The peak of cherry blossoms signaled the end of all exams.
Only the most crucial remained – the Gaokao.
The third-year high school students completely entered the final review phase.
An invisible pressure descended upon everyone.
Qiao Xixi, aware of her average academic foundation, devoted herself to practice tests.
During the most intense period, her hair fell out in clumps.
Even her menstrual cycle was significantly delayed.
In the Yu family's study.
After the final physics problem was explained, Yu Wenli picked up his phone and left.
Wen Tingxue was responsible for wrapping up. Qiao Xixi listened attentively, her pen never stopping.
"Alright, I've got the general idea of the approach."
She capped her pen, tidying up as she spoke.
"When I get back later, I'll try doing a couple of similar problems.
"Can you check if they're correct for me tomorrow?"
Wen Tingxue paused mid-drink, "You're still staying up late tonight?!
"If you continue like this, your body won't be able to handle it."
Qiao Xixi looked up, her reaction a beat slow, dark circles prominent under her eyes.
Her face was also much thinner than before.
She looked quite frail and pitiful.
"It's fine."
She waved her hand, feigning lightness.
"Doesn't the banner say, 'No falling behind, no matter the blood and sweat.'
"This is nothing compared to that. Besides, I'm in good health; staying up until the Gaokao won't be a problem!"
Wen Tingxue frowned in disagreement.
"There are still two months until the Gaokao, and you..."
"It's precisely because there are only two months left until the Gaokao that I'm giving it my all."
Qiao Xixi looked at her, her smile briefly fading.
"This is the last chance I can seize."
She had only played around in her first and second years of high school, never truly focusing on her studies.
It was only when the Gaokao loomed that she realized how far behind she was.
To catch up, she had no choice but to push herself!
Otherwise, she would have to repeat a year, and she didn't want that.
She certainly didn't want to be separated from everyone.
This was one of the few stubborn desires she had in her life.
Wen Tingxue understood her feelings, but—
"Xixi, can you let me say a few words?"
"...Mm." Qiao Xixi knew what she was going to say.
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded obediently, "Go ahead."
Wen Tingxue put down her cup, crouched in front of her, and gently persuaded.
"I also stayed up late like this before to prepare for the English speech.
"But my body wasn't as good as yours, and soon I started feeling lightheaded."
Qiao Xixi's eyes flickered slightly; she had experienced that herself.
Wen Tingxue pretended not to notice and continued.
"Then Yu Wenli stopped me from staying up late to prepare.
"Of course, an English speech is not as important as the Gaokao.
"But Xixi, no matter how good your health is, you can't withstand this kind of strain.
"There are still two months left; too many variables.
"To put it bluntly, what if your body collapses before you can even reach the Gaokao?"
"It won't happen." Qiao Xixi stubbornly insisted.
But she had already started unconsciously picking at her fingers.
Wen Tingxue placed her hand over Qiao Xixi's, "Xixi, trust me.
"I guarantee your grades will improve significantly before the Gaokao."
Qiao Xixi's eyes instantly lit up as she looked at Wen Tingxue.
"But," Wen Tingxue added, "you must ensure you get at least six hours of sleep every day."
Qiao Xixi bit her lip hesitantly, "Will I be able to get into A University?"
The score requirement for Imperial University was too high; she didn't have high hopes.
"Yes!" Wen Tingxue was very clear about her capabilities.
If she performed normally, A University was quite possible.
"Alright then." Qiao Xixi finally smiled.
A hint of life returned to her weary face.
"I'll go to bed early tonight."
She yawned and stretched, "Teach me well tomorrow."
Heaven knew she hadn't slept before midnight in a long time.
Wen Tingxue nodded, then watched her leave.
Not long after, Yu Wenli returned.
Before she could ask, he confessed.
"Mu Chen called asking if Qiao Xixi was here."
"Hmm?" Wen Tingxue lowered her pen in surprise, "He asked on his own?"
Yu Wenli nodded, "He said he was coming to deliver some herbal medicine."
"Herbal medicine?" Wen Tingxue remembered Qiao Xixi's irregular menstruation and hair loss.
But not many people knew about this.
"Did you tell him?"
Yu Wenli glanced at her, "Am I that idle?"
"Then how did he know?" The young woman was deeply puzzled. "Is this telepathy?"
Yu Wenli: "..."
"Don't you know about something called 'Moments'?"
"Ah..." Wen Tingxue sheepishly scratched her face. "I've been too busy lately; I haven't checked WeChat."
"Yes," someone said sarcastically, "my little girl is busy.
"So busy she has no time to check her phone, no time to look at me, her eyes only on practice problems."
Wen Tingxue was silent for a moment. "You sound a little jealous."
"I am jealous," he corrected righteously.
Wen Tingxue: "..."
She admitted she had been neglecting him lately.
But it wasn't to the point of being jealous of textbooks, was it?
Meeting the young woman's suspicious gaze, Yu Wenli chuckled.
"What? You're good at advising others, but when it comes to yourself, it's different?"
Wen Tingxue quietly lowered her head.
Alright, she had been staying up late too.
Although not as extreme as Xixi, she often slept past midnight.
"How did you figure it out?" She thought she had been hiding it well.
Yu Wenli lifted her chin, his sharp gaze sweeping over the dark circles under her eyes.
"With your panda-like eyes, do you think I'm blind?"
