Chapter 45

Outside the performance venue stood a tall, imposing statue of a figure in a dress, holding a white dove in its hands—a symbol of peace and beauty.

Next to it, a fountain sprayed water with a cheerful “splash-splash” sound.

Students strolled past, chatting and laughing, their footsteps unhurried.

Zhang Jiuling glanced around and spotted a food delivery rider in a bright yellow uniform, unmistakable on his electric scooter, heading their way.

Inside the performance hall, there was no show running.

The audience seats were unlit, leaving the space empty and quiet.

Li Jiao stood below the stage, discussing lighting arrangements with a colleague.

“Right, I think the lights should be brighter during that part.”

“…”

“Alright, thanks for your hard work,” Li Jiao said with a polite nod and a smile.

“No, no, you’ve been busy all afternoon too. You should take a break.”

The classmate helping her—a member of the department’s entertainment committee—insisted it was no trouble.

Li Jiao grinned.

“I ordered bubble tea for everyone. It should be here soon.”

Then she turned toward the stage, where other students were still working, and called out,

“Take a break, guys! You’ve worked hard today.”

“…”

As she finished speaking, Li Jiao suddenly remembered—the delivery rider had just called her.

He was probably arriving soon.

With that thought, she grabbed her bag, excused herself to fetch the order, and headed out.

Stepping out of the performance hall into the bright, spacious lobby, her feet met the pristine white marble floor, free of excessive patterns.

The minimalist yet luxurious crystal chandelier exuded understated elegance.

The lobby soared two or three stories high, its transparent glass walls allowing the golden hues of the setting sun to spill inside, casting a soft, shimmering glow on the snow-white floor—tinged with a faint blush of twilight.

Two grand staircases flanked either side, leading to the second floor.

A recent performance had just concluded, so decorative lilies still adorned the space, not yet cleared away.

At first glance, it looked like a wedding chapel.

Many students around couldn’t help but snap photos.

“So pretty!”

“Seriously, was this venue modeled after a church?”

“Wow, if someone proposed to me here, I’d say yes on the spot!”

“…”

Emerging from the basement-level performance hall, the sudden brightness made Li Jiao raise a hand to shield her eyes.

Then—a figure approached.

Dressed in a well-tailored black suit, the man wore a high-quality silk shirt without a tie, balancing sophistication with a touch of effortless leisure.

The top button of his white dress shirt was undone, revealing the faint outline of veins along his neck—a subtle hint of masculine allure.

Backlit as he walked toward her, his steps were measured, natural, and firm.

The sound of his black dress shoes against the floor echoed softly, each step resonating like a heartbeat.

Time seemed to slow.

In that moment, the world narrowed to just him, moving steadily toward Li Jiao.

For a second, she froze.

With the light behind him, she couldn’t clearly see Zhang Jiuling’s face, but his unmistakable aura told her it was him.

Her heart skipped a beat.

In her mind, she imagined—if this were a grand wedding chapel, the classmates around them their witnesses, the lilies lining their path to matrimony…

The golden sunset bathed the scene as white petals rained from above.

He’d walk up to her, kneel on one knee, and offer a ring…

“Done with work?”

Zhang Jiuling’s voice, clear and melodious like plucked strings, snapped her back to reality.

Around them, students turned to look—his entrance hadn’t gone unnoticed.

The girl who’d earlier joked about accepting a proposal here stared at Zhang Jiuling, shaking her friend excitedly.

“See him?! That’s my future husband!!”

Her dizzy friend managed to retort, “Wake up, he’s taken.”

The girl instantly deflated, as if doused with cold water.

Glancing at the woman beside Zhang Jiuling—fair-skinned, delicate features, shoulder-length hair, and long, slender legs—she pouted.

“No chance. His girlfriend’s gorgeous.”

“Of course, perfect matches exist. Another day of envying fairy-tale love.”

“…”

“I grabbed your delivery,” Zhang Jiuling said, lifting the bubble tea in his hand.

“And picked up some cake too.”

Li Jiao looked down at the items—her bubble tea order and a box of cakes.

