Jiang Qihuai had never thought that Tao Zhi would cling so persistently to that “700 points” because of the offhand reason he’d once given for rejecting Concubine Li.

And she had clung to it for so long.

A total score of at least 700 had, for some inexplicable reason, become her understanding of his basic requirement in choosing a partner.

Moreover, she seemed to think that scoring that high was only a matter of time, completely confident in herself.

The wind whooshed in through the alley entrance. Jiang Qihuai shifted sideways, standing in the direction the cold wind was blowing from, using his body to block it for her. Following her words, he asked, “How many times do you plan to take it?”

That question instantly turned something vague into something concrete—her chances became limited. Tao Zhi thought carefully. There was no hope for this midterm exam, and even before the final exam it was unlikely.

If she could get that score once before she graduated high school, she would need to burn incense and thank her ancestors for blessing her.

Tao Zhi felt a little guilty. She turned her gaze aside and said dryly, “Just, take it a few more times. You don’t need to ask so much.”

The girl’s eyes rolled around guiltily, thin eyelids and long lashes fluttering with them. Jiang Qihuai looked at her, his gaze deep.

She was always like this.

Forward-looking, bright and passionate—if she liked someone, she would chase; if she said something, she would do it. Resolute and unhesitating, as if in this world, nothing could block her pursuit of what she wanted.

They were never supposed to belong to the same world. They had grown up day by day in different living environments, eventually becoming two entirely different kinds of people.

A bright rose could not bloom on barren land.

To Jiang Qihuai, she was an excessively blazing beam of light—abrupt, out of place, and in complete conflict with his calm and plain life.

Yet, one could not help but want to reach out and grasp that glimmer of brightness.

After Tao Zhi finished speaking, she secretly watched his reaction. After waiting for a while and seeing that Jiang Qihuai still seemed unresponsive, she prepared to slip away before he came back to his senses.

She cleared her throat. “Anyway, I just came to tell you—before I score 700 points, you’re not allowed to like anyone else.”

Once she said that, Tao Zhi turned around, ready to run.

She twisted her head and had just lifted a foot when the boy behind her suddenly sighed. Someone grabbed the strap of her backpack, pulling her back with a tug.

Jiang Qihuai sighed. “You’re planning to walk all the way to Second Medical University from here?”

Tao Zhi turned back. “Isn’t it just ten minutes? I checked the map yesterday.”

Jiang Qihuai glanced at her. “Ten minutes by car.”

“……”

Tao Zhi’s expression went a bit blank. “Ah… will walking take long?”

“Half an hour, probably.” Jiang Qihuai started walking forward, turning his head to glance at the girl behind him, her head drooping dispiritedly. He couldn’t help the small curve at his lips. He stopped at the wall by the alley entrance where a row of bicycles was parked and turned around.

Tao Zhi had obediently followed him over.

Jiang Qihuai unlocked one of the bicycles, tossed his backpack into the basket, and pushed it out. In a low voice, he asked, “Can you ride a bicycle?”

“Of course,” Tao Zhi lifted her head, looking at him with some shock. “You’re planning to let me carry you? Isn’t that a bit backward?”

Jiang Qihuai pointed at another old-style bicycle beside them and said calmly, “I have two.”

“Oh.” Tao Zhi’s expression immediately became calm. Going along easily, she said, “Then I don’t know how to ride.”

Jiang Qihuai: “……”

Tao Zhi’s fingers clung tightly to the back seat of his bicycle, refusing to let go. She stretched her neck forward, shaking her head from side to side, deliberately dragging out her words, “Your Highness, give me a ride~.”

“……”

Jiang Qihuai clenched his jaw, his lower chin moving slightly. “Speak properly.”

He pushed the bicycle forward a bit and didn’t bother unlocking the other one.

Tao Zhi happily hopped onto the back seat. Her school uniform pants were loose, her long legs spread boldly on either side, feet braced, and her hands gripping the edge of the seat. She swayed her legs. “Let’s go, let’s go.”

Jiang Qihuai pushed the bicycle onto the road, then got on himself.

The sports meet started an hour earlier than morning self-study. Early in the morning, there weren’t many vehicles on the road. They rode along the bicycle lane, weaving through the street. Jiang Qihuai rode steadily—so steadily that Tao Zhi didn’t even need to hold on with both hands.

The boy’s broad back curved into a smooth line. His oversized school jacket billowed with the wind, the soft fabric brushing the tip of her nose. The faint scent of laundry detergent carried a clean, fresh feeling.