"..." The young woman pouted. "I don't want to either.
"It's just that all the art students competing with me are so good.
"I'm really worried about being eliminated..."
Therefore, she could only stabilize her academic performance as much as possible.
That way, she would have more options.
Yu Wenli sighed silently, "Then you must also take care of yourself."
He caressed her cheek. "You've lost weight."
"I can make it up after the Gaokao," the young woman said casually.
The next second, her nape was held.
Their eyes met, their breaths mingling.
He nuzzled her nose and said in a husky voice.
"After the Gaokao, there will be much to make up for."
Wen Tingxue's face instantly flushed. "You're so annoying."
"Oh?" he retorted, "Did brother say anything?"
Wen Tingxue: "...I don't want to talk to you anymore."
At the same time, at the entrance of the residential complex.
Qiao Xixi trudged along sleepily, wishing for a teleportation portal to take her straight home.
The security guard was familiar with her and chuckled. "So sleepy?"
"Exhausted," Qiao Xixi narrowed her eyes, "Just want to get a taxi quickly."
And then embrace her bed.
The security guard pointed, "Look, someone's here to pick you up. Why bother with a taxi?"
"Pick me up?"
Qiao Xixi sobered up a bit, following the direction indicated.
Indeed, there was a car.
Black, somewhat familiar.
She slowly walked over, about to tap on the window.
A handsome face appeared in her line of sight.
Qiao Xixi stared blankly for three seconds. "Han Yan?"
"Mm."
Han Yan got out of the car, holding a thermos.
"I heard you haven't been feeling well lately, so I specially brewed some herbal soup. Try it."
"No."
Qiao Xixi refused outright, stepping back a couple of paces.
Since he had revealed his feelings last time, she had been avoiding him.
Trying every way to avoid him.
Han Yan clenched his jaw. "Is it that serious? We can't even be friends?"
Qiao Xixi opened her mouth, but Han Yan continued, "I helped with your friend's matter. Aren't you even going to say thank you?"
"?"
Qiao Xixi looked up in confusion. After a few seconds, she understood.
"Thank you."
She knew he disdained lying.
If he said he did it, he did it.
If he said he didn't, he didn't.
He wouldn't lie to her.
"Since you're thanking me, drink the medicine."
He stepped forward and shoved the thermos into her hand, without further ado.
Qiao Xixi didn't want to be involved with him.
"No, no, I can't accept anything else from you."
"Take it! Or I'll give it to your brother!"
Han Yan threatened fiercely.
"You!" Qiao Xixi's anger surged, and suddenly her vision went black and dizzy.
When Mu Chen drove up, he happened to see her leaning into Han Yan.
Under the streetlights, they looked inseparable.
"..."
Mu Chen's expression turned cold as he withdrew his gaze. The next moment, he drove away.
Qiao Xixi held her head, thinking she really couldn't stay up late anymore.
Her body was already showing signs of strain.
"It's okay."
Once she recovered, she pushed Han Yan's hand away and stood up straight.
"I just need to go home and rest. No need to go to the hospital."
Her look of resistance was so obvious that Han Yan couldn't push his offer any further.
"Alright, I'll give you a ride home."
He opened the rear door. Qiao Xixi took two steps back again, her refusal evident.
Han Yan was amused. He, the young master of the Han family, had countless people eager to curry favor with him.
When had he ever opened a car door for someone else?!
And yet, he was rejected!
Hmph!
Han Yan sped away. Qiao Xixi pressed her temples with a headache.
After taking a taxi home, there was still a not-so-short walk.
The dark alleyways, which she had walked through countless times before without fear.
Today...
Qiao Xixi didn't know if it was because she was too sleep-deprived.
She felt like someone was following her.
But when she looked back, she saw no one.
Fear intensified in an instant.
Qiao Xixi quickened her pace towards home.
As she passed a corner, she clearly saw a shadow behind her.
Tall and thin, dressed all in black.
Its pace perfectly matched hers.
She walked faster, he walked faster.
She slowed down, he slowed down.
In that moment, she could almost hear her own heart pounding.
Worse still, her vision started to blur again.
The world spun, and the scenery distorted.
Qiao Xixi clutched the wall, forcing herself to walk home.
But halfway there, she remembered no one was home today.
Despair enveloped her like dark clouds.
Qiao Xixi fumbled for her phone, intending to call the police, but in her trembling state, she dialed Mu Chen's number.
At this moment, Mu Chen had just arrived at a kiln on the outskirts of the city.
As he was about to get out of the car, Qiao Xixi's call came in.
Mu Chen's gaze was cold as he stared at the caller ID.
After a few seconds, he answered, "Hello."
His tone was icy.
Qiao Xixi's mind went blank for a moment, then quickly filled with hope.
"Mu Chen!"
She heard herself cry out, almost in tears, "Someone is following me, I'm so scared, please come save me!"
Her voice was low, she didn't even dare to shout.
Mu Chen's heart tightened.
The words of concern that were on the tip of his tongue quickly cooled when he saw the porcelain thermos on the passenger seat.
"Mu Chen?" Qiao Xixi called him, her strength failing.
Her voice was filled with hope.
But he said faintly, "Oh, well, there's nothing I can do about that."
Then, the sound of the call being hung up echoed.
Qiao Xixi's vision went completely dark, with not a flicker of light.