"Pfft, pfft, pfft, stop saying such unlucky things! Elena, don't be nervous during the exam. There are plenty of people who aren't prepared this year. Auntie believes in you; you’ll have no problem at all!"

"Right! Sister Elena! If there's anything you don't know how to write, just leave it blank. We can take the exam together in two years and be classmates!"

Before Fu Shuning could finish his sentence, Arthur’s slap landed on the back of his head.

He had already put on his leather jacket and tied his scarf. For once, he didn't say much; he just stuffed a steamed bun into his mouth and went outside to warm up the car.

"Come, come, Elena, eat breakfast first. It’s all stuff you usually eat; we didn't do anything fancy, just in case you got an upset stomach."

"Right, eat first. After you eat, we'll all go together to drop you off at the exam site!"

Hearing everyone’s caring words, waves of warmth rose in my heart, and my mouth curled up involuntarily.

I thank the heavens for giving me another chance, and I thank fate for letting me meet such good people. Everything I have gained here will eventually become a midsummer that accompanies my entire life, supporting me through the harsh winters of the past and the future.

"Ring—"

"The exam has ended. Candidates, please stop writing."

I closed my pen, finishing the battle that had lasted two days.

Chapter 24

Walking out of the exam site.

At a glance, I saw Arthur in the crowd. He was tall, his features sharp; he stood out from the crowd like a crane in a flock of chickens.

Many parents waiting to pick up candidates were crowding around him, asking questions and inquiring about his personal situation.

When our eyes met, he instantly beamed and waved at me.

"Elena, over here!"

Through the crowded mass of people, I struggled to reach Arthur’s side, only to be pushed by someone behind me, stumbling into his arms.

Arthur took the opportunity to hold me, shielding me within his embrace as we slowly walked out.

Snow fell on Julian’s shoulders. The surging tide of people bypassed him, and he stood still, watching their backs as they embraced and left, for a long, long time.

"Comrade, are you picking someone up? There are no more candidates left inside."

It was only when he heard the guard that he moved his stiff limbs and slowly walked into the car.

Elsewhere.

Arthur and I walked side by side in the snow.

Dancing snowflakes drifted onto our shoulders. Ahead, there was endless white as far as the eye could see; behind us, two sets of footprints, one large and one small.

"How come it's just you today?"

I cupped my hands over my mouth and exhaled, rubbing them to warm them up. My face was frozen red, but the smile on my face couldn't stop; it was an unprecedented sense of relaxation.

"I guessed you might want to walk, so I didn't drive. We are preparing your favorite food at home to celebrate your success."

As Arthur spoke, he took off his leather gloves and put them on my hands.

Snowflakes landed on my curled lashes, setting off the twinkling starlight in my eyes. They fluttered, making one’s heart skip a beat.

"You... you gave me the gloves. Aren't you cold?"

Arthur’s fox-like eyes crinkled, his voice low but loud enough for me to hear clearly.

"I have a way to make sure neither of us is cold."

I blinked, tilting my head slightly to look at him.

"This glove goes on your left hand, and this one goes on my right hand."

Arthur said, while helping me arrange the gloves.

I looked at my empty right hand and Arthur’s left hand. Just as I was about to ask what to do with these two, I saw him slowly take my hand, gesturing as if to put it into his pocket.

Just then, a pair of gloves was handed over from the side.

Julian’s grim face suddenly appeared.

"Wear mine. I have two pairs of gloves."

With that, before Arthur could react, he pulled my hand away and, in a few swift motions, switched me to new gloves. The size was perfect.

Arthur’s large glove was shoved back into his pocket.

Arthur, having reacted, was burning with rage. He pointed at Julian’s nose and cursed: "Are you crazy or something?"

Julian, with a gloomy face, glanced at him coldly: "Lack of vigilance. Some people have slow thinking even without drinking alcohol."

Arthur’s knuckles cracked, and Julian’s gaze was as sharp as a knife.

Seeing the atmosphere between the two of them turn sour, I quickly blocked the space between them and tugged on Arthur’s sleeve, shaking it slightly.

Arthur looked into my eyes, and the anger in his heart dissipated by half. He ignored Julian and loosely draped his arm around my shoulder, intending to walk back.

But Julian was relentless. He took a large step forward, blocking our path.

"It's cold out. I’ll take you back."

Before Arthur could answer, I spoke first, refusing: "No need. We want to walk and clear our heads."

Julian nodded expressionlessly and didn't speak again, but he silently followed behind us.

It made both of us feel a chill down our spines on an already cold winter’s day.

Arthur gritted his teeth in anger. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he turned around and threw a punch, forcing Julian to dodge and put some distance between them.

"You guy named Julian, what exactly are you trying to do!"

Chapter 25

Julian’s expression remained unchanged, his tone calm and steady: "I'm just taking a walk to clear my head."

"No, are you a parrot or something? If you want to walk, go walk somewhere else! What’s the point of trailing behind us? Are you a ghost?"

Julian glanced at him, looking as solemn as a retired official from decades ago.

"Engaging in feudal superstitions."

"You’re doing this on purpose, aren't you? What’s it going to be? You want to spar?" Arthur was fuming. If I hadn't been holding him back, he likely would have already landed a few punches.

"Lacking organization, lacking discipline," Julian added, turning up the pressure.

A conflict seemed inevitable, and I lost my temper for the first time.

"Enough! Are you done yet? Are you a child, being so unreasonable and difficult?"

Julian’s expression finally flickered. A hint of grievance welled up in his eyes, and he lowered his head, looking dejected. His voice was barely a whisper: "I just thought it was cold, and I wanted to see you home."

"If Elena wanted to go home, couldn't I have taken her? Why do you have to show off? She just finished her exam today, we just wanted to take a walk and relax! Do you have to come out and ruin everything?"

"You’re being a rogue."

Arthur couldn't help but roll his eyes to the heavens. If I weren't here, he really would have liked to have a proper fight with Julian. This pathetic, "dying-but-stubborn" act was truly infuriating.

"Forget it, Brother Arthur, I don't want to walk anymore."

I tugged at Arthur’s sleeve, head bowed in frustration. My good mood had been completely ruined.

Half a minute later.

Arthur and I were sitting in the back seat of Julian’s jeep, but Julian hadn't started the car.

Noticing me looking at him, he finally spoke slowly: "Elena, you used to sit in the front."

Arthur couldn't take it anymore. Bang! He kicked Julian’s seat: "Are you going to drive or not? If you can't drive, I will!"

"Fine, you drive."

Julian agilely got out of the car, opened the back door, and stood there with the posture of letting Arthur take his place.

"Fine, fine, fine."

Arthur ground out the three words through his teeth.

Just as he was about to get out, he caught a glimpse of Julian not closing the door. His eyes darted, and he grew suspicious.

This kid Julian had been sly since they were kids. Was he tricking him into getting out, only to flash back into the driver's seat and kidnap Elena?

He looked at Julian and became even more certain of his suspicion.

In truth, the person who understands you best is indeed your rival.

As Arthur took a long stride, climbing directly from the back seat to the driver's seat, Julian knew his plan had fallen through. He felt a pang of regret, but when he thought about being able to sit in the back with me, he comforted himself that it was still worth it.

Unfortunately, under his gaze, I opened the door and got out, pulling open the front passenger door instead.

Sitting in the back row with Julian was nothing more than that pair of gloves I had intentionally left behind.

A sneer played on Arthur’s lips. One hand on the steering wheel, he glanced back and asked triumphantly: "Are you coming or not?"