The opening ceremony ended, and Miranda’s life as a graduate student officially began. Her schedule was packed, with classes lined up from 9:00 am until noon almost every day. On the first day of class, Madison nearly showed up late. She arrived wearing flip-flops and shorts.

Miranda paused, then gently reminded her, “Madi, did you forget to change your shoes?”

“Huh?” Madison glanced down at her flip-flops. “Nope, this is the pair I planned to wear.”

“You… wore slippers to class?”

“Yeah, what’s the big deal? Back home, people wear flip-flops and shorts all summer. I even went out of my way to wear these flip-flops to look more formal.”

Sebastian glanced at her and asked, “Is that formal?”

Madison snapped back, “Why isn’t it?”

Sebastian sighed, “Alright, as long as you’re happy.”

“You just don’t get it,” she muttered while pouting.

Sebastian sighed, speechless.

After class, the three of them agreed to have lunch together. During their chat, Miranda learned that neither of them stayed in the dorms. Sebastian lived at his family’s house, while Madison rented an apartment near the campus.

Madison’s place turned out to be not far from Miranda’s. Madison genuinely liked Miranda. She had often faced ridicule for her weight and rarely had female friends who would approach her.

But Miranda was different. Although she seemed distant and beautiful at first, it quickly became apparent that she was down-to-earth and treated everyone with fairness.

“Miranda, I heard there’s this little restaurant near campus that’s super popular! Tons of influencers have been there, and it’s affordable too. How about we go and—”

Before she could finish, a bouquet of roses suddenly appeared in front of them.

More precisely, the flowers were presented to Miranda, while Madison just happened to be there.

Hansel stood before them, dressed in a suit, while the collar of his shirt was opened casually. His fitted trousers accentuated his long legs. Holding a bouquet of yellow roses, he walked up to Miranda.

“Mimi, long time no see.”

Madison’s eyes darted around, and she sensibly grabbed Sebastian’s arm, pulling him away.

“What are you doing?” Sebastian frowned.

“Didn’t you see? That guy’s giving Miranda flowers!”

“So?”

“Do you want to be a third wheel?”

Sebastian fell silent but followed her lead.

Miranda looked at Hansel, her brow furrowing instinctively. “Why are you here?”

“These are your favorite yellow roses. I wanted to wish you good luck with your studies.” He extended the bouquet toward her.

Miranda took a step back, increasing the distance between them. “I don’t want them.”

He gave a wry smile. “Can’t I at least congratulate you?”

“You can say whatever you want, but I won’t accept the flowers,” she replied, refusing to fall into his emotional trap.

Hansel sighed. “Are we really at this point?”

“We reached this point a long time ago,” she answered firmly.

He fell silent, unable to argue.

“Wow! Someone’s getting flowers!”

“And that guy’s so handsome!”

“Who’s the girl? Does anyone know her?”

“She looks a bit unfamiliar. Maybe she’s a new student?”

They were standing by the busy campus entrance, and with Hansel making such a public gesture, it was impossible not to attract attention. Most didn’t recognize Miranda, but a few did, like—

“Hey, isn’t that the older grad student?”

Yasmine stopped in her tracks. Her friend Willow, who had been walking with her, also halted and looked in the same direction.

The next moment, she froze, unable to believe her eyes.