SW - 60

Within a day, the names of Lu Chi and Tang Yin had spread across the internet.

After three provincial mock exams, many people already remembered them vividly since they consistently ranked at the top without fail.

Now, with their college entrance exam results also placing them at the forefront—especially with such outstanding scores—their fame skyrocketed.

Every year during the period when exam results are released, there’s always fervent online discussion about top scorers. Each province’s top scorer would individually make it to trending topics. Although this year’s provincial top scorer (due to independent provincial exam systems) might not have national comparability, their impressive scores were undeniable achievements.

Initially, media outlets only reported on their achievements through text, without images from the school. However, after the TV interview aired, screenshots rapidly replaced those textual reports. Compared to plain text, people preferred seeing visuals—getting a direct look at this year’s top science scorer.

Some well-known influencers who closely followed college entrance exam news quickly shared this information, especially since Lu Chi’s province was quite renowned.

Perhaps to grab attention, Tang Yin, seated beside Lu Chi during the interview, was screenshot alongside him. The caption highlighted her as a “beautiful academic genius.”

“This year’s top scorer is so good-looking—are they sure he didn’t study acting?”

“The girl next to him has such a sunny smile—they look so perfect together! Which school did they come from?”

“With these scores, I’d be happy if they lent me just a hundred points for a carefree summer!”

Many students from Jiashui Private School scrolled through trending news, feeling incredibly proud upon seeing their schoolmates. They eagerly commented below the posts:

“That’s my senior and junior! Super impressive!”

“They’re a couple! We got fed dog food daily in high school!”

“In high school, their love story went viral—public confession in front of the whole school was thrilling. Their relationship is rock-solid!”

These comments gained traction, eventually becoming top-rated ones. Search volumes surged along with the topic, soon surpassing numerous news articles.

However, the buzz around college entrance exam information typically lasts only a day or two before fading away, drawing little lasting attention.

Tang Yin wasn’t particularly interested in online news and paid minimal attention to it.

A few days later, it was finally time to officially submit their university applications online.

She and Lu Chi weren’t seated together. Tang Yin ultimately prioritized the preliminary application she had filled out earlier, adding another capital city school as her final two choices.

After completing her submission, she glanced toward the row ahead where Lu Chi sat, his back facing her, upright and straight.

She stared for a few seconds before stepping outside to wait for Lu Chi. Looking up, she asked, “What did you end up filling out?”

Lu Chi hesitated before replying, “The same as before.”

Initially planning to choose only one, he ended up selecting two additional schools in the capital.

Hearing this, Tang Yin’s face lit up with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling uniquely with charm and brilliance, captivating and impossible to ignore.

Lu Chi was momentarily mesmerized, awkwardly averting his gaze.

Outside the classroom, homeroom teacher Zhou Cheng watched them emerge, smiling but refraining from asking questions.

As their homeroom teacher, he naturally had access to both students’ preliminary application information. The schools matched his expectations and aligned perfectly with their scores—ideal choices all around.

Time flew by. Not long ago, he was worried about their exams.

Zhou Cheng gazed at the two figures walking side by side downstairs, unable to help but marvel at how beautiful youth could be.

Initially, the entire office of teachers watched with anticipation, thinking their focus elsewhere would surely impact their grades, potentially causing a significant drop.

But now, with their stellar results, it was a slap in the face. Seeing them congratulate him made Zhou Cheng feel as though these scores were his own achievement.

They hadn’t disappointed him.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear at the school gate, he silently wished them a bright future ahead.

By early July, admission information could be checked online.

Others would have to wait until late July, but theirs came out early. Notification letters would also arrive ahead of time.

During this period, Tang Yin remained in a state of excitement, sometimes worried that Lu Chi hadn’t chosen the same schools and other times fearing she hadn’t been accepted.

Even her dreams revolved around it.

Last night, she dreamt of slipping through all three schools she applied to and ending up back in school for a repeat year.

She woke up drenched in cold sweat.

With a tense heart, Tang Yin checked her admission status online. Upon seeing the words “Admitted,” she breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Her major was still the same.

Initially opting for调剂 (adjustment), she feared too many applicants might lead to slippage, but now everything seemed fine.

She bounced on her bed several times, nearly screaming with joy.

Jiang Qiuhuan pushed open the door, “What’s gotten into you? If the bed breaks, no one’s buying you a new one—you’ll sleep on the floor. That bed’s old.”

“Blah blah.” Tang Yin laughed, “I’ve been admitted to S University!”

“Really?” Jiang Qiuhuan instantly forgot her previous concerns, “Which major? English?”

“Yes, English.”

Jiang Qiuhuan sat down in the room, “That’s wonderful! Oh, I can’t hold it in—I need to tell your dad.”

She hurriedly left the bedroom. Many relatives cared deeply about Tang Yin, so she needed to share the news now rather than later, lest they think her unkind.

There was also a relative from her husband’s family. Jiang Qiuhuan sneered.

Last year, her daughter scored over 680 points, gaining admission to a prestigious normal university in the capital, flaunting it excessively.