Wait… How did he know she’d ordered delivery?

Unless…

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Instructor… Was that you calling me earlier?”

Had she… mistaken him for the delivery guy?

His dark, deep eyes flicked to her.

His voice, cool yet smooth like silk, replied,

“No. I just happened to be delivering an order.”

A teasing lilt colored his tone.

Li Jiao flushed with embarrassment.

“Sorry, I was too busy to check the number properly.”

Her cheeks puffed slightly, lips pressed together.

Her doe eyes, glistening with apology, bore faint shadows—proof of exhaustion.

Zhang Jiuling frowned.

“Not sleeping well?”

“Just a lot going on lately,” she admitted weakly.

She’d been swamped for days, and this afternoon’s venue setup had drained her last energy.

“What’s keeping you busy?”

“Nothing major. Just organizing the department’s welcome party.”

Not wanting to dwell on it, Li Jiao changed the subject.

She hadn’t seen Zhang Jiuling in days—she wanted to enjoy this moment.

“Instructor, let me bring the drinks inside, then we can go.”

“Alright.”

He handed her a bouquet—white and pink baby’s breath, delicate and lovely.

“The cake shop gave this as a freebie. Said it’s Wine Valentine’s Day today.”

Li Jiao accepted the flowers, heart fluttering.

His first gift of flowers to her!

“Wine Valentine’s Day? That’s a thing?”

“Some Western holiday,” he said indifferently.

“They’ve got one every month. Not special.”

She sniffed the blossoms—a soft, soothing fragrance.

First flowers from him! Even if they were freebies, they meant the world.

A sweet dimpled smile broke across her face.

Earlier, when Li Jiao mistook him for the delivery guy, Zhang Jiuling had simply picked up her order.

Worried she’d only drink bubble tea after days of overwork, he’d also bought cakes.

The shop owner had tossed in the bouquet, insisting, “Give it to your girlfriend! It’s Wine Valentine’s Day—she’ll love it.”

For some reason, he’d taken it.

Now, watching her radiant smile, the corners of his lips lifted.

“Alright, everyone, thanks for your hard work! I’m heading out.”

After distributing the drinks, Li Jiao prepared to leave.

The girl she’d chatted with earlier sidled up, eyeing Zhang Jiuling.

“Jiao, is that…?”

Li Jiao peeked at him, embarrassed.

“My boyfriend.”

“Oooh~” The girl grinned.

“Nice taste! He’s hot.”

Onstage, students sipping their drinks noticed Li Jiao leaving with a strikingly handsome man.

They couldn’t resist teasing.

“Damn, Jiao, hiding such a hottie?”

“Got a date later?”

“My heart’s broken—our little Jiao’s taken!”

“…”

Drama queens.

Li Jiao’s face burned under their relentless jokes.

After quick goodbyes, she hurried to Zhang Jiuling’s side, cheeks pink.

“Let’s go.”

Leaving Nanjing University, Zhang Jiuling drove toward downtown.

Rush hour traffic had the roads clogged like sausages in a casing.

At a red light, his car idled in the queue.

His hands rested on the steering wheel—slender fingers, pronounced veins, defined knuckles.

Dressed more formally today, his tailored suit accentuated his sharp profile, clean-cut sideburns, and composed demeanor.

Li Jiao broke the silence.

“Instructor, where are we going?”

“Huicui Garden. Meeting some friends for dinner.”

“Your friends?” She startled.

“Mhm.”

His friends? Meeting them now?!

Panic set in.

“Instructor, should I… change or something?”

Her outfit—a blue T-shirt with a cartoon Squirtle print, casual shorts, sneakers—was way too relaxed next to his sharp suit.

He glanced over.

“You’re fine.”

At least she’s not in those thigh-baring skirts.

“But—”

“They should be grateful just to meet eldest brother’s wife. No opinions allowed.”

As the traffic crawled forward, he accelerated smoothly.

Meanwhile, Li Jiao’s mind short-circuited.

eldest brother’s wife? Me?

He’s introducing me to his friends?!

Biting back a giddy smile, she hugged the thought close—another step deeper into his world.