The wind rustled by her ears. Tao Zhi, sitting on the back, swung her legs and leaned forward a little, her body gradually relaxing.

The bicycle had already entered the campus of Second Medical University. Experimental No.1 High School was big, but it couldn’t compare to a university. Jiang Qihuai seemed very familiar with the layout of the campus—he didn’t even look at the signs as the tires rolled over the ground covered in orange-red fallen leaves, gliding through the shaded path.

From time to time, they could see students wearing Experimental’s uniform, walking in twos and threes toward the stadium while laughing and chatting.

Not far ahead, Tao Zhi saw Lì Shuangjiang and the others.

She was just wondering whether to greet them or not when Jiang Qihuai’s calm voice came from the front: “Hold on.”

His voice came from ahead, not loud. Tao Zhi didn’t hear clearly. She craned her neck forward. “What?”

“There’s a slope ahead,” Jiang Qihuai said.

The moment the words left his mouth, the bicycle suddenly sped up, shooting straight down the incline. Tao Zhi was jolted, her body pitching forward sharply. Her cry stuck in her throat, turning into a muffled, panicked whimper. Her fingers instinctively grabbed the boy’s jacket, wrapping around his waist. Her nose pressed against his back as her whole body leaned close.

The boy’s back stiffened for a moment. “I told you to hold on.”

“Well, I didn’t hear you clearly!” Tao Zhi’s head was still resting against his back, her voice muffled. “Would it kill you to talk a little louder?”

Jiang Qihuai chuckled softly but didn’t reply.

The bicycle rolled past the slope and steadied again. Only then did Tao Zhi slowly start to feel embarrassed.

Her arms retreated little by little. The cold tips of her fingers brushed the hot metal of her earring as she pinched it lightly.

On top of the slope, Lì Shuangjiang stood watching the bicycle ahead grow smaller in the distance, dazed. “Was that… Huai-ge and…?”

Jiang Zhengxun nodded. “And the class monitor.”

Even Lì Shuangjiang, slow as he was, began to feel that something was off. “Why are those two together again?”

Jiang Zhengxun didn’t say anything, just looked at him.

“What are you looking at me for?” Lì Shuangjiang asked in confusion.

Jiang Zhengxun: “Looking at a fool.”

“You—fuck off,” Lì Shuangjiang said indignantly. “I scored six hundred eighty last time!”

Jiang Zhengxun yawned and continued walking forward. “Even if you scored seven hundred eighty, it wouldn’t stop you from being an idiot.”

Li Shuangjiang: “……”

✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺ 　 . ✦

By the time Tao Zhi arrived at the stadium, it was already bustling with noise and activity.

The autumn sports meet at Experimental included only the first and second years. The third years had just half a year left before the college entrance exam, all entertainment canceled, locked away in school to devote themselves to the sages’ books.

The university’s stadium was a size larger than Experimental’s. First-year and second-year students each occupied one side. In the center field, university student volunteers were setting up equipment for events like high jump and javelin. On the track, students came and went; on both sides of the stands, teachers were organizing their classes.

Tao Zhi hopped off the bicycle, and Jiang Qihuai locked it at the entrance to the stadium. The two of them went in to look for Class One’s area.

Because Second-Year Class One led the procession, their section was closer to the stands. In front of the railing, Zhao Mingqi and a few boys were tying up a banner. The red background with yellow characters rippled loudly in the wind.

On the stands, Fu Xiling was dragging a large black bag, handing out little clappers to each person who arrived.

She was small, and that heavy bag was nearly half her height. The little girl was struggling to drag it forward. Nearby, Ji Fan, who was playing with his phone, finally lifted his head, looking like he couldn’t stand watching anymore. He got up, took the bag from her hand, and lifted it easily. “Alright, go play.”

Now free, Fu Xiling saw Tao Zhi coming over and waved to her.

Tao Zhi bounced in place and waved back across the field.

Once everyone had arrived and the formation was lined up, the school leaders began giving speeches on the rostrum. Only then did the sun slowly peek out from the clouds, spilling down a few cold rays of light.

The venue was lively—some were snacking, some were warming up for their events. As the vice class monitor, Tao Zhi wasn’t idle. All the competition numbers were with her. She leaned against the first row of seats, a bag of number bibs on her lap, lazily calling out, “Number 18, is Number 18 here?”