It was almost 1 a.m. when Lin Xian finally started to feel drowsy. She shut down her laptop, returned to bed, and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

  Back home, under Zhou Qin’s tight supervision, she had always kept a strict routine. Rarely did she stay up this late. So now, worn out, she slept soundly, lost in a deep and dreamless slumber.

  By around seven in the morning, the sun had already begun to quietly climb over the hills. Its warm rays slanted through the large glass windows and spilled over half of Lin Xian’s bed.

  She lay on her side, lips slightly parted, sleeping peacefully, completely unaware of the light.

  At exactly seven, the alarm that Xiao Wanqing had set for her the night before cheerfully began its duty. A children’s song rang out brightly, “The sunlight shines golden bright, the rooster crows three times…”

  Lin Xian’s delicate brows knit together as she mumbled in annoyance, “So noisy…” Still with her eyes closed, she instinctively reached out, fumbling across the bedside table. When her hand landed on a hard rectangular object, she gave it a light smack.

  As expected, the music stopped. Lin Xian let out a soft sigh of relief, a small, childlike smile curling on her lips before she drifted back to sleep.

  Xiao Wanqing had already been up since 6:30. After freshening up, she busied herself in the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

  At 7:05, everything was ready, but the apartment remained quiet. She glanced toward Lin Xian’s room, a gentle knowing look in her eyes.

  Thoughtfully, she poured the oatmeal and millet porridge into a porcelain bowl and set it on the table to cool. After hanging up her apron, she walked lightly toward Lin Xian’s room.

  Outside the door, she paused, then gently knocked three times with measured rhythm and called softly, “Lin Xian... Lin Xian…”

  No response.

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled quietly, helpless but indulgent. She turned the doorknob gently and pushed the door open.

  Just as she expected, Lin Xian was still fast asleep, back facing the sunlight. The blanket had slipped down to her calves. Her lips moved slightly with unconscious breath, and her long hair spread messily across the pillow. She looked utterly peaceful.

  Xiao Wanqing sat down at the bedside, eyes softening as she looked at the girl's innocent sleeping face. She pulled the quilt back over Lin Xian’s body, then picked up the remote to switch off the air conditioner. At last, she reached out and lightly poked Lin Xian’s fair cheek, calling her again, “Lin Xian, time to wake up…”

  Lin Xian puffed out her cheeks in protest before slowly frowning and blinking open her dark eyes.

  For a moment, she looked dazed. Her gaze landed on Xiao Wanqing’s gentle, graceful face, filled with the pure confusion of a little deer. Still not quite awake, she murmured, “I think I’ve seen you before…”

  Xiao Wanqing was caught off guard and burst out laughing. She pinched Lin Xian’s nose and teased, “Was it in a dream?”

  The sound of laughter shook off the last traces of sleep. Realizing what she’d just said, Lin Xian gasped, covered her face in embarrassment, and mumbled, “Sorry, Auntie Xiao. I’m a little slow when I first wake up.”

  Xiao Wanqing brushed aside her messy bangs with a soothing smile. “It’s fine, very cute,” she said. Then, standing up, she added, “Come on, it’s 7:10. Don’t be late.”

  Lin Xian turned to look at the clock—it was indeed past seven. She quickly sat up and nodded. “Okay, I’m getting up now!”

  By 7:25, she had washed up and joined Xiao Wanqing at the breakfast table.

  Breakfast was beautifully prepared: oatmeal and millet porridge, egg and meat broth, stir-fried greens with shredded pork, and a fruit salad. Having witnessed Xiao Wanqing’s refined cooking and elegant lifestyle the day before, Lin Xian couldn’t help but marvel again at the attention to detail.

  Curious, she asked, “Auntie Xiao, we’re just going to eat it anyway. Isn’t it a lot of trouble to make everything look so pretty when there’s no one else around?”

  As she peeled an egg for Lin Xian, Xiao Wanqing glanced up with a smile and replied without hesitation, “Everyone has their own way of living. I don’t find it troublesome. After all, it’s my life.”

  Lin Xian tilted her head and blinked. She silently repeated the phrase to herself: After all, it’s my life. She didn’t quite understand it, but the words lingered in her mind.

  Xiao Wanqing gently dropped the peeled egg into Lin Xian’s porridge and said, “Eat up. It should be cool enough by now.”

  Lin Xian realized she’d been taken care of again and quickly thanked her. “Auntie Xiao, you should eat too. Next time, let me do it myself.”

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Xiao Wanqing smiled warmly and gave a noncommittal hum, not saying whether she agreed or not.

  By 7:50, the two of them were out the door, driving toward Jingnan University.

  Lin Xian sat in the passenger seat, chatting casually along the way. As they neared the campus, a sudden thought struck her. “Auntie Xiao, which university did you go to?”

  Xiao Wanqing gave her a sideways glance and smiled. “Didn’t your mom tell you?”

  Lin Xian tried to recall. Zhou Qin had only ever said that Xiao Wanqing had excellent grades, but never mentioned the school. Still... given her achievements, it must’ve been a top university. And then she even did her graduate studies in the same city, where her grandfather taught…

  A flash of inspiration hit her. “You went to Jingnan too, didn’t you?”

  Xiao Wanqing gave her an approving look. “Mm, I was an undergrad in the Chinese Literature department. I suppose that makes you my junior, even if this senior is a bit older.”

  Lin Xian protested in mock seriousness, “Nonsense! You don’t look old at all! If you wore a T-shirt and shorts like me, people would totally think you’re a freshman too.”

  Whether or not Lin Xian truly believed it, praise always felt nice. Xiao Wanqing’s smile deepened. Turning the wheel, she looked at Lin Xian with gentle reproach. “You really know how to talk.”

