Chapter 1

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

I can’t explain why I love you, but I know that you’re the reason I don’t love anyone else.

— Hayao Miyazaki, “From Up on Poppy Hill”

She had never thought that she would be with Shen Tinglan, but now she felt that being with him was the ending she deserved. Perhaps…

this was destiny.

…

In the classroom on the second floor of Block Seven of G University in S City.

A second-year astrophysics class in the Physics Department is ongoing.

As one of the top universities in the country, the admitted students are all elite. They are highly disciplined and the culture of academia is intense.

On the podium, the three large blackboards were densely packed with writing, but every line was clean and organized. Every word, every formula, and every stroke of chalk was deliberate, strong and elegant. It had a comforting look and was pleasing to the eye.

The young Physics Professor Ming Qianye stood leisurely. Her cold voice cut through the air, reaching every corner of the classroom, as she spoke into the microphone clipped to her collar,

“A celestial body of a large mass is more likely to contain an atmosphere. Comparing the respective escape velocities, our understanding is more intuitive—Earth’s 11.2 km/s is greater than Mercury’s 4.2 km/s and the Moon’s 2.4 km/s…”

Just as Ming Qianye finished writing this line, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson.

Ming Qianye quickly stopped what she was doing and spun around. She glanced down at the students and said, “We’ll end the lesson here. The assignments are 3-1, 4-3. There are two big questions. The student committee members will collect them and hand them in next Friday. Alright, class is dismissed.”

The students stood up briskly and respectfully bid her farewell,

“Goodbye, Professor Ming.”

…

When Ming Qianye finally left the classroom, it was already almost noon.

The scorching sun shone relentlessly on the ground outside. There was no sight of any clouds for thousands of miles, and the breeze was slightly cool.

Ming Qianye walked down the stairs and was about to go to the staff canteen for dinner when her cell phone suddenly vibrated.

Ming Qianye picked up the call and a delightful chuckle came from the other end.

“Class is over, right? Don’t forget what’s happening in the afternoon. I’ve reserved places for you. Teng Yu has a last-minute assignment and can’t make it. Don’t tell me you’re standing me up too?”

It was her good friend, Huo Jiarong.

Huo Jiarong was a professional model. Although she had already switched to doing show business, she still made appearances at some big shows.

Coincidentally, there was a charity auction at 3 p.m. today. There was a small special event for jewelry, and Huo Jiarong was invited to be a model for the jewelry display.

“I didn’t forget. I’ll be there later,”

Ming Qianye replied nonchalantly.

“Yes, after we’re done, we’ll meet a few friends for supper. They’re all excellent single men. When you meet them, you can see if there’s anyone you like. Don’t worry, I’ve investigated all their backgrounds. Their family backgrounds are not bad, their characters are not bad, and…”

Huo Jiarong said expectantly.

“Rong, there’s no need. I’m engaged.”

“W-what did you say?”

After a pause, Huo Jiarong’s appalled voice rang from the other end. Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds before Huo Jiarong continued in shock, “I… Did I hear that wrong? You’re engaged? When did this happen?”

“Last month…”

“With who?”

“Shen Tinglan.”

“Ah? Who? Shen Tinglan? F*ck, the devil!”

Huo Jiarong’s flabbergasted voice came from the other end.

…

It was just a marriage of convenience.

Her father had hoped that she could find someone competent, so after going through his shortlist of candidates several times, he finally chose what he thought was the best match. After planning with his old friend, Shen Qi, he finally facilitated the marriage between the Shen and Ming families.

And the person she was marrying was Young Master Shen…

Shen Tinglan.

Ming Qianye wasn’t surprised by her father’s pick.

They had known each other since they were young—for more than twenty years.

In the eyes of others, he was a legendary existence. His appearance could compare to that of a god’s. He was profound and unpredictable, and astonishingly intelligent…

However, Ming Qianye knew how difficult it was to please this guy!

In her impression, he had always been taciturn, gloomy, and cold. He often relied on a wheelchair. Only in recent years did his condition gradually improve such that he could finally completely escape the wheelchair and walk freely.

Ming Qianye didn’t want to hide her dislike for this devil at all, and neither could the devil bother to pretend…

There was absolutely no love between them.

She didn’t love Shen Tinglan, and the one Shen Tinglan desired but could never have would never be her. Hence, ever since they got engaged, Ming Qianye often thought,

“Is it time for Shen Tinglan and I to call off our engagement today?”

When would the devil let her free, chase after his true love, and marry the one he always wanted?

They were too lazy to even put up an act. Even when they were engaged, they would casually brush it off…

The two families had a meal together. She and Shen Tinglan then arrived punctually at the engagement banquet within three minutes of each other. Following that, they exchanged engagement rings, signed their documents, and took photos. All that was left was for the marriage registration office to be stamped and recorded. Then, they would become a real married couple.

The devil rarely contacted her, and she certainly wouldn’t provoke him.

He was not easily influenced by others nor was he easily shaken. He was an enigma.

She didn’t have any other choice. Her father couldn’t accept her choosing to be mediocre, so he definitely wouldn’t give her a chance. Either way, the outcome would be similar, then Ming Qianye felt she may as well gladly accept it, since it made her father happy, brought benefits to the Ming family and meant she would have a competent partner.

…

At three in the afternoon, Ming Qianye parked her car in the temporary parking space in front of the international exhibition hall.

The auction inside had already begun. It was almost full. Next was the jewelry auction.

Ming Qianye followed the staff through the long corridor and was about to walk forward when a tall man walking towards her almost bumped into her…

Ming Qianye swiftly stopped in her tracks and raised her brows, casually glancing up.

A handsome face suddenly came into view.

Under the dim light, she could still see his face clearly…

He was tall and wore a high-end bespoke Armani suit. His facial features were very handsome, and under his dark eyebrows was a pair of deep-set eyes that revealed a hint of scrutiny. He exuded a noble and elegant aura, and he stood out in the crowd. He was the ideal type in the hearts of thousands of women.

It was both familiar but not.

Ming Qianye was a little surprised.

“Why are you here?”

The man retracted his scrutinizing gaze, but had a complicated look in his eyes. There seemed to be some wariness in it.