Zhan Mengxi offered an enigmatic smile.

*That’s right. Look closely. This was drawn by this gorgeous lady herself.*

Yes, this "Green Bamboo Must Succeed" was none other than the stunning Zhan Mengxi.

Beyond doubt, she was a renowned soul artist in the industry—her skills exquisite, her craft masterful.

Initially, she’d just sought a hobby. Blessed with artistic talent, she began sketching.

At first, she took on illustration gigs, then gradually moved to inking comic panels and background detailing.

Most were shoujo romance comics, and her finances slowly stabilized.

This should’ve been wonderful—except she couldn’t stomach the stories.

Nearly all followed one rule: *stock trading*.

Authors obsessed over "stocking" characters. Worse, the rare childhood-friend arcs always ended with the heroine as the loser.

She’d been in a slump after parting ways with Yun Mingxin. How could she tolerate this?

She immediately contacted connections to launch her own comic.

With insane drawing speed and exceptional artistry, she debuted as "Green Bamboo Must Succeed"—

becoming a bestselling rookie mangaka.

Since her debut, countless urged her to tweak her plots or add more female leads.

She refused every single request, insisting solely on childhood-friend tropes. Even editors gave up—a true oddity in the manga world.

Yet this stubbornness forged her uniqueness and success.

Zhan Mengxi’s eyes, deep as still autumn water, gazed tenderly at Yun Mingxin.

*By now, I could totally support him myself.*

Yun Mingxin stiffened, holding the comic and its bonus convention ticket. A sudden chill swept over him in the breeze.

*Weird… This wind feels unnatural. Why do my teeth feel oddly sensitive?*

*Guess I’ll stick to soft foods tonight.*

“Xiao～Xin!”

“Hmm?”

“What if I support you instead?”

“Huh?”

“You silly girl! What nonsense is this? I’m a famous author—I don’t need *you* supporting me!”

Zhan Mengxi knew it was just a joke, yet disappointment still pricked her heart.

Really, she’d only been shyly promoting her comic. A tiny hope lingered beneath the tease—

but she’d never show it.

“But I gave you my comic,” she murmured in a small voice, suddenly resembling a neglected kitten. “Shouldn’t you give me a little gift back?”

Yun Mingxin sighed. He couldn’t push his childhood charge too far.

“Fine. What do you want? Nothing troublesome.”

Her face lit up. Her clear eyes sparkled as she chirped, “Then you have to spend at least two… no, *four* more hours with me today!”

“And buy me two giant milk teas as gifts!”

“Yes, yes, my obedient daughter!”

“Get lost!”

Zhan Mengxi wasn’t intimidated. He’d always treated her like a pet, brushing her off with lazy excuses.

Yun Mingxin tucked the comic away and instinctively grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the nearest milk tea shop.

To him, it felt natural. Back in middle school, crossing streets together, she’d swing like a monkey—he’d held her hand to keep her safe.

The habit had stuck.

Zhan Mengxi stared, stunned, at their clasped hands. Her ears burned crimson.

*Is this… a historic breakthrough?*

*This feels like something only couples do. We’re not kids anymore.*

She had her little schemes—like ordering plain milk tea.

Born in the East but blended with Western flair, milk tea felt timeless.

Plain meant pure, unadulterated—just like their childhood love, perfect and untainted.

That’s why she loved it. (Though it *was* delicious.)

The flustered Zhan Mengxi transformed completely.

She fumbled with straws, put on shirts inside-out while blushing, and couldn’t even twist a bottle cap open—

twisting it the wrong way in her flustered state.

Only when dusk fell, nearing parting time, did she snap out of it.

*Am I an idiot?*

*Why am I acting like this? I don’t want to be just a talker—I’m not some loser choking on stale dog food!*

*Dummy. Absolute dummy.*

She raged at herself inwardly, itching to punch her own chest.

(Not that it’d hurt. But the wronged little girl inside stayed silent—she’d demand repayment with interest once they were together.)

Her mental avatar screamed furiously.

Outwardly, she remained graceful.

“Hey~ Xiao Xin,” she said softly, “watch your step tonight. No phone-walking. Let’s go hiking next week?”

“Uh… maybe… possibly…”

“Hmm?”

Her sweet smile made her look adorably earnest.

Remembering her good behavior today, and his own lack of exercise lately, he relented.

“Fine. Set the time next week.”

Zhan Mengxi nodded, satisfied. She offered what she thought was a warm, elegant smile before walking away.

*Perfect. I showcased my charm and financial power. Ended with a tender smile too.*

*Textbook flawless date. Even I’m impressed.*

*Most importantly—we held hands. Not like before, when he’d drag me like a pet on a leash.*

She beamed inwardly.

If Yun Mingxin knew, he’d chuckle: *“Drag you like a pet? Don’t flatter yourself—I treated you like a daughter.”*

“Yes! Victory for Xi-chan!”

Zhan Mengxi’s silvery laughter rang out. Soon, they’d be picking names for their second child.

…

“Achoo!”

Yun Mingxin sneezed loudly on his walk home.

Rubbing his red nose, he muttered, “Why’d I sneeze? Someone thinking of me?”

Then he recalled Zhan Mengxi’s parting smile—and his hairs stood on end.

*That motherly grin… She was totally taking advantage of me. Damn it.*

*I’ll settle this later. Gotta hurry—my writing time’s almost gone.*

He quickened his pace.