Graduating from a top international university at nineteen? That wasn’t something average people achieved.

Shi Yao rarely returned to the rental apartment. Even his computer lessons happened only every other day, always leaving in a hurry, like their first meeting.

Alaricka had no intention of prying into his past, so she never questioned him about anything and reminded Jaylene and Nie Guanyu not to be overly curious.

Did Someone Upset You?

For the last mock exam before the National College Entrance Examination, Alarieka Huston returned to school and still ranked first.

As she was leaving, Chen Daoyuan pulled her into his office to persuade her: “Alarieka, look, there are only two weeks left until the exam. Why not come back to study? I know your grades are excellent, but it’s safer to…”

Alarieka refused firmly.

She wasn’t an ordinary student. She’d been reborn, carrying memories of this year’s exam questions.

That alone guaranteed her admission to a top national university.

Seeing her resolve, Chen Daoyuan gave up and let her go.

In the weeks before the exam, Shi Yao vanished. Alarieka called several times, but he never answered. Texts went unanswered too.

Nearly half a month passed without a trace of him.

Alaricka assumed Shi Yao had lost patience and abandoned them, so she stopped reaching out.

The night before the exam, Tamika Coldberg insisted Alarieka drink “scholar’s soup.” It stuffed her stomach so full she took a walk downstairs to digest.

Sitting on a stone bench in the yard, she gazed blankly at the sparse starlight.

Tamika had named the soup–a sweet broth with black sesame dumplings. She’d cooked a huge pot, claiming it covered all subjects. Alarieka ate until bursting, hiccuping as she left.

She sat there blankly.

“What are you doing?”

Shi Yao’s voice cut through the silence. Alarieka looked up, startled, meeting his usual teasing, cold eyes.

She blinked dazedly before snapping back. “…Why are you here?”

Displeased with everything–especially her question–he teased: “Hmm? I rent here too. Why shouldn’t I be?”

Alarieka frowned. “Didn’t you leave?”

His scowl softened. A smug grin spread as he sat beside her on the bench. “Miss me? I wasn’t gone long.”

She smiled without warmth. “Running around all these days–did you forget your promise? Seems only I remember.”

Shi Yao stiffened, coughing into his fist. “Of course not. I was busy…”

“Busy?” she cut in coldly. “Too busy for one call? One text?”

He coughed louder, avoiding her gaze while rubbing his nose. “Changed my number. Didn’t get to tell you.”

Pulling out his phone, he added: “Add my contact. I’ll make more time to teach you. Deal?”

Alarieka turned away. “Left my phone inside. We’ll settle this later.”

His lips pressed tight. “Don’t be angry. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

Alaricka Huston’s eyes flickered as she replied unenthusiastically, “What surprise?"

Shi Yao shook her head mysteriously. “Not telling. You’ll get it after your National College Entrance Examination.”

Alarieka rolled her eyes. “Then why not tell me after the exam? You’re deliberately teasing me, aren’t you?”

Shi Yao immediately lowered his head, rubbing his nose. “Anyway, you’ll find out then.”

Remembering the pot of tangyuan Tamika had cooked, Alarieka nudged Shi Yao’s leg with her foot. Before Shi Yao could react, she asked, “Have you eaten?”

Shi Yao gazed at her, eyes shining brighter in the darkness. “No. Treating me?”

Alaricka said, “I’ve got leftover tangyuan. Want some?”

Shi Yao paused. “…Leftovers?”

Alaricka pressed. “Want them or not?”

Shi Yao: “Yes.”

Alarieka stood up. “Let’s go then. I’ve got the National College Entrance Examination tomorrow. Need to sleep early tonight.”