Sang Ru consciously allowed Zhou Tingzhao to hold her hand as they returned along their original path. When they reached the intersection where they had separated from the others, they saw Lan Ting and the rest coming toward them from the opposite direction, pushing their bicycles.

The intimate gesture perhaps seemed inappropriate at this moment. Sang Ru discreetly released his hand and stepped forward, asking: “You got it back?”

“Yes, thanks to Yang Fan, who caught up with him.”

Zeng Anyu’s face was still flushed, and with excitement she said: “Yang Fan runs so fast! The thief got so scared when he was caught up to that he quickly abandoned the bike and ran away!”

Although Yang Fan was athletic, he had a somewhat shy and introverted personality. He immediately said modestly: “Not really…”

Seeing everyone was here, Sang Ru asked: “Where’s Chenfei?”

“She’s waiting for us at the barbecue restaurant.”

“Then let’s go back. She must be getting anxious.”

Seeing they had returned empty-handed, Lan Ting asked while walking: “You couldn’t get Zhou Tingzhao’s bike back? What are you planning to do?”

Zhou Tingzhao: “Report it to the police.”

The group had rarely experienced such a bike-snatching incident. They had left in a hurry, but on the way back, they could finally slow down. After reuniting, the others were eager to go report the theft to the police, but Zhou Tingzhao, the actual victim, seemed rather unconcerned, insisting that everyone sit down and finish their meal before leaving.

Sang Ru had originally planned for just the two of them to go, but everyone wanted to come along, so all six of them crowded into the police station in a grand procession.

A young-looking police officer led them in to file a report. Suddenly, several neatly dressed officers approached from the opposite direction. The woman leading them was quite beautiful, and Sang Ru couldn’t help but look at her a few extra times.

The young officer who was guiding them greeted the woman in charge: “Captain Qin, going on a mission?”

“Mm.”

Just one simple syllable, sounding both cool and detached. Sang Ru looked back again and whispered, “So cool!”

Zhou Tingzhao paused, glanced back, only seeing a group of men, then silently took her hand and continued walking.

Her hand was unexpectedly grabbed, and Sang Ru turned her head to see Zhou Tingzhao’s indifferent profile. She suddenly understood something. Smiling, she returned his grip, allowing Zhou Tingzhao to lead her forward.

The process of filing the report was quicker than they had expected. Bicycle theft was a common occurrence, an everyday matter for the police officers.

“Go home and wait for news. Don’t worry,” said the officer who escorted them out. “But I guess you all weren’t too concerned anyway, taking the time to finish your barbecue before coming to report it. Nice attitude.”

Everyone’s faces grew hot, feeling both embarrassed and amused.

Sang Ru also laughed, glancing at the actual victim. The one who had insisted they finish their barbecue before leaving was him, but now that they were being teased, he appeared quite composed.

Sang Ru said with a sincere tone: “Please try to recover it quickly. The kid is poor and can’t afford a new one.”

The police officer: “Will do.”

Zhou Tingzhao:?

The promised “notification” never came even after a long wait, but the competition results were revealed quickly.

When the Chinese language teacher announced the news in class, she was radiant: “Let’s congratulate Zhou Tingzhao for winning the first prize in this district’s essay competition!”

The classroom immediately erupted in applause. Sang Ru clapped and raised an eyebrow at him, saying softly: “You’re amazing!”

How could she be happier than if she had won herself? Zhou Tingzhao’s lips curved upward.

Lately, he often felt that she treated him like a child who needed coaxing. Perhaps because the soul that had arrived later was facing him, she had developed some so-called adult qualities, such as the occasional praise or subtle reassurance.

Yet, setting aside this adult perspective brought from the future, her current happiness added a touch of adorableness characteristic of her age.

She was always adorable, like a usually well-behaved kitten that sometimes appeared fierce but was scared inside.

There was more than one contestant in the competition. The Chinese teacher asked everyone to quiet down and continued: “We also want to congratulate our Sang Ru, who won the… in the district essay competition…”

The teacher paused mysteriously at this point, leaving everyone in suspense. The class clamored with questions.

Zhou Tingzhao’s heart also inexplicably tensed, seemingly countless times more nervous than when he heard his name.

“Special prize!”

After the Chinese teacher announced this, she led the applause, and the classroom was once again filled with excitement.

Sang Ru was stunned. When the entire class’s attention focused on her, her first reaction was to look at Zhou Tingzhao.

His expression was gentle as he smiled at her, returning her earlier congratulations: “Congratulations, you’re even more amazing.”

After class, many classmates gathered around to once again congratulate the two award winners. Sang Ru and Zhou Tingzhao were surrounded in the middle, feeling somewhat suffocated by the crowd.

Li Chenfei had a flash of inspiration: “Why don’t we have a dinner gathering this weekend, as a celebration for both of you!”

In the rigorous study environment of the third year of high school, the chance to get out and relax was highly sought after. The classmates in the circle all expressed their agreement, and even some outsiders who overheard squeezed in to request to join.

Sang Ru: “Won’t it disrupt everyone’s studies?”

“No, no! Besides, we can also learn from you both about how to write essays!”

“That’s a good idea!”

And so a dinner gathering was arranged. Li Chenfei volunteered to take charge of the organization, claiming that celebrating her good daughter’s achievement was a mother’s duty.

They discussed where to eat, where to play, each one more excited than the last, completely disregarding the two people caught in the middle.

In the center of the crowd, Sang Ru quietly leaned closer to Zhou Tingzhao and said: “This time, I’ve won over you, haven’t I!”

Zhou Tingzhao looked at her with eyes as gentle as a calm lake. Suddenly, he smiled, causing slight ripples to appear.

He said, “Yes, you won.”