Celia had become the hottest topic on the university forum, with countless comments flooding the threads.
"Celia might look like a fairy, that's true—but she's nothing more than a decorative vase.""The real campus belle has to be our proud Yara Lu. I'll always support her as number one!"
The nickname "Vase Celia" quickly spread, leaving her little room to respond.
Just then, Yara Lu, Ning Xiner, and a few others approached from the opposite direction. Ning Xiner, like a victorious rooster, sneered, "Celia, you've already dropped to second place, haven't you? A girl who gets caught sleeping in class still thinks she can compete with our Yara for campus belle?"
Li Yuting bristled. "Ning Xiner, don't think we don't know—it was you who posted about Cici dozing off in class on the forum!"
"Yes, it was us," Ning Xiner admitted smugly. "Because you're nothing but a pretty, empty vase. Our Yara is a true Tsinghua University talent."
"You—!" Li Yuting's anger flared.
"Forget it, Yuting," Celia said softly, tugging her friend's sleeve.
At that moment, Yara stepped forward, a polite smile curving her lips. "Celia, I hope Professor Fu didn't give you too much trouble in his office just now. He's my fiancé, you know—he tends to be a little protective."
The implication was clear: Nathaniel Fu had targeted Celia for Yara's sake.
Celia studied her calmly. It seemed Yara had no idea about the truth of her relationship with Nathaniel.
"Yuting, let's go."
"Okay," Li Yuting agreed, shooting the others a glare before leaving with her.
Yara's mood soared. She turned to her companions with satisfaction. "Xiner, you all head back first. I'll go see Professor Fu."
Ning Xiner gave her a knowing wink. "Yaoyao, after the way Professor Fu treated Celia today, I can finally relax. He really does dote on you."
…
Inside the office, Nathaniel Fu was seated at his desk, focused on his work. Yara slipped in, draping her arm around his neck with a sweet smile. "Nancheng, thank you for today."
He glanced at her. "Thank me? For what?"
"You must have heard about the competition between Celia and me. That's why you treated her so harshly, right?"
"You're overthinking it," he replied flatly. "This has nothing to do with you."
But Yara refused to believe it. In her mind, Nathaniel's actions could only mean he was protecting her.
She had once worried that Celia's angelic beauty might catch his attention, but now her fears felt unnecessary. The man before her—so poised, so striking in his gold-rimmed glasses and tailored suit—was entirely hers.
Biting her lip, Yara gazed at him with longing. This man is so rare, so unattainably expensive. I want him… I want to claim him for myself.
"Nancheng~" she whispered, leaning in to kiss his flawless face.
But Nathaniel turned away, avoiding her lips. His hand pressed firmly against her shoulder, pushing her back. "Yaoyao, I came to Tsinghua to teach. I'm the professor, you're the student. Don't cross that line. Do you understand?"
Her heart sank with disappointment. "…I understand."
"Then leave. And close the door behind you."
"…"
…
After classes ended, Yara sought him out again. She hadn't been able to act freely earlier, but now she saw her chance.
"Nancheng, let's go to Night Club together," she coaxed.
Nathaniel picked up his car keys. "I don't have time."
"That's a shame," she pouted. "I heard Young Master Fan is planning a grand proposal for Celia at the Night Club tonight. Lots of people are already gathering to watch. I really wanted to see if she'd accept him."
Nathaniel froze, his expression shifting slightly. He turned to her, his gaze sharp.
"Get in the car," he ordered coldly. "We're going to the Night Club."
To be continued…