Gu Chuan pulled out his phone and secretly snapped a photo.

Ji Gewei stood beneath the red curtain of the auditorium—graceful, elegant, radiant.

As student council president, she had no choice but to attend countless school ceremonies and meetings.

A truly busy person.

Yet every dawn before the sky brightened, she’d cross half the silent, desolate city through nameless, chilly streets to reach his rental apartment.

Without hesitation, twist open the lock.

And greet him with a soft “good morning.”

She hadn’t been sleeping.

Gu Chuan saw it. He said nothing.

Her flawless elegance on stage only deepened his awareness of the exhaustion hidden beneath—and made his heart ache even more.

Why waste herself on someone like him?

From afar, as if sensing his gaze, Ji Gewei suddenly lifted her striking, sharp eyes.

Below, the crowd blurred into a sea of silhouettes.

She couldn’t find him.

Yet that fleeting glance captivated countless young hearts.

The freshman orientation began.

First: the national anthem.

Gu Chuan stood, tucked his phone away, and sang with quiet solemnity—while others mumbled half-heartedly or stayed silent.

His earnest dignity made him stand out.

“At ease,” the teacher’s voice echoed. Rustling fabric filled the hall as everyone sat.

The mic passed to the host: Su Yanyue of the arts troupe—Gu Chuan’s third “girlfriend.” Blessed with curves, talent, and charm, she was the troupe’s star.

“Next, please welcome Principal Zhou.”

“Respected teachers, dear students… a new semester has arrived…”

No wonder opening ceremonies felt dull—not just the early hour, but the predictable speeches offering zero surprise.

Only when Ji Gewei spoke did whispers ripple through the crowd.

Rumors had spread since dawn: Gu Chuan and Ji Gewei arriving together.

Proof enough that phones were everywhere—news traveled fast from seniors to juniors, even to his own class.

“His next target… the president?”

“Damn, how could someone so rational fall for this player?”

“Hmph, with his looks? I’d do the same!”

“I heard they’re actually—"

“…”

No one cared about the speeches. Campus norm.

Ji Gewei finished her part smoothly.

Then came the freshman representative.

She brushed past Ji Gewei—waist-length black ponytail, tall and poised, radiating an indescribable aura.

Ji Gewei felt a flicker of vigilance. Like a hunter meeting another hunter.

Vigilance is the highest courtesy—and going all out to take her down, the ultimate respect.

Yet she smiled with narrowed eyes, warm and disarming.

As her light steps quickened, her body swayed gently toward the podium.

A hush fell—eerily synchronized.

All thanks to “civilized viewing.”

Freshman section buzzed like magma before eruption.

Boys in her class shared a silent vow: *Pick her for the school sports meet!*

Girls? Mostly too sour to speak.

Could proportions like that even be real?

Was she… padded?

Ji Gewei’s were impressive—but human. This girl? Unreal.

This unnamed freshman injected pure electricity into the dull hall.

Then—a deep bow. Another tremor as she rose.

The crowd ignited. At this point, even cliché speeches wouldn’t earn a single complaint from the boys.

Even Gu Chuan, head lowered after Ji Gewei left, lifted his gaze amid the buzzing whispers.

One look—and he, too, couldn’t look away.

Wait… this podium’s huge—no, the mic’s so white.

To others, it might seem the player was scouting again.

But as his eyes traveled up and settled on her warm, smiling face…

Gu Chuan’s heart skipped a beat.

A cliché line surfaced: *I feel like I’ve seen you before.*

If spoken aloud, they’d laugh—the infamous Lanfeng High “player” using such an outdated line.

But what if it wasn’t a line? Just instinct?

If her smile faded… eyes opened cold… ponytail undone…

His breath hitched. A shiver ran through him.

He remembered someone.

A woman who looked like her—but wasn’t.

Her speech began predictably.

“Respected leaders, dear classmates… I’m honored to stand here.”

“My name is Qiu Muzhe, Class 1, Grade 10. I look forward to studying with you all.”

“I excel academically—unlike *certain people*—and welcome study questions anytime.”

“Also…”

“The childish dream that got me into Lanfeng High?”

Qiu Muzhe smiled shyly—pure, innocent.

The hall shifted from dull to electric. Even the gatekeeper glanced up.

“That is… if possible… I want to get closer to him.”

Her hands trembled on the mic.

“Ohhhhhhhhh!”

“Ohhhh!”

Cheers exploded. These students had sniffed the hint earlier—now confirmed, they went wild.

Some risked confiscation to film and upload to a certain short-video app.

School leaders sat bolt upright, eyes wide.

But the girl didn’t care. Her smile deepened. Eyes slowly opened—galaxies glittered within, swirled… vanished.

Transforming into chaotic black spirals. A maelstrom of madness.

“Senior Gu Chuan…”

“This time… you can’t run away.”