I'm a Big Villain in Star Rail, Opening with Annihilation of the Astral Express Crew

But for some reason, looking at the expectant expression on Jiang Mo's face, she agreed:

"Alright."

The other students in the classroom had already left.

Bronya sat alone at her desk, taking a thick book out of her bag and flipping through it.

Minute after minute passed, and the hour hand on the wall clock pointed to the next mark.

She raised her wrist to check the time, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing slightly:

"What's taking so long..."

Although she was beginning to feel a little impatient, she would wait until the end since she had promised.

This was the education she had been instilled with since childhood: a person cannot stand without trust.

Even if Jiang Mo didn't come back until tomorrow, she thought she should keep her promise and wait here.

Just as her patience was about to run out and she was about to get up and look for Jiang Mo, the classroom door creaked open.

Bronya looked up.

She saw Jiang Mo walking in, carrying something carefully wrapped in an insulated bag.

He walked straight up to her and handed her the cup-shaped object in his hand, which was emitting a faint coolness and a vaguely sweet fragrance.

Bronya's gaze fell on the cup.

The contents of the cup were layered and colorful, with a delicate wooden spoon stuck in the very top.

Beneath the glistening crushed ice were syrups and jams of various colors, interwoven to create a dreamlike hue.

"This is...?"

A faint smile appeared on Jiang Mo's face as he replied, "Soda Ice Mountain."

"Soda Ice Mountain?"

Bronya repeated the unfamiliar name, her eyes full of confusion.

"Why... are you giving this to me?"

She had never seen anything like this in any of the high-end dessert shops or banquets in the Upper District.

"Try it, it's delicious."

Bronya shook her head, "No, thank you."

"Mother says that these kinds of snacks are bad for your teeth, and they're too high in calories, which can lead to weight gain and is not conducive to maintaining proper decorum."

Despite saying that, her eyes were still drawn to the misty ice mountain in the cup, and her throat couldn't help but roll slightly.

Hearing this, Jiang Mo sighed inwardly, wondering what kind of rigid and dull life she was living in the Upper District.

She didn't even have the freedom to eat snacks, and every day she faced boring books and tedious etiquette...

Perhaps, it wasn't even as good as when she was in the orphanage...

At least, she used to have a light in her eyes.

Jiang Mo had no choice but to patiently coax her:

"Just try a little bite, it's okay."

"I went through a lot of trouble to get this, it's a 'limited edition special product' from the Underworld."

He had indeed put a lot of thought into this "Soda Ice Mountain."

He had Natasha send someone to go through many twists and turns to find the stall owner who made Soda Ice Mountain back in the day, in a wanderer camp on the edge of Boulder Town.

The stall owner's skills had also become rusty, and it was only after Natasha's people used both soft and hard tactics that he reluctantly resumed his old business and specially made this one for Jiang Mo, and sent it to Jiang Mo in the Upper District as quickly as possible.

"Your mother isn't here, eat it, no one will know." Jiang Mo lowered his voice, "Just consider it... a little secret between us."

His voice seemed to carry some kind of magic, easily plucking at the string in Bronya's heart called "rules."

"Secret?"

Bronya's eyelashes trembled slightly.

Chapter 56: Becoming the School Idol

She looked at Jiang Mo's black eyes, and then at the tempting Soda Ice Mountain.

The scales in her heart began to sway violently.

For a long time, she had been suppressed.

The curiosity of a young girl, the desire for sweets, and Jiang Mo's persistence.

These things made her finally take the cup somewhat unnaturally.

She gently scooped a small piece of crushed ice from the top with the wooden spoon.

The colored syrup, along with the shaved ice, was hesitantly sent into her mouth.

Icy cold.

Sweet and sour.

Bubbles burst.

A wondrous sensation bloomed on her taste buds in an instant.

Bronya's eyes widened abruptly, a strange sense of familiarity coursing through her.

"Mmm... delicious..."

She murmured subconsciously.

Then, she quickly dug in for a second spoonful, and a third.

Her demeanor was a far cry from her usual stern image.

Jiang Mo watched her quietly, noticing the blush of surprise and delight on her face, and the childlike joy that sparkled in her eyes.

"This taste... it feels a little familiar..."

Bronya put down her spoon.

She looked at Jiang Mo, somewhat lost.

Unbeknownst to herself, her eyes held a strange emotion.

"Did you remember anything?"

Jiang Mo asked while the iron was hot.

Bronya frowned and pondered for a moment, but ultimately shook her head.

"Nothing... probably just my imagination."

But her expression towards Jiang Mo was noticeably softer.

Less coldness, more of an indescribable closeness, and a hint of confusion.

"Is that so... if you can't remember, then forget about it."

Jiang Mo didn't press her further.

"It's getting late, I should go."

"See you tomorrow, Bronya."

He turned and left, leaving Bronya sitting there alone.

She held the remaining Soda Ice Mountain in her hand, and looked again at Jiang Mo's departing figure.

A tiny crack seemed to have formed in a place within her heart that had been frozen for a long time.

A week later, the midterm exam results were announced.

Jiang Mo and Bronya both did very well.

Bronya's grades had improved compared to before, and she was in a good mood.

Jiang Mo's study methods were very effective, and she was somewhat impressed by him.

After class that day, Jiang Mo felt that the time was right.

He called out to Bronya.

"Bronya, are you free tonight?"

"I have two tickets to the opera house, for the newly staged fairy tale play, Leisha and Mrs. Tru."

"I heard the reviews are very good."

As soon as Jiang Mo finished speaking, the classroom erupted!

The students who hadn't left yet all looked towards them.

"No way?!"

"Jiang Mo, that kid, is actually inviting Miss Bronya to the opera?!"

"Is he crazy? How many noble young masters have tried to ask Miss Bronya out before, only to be rejected outright, not even able to exchange a word!"

One boy said sourly, "I thought he was just a bookworm who only knew how to study, how did he suddenly figure things out?"

"The main thing is... what right does he have?!"

"Miss Bronya definitely won't agree!"

"If she agrees, what does that make all the rejections we've faced before? To be outdone by a transfer student from the Underworld?"

Many girls stared at Bronya, their feelings complicated.

The girls in the class felt somewhat resentful.

Jiang Mo had been here for over a month, and although he was from the Underworld... he was handsome.

Moreover, he was usually very gentle with the girls and easy to talk to, and was recognized as the class's heartthrob.

There were even girls who confessed to him, but he had sternly rejected them all.

Hearing Jiang Mo's invitation, Bronya was stunned, her cheeks flushed.

She wanted to refuse.

Her mother had taught her to keep her distance from classmates and avoid private gatherings.

But looking at Jiang Mo's smile, some vague images suddenly flashed in her mind... the orphanage at dusk, a broken swing, and a sweet Soda Ice Mountain.

A strange sense of closeness welled up in her heart.

Bronya looked at Jiang Mo, wavering.

Jiang Mo was too handsome, too pretty...

Although her mother had taught her not to judge by appearances, Jiang Mo's face was unmatched in the entire academy.

Not just handsome, but also a bit... captivating.

He had an indescribable allure, especially when he smiled.

Bronya's heart fluttered, and she nodded almost against her will.

"Mm..."

"You agree?" Jiang Mo asked.

Bronya's face flushed even redder.

She avoided Jiang Mo's gaze and said softly:

"Mm... just as a return gift, thank you for the Soda Ice Mountain yesterday."

"How much were those two tickets? Let me treat you."

Jiang Mo noticed the nearby boys were about to breathe fire, while the girls' gazes were resentful and unwilling.

He turned to Bronya, smiled, and said: