CHAPTER 49: A Sunflower Called Hao

The next day, Nian and Xuanye woke up early and headed off to write their exam at 10 a.m. They entered the hall nervously—Nian took her seat in the last row while Xuanye sat somewhere in the middle. Around them, students were murmuring prayers or whispering formulas.

Just then, the classroom door creaked open, and in walked the invigilator with the question papers.

It was Professor Xi.

The entire class froze.

Nian stifled a laugh as she saw Xuanye's horrified face.

"Nian," Xuanye whispered with wide eyes, "Did you know he was going to come?!"

Nian chuckled nervously. "I was just joking yesterday! I didn't think he'd actually show up!" she whispered back.

Professor Xi placed the bundle of question papers on the desk and looked around at the stunned students.

"I know, I know," he said with a sly smile, adjusting his glasses. "You're surprised. But I'm your invigilator for today. And let me remind you—if I catch anyone cheating or whispering…" he trailed off, letting the silence and his glare do the rest.

The students gulped and sat down obediently.

When the clock hit 10:00 sharp, he announced, "Begin. Good luck, students. Don't be nervous—the paper is easy."

The rustle of papers filled the air.

Professor Xi strolled through the aisles, glancing at each student's desk. When he reached Xuanye, he paused behind her silently. She was scribbling answers confidently.

But as she flipped to the next page and saw an image of a sunflower, she froze. That same face flashed through her mind again.

Professor Xi lightly tapped her head with a rolled-up paper. "Why are you zoning out during your exam? Did you forget your answers?"

Xuanye clutched her chest in shock. "No, sir! I studied everything—I was just thinking!"

He nodded and moved on, while Nian peeked over and chuckled silently.

The exam continued, and eventually students began handing in their papers. When Nian and Xuanye exited the hall, they dramatically stepped into the sunlight as if they'd survived a war.

"Ah, finally!" Xuanye exhaled. "We've completed a huge milestone."

Nian grinned. "Now I can finally sleep without guilt. But—Ye—we almost forgot. Concert tickets! We need to be ready to grab them!"

Xuanye tapped her shoulder proudly. "At least you have the memory to buy tickets. We'll get them when the time comes!"

They both burst into laughter.

Suddenly, Professor Xi walked out behind them, holding a thick stack of exam papers. He gave each of them a light knock on the head with it.

Startled, they turned around.

"Don't block the hallway just because your exam is over," he scolded. "I still have to correct your papers, so don't celebrate too early."

They watched him walk off and Nian muttered, "Why does he always appear when we're just starting to be happy?"

Xuanye smirked. "I think he secretly wants us to do more projects for him."

Nian snorted. "Wait, Ye—why did he tap your head in the hall?"

Xuanye sighed. "Because… when I looked at the question paper and saw that sunflower again… that same face popped into my mind."

Nian's eyes widened. "Seriously? I saw that flower too, and you popped into my mind, Xuanye!" she teased.

Xuanye groaned. "No! Not that! This face keeps showing up and I don't know who it is!"

Nian smirked. "Are you sure he didn't give you his home address along with the flower?"

Xuanye glared. Before she could reply, Nian suddenly brightened. "Let's surprise the boys today! They don't know we've finished exams."

Xuanye smiled. "You do have a functioning brain after all." She gave her a thumbs up.

As they started walking, Xuanye's phone buzzed.

She glanced at it, then froze like a statue.

It was a message from Minghao. He'd sent a photo of himself, tagged: Ye~ ❤️

Xuanye stared at the picture, completely flustered.

Nian noticed her frozen state. She peeked over and grinned. "Ooooh~ Your boyfriend sent you a selfie? And with a heart?"

Xuanye gasped and quickly shushed her, but Nian was already giggling.

Then, suddenly, Xuanye's eyes widened.

"Nian! I know who the face was!"

"What?! Was it your ex?" Nian asked, gasping playfully.

"No! It was Flutterhao!" Xuanye said dramatically.

Nian groaned, "Your boyfriend?!"

She burst out laughing, while Xuanye turned away in mock anger.

To distract her, Nian asked, "Wait. How is he a sunflower though?"

Xuanye smiled dreamily. "Let me show you."

She took Nian's phone, Googled a sunflower, and compared it to the photo Minghao had sent.

"See the petals?" Xuanye explained. "They look like his eyes! And the center—it's like his pupils. It's sparkling!"

Nian looked at her blankly. "You've gone mad from not seeing him for a month, haven't you?"

But Xuanye was busy blushing and comparing the photos side-by-side, whispering to herself with a dazed smile:

"He really is my sunflower."