Joan Morrow was never your typical "good girl." She stayed at school not because of rules or discipline, but because she herself deemed "leaving campus" completely pointless. But thanks to Adam Zade's relentless scheming, Joan reconsidered the necessity of going out—and without needing to be coaxed or led, she just marched straight out the school gates on her own.
School rules? She ruled them out as meaningless.
In a way, Joan Morrow's attitude was a lot like Teacher Yang's. Neither flaunted their superiority, but their unbothered, do-your-own-thing vibe was a kind of pride all its own.
But there was one big difference between Joan and Teacher Yang—Joan was ethereal, while Teacher Yang was transparent. Teacher Yang had been through the grind, found his true self, and saw through every trick in the book. Try to set him up with some basic scheme? Not a chance.
Joan, on the other hand, didn't get people at all.
So she was easily led out by Adam, and had no clue why that smug guy kept grinning at her.
But Joan had her own way of doing things. And that way made this little kidnapping operation anything but smooth.
"In the last fifteen minutes, you've turned to me and flexed your facial muscles twenty-two times, totaling seven minutes and forty-four seconds." Joan didn't get it, so she asked—straight up, before they'd even gone far: "Explain the purpose of this behavior."
"Ahem—" Adam Zade nearly choked, quickly denying it: "No, no purpose at all..."
"No, every action has a purpose, unless it's a symptom." Joan whipped out a book, flipped right to a page, and pointed at a line for Adam Zade: "If you really had no purpose, then what you just did was—early signs of psychosis."
Adam was instantly flabbergasted: "Hey, what kind of book is that?! How am I suddenly a lunatic now?!"
"A textbook on clinical psychology." Joan held the book up to her face, eyes shining like a kid looking at a game guide: "This book's insights on human psychology are actually pretty useful." Then she looked up at Adam, all serious: "I suggest you get a professional evaluation at an asylum. If needed, I recommend electroshock therapy."
[Oh my god!] Teacher Yang almost burst out laughing in the Mindscape. What do you do if a young guy keeps grinning at a girl? Send him for electroshock therapy~
Just a few smiles and now he’s headed for the asylum—Adam Zade’s face was a masterpiece of disbelief. Mouth agape, dumbfounded, he finally saw in Joan’s calm eyes that she meant every word, and he quickly shook his head, denying it: "No, no, I’m sure I’m not crazy!"
"Do you have a license to practice psychology?"
"Uh... no..."
"Then you’re not qualified to diagnose yourself as sane." Joan ignored Adam’s protest, pulled out a map of London, and started searching for something with a serious look. That look made Adam shiver: "Hey, what are you looking for—you’re not searching for the nearest asylum, are you?"
"Correct."
"I am NOT going to any asylum!!" Oh come on, I finally managed to get her out here, can’t a guy just be happy? I even prepared a bunch of stuff for today—do I get no credit at all?!
"What a crappy book! How could human psychology be summed up so easily in one book? And the author isn’t some divine oracle—who says he’s right? No way, I’m not buying it!"
Joan Morrow looked thoughtful, then nodded: "That's a valid point. The author can't prove they're absolutely right, so this book can't be fully trusted."
"Exactly!" Adam Zade let out a long sigh of relief, wiping cold sweat from his forehead. He said offhandedly, "Scientists can't just blindly trust one source. Only after comprehensive sampling and research do you get close to the truth. No blind faith, no recklessness—patience and confidence, that's the real scientific spirit."
Adam said it casually, but to his surprise, Joan's eyes suddenly lit up—like in an anime, thunder striking behind her head. It was as if a veil had lifted, and for the first time, after careful thought, she nodded at Adam with genuine enthusiasm, her tone showing a spark of real life.
"Your perspective is really inspiring. You're—amazing!"
Adam Zade had seen all kinds of looks before, but the raw, honest approval in Joan's eyes dazzled him. It was like a creature from the depths getting its first glimpse of sunlight.
