"Your Grace, the young lady has been waiting for you for quite some time."

"How has she been recently? Has she encountered any troubles?"

"Reporting back to you, Your Grace, the young lady is the same as usual. It is my oversight to have you worry."

Dionysus followed the man respectfully. The man was very tall, a head taller than Dionysus. He wore a black suit, and his long golden hair was swept back to the top of his head. His amber eyes were deep and calm but gradually lit up with a smile upon seeing the people in the room.

"Father, you're back." Evie, who had been fiddling with her communicator out of boredom, looked up to see her father, Duke Dougery, approaching. They hadn't seen each other for over half a year, and Evie noticed that her father seemed to look younger. 

"Yes, there hasn't been much going on lately, so I came back to see you. My little Evie has become even more beautiful." Duke Dougery smiled broadly as he walked over and gently kissed Evie on the cheek.

"What about Mother? Why didn't she come back with you?"

"She has to attend the queen's banquet and couldn't leave for the time being, but she asked me to bring you a gift." After saying this, Duke Dougery raised his hand, and Dionysus opened the gift in his hand. Evie looked down and discovered her favorite black tea inside.

"How long are you planning to stay this time, Father?" Evie asked softly, actually pondering how many days she would lose her freedom, as having her father at home meant she had to behave and stay in the Dougery mansion. 

"I'll be leaving shortly. Don't worry, it won't interfere with your romance with your little lovers." Duke Dougery understood his daughter well and could tell from Evie's little expression what she was thinking.

"Father, I'm not thinking that at all! I missed you so much since you've been away for so long."

"Oh? But I heard from Dionysus that you seem to be busy dating a pianist lately. Dad don't want to waste your time." Duke Dougery chuckled, a teasing smile on his youthful face. Evie knew her father was well aware of her schedule, part of the reason was surely Dionysus reporting back to him.

"Father, my persuasion hasn't succeeded yet." Evie said helplessly. Upon hearing this, Duke Dougery only smiled in response. He knew Evie had taken after him. They were both people who enjoyed pleasure, and as long as Evie didn't go too far, he was willing to satisfy all her wishes.

"Evie, if you're just playing around, no matter how much you turn the world upside down, Dad will always protect you. But remember, the Dougery family will eventually choose a family of equal status as your partner. The prince has always been very pleased with you, including Princess Angelie, the eldest daughter of the queen, who also likes you very much. I know you don't like the idea of marriage and having children. Dad won't force you, but everything for my daughter must be the best. Dad doesn't want to see you sacrifice yourself and end up with a commoner."

Duke Dougery spoke softly, and Evie, listening, felt that her father's usual lines about being "the best" were coming out again. She responded with resignation and then accompanied Duke Dougery for lunch, finally seeing him off. As soon as she regained her freedom, Evie couldn't help but open her communicator and initiate a video call with Wen Qiulan. Earlier that day, Wen Qiulan had informed her that she couldn't attend class due to something urgent, sparking Evie's curiosity about her whereabouts. In reality, Evie just missed Wen Qiulan and wanted to hear her gentle voice. The call was quickly connected, but Wen didn't turn on her video, which disappointed Evie.

"Teacher Wen, are you busy? I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Evie said softly, feeling anxious at the thought of not seeing Wen all day. After celebrating Wen Qiulan's award, Evie thought their "cold war" had ended. Over the past few days, she sensed that Wen was troubled about something and realized that Wen definitely had feelings for her. She was afraid that... experience told Evie that in such moments, she should not retreat but rather take a step forward.

"Not really, I'm just having dinner with friends. Xiao Yi, is everything okay?" Wen Qiulan asked gently, feeling a bit shy as she quietly told the people next to her that she needed to excuse herself for a moment. She then moved to a quiet area with the communicator. 

"It's nothing, I just missed you, Teacher Wen. Not seeing you today has made me a bit uncomfortable." Evie said in a very ambiguous tone. Upon hearing her words, a hint of warmth flashed in Wen Qiulan's eyes, only to be quickly hidden away.

"Xiao Yi, I can't be away for too long, I have to hang up now." Wen Qiulan did not respond to Evie, as expected by the latter. After ending the call, Evie's emotions were unclear on her face. She lifted her head and called Dionysus over.

"Miss, what can I do for you?"

"Help me find out who Wen Qiulan is having dinner with today and at which restaurant. I need results in ten minutes."

"Understood, Miss."

Wen Qiulan put away her communicator and returned to the table. The person opposite her didn't seem displeased by her sudden departure and continued to smile. "Teacher Wen, is there something you need? If you have something to attend to, you can leave first." The woman's voice was very soft and delicate, characteristic of most Omegas.

"It's nothing, just that my... student suddenly called." Wen Qiulan hesitated slightly when mentioning Evie's identity. The Omega opposite her didn't notice the pause, her water-like eyes fixed on Wen Qiulan. 

"Teacher Wen, this isn't our first meeting. I'm Bo Wanjuan, and I'm your fan. I really like your music." Bo Wanjuan said, her expression full of joy.

She had recently quit her job on the moon and returned home, only to be urged by her mother to go on blind dates. At 28, her mother insisted it was time to settle down. Initially, Bo Wanjuan was resistant to blind dating, but upon learning the other party was Wen Qiulan, she unexpectedly agreed and even looked forward to a successful date.

"It's a pleasant surprise, Miss Bo. I'm glad you enjoy my music." Wen Qiulan replied absentmindedly to Bo Wanjuan's words. From personality and appearance, Bo Wanjuan was indeed suitable for her, and their ages were similar, meeting the standards for marriage in many aspects.