Privately, Jiang Qiuhuan learned that this person once told others that Tang Yin’s current good scores wouldn’t matter—she might plummet during the college entrance exam.

When the results came out, she forgot to mention it. Now, with the admission letters arriving, Tang Yin surpassed her by a wide margin. Let’s see her boast now.

Tang Yin closed the door, tucking her hair behind her ear.

At that moment, her phone screen on the bedside table suddenly lit up. She immediately unlocked it.

LuLuLu: Image

Tang Yin took a deep breath and opened it, almost trembling. If it weren’t the same school, she’d rush to Lu Chi’s house, beat him up first, then talk.

Zooming in, it was his admission information.

S University, Clinical Medicine.

Upon confirming the admission information, Tang Yin finally relaxed.

Nothing felt better than everything falling into place.

The day after the results were announced, the weather was nice. She decided to secretly visit Lu Chi’s house—she had been there once before.

Jiang Qiuhuan was ecstatic on the phone: “No, this score is normal—it’s expected. The school she chose, S University, is great. Thank you; your daughter is excellent too.”

After hanging up, she received another call.

While Tang Yin changed her shoes, she heard Jiang Qiuhuan repeatedly mention her scores. Her tone suggested normalcy, but underlying pride was evident.

Tang Yin silently smiled, finding her happiness infectious.

Taking a cab to Lu Chi’s neighborhood, she walked the rest of the way. Fortunately, his house wasn’t far, reachable within minutes.

Looking at a house similar to hers, Tang Yin felt an eerie emptiness, as if devoid of life.

She sent Lu Chi a text: “I’m downstairs.”

Perhaps startled by the message, within seconds she heard movement. Looking up, she saw a window on the second floor being pushed open, revealing Lu Chi’s upper body.

It reminded her of a prince rescuing a trapped princess.

Amused by her own thought, Tang Yin waved at him silently, careful not to alert any adults inside.

Soon, Lu Chi emerged from the main entrance, proper as ever.

He hesitated, “Why… why are you here?”

Tang Yin smiled, “Of course, I missed you.”

Lu Chi’s ears turned suspiciously red. Perhaps due to sleeping at home, his hair was slightly messy, making him appear more relaxed and charming.

Perhaps because all pretenses were dropped, their ambiguous phase reached its peak, making the atmosphere between them even more distinct.

Tang Yin patted him, “Go change clothes quickly. We’ll go out and play.”

Lu Chi nodded slowly, “Do you want to come in?”

This time, Tang Yin hesitated, “Is your mom not home?”

Lu Chi shook his head, “No.”

Since the divorce, his mother had thrown herself into work, focusing on her job performance and spending free time shopping.

The previous odd behaviors never resurfaced.

Seeing this change, Lu Chi was genuinely happy.

Finally free from the past, she no longer fixated on one thing, embracing a new life and persona.

“Alright, I’ll take a look around,” Tang Yin nudged him inside, occasionally observing her surroundings.

Like her impression from outside, the living room contained very few items, appearing stark and empty despite the spaciousness.

Following him upstairs, Tang Yin entered his room.

Lu Chi’s room was entirely different from hers.

Her room was decorated entirely to her taste—what she liked stayed, what she disliked disappeared. It clashed with the rest of her home’s decor.

At least, every time her mom saw the large SpongeBob on the ceiling, she rolled her eyes.

This room mirrored Lu Chi—orderly, with items neatly arranged. One glance at the bookshelf revealed exactly where each book was placed.

Everything was meticulously organized.

Just like his clothing—every button fastened to the last.

A photo sat on the desk.

Tang Yin’s fingertip landed on it. With First High School as the backdrop, she asked the solemn-looking figure, “When was this taken?”

Lu Chi’s gaze flickered slightly, softly replying, “The start of freshman year.”

How innocent he looked back then—so different from now, Tang Yin thought.

While she explored further, Lu Chi emerged from the bathroom, changed, folding his clothes neatly on the bed.

Turning behind him, Tang Yin stared.

Just as he turned around by the bed, she hooked her foot, catching him off guard. He fell directly onto the bed.

Tang Yin chuckled softly, pressing down before he could rise.

Their combined weight caused the bed to sink slightly.

Lu Chi hadn’t anticipated this development, especially with Tang Yin’s entire body pressed against him. The skin-on-skin contact left him parched.

It was somewhat deadly, reminiscent of that night’s dream.

Lying atop him, Tang Yin easily felt his accelerated heartbeat through his thin shirt, clear and unmistakable.

So pure and adorable.

She rested her cheek against his chest, saying, “Your heart is racing.”

Her voice vibrated against him, leaving Lu Chi breathless. Nervously, he stuttered, “You… get up.”

“No.” Tang Yin shook her head.

Tracing his lips with her finger, she whispered, “I’m going to kiss you.”

Before she finished, the world spun. When she regained her senses, she found herself lying where Lu Chi had been moments ago.

Unfazed, Tang Yin simply closed her eyes and smiled.

Arching an eyebrow provocatively, she teased, “If you dare, come kiss me.”