All the students attending the ball turned their eyes toward the direction of F5.
At St. Tian International Noble Academy, F5 stood above everyone else.
The student council controlled by F5 set all the rules of the school.
Everyone silently accepted that F5 was untouchable and superior to all.
But now, Xu Jingran, dressed in a white gown and so beautiful it made people hold their breath, was standing beside them.
It had to be said—they looked perfectly matched.
Bai Zhenxi tightly clenched the lily in her hand, her gaze fixed on Xu Jingran.
She saw Young Master Jiang Si give her a gentle smile.
Young Master Lu Ran showed a domineering sense of possession toward her.
Even Young Master Jiang Lijin, who had always been arrogantly aloof and looked at others with disdain, no longer had that contempt in his eyes when he looked at her.
What was so special about Xu Jingran?
She was just a lowly special-admission student. What right did she have to stand beside the young masters?
Bai Zhenxi looked around. The other special-admission students were standing excitedly in the corner, wearing what they believed were their most noble and elegant dresses and suits. In reality, they looked like Cinderellas who had stolen someone else’s ball gowns.
When the clock struck twelve, they would all return to their true forms.
Xu Jingran would be no exception.
The young masters were only playing around.
Bai Zhenxi refused to believe that the noble young masters of F5 would fall in love with someone as poor and insignificant as Xu Jingran.
But she was a threat.
And a threat had to be eliminated.
Hu Yunyun squeezed beside Liu Ruan, staring at Xu Jingran with a complicated expression.
Xu Jingran had now become the shining center of attention.
Clearly… they shared the same status.
“Didn’t Young Master Lu Ran break up with Xu Jingran? Then why was the last scholarship given to someone else?”
“Are you serious? They’ve been dating for over three months… Don’t tell me Young Master Lu Ran actually likes her…”
“That’s impossible! I don’t believe it!”
“Xu Jingran really is beautiful. Her face is small, her skin is so fair, and her eyes are big. She looks like she stepped right out of a character model.”
“Honestly, I don’t know whether to envy Lu Ran or Xu Jingran. They look so good together—and the height difference between them is amazing!”
“So if the scholarship wasn’t given to Liu Ruan by Young Master Lu Ran, then it must’ve been another member of F5. Does someone else in F5 like Liu Ruan? She’s another special-admission student!”
Hu Yunyun quietly leaned closer to Liu Ruan, unable to hide the envy in her voice. “If another young master from F5 likes you, then you could be just like Xu Jingran…”
Before she could finish, Liu Ruan cut her off with a look of humiliation. “I’m not like her. No matter who likes me, I won’t give in!”
She stubbornly lifted her chin. She was also wearing a white dress, and she believed she looked even more noble than Xu Jingran.
She had entered St. Tian International Noble Academy through her own hard work and academic achievements.
She was not like someone like Xu Jingran. She hated being compared to her.
“Then what about the scholarship? Xu Jingran really did rank first,” Hu Yunyun said, confused.
Ever since entering the academy, Xu Jingran had always ranked first.
Everyone had assumed the scholarship belonged to her.
Liu Ruan paused, recalling that day in the student council office.
Jiang Lijin, dressed in an expensive, well-tailored suit, had looked down at her from above. His voice was calm, even gentle.
“Liu Ruan? I’ve learned about your family situation, so I decided to award this scholarship to you.”
“Don’t feel pressured. You deserve it. Scholarships are meant to help those in greater need. Don’t worry—I’ll keep this confidential.”
Thinking about it, Liu Ruan felt her heart stir. Not all noble students were bad people.
Some of them were kind.
For example, Jiang Lijin.
He might appear arrogant and look down on others, but deep down, he was still kind-hearted.
Liu Ruan shook her head at Hu Yunyun. “I don’t know either. Maybe the scholarship was meant for me all along. Xu Jingran’s first-place ranking might not be entirely legitimate.”
Hu Yunyun was stunned. She had never considered that possibility before.
After all, people might question second place—but they rarely questioned first.
[The female lead is right. Xu Jingran must have cheated to get first place. I’ve never even seen her studying.]