But Wen Qiulan knew her emotions were in turmoil. Since the meal began, she had thought of Evie more than once. She wondered how Evie would feel if she really married someone else. Every time this thought crossed her mind, she immediately dismissed it. She shouldn't have such thoughts, Evie was her student, her junior.

"Teacher Wen, during my years on the moon, the work pressure was immense, and I often suffered from insomnia. Your music helped me calm down. Every time I listen to it, I feel a sense of peace. I... I really like you, and I want to be your girlfriend." Bo Wanjuan suddenly made a bold confession, leaving Wen Qiulan slightly stunned. She looked up at her, feeling somewhat at a loss.

She should agree, but inside, she felt resistant.

After their meal, Wen Qiulan politely declined Bo Wanjuan's invitation for coffee and drove back to the piano studio alone. She had begun to realize that she visited her own home less frequently and preferred staying at the studio instead. Every time she saw the piano studio, it felt as if she could see a golden figure. Wen Qiulan didn't understand the depths of her entanglement, yet she was deeply aware of how powerless she felt to free herself.

Wen Qiulan spent the entire afternoon composing in the piano room, only returning upstairs to rest when exhaustion set in at night. The next morning, she was awakened by noise. She glanced at the time and realized she had completely lost track of her biological clock and hadn't woken up on time. Unsure of who might be at the door, she slipped on a coat over her nightgown and went downstairs, only to find Evie standing at the entrance.

Evie looked weary, with heavy dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn't slept the entire night. Unusually, she wasn't wearing makeup, not bothering to conceal her fatigue. Seeing Evie like this made Wen Qiulan's heart ache, she wanted to know if something was wrong, as it was unusual for Evie to appear at her door in such a state so early in the morning.

"Xiao Yi? What's wrong?" Wen Qiulan brought her inside. Ivy remained quietly obedient, not speaking or making any unnecessary movements, just standing there watching her. Seeing the desolation in Evie's eyes and the increasing redness around them made Wen Qiulan want to comfort her, but she didn't know where to start.

"Teacher Wen, I had a nightmare last night. I dreamt that you didn't want me anymore, that you were with someone else. I was scared, so scared that I couldn't sleep the entire night." Evie spoke softly, her voice hoarse and tired. She wasn't lying, she indeed had a restless night.

Wen Qiulan had gone on a blind date yesterday, and according to Dionysus's investigation, the other party's family background and character were quite good. For the first time, Evie felt a sense of crisis. She thought that if she didn't do something soon, Wen Qiulan might really leave her. Evie had never felt this kind of panic before, she had never been hurt in love, as pleasure-seeking had always been her main goal. Now, just the thought of Wen Qiulan being with someone else kept her awake at night.

"Xiao Yi, nightmares are not real, they shouldn't be taken seriously. I am your teacher, and I certainly won't leave you before you finish your studies." Listening to Evie's words, Wen Qiulan felt a sharp pang in her heart. She understood that Evie's words were meant to clarify their relationship. Wen Qiulan had no choice but to evade the issue.

"Teacher Wen, you clearly know what I mean." Evie lowered her voice. At this point, she felt that no matter how much she pretended, it wouldn't change anything. Wen Qiulan understood her feelings but resisted them. Evie suddenly felt that breaking through that barrier no longer mattered.

"Evie, you're tired. You should go back and rest." Sensing that Evie was about to say something, Wen Qiulan hurriedly interrupted her. Noticing Wen Qiulan's fluster, Evie suddenly stood up and looked up at her. 

"Wen Qiulan, you know, don't you? You know that I like you, that I want you. You're fully aware of this." Despite being much shorter than Wen Qiulan, Evie's questioning demeanor was strong. Hearing her finally voice these words, Wen Qiulan let out a sigh.

"Xiao Yi, I'm your elder. According to our generations, you should address me as 'aunt.' I'm much older than you and not the right person for you. Your feelings for me right now might just be a momentary curiosity and dependency. You'll find a more suitable Alpha for yourself." Wen Qiulan spoke gently. Since Evie had opened up, she didn't need to pretend to be distant anymore. Looking into Wen Qiulan's gentle yet restrained eyes, Evie longed to rush over and kiss this Alpha. Who gave Wen Qiulan the mistaken impression that they were incompatible?

"Wen Qiulan, age isn't the issue between us. I can feel that you like me." Evie suddenly grabbed Wen Qiulan's hand and pressed it against her own chest. The fullness beneath her palm made Wen Qiulan panic, and she quickly pulled her hand back, lowering her head and unable to meet Evie's gaze.

"Xiao Yi, I went on a blind date yesterday and met an Omega who is very suitable for me. I want to see how things go with her." Wen Qiulan spoke softly. She didn't want to use this excuse to hurt Evie, but... compared to Evie feeling bored and regretful after being with her, she preferred to keep their relationship as teacher and student. Being much older than her, she needed to consider Evie's future.

"Is that so? But I believe I am the most suitable Omega for Teacher Wen. Wen Qiulan, I won't give up on you." Evie said, suddenly stepping forward to place a kiss on Wen Qiulan's cheek before turning to leave. Wen Qiulan stood there until Evie closed the door, slowly raising her hand to touch the spot where she had been kissed.

There was still a trace of Evie's scent there, but it faded quickly.

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Author's Note: Recently, it's been especially cold in the northeast, so cold that staying indoors makes my hands and feet numb, seriously affecting my typing speed... I need heating for my fingers. Also, regarding Evie's family, they are nobles with a more impressive lineage than the Gu and Song families. As for Teacher Wen's background and status, compared to Evie's family, they are considered commoners.

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