A Stunning Debut

On the evening of the eighteenth, at nine o'clock, the bell signaling the end of evening self-study rang right on time at No. 1 High School. Only the senior-year students remained in their classrooms, dawdling over their final problems before slowly packing up to head home.

"Yan, let's go together," Ma Yunan said cheerfully, slinging his backpack over his shoulder and throwing an arm around Bai Jinyan.

Bai Jinyan didn't seem in high spirits tonight; he only replied with a soft "mm," saying nothing more. Ma Yunan chattered on for a while, but when he got no response, he turned and saw Bai Jinyan frowning at his phone, curiosity drawing him closer.

The phone hung on the call screen. At the top, in bold letters, was "Chen Ruowen," but the call hadn't connected.

"Oh? Having a spat with Ruowen? She's not answering?" Ma Yunan teased.

Bai Jinyan shook his head. "Her phone's been off. I don't know why."

"Uh... maybe her battery died and she couldn't charge it?" Ma Yunan replied lightly. "Happens to me all the time. Just call later."

"This has never happened before," Bai Jinyan said, concern in his voice.

He'd been calling Chen Ruowen every evening at eight, and she knew he would reach out. She would never turn off her phone without telling him in advance, even if she was busy. What could be going on?

Was she so busy she couldn't even check her phone, or... had she stopped thinking of him?

The thought left Bai Jinyan unsettled.

"Bai Jinyan, Ma Yunan!" a clear voice called from behind.

Ma Yunan turned to see Li Yun and Ye Qing, two inseparable friends from their class, hurrying over and joining their group after calling out twice.

"Bai Jinyan," Li Yun said quietly, taking advantage of Ye Qing and Ma Yunan's conversation to move closer to him. "Do you have plans this weekend?"

Bai Jinyan paused, recalling the two unused movie vouchers at home, and shook his head. "Just reviewing at home."

"Even with studying, you need to relax. Didn't 'Super Squad 3' premiere yesterday? I remember you posted reviews of the first two on your Moments. Aren't you going to see the third one?"

Li Yun finally revealed her intention.

"Super Squad" was a favorite American series of Bai Jinyan's—a story about teenagers who gain superpowers, befriend extraordinary beings in another dimension, and defend the world. It was a global sensation.

Three seasons had been released, and the first two...

He had watched them both with Chen Ruowen.

Chen Ruowen didn't care for world-saving plots or movie theaters. Every time, it took all his effort to coax her into going, and she'd fall asleep halfway through the film.

Would they get to watch the third season together?

Bai Jinyan nodded uncertainly. He supposed they would.

Li Yun, misreading his response, brightened immediately. "I knew you wanted to see it! My dad's company gave me two movie vouchers. If you want to go, how about... how about we go together tomorrow?"

Bai Jinyan was taken aback.

What just happened? How did this suddenly become an invitation? He hadn't even responded to her, had he?

"Uh... that's probably not convenient," he declined politely. "The college entrance exam is coming up, after all."

"Then after the exams, let's go together?" Li Yun pressed.

"By then, the movie will be out of theaters..."

"There will be a fourth season! And so many good films during summer vacation—I'm sure you'll find one you like!"

Bai Jinyan was at a loss for words.

As he hesitated, Ma Yunan suddenly grabbed his arm, shouting with excitement.

"A Phantom! And a stretch Phantom! My life's dream is to own a car like that! Yan, look! It's a Phantom!"

Dizzied by Ma Yunan's shaking, Bai Jinyan followed his friend's gaze to where a striking stretch luxury car was parked ten meters from the school gate, drawing a crowd of onlookers snapping photos.

So ostentatious...

Bai Jinyan's mouth twitched. A troubling thought flashed through his mind.

Just as the four of them stepped out the gate, the car door opened. From the passenger seat, a man in a sharp suit stepped out.

"Is that the owner? I have to get close to a real tycoon!" Ma Yunan howled, while Li Yun and Ye Qing, maintaining composure, harbored similar thoughts.

A luxury car worth millions—something they'd only seen on TV. Who could afford one in real life?

Li Yun felt a twinge of envy. Even her father's company's boss, who drove a BMW 5 Series to work, owned something many could only dream of.

But the suited man didn't do anything ostentatious. With a respectful air, he walked to the rear of the car, opened the door with one hand while shielding the frame with the other—a textbook chauffeur's gesture.

A woman stepped out.

She was tall, with a perfect figure, long wavy hair, and wore a wine-red evening dress—a little too thin for the weather. Under the dim streetlights, her jade-like skin seemed to exude a chill.

Her expression was cold, like a fairy untouched by the mortal world—or perhaps a queen surveying her domain.

But at that moment, no one noticed her expression. From the instant she stepped out, every person on that street ceased to think, to breathe, to feel their heartbeat. The only reality left was this woman.

A full minute of silence passed before the world returned to normal. In that minute, everyone saw only this woman walking with elegant steps toward the school gate, the chill on her face melting into a beguiling smile.

Then, she embraced Bai Jinyan.

The sound of hearts breaking echoed up and down the street.

"I came straight here from the airport—aren't you surprised?" she said, snuggling into Bai Jinyan's arms and gazing up at him with eyes curved like crescent moons.

"Did you miss me?"

Chen Ruowen rarely smiled like this; it was so out of character.

Hearing her voice, Bai Jinyan finally came to his senses. He raised his hand, but stopped short of touching her.

"Why are you dressed so lightly? Aren't you cold?" he asked, his throat dry and his mind blank as he struggled to muster a simple greeting.

"There wasn't time to change," Chen Ruowen replied, shifting to wrap her arms around his neck, her gaze carrying a hint of gentle dominance.

"You still haven't answered me. Did you miss me?"

"I..." Bai Jinyan began, but Chen Ruowen's expression changed. She buried her nose in her hands and sneezed.

"Achoo!"

Without another word, Bai Jinyan whipped off his jacket and wrapped it around her, circled her waist, and lifted her straight into the car.

Once they left, the school gate erupted in frenzied gossip. The luxury car, the stunning woman, and the ordinary boy she so clearly claimed as her own—no one could say which drew more attention.

"Bai... Jinyan?" murmured someone sitting in an inconspicuous Volkswagen at the official school parking spot. The window rolled up, and the car slowly pulled away, leaving behind nothing but a plain, round logo and a string of letters on the rear.