First Place in Provincial Competition

"Yi-ge, the Olympiad results are out, they're out."

The class monitor panted as he ran up to Zhou Yi.

The classmates in the classroom subtly perked up their ears to listen.

Earlier, someone on Weibo had questioned Zhou Yi's academic achievements, and when they defended him, they were labeled as paid trolls. That incident truly made them realize how terrifying the internet could be.

Zhou Yi looked up and asked calmly, "How did it go?"

The class monitor excitedly announced, "You're first! Provincial champion!"

His voice wasn’t quiet, and the class immediately erupted in excitement.

"Holy crap, Zhou Yi is terrifying—he actually outscored students from 985 and 211 universities?"

"How many points did he get for the provincial championship? Don’t tell me it’s another perfect score?"

"Honestly, at this point, nothing about his achievements surprises me anymore."

"But our school heartthrob is so composed—he just gave a faint smile!?"

"Tell me, what kind of plastic surgery would I need to get him to like me?"

"Give it up. Even the campus belle sends him gifts every day, and he doesn’t bat an eye. Don’t even dream about it."

As they spoke, their gazes drifted toward Su Ning, who sat not far away.

By now, it was obvious to everyone what Su Ning felt for Zhou Yi.

But Zhou Yi’s attitude toward her remained indifferent—cool and detached, like plain water.

It was a reversal of roles, just like how Su Ning had once treated him.

Zhang Lili excitedly nudged Su Ning. "Ningning, did you hear? Zhou Yi got first place in the provincial competition!"

Su Ning’s heart fluttered even more.

She had always admired excellence—not just academic brilliance, but the unshakable confidence Zhou Yi carried.

Over the past few weeks, she had watched him trend on social media, endure criticism, receive praise, and face skepticism.

Not only had more people in school started paying attention to him, but the internet was also rife with baseless rumors.

Zhou Yi was like a young man suddenly thrust into the spotlight, scrutinized by countless eyes.

A single misstep, and she could only imagine the vicious backlash he’d face.

At first, she worried that all this pressure might affect his performance in the provincial competition.

She assumed that beneath his calm exterior, he must have been at least a little anxious.

But no—he genuinely didn’t care.

Su Ning couldn’t help but admire him, respect him, and—without realizing it—fall deeper into infatuation.

Every day, she left small gifts for him, watching for his reaction when he entered the classroom.

Zhou Yi would always glance at her first. At first, she would shy away from his gaze, but gradually, she learned to meet his eyes.

Even if her heart raced with nervousness, she wanted him to see how she had changed.

Su Ning had never been in love before, but she knew—what she felt for Zhou Yi was different.

If she didn’t become a better version of herself, how could she ever deserve him?

When she saw that trending photo of Zhou Yi standing beside that stunning girl—Jiang Ruolan—she felt something unfamiliar: insecurity.

She couldn’t help but compare herself to Jiang Ruolan.

In looks, Jiang Ruolan was just as beautiful, but it was her confidence and poise that captivated everyone—even Su Ning.

And Jiang Ruolan was a top graduate from A University.

Su Ning refused to lose to her. She had to get into A University for her master's degree.

Once she did, she would confess to Zhou Yi.

With that resolve, Su Ning doubled down on her studies.

"Ningning? Ningning! You’re spacing out again!" Zhang Lili’s voice snapped her back to reality.

"I heard, Lili. He’s just… incredible. For a moment, I felt like we were worlds apart."

Even though they sat in the same classroom, mere meters away, something fundamental had shifted between them.

Su Ning lowered her gaze, her expression dimming.

Zhang Lili sighed. Who would’ve thought the untouchable Su Ning would one day be plagued by uncertainty?

She had seen countless admirers crash and burn before Su Ning’s indifference.

Yet now, Su Ning was the one pining after the boy she had once scorned—Zhou Yi.

Some mistakes couldn’t be undone.

If she were Zhou Yi, she wouldn’t look back either.

Especially since Zhou Yi had never been the "loser" he pretended to be. He was a prodigy hiding his brilliance—why would he forgive those who had mocked him?

"Ningning, I don’t know what to say… but Zhou Yi—he’s on another level now. We can only look up to him."

Su Ning frowned, forcing a bitter smile. "So even you think I’m not good enough for him anymore?"

Two weeks ago, people had laughed at Zhou Yi for daring to admire Su Ning—the campus goddess.

Even his quiet crush was ridiculed as a toad lusting after swan meat.

Now? No one thought that way.

Instead, Su Ning was the one seen as just another pretty face.

Her attempts to get closer to Zhou Yi were obvious to everyone. At first, the class was shocked—now, they barely noticed.

It was normal.

Falling for Zhou Yi was as natural as breathing.

He received so many love letters daily that no one could keep count.

Yet Su Ning still couldn’t muster the courage to confess.

She wanted to wait until she was worthy of him.

But now, even if she got into A University, would it matter?

Zhou Yi had already started his own company.

That day, she had shown her family the hiring conditions of his startup, Huanyu, and asked for their thoughts.

Her father had said:

"Ambitious, but naive. Reality will teach him how cruel the world is. Idealists don’t survive in capitalism."

Her brother was harsher: "He’ll raise ungrateful leeches and regret it."

But when she asked her brother’s subordinates, the responses were completely different.

"He’s doing something extraordinary."

"He’s standing against the vast majority of capitalists."

"He’ll face suppression—might even lose the company. But I hope he really changes the world."

"Challenging capital? It never ends well. But I respect him for it."

"Just between us, Miss Su—if this is real, I’d want in too. Hard not to be inspired."

Su Ning had never worked a day in her life. She didn’t understand the ruthlessness of the corporate world.

She was a flower raised in a greenhouse—unable to fully grasp what Zhou Yi’s hiring policies truly meant.

But she understood enough.

Huanyu might seem small now, insignificant even. But it existed.

A tiny spark was still a spark.

Zhou Yi didn’t realize that his seemingly casual actions would ripple into something much bigger.

The first step toward changing the world doesn’t always begin with a grand entrance.

Sometimes, it’s just a butterfly, fluttering its wings without a second thought.