Staring into those bright eyes, Adam Zade froze for a moment. All his usual masks dropped, leaving only a subtle, indescribable joy—and a hint of shyness he just couldn't hide.
A faint blush crept over Adam Zade's pale face. He turned away, dodging her gaze: "Uh... well... hehe, see? I told you I was awesome..."
Joan said seriously, "After observing you for a while, I thought you were just messing with me, using academic research as a cover for some purpose I couldn’t figure out. But now I see—you’re a real scientist with true scientific spirit."
"I—!" Any trace of shyness vanished. Adam Zade's face went full comic-strip for a moment, then he finally squeezed out, "Anyway... if you trust me, you won't regret it..."
"Alright." Joan Morrow's eyes shone like rare crystals: "From now on, I trust you."
.................. After a long pause, Adam Zade finally blurted out like the designated comic relief: "Why are you always like a rollercoaster—one minute you leave me speechless, the next you get me all emotional! Does the plot twist have to be this fast? How am I supposed to react? Someone tell me how I’m supposed to react!"
This was Adam Zade's first time sneaking Joan Morrow out of school.
In the Mindscape, Teacher Yang watched the scene, his feelings complicated.
That Zade, that old Zade, in this moment, seemed real.
From this moment on, Joan Morrow seemed to accept all of Adam Zade’s actions as valid. She stopped questioning his odd motives, stopped thinking he needed electroshock therapy. She just followed him through streets and alleys, wandering the beautiful city of London, seeing the kaleidoscopic world.
And Adam’s attitude toward Joan quietly changed, too. It was hard to describe, but if before he was just interested in her, now Adam Zade seemed to genuinely see Joan as someone he could share everything with—a true confidante.
He shared his feelings, his thoughts, his truest self—and even that playful side he’d thought he’d lost.
Their interactions stopped feeling forced and became natural. Joan's odd speech quirks no longer bothered him, and he didn’t find her blunt logic strange anymore. A top-tier socialite and a mysterious, quirky girl—suddenly, they were in perfect harmony.
They drifted down the Thames River in a small boat together.
The water sparkled, green waves rippled, and both of them stared intently at the river. After a long, mysterious silence, Adam suddenly shouted, yanked up the fishing rod, and with a splash, the water churned—the line went taut in an instant.
"Whoa, that's a strong one! Looks like a big catch. Alright, watch me reel you in!" Adam was fired up, rolling up his sleeves for action, when suddenly a pair of delicate hands slapped both sides of his face, puffing his cheeks up like steamed buns. Joan pinned his facial muscles down like she was handling a specimen: "Explain the meaning behind this muscle movement."
"This—this means excitement!" Adam's lips, squished into a fishy pout, could only open and close: "Quick, let me go, the fish is getting away! This is my first time fishing for real, I have to land this big one!"
In that moment, his excitement seemed genuine.
In the Royal English Opera House, the two sat in the fanciest box.
Adam wore a sharp suit, and Joan had changed into a formal evening gown. The slender girl, dressed up, shone like a star in the night. Adam split his attention between sneaking glances at Joan and watching the stage. Onstage, Turandot reached its climax. As the prince prepared to confess to Princess Turandot in 'Nessun Dorma,' the real-life prince beside Joan couldn't help daydreaming. At the best part, he couldn't hold back a goofy grin.
Whap! Again, a pair of delicate hands clamped down on his face, squashing his silly smile. Joan studied her specimen, asking: "Explain the meaning behind this muscle movement."
"Th-this—this is bliss! This is my bliss face!" Adam's eyes darted around, panicking and making up excuses: "Listen, the music is so beautiful, I'm just lost in the art!"
Joan narrowed her eyes and pressed on: "Why weren't you lost in art this morning at the art exhibit?"
You were still in your school uniform at the art exhibit—didn’t look as good as now. Adam patted his chest and gave an honest answer: "Because I love music."
In that moment, his bliss seemed genuine.