held up the new book she’d just brought, pretending to study intently.
“Nothing, nothing. Why would I have anything? I’m here to study!”
Aier:
Girl, your book’s upside down.
Aier didn’t believe for a second that Tang Huan was here to study—this person never paid attention in class.
She couldn’t be bothered to argue, lowered her head, and tried to focus on her book, attempting to ignore this persistent nuisance.
After a while, Aier noticed out of the corner of her eye that Tang Huan’s eyelids were drooping, and soon, she’d sprawled across the desk, breathing evenly as if she’d fallen asleep.
A chance!
Aier’s heart leapt, and she quietly slipped from her seat, tiptoeing to an empty spot at the far end of the row.
However, as soon as she sat down, someone immediately dropped into the seat beside her with a loud “thump.”
Tang Huan blinked sleepily, stifled a yawn, and muttered, “Nice, the light’s good here, and it’s warm by the window. I’ll sit here today.”
Aier shook her head helplessly. What a leech!
She planned to be frank one last time.
“Tang Huan, I really think… we should keep a bit of distance. You know Lady Xie Yier… she’s not someone you want to provoke. I’m just worried… she’ll trouble you.”
Tang Huan widened her eyes at Aier, her voice unconsciously raising a notch, “What are you worried about? If Lady Xie Yier comes, so be it! I’ll sit wherever I want! Besides… I’m not afraid of that woman at all!”
Aier was speechless.
At least look at me when you’re talking!
Just as she was about to try persuading her again, Tang Huan pressed a finger to her lips and “shh”ed.
“I won’t say anything more. I don’t even know you—I’m just here to study. Even Lady Xie Yier can’t control that, right? She can’t control everything; at most, she can’t control me studying.”
Aier gave up.
She tried her best to focus, but she couldn’t ignore the overwhelming presence of this “study maniac” beside her.
That afternoon was a self-study period, so students could freely choose where to study according to their own situation.
Aier studied medicinal knowledge all afternoon, while Tang Huan just lazed around.
It went on like this until evening dismissal, when Aier packed her things to leave.
Tang Huan lifted her head, drool still at the corner of her mouth, quickly gathered her belongings, and hurried after Aier.
At the Academy gates, Aier got into a carriage.
Tang Huan waved after her. “Aier, see you tomorrow!”
Aier: Preferably not.
The next day, Aier went to the Classroom early.
Tang Huan, who had the habit of skipping classes every few days and was late nearly every day—her background must be solid, otherwise the Academy would have expelled an ordinary student by now.
So mornings were the quietest time.
When Aier arrived, there wasn’t a single other student.
Today, she had arrived a full hour early.
This way, she could really focus and study!
She sat down and opened her book.
Tang Huan strolled in yawning from the Classroom doorway and sat down right next to her.
Aier’s eyes widened—she looked as if she’d seen a ghost.
Wait… this person… actually came to school an hour early?!
Has the sun risen in the west?!
Aier never would have guessed that Tang Huan would even give up sleep just to get here early and secure the seat next to her!
She could have just bribed someone, but Tang Huan believed that working for it herself would impress Aier more.
“Morning, Aier. The light’s good here. I’ll sit here today.”
Could that excuse be any more forced?
Forget it. Since she couldn’t shake her off, Aier decided to just ignore her. After all, Tang Huan never really did anything.
Since Tang Huan wasn’t afraid of Lady Xie Yier, she could let them resolve things themselves.
At least she hadn’t done anything inappropriate.
Meanwhile, in the Royal Capital.
In the Disaster Zone, inside the Royal Assembly Hall.
A grand banquet concerning the future development of the Royal Capital was underway.
The light of the Crystal Chandelier shone down, illuminating elegant gowns and graceful figures.
Noble Clan dignitaries and business elites from all over the Empire were gathered here.
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