  Lin Xian grinned earnestly. “I’m just being honest!” Then her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “Auntie Xiao, you’re so pretty and smart. You must’ve been super popular back in school, right? Did you get a ton of love letters?”

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled and popped her bubble. “Back then, if someone sent a love letter, the whole department would know. When I first started university, Jingnan had a new principal, and the academic atmosphere became really strict. One Christmas, a boy tried to confess with heart-shaped candles outside the dorms. The security caught him, and he ended up getting publicly criticized and disciplined.”

  Lin Xian wasn’t impressed. “So what? If you get the person you love, who cares about a public notice? If losing the world means gaining one heart, being a fool in others’ eyes is worth being a hero in your lover’s. People who don’t dare are just cowards. If it were me, I wouldn’t be scared.”

  For a brief second, Xiao Wanqing’s hands stiffened slightly on the steering wheel.

  She turned into the campus and, after a long pause, sighed softly. Her voice was tinged with envy and something deeper. “Silly girl…”

  Lin Xian frowned slightly, about to say something when Xiao Wanqing parked the car and reminded her, “We’re here. Let’s get out.”

  Only then did Lin Xian realize they had already entered the school grounds. Signage directed cars to a temporary parking area, where Xiao Wanqing easily found a spot.

  The campus was bustling with students and parents—some chatting excitedly, some carrying luggage, others helping direct the new arrivals. Jingnan students usually lived on campus, and those from out of town often arrived with bulky bags. Only a few, like Lin Xian, came empty-handed.

  Despite having graduated years ago, Xiao Wanqing found the campus mostly unchanged. She opened a parasol and led Lin Xian through familiar paths toward the School of Finance. Along the way, she pointed out scenic spots, historical buildings, and even a few stories about famous alumni. Lin Xian walked under the umbrella’s shade, eyes shining with interest as she listened.

  Volunteers saw them walking leisurely and assumed they weren’t freshmen, so no one offered to help.

  As they reached the group of buildings for the finance faculty, they spotted a huge banner welcoming new students. Beneath it were rows of tables, manned by student volunteers. Nearby, a bulletin board was swarmed with people checking class and dorm assignments.

  Xiao Wanqing smiled faintly—nothing had changed at all.

  She pointed toward the crowd and said, “The class lists should be over there. Let’s take a look, then head to your class’s registration desk.”

  Lin Xian followed her lead. “Okay.”

  But as they approached, they found the bulletin board even more crowded than expected. All the finance majors’ class and dorm assignments were posted together, and they had to crane their necks just to see.

  Xiao Wanqing, tall and in heels, had no trouble. But Lin Xian struggled, tiptoeing and wobbling for a better view.

  Xiao Wanqing folded her umbrella and, watching Lin Xian’s adorable struggle, couldn’t resist teasing. “Want to race? First to find your name wins. Loser has to clean their plate tonight—no leftovers allowed.”

  Lin Xian pouted and looked at the much taller Xiao Wanqing. “Not fair! You’re way taller than me…”

  Xiao Wanqing chuckled. “Want to borrow my shoes?”

  “Hmph. Fine,” Lin Xian grumbled. “I’ll find another way.” With that, she slipped into the crowd like a nimble little eel.

  Xiao Wanqing laughed quietly. What a clever little fox.

  Three minutes later, she spotted Lin Xian’s name on the Class 3 list and looked around just as Lin Xian turned to scan the crowd.

  Their eyes met across the heads, and at the same time, both mouthed: “Class Three.”

  They laughed together.

  Lin Xian squeezed her way out, triumphant. “It’s a tie—but I think I was a bit better.”

  Xiao Wanqing humored her. “Yes, yes, our little Lin Xian is the best,” she cooed like she was talking to a child.

  They soon reached the registration desk, handed in payment receipts, and received student IDs. Lin Xian thought she was done, but when the volunteer learned she was a day student, she looked surprised and instructed her to meet with the faculty advisor and collect her military training uniform.

  Lin Xian glanced at the blazing sun and at Xiao Wanqing’s fair forehead, already glistening with sweat. She hesitated, then suggested, “Auntie Xiao, why don’t I go with the volunteer, and you wait here? It’s close to the parking lot—you won’t have to walk too far later.”

  Xiao Wanqing didn’t mind walking more, but she figured Lin Xian might feel freer chatting with her peer, so she agreed.

  She handed her the umbrella. “Here. Take this. You’ll be walking.”

  “You keep it, Auntie Xiao. I don’t mind the sun.”

  “But maybe the volunteer does,” she teased, glancing meaningfully at the blushing girl in red uniform.

  Flustered, the volunteer quickly waved her hands. “I’m fine! Really!”

  Still, Xiao Wanqing insisted, passing the umbrella to Lin Xian. “It’s alright. I’ll find shade if I need it. You two go on.”

  Lin Xian gave in and reminded her, “If it gets too hot, find a cool place. I’ll come find you after.”

  “Oh, by the way,” Xiao Wanqing added, “your mom said she got you a phone. I don’t have your number yet.”

  Lin Xian pouted. “But I have yours. Auntie Xiao, you didn’t do your homework!”

  Xiao Wanqing was caught off guard. Lin Xian had memorized it? Smiling, she admitted defeat. “Yes, yes, my mistake.”

  Lin Xian pulled out her phone, unlocked it with a swipe, and within three seconds, Xiao Wanqing’s phone lit up. Lin Xian beamed, “Save me as ‘Super Ultra Pretty Girl.’”

  Xiao Wanqing laughed, setting her contact name as “Little Rascal,” and urged her on. “Go on now. Your guide’s been waiting.”

  Lin Xian waved playfully. “Alright then! The Super Ultra Pretty Girl will take her leave!”

  Xiao Wanqing watched her go, smiling with gentle exasperation and affection.