Independence

Miranda raised her head and found that Paul’s chin was almost

touching her forehead. If she hadn’t grabbed onto his arm, she would’ve ended up pressing her face right against his chest…

Miranda snapped out of her reverie and took a few steps backward.

Paul swallowed unnoticeably and put his hands down. He said, “It’s easy to trip and fall in heels. Flat shoes are better and safer.”

Miranda chuckled and replied, “Thank you.”

Winter had been waiting outside all this time. She called out curiously when she heard some sounds coming from the staircase. “Mimi? Is that you?

Miranda glanced in the direction of her voice. “I need to go now. See you around.”

Paul hummed in response, clenching his fists and relaxing them. As he climbed up the stairs, he could hear Winter’s and Miranda’s voices. coming from below as they chatted.

“What took you so long?”

“Something came up just now.

“Did you see Paul?”

Winter had only known that Paul was staying in this area. She had not idea Paul and Miranda were neighbors.

Miranda simply hummed in response

Her response was calm and natural, so Winter didn’t try to dwell on the topic. They started discussing what they should eat. Eventually, they decided on a restaurant that served exotic foreign cuisines.

During the meal, Winter shared what happened after she’d attended some blind dates. Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.

*All of them are so frivolous and snobbish! I hope someone can make all of these lazy, rich kids miraculously disappear from the face of the earth someday!”

In their circle, she was well known for being bold and free–spirited. When she’d started going on blind dates out of nowhere, everyone had been waiting to see how miserable she’d be.

What was worse, those who’d been forced to go on blind dates with her hadn’t bothered being courteous or polite.

All of them wanted Winter to be obedient and stay at home if they were to marry her. She just had to focus on managing family affairs and

house chores.

Winter was both infuriated and amused by how these foolish, incompetent men seemed to think that everyone would rather spend their days doing nothing just like them.

“I got so pissed that I went and exposed those guys‘ secrets.” Winter snorted.

They were all in the same circle. It was easy for her to dig up dirt on just about anyone she wanted.

Miranda wasn’t surprised to hear all that. Winter had always been rather impulsive and quick–tempered. “No wonder there was so much scandalous news recently.”

There was news of someone from a prestigious family having an affair one day and news of another family being caught for tax evasion the next day.

Even Miranda, who’d been busy with her revisions, had heard of the

news.

“It’s their fault for being rude and unreasonable.” Winter sighed. “Our family is considered one of the most prestigious families around here, and I have an elder cousin.”

She continued, “Even so, my parents are still nagging me every day to get married as soon as possible. It’s so annoying!

“It’s not just me, though. You probably don’t know how worried my aunt. is about Paul’s love life. She’s always trying to come up with ways to get him to consider marriage.”

Miranda tried imagining it, but it was hard for her to visualize Paul being nagged over marriage issues.

“Anyway, Paul is hardly home. My aunt can’t try anything, even if she wants to.” Winter shrugged. “I am, however, curious to meet the lady he chooses as his partner. He’s never been in a relationship.”

For some reason, Miranda recalled what had happened on the staircase just now.

Although Paul might look distant and aloof, he wasn’t completely unsociable. Instead, he was a caring, gentle, and warm person.

Miranda couldn’t help but feel that the lady who managed to catch Paul’s eyes must be a wonderful person as well.

Time flew.

In the blink of an eye, it was already December–the time the first round of the postgraduate admission exam was scheduled to take place.

The winter in the north was cold and humid. The weather forecast from a week ago had predicted snow, but it hadn’t snowed at all until now.

They had only had scattered sleet showers in their area during the evening. In the morning the next day, the roads were frozen with ice.

On the day of the admission exam, Miranda put on a thick padded jacket, a scarf, and a pair of gloves. After changing into her snow boots, she finally left her apartment.