Empire of Desire: An Alpha’s Financial Reign - Chapter 7

In the Library of Huaxin University

In the hushed halls of Huaxin University’s library, the tension was palpable as the semester drew to a close. Like a tightly wound string stretched to its limits, every student was immersed in a battle against time, frantically navigating the floodwaters of final exams.

The quiet rustle of turning pages, the occasional sigh of fatigue, and the soft scratching of pens on paper formed a symphony of academic pressure. Among the sea of diligent students was Han Zaijing, her small corner near the window transformed into a fortress of textbooks, notes, and highlighters.

She sat with her back straight, her long hair tied in a neat ponytail, and her eyes brimming with focus. The sunlight streamed through the towering windows, casting flickering patterns on her desk and books. The pen in her hand danced rhythmically as she attempted to commit every detail to memory.

For Han Zaijing, this wasn’t just another exam period—it was a test of endurance, a challenge to her self-discipline.

But then, a sudden fragrance—faint, familiar, and distracting—cut through her concentration. She blinked, momentarily dazed, and lifted her head. Sitting beside her was none other than Ni Jia, holding a steaming cup of coffee and a book, her expression serene as she flipped through the pages. The warmth in the air shifted. What felt like a random encounter was, in fact, meticulously orchestrated.

Earlier that day, Ni Jia’s sister had spotted Han Zaijing in the library and wasted no time informing Ni Jia of her whereabouts. Ni Jia, feigning coincidence, appeared moments later and casually took the seat next to her. But for Han Zaijing, this wasn’t just a harmless act.

Ni Jia’s presence had an uncanny gravitational pull—one that tugged relentlessly at her attention and made it nearly impossible to focus on her revision.

Though she tried to keep her eyes on the pages in front of her, Han Zaijing couldn’t help glancing at Ni Jia from the corner of her eye. Her heart beat faster with each stolen look. The subtle scent of Ni Jia’s perfume seemed to cloud her thoughts, weaving its way through her mind and leaving her unfocused.

In a moment of distraction, Han Zaijing reached for her own drink but mistakenly picked up Ni Jia’s cup instead. She took a small sip before realizing her error.

Startled, she looked up to find Ni Jia gazing at her with raised eyebrows and a playful glint in her eyes. She mouthed silently, “You owe me a coffee.”

Caught red-handed, Han Zaijing’s cheeks flushed crimson. She gave an awkward smile and nodded in agreement. That brief, intimate exchange seemed to spark something between them.

With finals behind them, the university campus began to empty out. Students hurried to finish packing, eager to leave for the winter break and celebrate the approaching New Year. But for Han Zaijing, the real journey was just beginning. Her days suddenly became tethered to a new routine—delivering coffee to the Ni household every morning.

Ni Jia had taken full advantage of the incident in the library, turning it into an excuse to see Han Zaijing more often. What started as playful teasing evolved into a secret habit. Every day, Han Zaijing would show up at Ni Jia’s door with a fresh cup of coffee in hand. And every day, Ni Jia would open the door with a smile that made Han’s heart skip a beat.

But not everyone welcomed Han Zaijing’s newfound presence. Ni Jia’s older brother, Ni Kuang—an overprotective sibling through and through—quickly took notice. With a half-serious glare, he warned Han to keep her intentions in check, hinting not-so-subtly that his sister was off-limits. Han Zaijing could only offer a sheepish smile in return.

If only he knew that her feelings had already far surpassed the boundaries of friendship.

Ni Jia, ever warm and kind, loved caring for animals. At home, she had a playful golden retriever who was always eager to make new friends. Unfortunately for Han Zaijing, she had never been comfortable around animals. But when Ni Jia gently encouraged her, Han mustered the courage to try.

Each time she hesitantly patted the dog’s head or stiffly threw a ball, Ni Jia would laugh, her eyes lighting up with amusement. Watching Han Zaijing struggle adorably with the rambunctious dog quickly became one of her favorite pastimes.

Over time, teasing Han Zaijing became a cherished routine for Ni Jia. She found joy in her every expression—confused, flustered, determined. It was as if Han Zaijing brought a splash of unexpected color to her days. And before long, Ni Jia realized she eagerly looked forward to their daily encounters, to hearing Han’s voice, and seeing the way she smiled.

One chilly weekend morning, the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a soft golden hue over the Ni family’s garden. Wrapped in scarves and coats, the two girls met at the gate, ready to explore the city together. Their destination was the aquarium—an impromptu idea that quickly turned into an adventure.

By the time they arrived, dusk had already settled. The aquarium’s walls sparkled with tiny lights, giving it the look of an underwater palace. They stepped inside and were immediately transported to a serene, magical world where ocean light shimmered across glass panels and strange, beautiful creatures drifted through silent waters.

Ni Jia was drawn to a tank of vibrant tropical fish. She leaned in, mesmerized, her breath fogging the glass as she watched them dart through the water. Han Zaijing stood close, but her eyes weren’t on the fish—they were on Ni Jia. Bathed in the soft, blue glow of the aquarium, Ni Jia looked ethereal.

Her delicate features, her calm smile, the way her eyes sparkled—it was all too much. Han’s heart pounded as realization washed over her. She didn’t just like Ni Jia. She was falling for her.

They moved to the jellyfish room, where the lighting grew dimmer and the jellyfish glided like glowing ghosts. Ni Jia pressed her fingers gently against the tank. “Zaijing, aren’t they beautiful?” she whispered.
Han nodded, her voice thick with emotion. “Yes. Very beautiful.”

Their eyes met in that quiet space, and though neither spoke the words aloud, something passed between them—tender, uncertain, but undeniably real.

Afterward, they visited a nearby amusement park. Under bright lights and the sound of laughter, they rode the carousel and roller coasters, their laughter mingling with the winter night. Later, they sat on a bench, sharing ice cream despite the cold.

When Ni Jia pulled out her phone and suggested a photo, Han nodded and leaned in. Their cheeks touched, their smiles were soft.

Click.

The moment was captured—a snapshot of warmth in winter. As Ni Jia looked at the photo, her heart stirred with a gentle warmth. Somewhere along the way, Han Zaijing had become a part of her life she didn’t want to let go of.

And maybe—just maybe—this was only the beginning.