"Ms. Wynter, you’re being too modest. Ever since you started substitute teaching, every one of your classes has been packed. So many students want to come but can’t even get in. Do you really think everyone’s just here because you’re good-looking?" Zane Langley raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing.

’Alright!’

’I guess I was being a little narcissistic!’

Wren Wynter impassively masked her embarrassment and put on a serious expression. "Thank you for enjoying my class."

"It’s because you’re amazing. By the way, Ms. Wynter, we know you have a pollen allergy, so we could only get you a cake as a gift. Go on, blow out the candles," Zane Langley urged.

If she wanted to blow out the candles, she would have to take off her mask.

Wren Wynter frowned, hesitating. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

But when she met the expectant gazes of Zane Langley and all the other students, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.

Shaun Quinn noticed her apprehension and reassured her softly, "Go on, take it off. It’s okay."

Although these students were adults, they were all simple-hearted.

"Okay."

Wren Wynter stopped hesitating. Lowering her gaze, she brought her hands to her ears, took a deep breath, and removed her mask.

Instantly, the ghastly scar was revealed, and every student in the room gasped.

Zane Langley’s eyes widened, unable to hide his shock.

"Ms. Wynter, did you... did you get into a fight?" someone in the crowd suddenly broke the silence.

Wren Wynter didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. "No, I just got hurt by accident."

"Who hurt you?" Zane Langley asked, his eyes narrowing in displeasure.

"I did it myself. Thank you all for your concern." Wren Wynter offered a faint smile and changed the subject. "Alright, time to blow out the candles."

After blowing them out, she looked at the crowd. "I heard you prepared some performances. Aren’t you going to let me see them?"

The atmosphere immediately became lively again. No one noticed the heavy thoughts weighing on Zane Langley’s mind.

As the party was winding down, Shaun Quinn received a call from Isaac Yates.

"I know. I’m on my way back now." His devilishly handsome face darkened, and even his voice grew heavy.

"What’s wrong?" Wren Wynter sensed something was off with Shaun Quinn and looked up to ask.

Shaun Quinn’s lips tightened into a thin line. "Just a small matter I need to take care of. If it gets too late, give me a call, and I’ll come pick you up."

"Don’t worry about me. Lightning won’t strike twice in the same place."

Even as Wren Wynter said it, her mind couldn’t help but flash back to what had happened that day.

Shaun Quinn clearly noticed Wren’s subtle reaction. "Wait for me to come back."

"Really, you don’t have to." Wren was insistent. "Shaun, Grandpa Yates isn’t well. Be mindful of how you speak to him."

"Okay."

...

Less than ten minutes after Shaun Quinn left, the party ended.

Zane Langley walked up to Wren Wynter with his backpack on. "Ms. Wynter, there’s something I want to say to you. Is now a good time?"

Seeing the serious look on Zane’s face, Wren Wynter nodded in confusion. "It is."

The two of them walked toward the athletic field, Wren with a leisurely gait.

Zane kept his head down, his expression grave, which made Wren worry. "Zane, what’s wrong? Did something happen?"

The moment she finished speaking, Zane grabbed her hand, his dark eyes sincere and earnest.

"Ms. Wynter, tell me, was it your ex-husband? Did he abuse you and come looking for trouble?"

Wren was taken aback for a moment, then let out a laugh. "It wasn’t him. Didn’t I just say it was an accident?"

"Ms. Wynter, you can fool them, but you can’t fool me. That’s clearly a knife wound. You’re a young woman... with a scar that long on your face, how are you supposed to face people in the future?"

Zane was filled with righteous indignation, his handsome, sunny face turning grim with anger.

"It’s the twenty-first century. Why can’t someone with a scar face people?" Wren teased with a smile. "Zane, I never realized you were so old-fashioned."

"But Ms. Wynter, you’re so beautiful. It’s such a shame to have a scar," Zane mumbled.

Wren Wynter touched the long scar on her right cheek, unconcerned.

’Looks are just superficial, anyway. If a person is good enough, they will be loved even if they aren’t beautiful.’

"Instead of worrying about me, you should be thinking about yourself. You have your internship next year. Have you thought about what you want to do?"

"Become a doctor," Zane answered without hesitation. "To be honest, Ms. Wynter, I’d actually heard about you a long time ago. I came to A University because of you, too."

"Because of me?" Wren was surprised. She couldn’t find any memory of the two of them meeting before.

Zane, on the other hand, smiled as if he’d expected that reaction.

"Back when I was in high school, my mom got very sick, but no doctor was willing to operate, saying the risk was too high. I almost lost hope in society back then... until I met a female university student who was only a few years older than me."

"You’re not going to say that person was me, are you?" Wren joked.

"Yes. The patient on the operating table for that brain tumor surgery, the one with a less than five percent success rate... that was my mom. You saved my mom."

He had recognized Wren the moment he saw her.

"Huh? That was your mom?" Wren was stunned. She never would have guessed that the patient from the surgery that had made her famous in the medical world was Zane Langley’s mother.

"Yes."

"Then how has your mom been recently? Is she okay?"

"She’s doing great. And ever since then, I’ve looked up to you as my role model. I want to become an amazing doctor just like you," Zane said with conviction.

Hearing this, Wren felt a deep sense of gratification.

’A surgery I performed when I was twenty-two not only saved a life but also inspired a young boy’s path. This must be the reward for being a doctor!’

"Zane, you will definitely become an outstanding doctor. I believe in you," Wren said.

"Ms. Wynter, I will definitely become an amazing doctor like you, saving lives and healing the sick. I won’t let you down."

"Okay. I’ll see you at the top."

"Okay."

The two of them had made a kind of unspoken promise.

"It’s getting late. I should head back now." Wren glanced at the darkening sky.

"Ms. Wynter, let me walk you back."

Zane wanted to spend a little more time with Wren. It probably wouldn’t be so easy to see her in the future.

Wren didn’t pick up on his thoughts and refused with a bright smile, "No need. Looking like this, who would even be interested in me?"

Zane stated firmly, enunciating each word, "Ms. Wynter, you’re not ugly at all. You’re very beautiful!"

’She’s the most beautiful and kindest person I’ve ever met!’

"Alright, alright, I know I’m the most beautiful," Wren couldn’t help but laugh. "Okay, you should head back now. I’ll just wait for my ride here."