[Exactly! The scholarship for the female lead must have been given by the male lead. I’ve wanted to complain for a long time—can people stop giving everything good to the supporting female character?]
[Exactly. The male leads definitely love the female lead the most… I’m just waiting for them to spoil her to the heavens and make the supporting girl disappear, okay?]
[Not okay!!! The supporting girl is prettier.]
[Sure, sure. Remember what you said. I’m waiting for you to get proven wrong.]
[If the male leads don’t love the female lead, I’ll literally stand on my head and eat crap!]
[Classic moment. I’ve screenshotted your comment. We’ll see if you actually do it.]
[Who would the top student copy from? You? Don’t be ridiculous. Is it really that hard to admit the supporting girl is smart?]
Hu Yunyun let out an awkward laugh. “That’s probably unlikely. Xu Jingran helped me with my homework before. She’s actually really capable.”
Liu Ruan didn’t want to hear any more about it.
To her, Xu Jingran had betrayed the special-admission students.
What was the point of discussing her?
“It’s starting! The president is leading the opening dance! Wow, hurry and pick your partners!”
As the noise rose, all the students began to move.
The two-hundred-year-old Italian clock hanging on the wall ticked loudly as its hands pointed to ten o’clock.
Young men and women dressed in gorgeous formal wear shyly handed bouquets to the person they liked.
A large bouquet of purple irises was suddenly placed in Xu Jingran’s arms. The soft petals brushed against her skin, making her itch slightly.
Lu Ran leaned close and gently pinched her small earlobe. “Baby, who are you giving these flowers to?”
[Lu Ran’s little puppy tail is about to wag into the sky.]
[Lu Ran: Xu Jingran, will you marry me? When you grow up, whose wife will you be?]
[When Jiang Si and Jiang Lijin’s expressions synced just now, they looked exactly the same. That was jealousy, right? I’m not imagining it, am I?]
[Hahaha, after the dance comes the famous cat-and-mouse game. Can’t wait…]
Xu Jingran held his wrist and pushed the bouquet back into his arms. “Of course they’re for you…”
Lu Ran immediately broke into a wide smile. If he had a tail, it would be wagging wildly right now.
Jiang Lijin frowned slightly, unable to stand the way Xu Jingran smiled at Lu Ran—with that beautiful, dependent expression.
For some reason, it irritated him.
His gaze swept over the white dress she was wearing. No taste.
What was so special about such a plain dress?
Black would suit her better…
Lu Ran wrapped his arms around Xu Jingran’s waist, locking her firmly in his embrace, completely unconcerned about anyone watching.
His little Whale Baby—his.
He wanted everyone to know that Xu Jingran belonged to him.
Xiao Si Ming watched the two being affectionate, then tilted his head slightly to glance at Jiang Si’s clenched fist.
A faint smile curved his lips, his eyes filled with interest.
It had been a long time since things were this lively.
Xiao Si Ming stepped toward the center of the dance floor.
He had no partner.
And he didn’t need one.
The spotlight followed his tall, straight figure as if following a king.
His family was not only a powerful financial conglomerate but also held unquestionable influence in politics.
Having grown up in a strict and precise household, his smile never reached his eyes. He was used to keeping everything under control.
Just by standing there and lifting his chin slightly, he exuded an absolute and unquestionable sense of dominance.
As the music swelled, he began to dance.
The opening dance was a solo performance by the student council president, Xiao Si Ming.
His steps were effortless yet exceptionally graceful. His matte black suit was perfectly tailored without a single crease. Between his long fingers, he held a chess piece. The curve of his arm seemed to be waiting for a beauty to lean into it.
Everyone wanted to be that person.
When the music ended, Xiao Si Ming slowly lifted his eyes and saw Xu Jingran curled up in Lu Ran’s arms.
All eyes in the room were focused on him.
Only Xu Jingran was leaning against Lu Ran, absentmindedly playing with the flower petals, a faint, captivating smile on her lips.
When her gaze met his, her kitten-like eyes blinked softly, glistening.
There was no fear. No infatuation. No inferiority. No avoidance.
Only a light, beautiful smile.
He found himself a little curious.