Chapter 48

Henry no longer bothered to control her, letting her "fiddle" around. Summer didn't need to worry about the constraints of the novel's plot for now, about being unable to refuse Henry's demands, and about being a pushover for him.

Of course, she couldn't feel entirely secure just because Henry temporarily ignored her.

If the novel's plot constraints weren't completely lifted, she would eventually follow the original storyline.

Summer exhaled, looking at herself in the mirror.

She repeatedly told herself—don't rush, take it slow.

Taking things steady was always the safest approach.

After reflecting on her recent inappropriate behavior and thoroughly adjusting her mood and mindset, Summer put the mirror back in her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and headed back to the residence.

Saying she wasn't in a hurry, she naturally took a leisurely pace.

Strolling back to the residence, Summer admired the wildflowers and grasses, occasionally bending down to pick a couple of pretty flowers, twirling them in her hand.

A group of gray ducks swam in the small river she passed, ripples spreading out behind them.

When Summer returned to the residence, Henry, Logan, and the others had already finished eating.

She arrived at the gate just as Logan was coming out.

Seeing Logan, she quickly lowered her head and stepped aside to let him pass.

Logan stopped and looked at her for a moment but didn't say anything. With a blank expression, he walked out.

Summer sighed softly and went to the kitchen to cook.

If she didn't need to use Logan to free herself from the novel's constraints, she wouldn't bother clinging to him. She felt that being alone was nice, easy, and free.

Even if she needed friends to alleviate boredom and loneliness, she wouldn't choose Logan.

Making friends with Logan was pure torture. He was arrogant, conceited, and had no interest in befriending anyone.

If he treated someone well, it was only because he had ulterior motives.

If she could ever fully free herself from the novel's constraints, she would stay far away from Logan, avoiding his disdain and criticism.

***

Smoke rose from the kitchen chimney.

In the boys' dormitory on the east side, Henry and the others gathered after their meal.

Seeing Logan leave and Summer return alone to the kitchen, Lily nudged Cecilia, gossiping, "Do you think they've fallen out?"

They used to be inseparable, doing everything together. But today, Logan came back first, and Summer came back later, not even greeting each other at the gate. Something was clearly wrong.

Cecilia, slow to react, hadn't yet spoken when Grace chimed in, "Logan probably got tired of her stupidity. After taking advantage of her, he's done with her. Given her brain, it's normal for Logan to use her and then kick her aside."

The others noticed the tension between Summer and Logan and heard Lily and Grace's conversation.

Charlie turned to Henry and asked, "Should we check on Summer?"

"No need," Henry replied without hesitation.

Let her learn her lesson well.

Charlie, always listening to Henry, pretended he hadn't asked anything.

***

After finishing her meal and cleaning up, Summer went back to her dorm to rest.

The girls' dorm was quiet, unlike the bustling boys' dorm, making it a peaceful place to rest.

As she rested, Summer habitually wondered where Logan had gone.

With no chores left in the private plot today, he was probably at the school.

But no matter where he was, Summer had no intention of looking for him today.

She planned to take a nap in the dorm and head to school just in time for the afternoon classes.

Logan, meanwhile, had indeed gone to the school after lunch, avoiding the noisy boys' dormitory.

He preferred the quiet and solitude of the school office, where he could read undisturbed.

The school was empty and peaceful, perfect for someone who cherished silence as much as Logan did. Sometimes, he wished he were the only person on Earth. But today, something felt off.

After reading a couple of pages, he lost interest, closed the book, and tossed it on the desk. Glancing at the clock, he realized what was wrong.

In his subconscious, someone should be sitting at the adjacent desk—quietly reading or napping, not leaving it empty like this.

Logan exhaled lightly, shifted his gaze back to the clock, and leaned back in his chair, lazily watching the clock's hands.

The lower half of the clock's glass cover featured three blooming peonies. The pendulum swung rhythmically, and the minute hand moved, marking each passing moment.

Five minutes per large mark, three large marks per quarter-hour.

As the quarter-hour and five more minutes passed, students began entering the schoolyard, some quietly heading to class, others playfully pushing and shoving their way inside.

With students arriving, Logan stood up, grabbed a small hammer, and went outside to ring the bell.

He stood under the eaves and struck the iron board heavily, thinking coldly—if she's late by even a minute, I'll have Leonardo dock her a penny!

Just as he finished ringing the bell, Summer walked in through the gate.

Logan, holding the hammer: "..."

Without a watch, she still managed to be so punctual.