Chapter Fifteen: The Evening Gala

Jiang Hu held Mo Niannian’s hand, leading her around the campus as he introduced the sights to her. Mo Niannian tugged her hand, trying to pull it back. At once, Jiang Hu put on a crestfallen, hurt expression. “Sister, is it not okay?” Mo Niannian felt a bit awkward. “I’m just too hot.” She recalled that holding hands was a rather intimate gesture. “It’s just that I missed you so much—I couldn’t help myself,” Jiang Hu said, tightening his grip on her hand once again.

Those words, “couldn’t help myself,” carried a lingering, tender emotion as he spoke them. He lowered his head, his tone heavy with disappointment. “If you mind...” He slowly, reluctantly released her hand, his mood visibly sinking, head bowed like a dejected, unhappy cat.

Mo Niannian coughed lightly, stubbornly insisting, “I really am just too warm. How about this, then?” She slipped her arm through Jiang Hu’s. Ah, her own child clearly lacked affection—walking alone through campus must have been lonely, which was surely why he couldn’t help but want to be close to her. She really was far too understanding.

Jiang Hu glanced at her arm entwined with his, and his mood instantly brightened. His eyes curved in a smile, and he nodded enthusiastically. “Mm!” The locks of hair on his forehead bobbed along with his movements, and it seemed as though his eyes were filled with stars.

Such an obedient child—Mo Niannian couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle his hair, making Jiang Hu’s smile even brighter. Behind them, someone who had “accidentally” passed by for the third time snapped a photo and uploaded it to the school forum. A large crowd promptly declared themselves consumed with envy.

No one could have imagined Jiang Hu would act this way with someone he liked; it was exactly the kind of fairytale romance everyone dreamed of. Some even went so far as to imagine hundreds of thousands of words chronicling Jiang Hu and his girlfriend’s daily love life. It was like a scene straight out of a romance drama.

After seeing it, many sighed, “There are lemons on the lemon tree, but under the tree there’s only me.” Unbeknownst to Mo Niannian, the legendary romance between her and Jiang Hu had spread all over Z University. From seventy-year-old retired coaches to cafeteria ladies and janitorial staff, everyone had heard the story of their love. Whether Jiang Hu himself had a hand in spreading the tale, only he would know.

The longer Mo Niannian strolled, the more peculiar she felt. Strange glances kept landing on them, though she couldn’t quite describe what about them was so odd. Whenever she looked over, those people would cover their mouths in excitement, barely containing themselves.

“Are all the students at your school this odd?” Mo Niannian couldn’t help but ask.

Jiang Hu replied sweetly, “Maybe it’s just that they’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as you, sister.”

Who doesn’t like a compliment? Mo Niannian felt pleased and lifted her chin. “Of course.”

Jiang Hu’s eyes curved with a smile, concealing a passion he couldn’t reveal. “Mm, you’re the most beautiful of all.”

Under such a gaze, even Mo Niannian felt a rare twinge of embarrassment. She coughed. “Well, isn’t your party about to start? Let’s get going.”

“Okay.”

Jiang Hu led Mo Niannian to the venue. It was the school’s grandest annual celebration, welcoming the new students. Many couples were born at this very ball, earning it the nickname “The Love-Defining Ball.” Since it was a masquerade, everyone had to wear a mask upon entry, adding a sense of fun to the event.

Mo Niannian and Jiang Hu each took a mask and stepped inside. It was her first time at such a ball, so she looked about with curiosity. She and Jiang Hu quickly became the focus of attention. Even with masks, the two stood out in the crowd, and countless people wondered what faces hid beneath their disguises.

Jiang Hu’s gaze grew steadily darker, shadowed and brooding as he glared at the onlookers. Their eyes roamed greedily over his treasure, bold and undisguised, and a thousand sinister thoughts flashed through his mind. He wanted to eliminate everyone coveting what was his. His sister belonged to him alone—no one else could take her away!

He regretted it; he shouldn’t have let Mo Niannian come here. He should have hidden her away, where only he could see her.

[Warning, warning! Male lead’s malice value is spiking! Host, please handle this immediately, warning!!] The system broadcast three urgent notices in a row.

Mo Niannian was momentarily stunned. She glanced up at Jiang Hu, a hint of confusion in her eyes. What was wrong with this child? She followed his gaze—just a crowd of ordinary people. She couldn’t quite fathom how Jiang Hu’s malice had surged so suddenly.

Tentatively, she asked, “Did they bully you? Do you want me to go over and teach them a lesson?”

As she spoke, she shot those people a fierce glare.

Jiang Hu for a moment thought all his dark thoughts had been exposed. He calmed himself, feigning embarrassment. “It’s all right, sister, I can handle it.”

With these words, he tacitly affirmed Mo Niannian’s guess.

“All right then. If you can’t handle it, just call me. I promise I’ll stand up for you.” With that, she gave them another sharp look, her eyes full of displeasure.

Jiang Hu smiled, his eyes curving. “I know. I knew you were always the best to me.”

So, always be this good to him. Never leave his side, never go away, always stay with him, my dearest sister.

Jiang Hu buried his thoughts even deeper so Mo Niannian wouldn’t discover anything amiss.

Mo Niannian then heard the system’s notification that the malice value had dropped. She sighed in relief, marveling at how easy it was to placate her little one—he was soothed with such little effort. At last, she could relax and enjoy the masquerade.

She wandered through the crowd, curiosity piqued as she observed those around her. The divine realm had its own gatherings, but they were dull affairs—a host of immortals boasting and exchanging compliments. She’d grown impatient with them and hadn’t attended in ages.

Of course, her interest lasted only a moment before she grew bored again. She found a quiet corner to sit and enjoy some desserts. The taste was rather good, and she ate with relish.

Jiang Hu had been by her side all along, but the student council president called him away on urgent business. Always striving to maintain his model-student image in front of Mo Niannian, he couldn’t refuse and had to leave for a while.

In that brief time, Mo Niannian caught someone’s attention. She was simply too beautiful, her bearing outstanding—she drew all eyes. While Jiang Hu was with her, people kept their distance, but the moment he left, someone approached.

“My lovely lady, may I have the honor of making your acquaintance?” the young man asked, bowing with what he thought was gentlemanly grace as he extended his hand.

Annoyed at being interrupted while eating, Mo Niannian looked up, her brow furrowing. “And who are you?”