It was already the fourth week of September. This year, the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day happened to fall back-to-back, merging into one long holiday stretching from this Sunday straight through to next Sunday.

For students, the upcoming October might just be the happiest stretch of the semester. After all, nearly all the most anticipated events were packed into this single month.

The holiday itself was just the start. Soon after returning came the school sports meet, followed by the school anniversary—which also doubled as club recruitment day. The entire afternoon would practically erupt into carnival-like excitement.

Of course, by late October, the mood would sour slightly. Something called midterm exams was lurking around the corner.

But for most students? Midterms felt like a distant worry.

In the days before break, the hottest topic buzzing through classrooms was where to travel during the holiday.

"Yijiu, do you have any plans to go out?" Her deskmate Ruan Ming was usually quiet, but with vacation so close, even she seemed unusually chatty.

"Me? Not really," Feng Yijiu replied after a pause. Her so-called "cheap dad" was tied up with work, and she wasn’t the backpacker type anyway. Honestly, lazing at home as a proud couch potato sounded pretty perfect.

"Oh… what a pity," Ruan Ming murmured with genuine disappointment before turning to chat with Li Hao’s deskmate.

Feng Yijiu listened to their soft chatter, a faint hint of helplessness flickering in her chest. Maybe she’d never quite fit into other girls’ social rhythms.

Just then, she noticed Li Hao beside her wasn’t studying—a rare sight. She shot him a questioning glance.

"Nothing," Li Hao mumbled, eyes darting away.

"Spill it." Feng Yijiu rolled her eyes at the little brat.

Li Hao hesitated. "How about… you come study with me at the library during break?"

Truth was, he was curious to see Feng Yijiu in full study mode. She acted careless daily, but only then could you glimpse her real academic focus. He genuinely saw her as his rival.

Feng Yijiu considered it. Zhou Wenyao’s study sessions were on pause for National Day anyway. And she’d already promised this silly guy she’d come for dinner Sunday evening. Might as well finish homework first.

"Fine," she said. "This Sunday. Wrap up homework, then head to your place."

Li Hao’s eyes lit up. "Deal."

"Mm." She nodded.

"Oh, wait—you owe me for this favor," Feng Yijiu added with a sly grin, glancing at him.

Li Hao sighed. "What do you want?"

"Hehe, depends on your performance~" She was just teasing him—she didn’t actually need anything.

"Well… I’ll cover your snacks for two weeks."

"Pfft. Get me that new skin launching next week instead. Seriously, does the school store’s sad selection of fruit candies think it can satisfy me?" She shot Li Hao a sidelong glance. *Not bad-looking… but his ideas? Even more amusing.*

Li Hao blinked, utterly confused. Snacks cost five to ten yuan daily—two weeks’ worth roughly matched the discounted skin price, right?

"Settle down, everyone. Class is starting."

The teacher’s entrance silenced the restless classroom. Despite holiday fever, lessons stayed strict. Teachers knew all too well how lethargic students got after break, so this final week’s workload was even heavier. Holiday homework? Strategically layered to keep everyone on edge.

Hearts were already on vacation, but when National Day assignments were mentioned, every ear perked up. No one wanted to be the unlucky example.

After all, heavy homework wasn’t scary—it was watching others finish and head out to play while yours sat half-done. And pre-specialization? Nine core subjects loomed.

"Ion reactions…"

The chemistry teacher wrote on the board. Li Hao, distracted, stared at the back of Feng Yijiu’s head. Words drifted in one ear and out the other, though the lecture was clear and lively. His mind stayed fixed on the gardenia-scented girl.

He tore a slip from his scratch pad and scribbled:

*"Hey bro, you should ask her out—"*

Hesitation struck. He crumpled the note—unfinished—and tossed it into the trash.

Just boyish awkwardness, maybe. He didn’t want his best friend tangled in his own crush. Whose move would it even be then?

Another slip. Another crumple. Another tragic end.

Unbeknownst to Feng Yijiu, diligently taking notes, the boy behind her had spent the entire class tearing up draft after draft of one unsent note.

...

"President Feng, here’s next week’s itinerary."

The assistant handed Feng Mingdong the sheet. His brow furrowed slightly. "Pengcheng?"

"Yes… this truly can’t be postponed," the assistant said carefully. Feng Mingdong hadn’t traveled since late August.

As company head, he held great autonomy—but certain negotiations and formal events demanded his presence.

He sighed. Sometimes, you couldn’t follow your heart. He represented not just himself, but everyone under his care.

"Alright. Proceed as planned." Feng Mingdong closed his eyes.