The atmosphere at the university was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the sharp electricity of scandal. Conversations buzzed through the corridors like swarms of restless bees, students huddled together in small groups with glowing phone screens in their hands. Every few seconds another whisper rose, another rumor passed along the chain. The Shen family's stock had collapsed overnight, their failed attempt to sabotage the Building Arc launch turning into a spectacular public disaster.
"I heard the Shen Rui hasn't shown her face Since there family trouble," one student murmured behind a pillar.
"Serves her right," another replied smugly. "
As Meilin walked down the corridor, the murmurs trailed behind her like ripples in still water. Yet none of it touched her. Her posture remained straight, her expression calm and unreadable, like the smooth surface of a mountain lake hiding unfathomable depths beneath. She stepped into the lecture hall quietly and took her usual seat beside Mo Anan.
The moment she sat down, Anan spun toward her like a spring released.
"Meilin!" she gasped dramatically, leaning across the desk with wide eyes. "Where were you yesterday? I called you five times! Your phone was dead. I thought you'd gone into hiding after the chaos!"
Meilin calmly opened her notebook.
"I had some urgent work for Lin Capital to finalize," she said smoothly.
"Work?" Anan clutched her cheeks as if personally wounded. "Meilin, you missed the event of the century!"
She lowered her voice but could barely contain her excitement.
"The entire campus is obsessed with it. Did you see Tang Yuze? gods… he was breathtaking! When the server spike hit and everyone started panicking, he didn't even blink. He just took control of the stream like a king. The comment section exploded! He's trending number one on every platform right now!"
A quiet warmth spread through Meilin's chest.
She had watched the stream on the way to dock. Seeing her brother command the world stage while knowing the Myth Zihan had protected together was safe had made every moment of exhaustion worthwhile.
"He did well," she said softly.
Anan nodded vigorously.
"Well? That was legendary!"
After the long morning of lectures, the two girls walked across the glass skybridge toward the campus canteen. Sunlight streamed through the high panels above them, casting geometric shadows across the floor.
As they walked, Meilin reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope.
It was smaller than the one she had given Zihan, but no less elegant.
She handed it to Anan.
"This is for you."
Anan blinked in confusion before looking down.
The moment she saw the gold-embossed crest of the Tang family, she froze completely.
Her mouth opened.
Closed.
Then opened again.
"The… the Tang Mansion Banquet?" she whispered.
Her voice rose into a near squeak.
"The Sunday Succession Gala?!"
She stared at Meilin like she had just handed her the keys to heaven.
"Meilin… this is the most exclusive invitation in the city. Are you serious?"
Meilin nodded lightly.
"I want my friend there."
Then she added with a faint trace of humor,
"Besides, I might need someone to keep the vipers away from me while I handle the business side."
Anan clutched the invitation to her chest like a sacred relic.
"I'm going!" she declared immediately. "I'll wear my best dress. I'll be your human shield!"
Then her eyes suddenly sparkled with a new thought.
"Wait… if the banquet is Sunday… we have to go to Starlight Mall after lunch."
She grabbed Meilin's arm dramatically.
"It's the biggest mall in the city and they just launched the new couture season. We are shopping. No excuses!"
Meilin sighed faintly.
But a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Fine," she said.
"Starlight Mall it is."
A few steps behind them, partially hidden behind a marble pillar, Zhao Yiming stood with a dark expression.
He had heard everything.
The invitation.
The banquet.
The success of the launch.
Each word tightened the knot of irritation in his chest.
The Tang Mansion Gala… he thought bitterly.
His family had not yet received a formal invitation. The Zhao family was still waiting for General Tang's approval.
Yet Meilin had handed one casually to a friend.
His jaw tightened.
One way or another…
He would be there.
Across the city, on the other side of the bustling commercial district, Xu Feng and Su Min were preparing to celebrate the success of the stream.
Xu Feng leaned against a railing outside the metro entrance while typing quickly on his phone.
Where are you staying? he sent.
A moment later, Zihan's reply appeared.
Not feeling well today. We'll meet tomorrow.
Xu Feng frowned slightly but shrugged.
"Guess the genius is recovering from all the sleepless nights," he muttered.
Su Min peeked over his shoulder.
"He's sick?" she asked quietly.
"Apparently."
She nodded, but a small line appeared between her brows.
Where is he staying…? she wondered silently.
Zihan had always been vague about his living situation.
For someone who built a billion-level gaming engine, his life outside work remained strangely hidden.
But she pushed the thought away.
Today was a celebration.
Soon the towering structure of Starlight Mall rose before them, its glass exterior reflecting the bright afternoon sky.
Inside, the mall buzzed with music, lights, and crowds.
They rode the escalator up to the top floor food court, where dozens of restaurants lined the circular balcony overlooking the lower levels.
The aroma of sizzling noodles, fried dumplings, and sweet pastries filled the air.
Su Min's eyes lit up immediately.
"As a reward for surviving midterms," Xu Feng declared grandly, "order whatever you want."
That was all the encouragement she needed.
Soon their table filled with dishes—steaming bowls of noodle soup, fried rice, dumplings, crispy chicken, and even a tray of fast-food fries.
Su Min happily attacked the food like an excited high schooler.
Despite everything, she was still young enough to enjoy small victories like this.
Yet while she ate, her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To Zihan.
She had watched the stream the previous night, her heart pounding with pride.
She had even typed a congratulatory message.
But she never sent it.
I'll tell him in person, she had decided.
It'll be better that way.
After lunch, they separated to shop.
Xu Feng headed toward the men's section to find something suitable for the upcoming banquet.
Su Min wandered into the accessories section, browsing belts, scarves, and ties.
That was when she spotted it.
A deep sapphire-blue tie displayed on a velvet stand.
Elegant.
Subtle.
Perfect.
It would look good on Zihan, she thought immediately.
She reached for it.
At the same moment, another hand lifted the tie from the rack.
Su Min blinked.
And then she looked up.
Standing across from her was Meilin.
Beside her stood Mo Anan, holding several shopping bags already.
For a brief second, Su Min's heart tightened.
She had always felt a strange tension whenever she saw Meilin near Zihan.
But the feeling vanished instantly from her face.
Her expression brightened with a cheerful smile.
"Sister Meilin!" she called warmly.
Meilin turned.
Her calm eyes immediately recognized the girl.
"Su Min."
Meanwhile, Anan raised an eyebrow.
"Actually," Anan said with playful smugness, "we selected that tie first."
Su Min froze awkwardly.
Before the situation could grow uncomfortable, Meilin simply placed the tie back onto the counter.
"It's alright," she said calmly.
"We can choose another."
She glanced briefly at Su Min, her expression polite and composed.
"Let her take it."
Su Min felt a strange mix of relief and embarrassment.
"Thank you…"
Anan tugged Meilin's sleeve.
"Come on," she whispered. "We still need something that matches your gown."
Meilin nodded.
The two girls walked toward another section of the boutique.
Behind them, Su Min held the tie tightly in her hands.
Her smile remained gentle.
But deep inside, a quiet ripple of jealousy stirred in her chest.