Nothing beat waking up naturally in the morning… Mo Xuan groggily cracked open his eyes, stretched hard, and rolled over.

He stared at the dusty gray ceiling, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. This looked strangely familiar!

One second… two seconds… Suddenly, he shot straight up, face pale with panic.

Scrambling toward the nightstand, he snatched the alarm clock—then nearly hurled it away.

Crap, crap, crap— I’m gonna be late!

He tumbled out of bed, dashed into the living room, grabbed yesterday’s crumpled uniform without looking, yanked it on, and snatched his backpack.

Thankfully, he’d packed it last night—saving precious seconds.

No time for breakfast. He burst out the door like a whirlwind, sprinting toward school.

Walking? Impossible. Bus? Too slow. Only a taxi could save him now.

But not a single cab was in sight this morning. Mo Xuan stared at the eerily empty street, frustration bubbling up—angry, yet helpless.

It was only the second day of school! To be late *again*? Unacceptable.

His habits were still stuck in his past life. After marrying Yun Jiumo, he’d wake naturally every day. Sometimes she’d rise quietly while he slept deeply, tiptoeing out without even a sound when closing the door. He’d often lounge until late morning, then drift into another ordinary day.

Sure, he used to set alarms in high school—but summer had just ended. He simply forgot. And now? Total embarrassment.

He stood rubbing his hands, dappled sunlight filtering through swaying leaves above.

*Might as well take the punishment today.*

Head drooping, shoulders slumped, he trudged forward.

A silent black Porsche glided past and halted just behind his left shoulder.

Mo Xuan blinked. An acquaintance?

The rear window slid down. Yun Jiumo sat poised on the plush leather seat, legs neatly together, hands resting gently on her lap. Her sleek hair gleamed like obsidian; her porcelain skin looked impossibly soft. Dressed in Qingyuan High’s uniform, she offered a gentle smile.

“Morning reading’s about to start—and you’re strolling so leisurely?” she teased lightly.

Mo Xuan froze. Yun Jiumo not at school yet? And *here*? He was certain her route didn’t pass this street.

Seeing him stunned, she urged, “Hurry in. We’re running out of time.”

“O-oh… thanks.”

Right now, keeping distance didn’t matter. Facing detention for lateness felt far worse than sharing space with Yun Jiumo—at least she showed no threat.

He opened the door. She shifted slightly aside, making room.

The young female driver kept eyes fixed ahead, silent the whole time.

The moment the door clicked shut, she pressed the accelerator. The car shot forward like a released arrow.

Silence filled the cabin. Both sat straight, gaze forward.

Chill air from the AC washed over Mo Xuan. A faint floral scent lingered—unidentifiable, but soothing.

Yun Jiumo sat perfectly upright, expression serene, eyes calm. Her uniform was fastened neatly to the top, framing her youthful figure with quiet grace.

After a few minutes, Mo Xuan stole glances. Freed from panic, strange thoughts swirled. He couldn’t hold back.

“Yun Jiumo?”

“Hmm?”

“Why so late today?”

She turned, winked playfully, voice melodic: “I usually leave around this time. But there was a traffic accident on my usual route—we detoured and happened to spot you.”

*A traffic accident?* He didn’t know her route, couldn’t verify. Still… she *was* often late, sometimes slipping in right as the bell rang. Probably lived far away.

“And you?” she asked. “Why so late?”

Mo Xuan scratched his neck with an awkward laugh. “Forgot to set the alarm. Summer brain… woke up naturally. Ended up like this.”

“How careless,” she murmured, shaking her head. Then, softly: “So… no breakfast?”

He nodded with a wry smile.

Like magic, she produced a full paper bag. “I have extras. If you don’t mind, go ahead.”

Mo Xuan peeked inside—expression shifting. Tuna sandwich, chicken wrap, hand-ground coffee, a delicate pastry. All pristine. Had she not eaten?

Noticing his doubt, she smiled. “I ate at home. I prep one daily for late mornings. If you dislike it, just toss it.”

Up front, the driver stole a glance via rearview mirror. *That was my breakfast…*

Watching Yun Jiumo’s gentle, smiling face, cold sweat prickled Mo Xuan’s back. In moments like this, he felt how little he truly knew her—even her words felt unreadable.

After marriage, she never rushed mornings. Always ate at home first. No wonder he didn’t know.

*Perfect timing*: passing by, offering a ride, handing breakfast… Anyone else would feel lucky beyond belief.

But Mo Xuan sensed a faint whiff of conspiracy.

*What if… she arranged all this? Even the alarm?*

No. Impossible. He forgot to set it—his fault alone.

*Could she have snuck into my room at night? Ridiculous!*

Still… he accepted the bag with quiet trepidation. *If I refuse, she might suspect. And if she figures out I’m a reincarnator…*

…

Near the school gate, Mo Xuan finished eating. They hurried inside at a brisk pace.

They’d already heard the morning bell. Rushing further was pointless—criticism was certain; punishment, likely. Qingyuan High demanded discipline.

Mo Xuan trudged dejectedly. Yun Jiumo walked composed.

At the classroom door, Mo Xuan peeked in—and froze.

*Damn it.* The math teacher—infamously strict with others—glared daggers at him.

“Teacher, I can explain! There’s a reason I’m late!”

“A reason?” The teacher adjusted his glasses with a sneer. “Forgot the alarm? Or it didn’t ring? I *hate* that excuse.”

Mo Xuan choked on words.

“Look at you! Senior year, and still so undisciplined? Ten minutes late for reading? Unacceptable! Who else in this class—”

Yun Jiumo stepped calmly beside him, face neutral.

Silence crashed down. The teacher stammered, “Y-Yun Jiumo… you’re here too?”

Her apology followed, poised and sincere: “Sorry, teacher. A traffic accident blocked our route. We detoured and lost time. We’ll be more careful.”

Her soft words struck the class like thunder.

*They entered together… Does that mean they came to school together?*

Eyes lit with gossip-fire. Yang Jie gaped. *Did he quietly win over the unattainable beauty?*

Mo Xuan’s mind raced—her words hid layers. How *exactly* did she “happen” to find him?

Thanks to her grace and stellar record, the teacher softened. “Stand outside for ten minutes. Lesson learned.”

In the empty hallway, muffled reading echoed from classrooms.

Mo Xuan slumped against the wall. Yun Jiumo stood perfectly straight.

She glanced sideways. His listless kicks, limp hand swings—tiny rebellions radiating quiet charm. *Adorable.*

Her first detention. And with *him*.

Worth remembering.

A tiny flutter of joy warmed her chest.

Then—hurried footsteps on the stairs.

*Someone else late? Bold.*

A girl with a high ponytail rushed past, spotted Mo Xuan, eyes widened. She waved brightly, flashed a smile, and vanished around the corner.

Yun Jiumo watched, voice even: “Someone you know?”

“Yeah. Class Six. Later than me? She’s something.”

A faint smile played on his lips.

Yun Jiumo looked down at the floor.

Her good mood had vanished.