CHAPTER 35:“Mornings, Messages, and Flutterhao”

The next day, Nian and Xuanye woke up. Nian yawned, stretched her arms, and walked toward the window. The soft golden rays of the sun tried to peek through the curtains. As she opened the window, the sunlight washed over her face, and she gave a faint smile.

Xuanye, still half-asleep, scratched her head and asked, "Nian… why did you wake up so early?"

Nian turned to her and replied, "Xuanye, don't forget—we have to present our project to Professor Xi today."

Xuanye sat up instantly, her eyes wide. "Oh no! Why do I have to face Professor Xi today? I really wish our print media professor came instead. She's so sweet! But now, because of this project, we're stuck in his class all day."

Nian chuckled. "Mm, I feel you. But what can we do? Just hold on for one more month. Then we'll graduate." She smiled brightly.

Xuanye let out a dramatic sigh of relief. "Yeah… and then I'll go to work and buy every SEVENTEEN product ever made!"

Nian burst out laughing at her as they both went to freshen up.

---

After getting ready, the girls sat in the canteen and began eating breakfast. As they were eating, both of their phones buzzed at the exact same time. They looked up at each other and smirked.

Nian grinned. "Looks like they messaged us early today. I guess they must be up for practice."

Xuanye nodded with a chuckle. "Let's see what they've sent."

They opened their phones—and froze.

SEVENTEEN had been blowing up the group chat.

Boo had sent a photo of himself drinking coffee with the caption:

"Guys, this coffee is really nice~"

Dino replied with a drooling emoji.

"Where did you buy it?"

Scoups sent a half-asleep selfie and typed:

"Good morning..."

Then, like a domino effect, every member joined in, sending cheerful good morning texts one after another.

Nian and Xuanye stared at the messages, then looked at each other awkwardly.

"They're messaging like a family group," Xuanye whispered.

Nian chuckled. "Let's join them."

She sent: "Good morning!"

Within seconds, DK replied:

"Hi Nian ❤️"

Nian giggled. Xuanye smirked and typed:

"Good morning, guys! Are you practicing today?"

Woozi responded:

"Yes~"

Jun added:

"Nian, Xuanye, what are you doing right now?"

Nian replied:

"We're eating breakfast."

Jeonghan chimed in:

"We just woke up. We're still deciding who should cook today."

At that moment, Xuanye's phone lit up with a private message from Minghao.

"Hi ❤️"

She gasped and showed the message to Nian proudly.

"See? He messaged me privately. Maybe he didn't want to disturb the group."

She hugged her phone dramatically. Nian gave her an exaggerated smirk.

Back in the group chat, Scoups wrote:

"If no one says anything, I'll cook for you all!"

Boo immediately replied with a crossed-arms emoji:

"NO."

Hoshi added:

"Scoups, we already ordered food. It'll be delivered in ten minutes. Don't cook!"

DK chimed in:

"Scoups, why are you so obsessed with cooking? Ask Mingyu! He knows how to cook!"

Mingyu replied with an annoyed cat emoji:

"DK, stop dragging me into this! I've been doing everything already!"

Nian sent a laughing emoji and added:

"Scoups, me and Xuanye really miss your cooking~"

Scoups blushed, then proudly replied with a crying emoji:

"Really? 😭 Then if I get the chance, I'll pack something for you!"

Nian responded:

"It's a deal. Don't forget~"

Joshua replied with a dramatic message:

"Nian, don't drag us into this!"

Nian giggled. "Haa~ I won't."

---

Meanwhile, Xuanye messaged Minghao privately:

"Hello~"

Minghao:

"Did you eat?"

Xuanye:

"Yes, Minghao~"

She blushed.

Then he sent a message:

"What's with the note?"

Xuanye replied, confused:

"What note?"

Minghao chuckled and sent a photo of her handwritten note, bracelet, and the plushie.

Her eyes widened in shock. She replied,

"I just wanted you not to feel sad after we left. I didn't expect you to see it so soon! When did you read it?"

Minghao sent a voice message:

> "After I texted you last night, I ended up walking into your room. I didn't realize where I was, but… I sat on the bed. I felt sad. When I turned my head, I saw your note on the table. I picked it up and read it. It said I shouldn't sleep late and that I should eat on time. Thank you, Xuanye."

Xuanye was touched and replied:

"Ohhh~"

Minghao messaged again:

"I loved the bracelet… but why did you give me Hoshi's plushie?!"

He sent another photo of him wearing the bracelet and holding the plushie while making a fake annoyed face.

Xuanye laughed and replied:

"That plushie is precious! I saved money to buy it! Why are you getting annoyed?"

Minghao replied with a jealous emoji:

"Why give me something that's not related to me? Your bracelet is enough."

Xuanye gasped.

"How is Hoshi not related to you?"

Minghao teased:

"Even though he's my bro, he shouldn't come between us."

Xuanye slapped a hand over her mouth, screaming silently.

Nian, startled, said, "Xuanye, stop acting like you're possessed! Everyone's staring at us!"

Xuanye quickly looked around, then turned back and whispered,

"Nian, you… you don't understand!"

Nian smirked. "Hurry up and message him. Class is about to start!"

Xuanye quickly typed:

"Minghao… you're giving me butterflies. I think I should call you Flutterhao~"

As Minghao read it, he giggled and leaned against Mingyu's arm.

"Ye, it's cute~ ❤️"

Xuanye smiled and messaged:

"Class is starting soon. Eat well, practice hard, and don't pressure yourself. Byeee~"

Minghao replied:

"I'll follow your advice. I wish you all the success with your project! ❤️"

Xuanye hugged her phone, blushing.

Nian tapped her on the shoulder. "Come on. Let's go."

And with bright smiles and butterflies in their chests, the two girls walked to class.