Finally, the long-awaited day of reaping the rewards of her hard work had arrived. Jillian was deep in sleep when a sudden beep from her phone shattered the quiet of the early morning. The sound blended with the muffled hum of the city waking up outside her window, but something about it felt different. Half-conscious, she reached for her phone, her fingers fumbling slightly as she unlocked the screen.
Her vision, still blurred from sleep, adjusted to the bright glow of the message. As she read the words, her mind, sluggish just moments ago, snapped into full awareness.
"Congratulations! Your offer to join Tingshua University has been accepted. Admissions will resume next week from..."
The rest of the message blurred as adrenaline surged through her veins. Jillian jolted upright, her blanket falling to her waist as her breath hitched. Her heart pounded against her ribs, disbelief and excitement crashing over her like a tidal wave. She re-read the message, once, twice, just to be sure her mind wasn't playing tricks on her.
A shaky exhale escaped her lips, followed by a wide grin spreading across her face. It was real. She had done it. Every late-night study session, every sacrifice, every struggle—it had all led to this moment.
Unable to contain herself, she threw her legs over the bed and stood up, pacing the room as the realization sank in. Her dream, the one thing she had clung to despite every obstacle, was finally within reach. The weight of uncertainty that had been pressing on her shoulders for weeks lifted, replaced by a bubbling sense of triumph.
She had made it. Tingshua was hers.
Her grandmother, resting in the next room, stirred awake at the sudden commotion. The faint sound of hurried footsteps, the creak of the floorboards, and the rustling of fabric hinted that Jillian was moving about in excitement. With a soft sigh, she pushed off her blanket and got out of bed.
Wrapping her shawl around her shoulders, she stepped into the dimly lit hallway and gently knocked on Jillian's door before pushing it open.
"Why are you so happy this early in the morning?" her grandmother asked, her voice laced with curiosity and mild concern.
Jillian, who had been pacing back and forth, her phone clutched tightly in her hands, turned with a beaming smile. Her eyes sparkled with joy, her cheeks slightly flushed from the overwhelming emotions coursing through her.
"Grandma, guess what...?" she said, practically bouncing in place.
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What is it, dear?"
Jillian took a deep breath, barely able to contain herself. "I've joined Tingshua University!"
For a moment, her grandmother just stood there, taking in the words. Then, a slow smile spread across her face, pride and warmth shining in her eyes.
"Oh, my sweet child," she said, stepping forward and pulling Jillian into a tight embrace. "I knew you could do it. I'm so proud of you."
Jillian hugged her back, feeling the comfort and love in her grandmother's arms. "I still can't believe it," she murmured.
Her grandmother pulled back slightly, holding Jillian's face in her hands. "Believe it, my dear. Your hard work has paid off. You deserve this."
Tears of happiness pricked at Jillian's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. "Thank you, Grandma. For everything."
Her grandmother patted her cheek with a knowing smile. "Now, let's go make a special breakfast to celebrate. This is just the beginning of your journey."
Jillian, still buzzing with excitement, grabbed her phone and quickly typed out a message to Dante and Leo:
"I did it! I got into Tingshua University! Come over—we're celebrating!"
Within minutes, her phone buzzed with their responses.
Dante: "Knew you would. On my way."
Leo: "Get ready, we're making this big."
A little while later, Jillian heard the sound of a motorbike pulling up outside. She rushed to the door just as Dante and Leo arrived, both grinning. Leo held up a small cake he had picked up on the way, while Dante gave her a playful nudge on the shoulder.
"Congratulations, another win," Dante said, smirking.
Leo set the cake on the table. "First, we take down enemies, and now you're off to Tingshua. You're on fire, Jillian."
Jillian chuckled, shaking her head. "It still feels unreal."
Dante crossed his arms. "Well, believe it. You worked hard for this."
Her grandmother joined them with cups of warm tea, smiling warmly at the trio. "This is a moment worth celebrating. You've all been through so much together."
Jillian looked at her two closest allies, gratitude filling her chest. This was more than just a victory for her—it was proof that despite everything, she was still moving forward.
As the celebration continued, Jillian couldn't help but feel a mix of joy and anticipation. Getting into Tingshua was a huge step, but her fight against Harlond was far from over.
Dante leaned against the table, studying her expression. "You're thinking about what's next, aren't you?"
Jillian exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "I can't help it. This is a victory, but I know Harlond isn't done. There's still so much we don't know."
Leo smirked, cutting a slice of cake. "Can't you just enjoy the moment for once?"
Jillian chuckled. "I am, but…" she trailed off, her mind already running through the loose ends. The secret shipments, the corrupted officials, Harlond's next move—none of it was resolved yet.
Her grandmother, watching her closely, placed a gentle hand on Jillian's shoulder. "You deserve this, child. Tingshua is your future, but I can see it in your eyes—you're not walking away from this fight."
Jillian looked at her grandmother, then at Dante and Leo. They had risked everything alongside her, and she couldn't let that be for nothing.
"No," she admitted, determination settling in. "I'm not done. But I'll balance both—university and the mission. We're going to finish what we started."
Dante raised his cup of tea in a mock toast. "Then here's to victories—both won and yet to come."
Leo joined in, grinning. "And to not dying before graduation."
Jillian laughed, clinking her cup with theirs. She had made it into Tingshua, but the battle wasn't over yet.
As the celebration settled, Jillian took a deep breath and checked her phone again. The official admission letter had arrived in her email, detailing everything she needed to prepare before leaving for Tingshua. A wave of excitement rushed through her, but underneath it, the weight of unfinished business lingered.
Her grandmother noticed her thoughtful expression and sat beside her. "You have something on your mind."
Jillian nodded. "I should be over the moon right now, but I can't ignore what's happening with Harlond. If I leave for university, it means stepping away from the investigation for a while."
Dante crossed his arms. "You won't be stepping away. You'll be watching from a different angle. Besides, that might be the best move—you'll be less suspicious if you focus on school."
Leo nodded in agreement. "And while you're there, we'll keep digging. It's not like we're backing down just because you're going to Tingshua."
Jillian sighed, appreciating their loyalty. "I guess that makes sense. Harlond won't stop just because I'm away, but maybe being at Tingshua will give me access to resources I wouldn't have here."
Her grandmother smiled knowingly. "You've always been a fighter, Jillian, but remember—your education is a weapon too. Learn everything you can, and when the time is right, you'll know exactly how to use it."