Jiutiao Meijie awoke to find that Dubian Che was no longer in the room.

Her eyes, beautiful and noble like gems, glanced beside her, then closed again.

The vintage-style interior with historically rich furniture decorations seemed to have lost their charm, turning black and white, weathered by time.

"Meijie, my Meijie, are you awake?" a soft call came, footsteps growing closer.

The world suddenly regained its color, the furniture gleaming brilliantly, the warmth of the bed just right.

The garden carried the song of morning birds, the May sun gently pouring in.

She didn't speak.

She pretended to be asleep.

Waiting for the boy who called her name to come and wake her up.

◇

Dubian Che ran two laps around the house, picked a rose from the garden, and returned to the bedroom.

Jiutiao Meijie lay elegantly on the soft, large bed.

Her gorgeous black hair, delicate face, and fair arms shone as brightly as the moon the night before.

Pretending to sleep, huh.

Jiutiao Meijie's sleeping pose was very childlike.

Dubian Che walked over, placed the rose at her beautiful nose, and leaned in to smell it as well.

Between their faces, only the morning rose separated them.

The petals brushed against her nose, tickling her, and Jiutiao Meijie opened her eyes.

Their gazes met, and Dubian Che said, "Meijie, I love you."

Jiutiao Meijie looked at him, then lowered her eyes to the rose, questioning him with her gaze about what was going on.

"Plucked from the garden. I promised to give you a rose every day, not missing a single day."

"This is the May rose," Jiutiao Meijie observed the vibrant red petals of the rose.

"A May rose that blooms in May? Nice name."

"Regarded as the queen among flowers."

"And it suits you best."

"Rich in vitamins and natural pigments, it can improve endocrine disorders and skin, keeping bodily fragrance fresh, maintaining figure. Additionally, it can prevent wrinkles, enhance complexion, and has effects of making one look young and beautiful."

"Roses have so many uses? Aren't they meant to be admired?"

"Where did you pluck it from?" Jiutiao Meijie asked.

"From the yard."

"Fool, that's what my mother plants for her baths."

Dubian Che looked at the flower, then at Jiutiao Meijie, more beautiful than any flower.

"So, are you saying we're both smelling your mother's bath water?"

After a short pause, Dubian Che couldn't help but laugh.

Jiutiao Meijie first looked at him coldly, but eventually, she laughed too.

Dubian Che tossed the flower to the end of the bed, and the two hugged each other across the blanket.

"Come here, let's sleep a bit more," Jiutiao Meijie gently patted Dubian Che's back.

"Okay," Dubian Che loosened his hold to start undressing.

"Don't undress."

"As you command, my queen."

Dubian Che lifted the blanket, having already removed his shirt halfway, and crawled in.

At breakfast, Jiutiao's mother, seeing Dubian Che and Jiutiao Meijie walking in side by side, couldn't help but admire them inwardly.

A handsome man and a delicate young lady.

The more she looked, the more pleased she was with Dubian Che.

Smart, handsome, amusing, and judging by her daughter's appearance, also quite excellent in bed.

"Meijie has become increasingly feminine, teach your mother how you do it," she joked.

Jiutiao Meijie glanced at Dubian Che, letting him answer.

"Every morning, smelling your bath water," Dubian Che said.

"Bath water?" Jiutiao's mother paused, confused, looking towards Jiutiao Meijie who was coldly pressuring Dubian Che.

Jiutiao Meijie walked to the long table, picked up the knife and fork, and said:

"Early in the morning, he placed a May rose on my face and was proudly showing it off."

"May rose? From the yard?" Jiutiao's mother curiously asked.

"Yes."

"That's not mine…" Jiutiao's mother realized and laughed heartily, "Oh, child, why pick that flower!"

Her voice was filled with vitality, whether from the effects of the May rose or the 'beauty cream'.

"Please stop, another word and I'll pull a temper tantrum and skip breakfast!" Dubian Che laughed as he sat down across from Jiutiao Meijie.

Their eyes shared a smile, their affections tender.

The dining table was adorned with vibrant fresh flowers, and the three of them happily indulged in breakfast.

After enjoying a delicious meal, the couple bid farewell and left the grand Jiutiao family house.

Jiutiao Meijie went off to work, and Dubian Che headed for school, preparing for the Wind Instrument Club's audition.

Today was Saturday, there was no need to arrive at school early or to practice the oboe as hard as last year, Dubian Che leisurely arrived ten minutes before the audition began.

By that time, from among the more than a hundred people in the Wind Instrument Club, the earliest had already been practicing for three hours.

The crowded third-floor corridor of the club building filled with people practicing and those preparing for their interviews.

The already nervous attendees felt even more anxious upon seeing Dubian Che—it was a sign that the auditions were about to start.

"Mr. Bian, good morning."

"Good morning."

People continuously greeted him.

The personal attacks from the previous year had long since disappeared along 'with competition after competition, Dubian Che repeatedly showing his unmatched musical skills.

Many even guessed the original intent behind Dubian Che's actions.

After all, it wasn't something he had done before, nor had he done it since.

"Senior, Mr. Dubian!" Horikita Mai took the whistle piece from her mouth and bounced over.

"How are the preparations?"

Dubian Che noticed the whistle piece in her hand, recalling the days he spent crafting his own whistle piece by the windows after school last year.

"Not going well at all," Horikita Mai said with a frowning face.

"Pay attention to the tips I gave you, and look out for the ensemble points too."

"Yes! I know! I'll work hard, I definitely won't let senior down!"

"Just do yourself justice."

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