Shen Jiu groaned as she pushed herself up, her body still slightly aching from the unexpected fall. Her phone lay a few inches away from where she had landed, the screen still lit from an ongoing call. She had been running just moments ago, only to collide head-on with someone.And apparently, that someone was still on the ground.Jiu's gaze shifted to the person she had crashed into—a young man in an NDA Academy uniform, his dark hair slightly tousled from the impact. The call was still connected, and a familiar voice rang loud and clear from the speaker."Jiu! I have an idea! How about you ask Senior Cadet Lian to be your dance partner?"Shen Jiu stiffened. The voice belonged to Yun Xi, and unfortunately, her suggestion was loud enough for not just Jiu, but also the three young men standing before her to hear.Jiu scrambled to pick up her phone, her face heating up. She let out an awkward laugh, bowing her head slightly in embarrassment toward the trio—Lian Feng, Chen Dong, and Ye Zhichen."Ayo, who's that?" Jiu asked, trying to change the subject as she brought the phone to her ear."Cadet? NDA Academy?"Chen Dong, and Ye Zhichen, who had been holding in their amusement, finally burst into quiet snickers."Brother, sister-in-law doesn't even know who you are!" Ye Zhichen teased, nudging Feng playfully.Chen Dong doubled over, laughing. "Hahaha! 'Sister-in-law'—this is awesome."Before Jiu could react to their words, Yun Xi's voice came through once again, even louder than before."JIU! You're not serious, are you?! You seriously don't know who Senior Cadet LIAN is?! The heartthrob, the most talented—"Jiu, mortified, hung up the call before Yun Xi could finish.Her mission was now clear: find Senior Cadet Lian and ask for his help.Meanwhile, Lian Feng, who had been quiet up until now, puffed his chest out slightly, feeling a surge of pride. Jiu may not know who he was, but her friend's glowing compliments had definitely left a good impression.Wouldn't that mean he had already gained some points in front of his wife?Chen Dong and Ye Zichen, who had also heard Yun Xi's flattery, exchanged knowing glances before turning toward Feng with matching mischievous grins."Look at him," Chen Dong teased."He's literally radiating confidence right now."Ye Zichen smirked. "Brother, don't get too ahead of yourself. She still doesn't know you're Senior Cadet Lian."Jiu, oblivious to their banter, turned on her heel, ready to head toward the NDA Academy. But then she paused, her eyes narrowing slightly in thought.Wait a minute.The person she had crashed into earlier—wasn't he also wearing an NDA Academy uniform?A realization struck her, and she turned back around, a bright, dazzling smile lighting up her face. With her shoulders high and confidence radiating from her posture, she approached the trio once more."Hello! I'mJiu,Shen Jiu!" she announced cheerfully. "I noticed you guys are from NDA Academy too! Maybe you can help me—I'm looking for someone named Senior Cadet Lian!"The trio stood frozen in place.Who allowed someone to look this breathtaking while smiling?!Lian Feng stared at her, processing her words.The trio remained frozen in place.They had always known Shen Jiu was beautiful—stunning, even. But at this moment, standing before them, smiling so effortlessly, she was breathtaking.Lian Feng had always known.Maybe that was why he had delayed writing those letters for so long. Shen Jiu deserved far better than anyone, far better than him.Chen Dong and Ye Zichen, too, had always acknowledged their sister-in-law's beauty. But right now, seeing her smile like that?Why did she look even more beautiful?Shen Jiu's long, wavy brown hair glowed under the golden sunlight, strands shifting ever so slightly with the soft breeze. It framed her fair skin perfectly, her complexion radiant and flawless—like porcelain kissed by light. But it was her eyes that stood out the most. Large, doe-like, impossibly clear, as if they held an entire universe within them.She was stunning.Lian Feng, still in a daze, remained utterly unmoving. He stared at her, his usual cold, unreadable expression locked in place. Even now, standing before the girl he had secretly loved for so long, he remained stoic. His sharp features were perfectly sculpted, his gaze intense, but that infamous resting bitch face of his gave nothing away.Jiu, oblivious to the chaos she had just caused in their heads, waved a hand in front of Feng's face. Nothing. No reaction.Zichen and Dong, who had barely managed to recover from their own moment of awe, exchanged a look.Their poor brother Lian was still frozen.And Jiu, clearly unimpressed, was about to walk away.Not happening.Ye Zichen, thinking fast, reached out and pinched Feng's arm—hard.Lian Feng blinked.Jiu tilted her head, confused. "Huh?"Lian Feng finally spoke, his deep voice calm yet firm."That's me."Jiu furrowed her brows. "What?""That's me. Senior Cadet Lian"Silence.Chen Dongand Ye Zichen barely held in their laughter as realization dawned on Jiu's face.This was definitely going to be interesting.