The spring chill had not yet fully receded, and the early mornings in North Sky City remained quite cool.
After the events of last night, Lin Xinyuan had learned her lesson. She set her alarm early and got up on time, preparing to have breakfast with a certain someone. It wasn’t exactly that she wanted to—she would have loved to sleep in—but she was truly afraid that the guy would “go crazy” again and find an excuse to do those… strange things.
However, she also vaguely understood that part of the reason Qin Nanfeng did this was to change her bad habits. Thus, despite a bit of internal reluctance, she didn’t resist.
Since they started early, after they finished breakfast at the cafeteria, Lin Xinyuan thought of Liu Qingyan, who hadn’t woken up yet, and decided to bring breakfast back for her.
After all, they would be roommates for quite a while. Although one can’t always know a person’s heart, from what she had seen so far, Liu Qingyan had a good personality, and they got along well enough. Even if she wasn’t the best at social graces, she had been influenced by Xiong Wei and the others back when she was a boy; she knew the basics of handling relationships. She didn’t want to end up like those dorm horror stories people posted online, where a single room of people has multiple different group chats…
Though, the probability of that happening seemed small.
The morning crowd was still sparse, even in the cafeteria.
“There’s some business at the company. I’ll come find you later. Be good.”
Back at the dormitory entrance, Qin Nanfeng habitually rubbed the girl’s head. Lin Xinyuan endured it silently; this had almost become an instinctive habit for them. There was no awkwardness left, though she still didn’t like being seen doing this when there were too many people around. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but it always felt a bit strange…
“Mhm. Be careful out there, Brother Feng. Don’t work too hard,” Lin Xinyuan urged with her almond eyes wide, a trace of worry on her small face.
Although she didn’t know how Qin Nanfeng was able to go in and out of the campus so freely, she didn’t ask too many questions. The girl looked so full of concern that she resembled a wife seeing off a husband going on a long journey.
Seeing this, Qin Nanfeng smirked. “Xiaoyuan is starting to look like a proper housewife. Are you already that impatient for the role?”
Lin Xinyuan knew exactly what he meant. Her heart skipped a beat, but she said nothing. She simply turned her face away, acting as if she didn’t want to deal with him. “Just go already…”
She decided to adopt the “Ignore Strategy,” determined not to give this guy any openings.
Qin Nanfeng put on a pitiful look and shrugged. “Fine then. Xiaoyuan doesn’t love me anymore; she’s in such a rush to kick me out. Truly heartbreaking.”
Seeing the girl remain silent, Qin Nanfeng knew this trick wouldn’t work today, but he wasn’t embarrassed. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, as if brewing something…
A moment later, the corners of his mouth tilted up, a flash of mischief crossing his eyes before vanishing. He had things to do right now, so it wasn’t the time yet—what a pity.
He gave the girl’s fair, tender face one last squeeze. “I’m off. Go back inside.”
With that, Qin Nanfeng turned and left without a hint of hesitation. Only then did Lin Xinyuan quickly look up, watching the young man’s tall back and touching the cheek he had just pinched. Even through the mask, a lingering warmth seemed to remain.
She stared blankly for a long while before reluctantly withdrawing her gaze.
Stinky Blondie… his hands are always so restless…
Hmph.
Despite her thoughts, a sweet curve rested on Lin Xinyuan’s lips as she turned and headed straight back to the dorm.
Inside the dormitory, Liu Qingyan was already awake and had just finished washing up. She looked like she was about to head out, likely for breakfast. Seeing the girl return, she smiled, waved, and mouthed:
[Good morning!]
“Good morning…” Lin Xinyuan was being polite for the first time like this and couldn’t help but blush. She handed over the plastic bag. “Qingyan, this… I brought breakfast for you.”
This was the first time Lin Xinyuan had ever given breakfast to a girl. In the past, she had wanted to do the same for Li Xue, but she had been flatly rejected, with Li Xue claiming she was afraid of wasting money…
So why didn’t she say that when she asked me to buy her makeup?
Back then, she had been foolish enough to believe it. Looking back now, she felt she must have lost her mind.
Currently, Lin Xinyuan was feeling nervous, watching the girl in front of her and waiting for her reaction. Liu Qingyan’s beautiful eyes blinked, her smile deepening. She nodded happily and used hand gestures to say: [Thank you, Xiaoyuan!]
Taking the bag, she pulled out her phone, intending to transfer money to the girl.
Seeing this, Lin Xinyuan waved her hands frantically. “It’s fine! It’s only a few yuan!”
But seeing Liu Qingyan shake her head, still insisting on paying, Lin Xinyuan had no choice but to compromise. “At most… you can just buy it for me next time, okay?”
Only then did the girl stop her movements. Lin Xinyuan relaxed and gave a shy smile.
Liu Qingyan knew the girl had gone out early. Seeing her return so soon, she thought for a moment and sent her a message on WeChat, then shook her phone to signal her to check it.
[Are you not staying with your boyfriend?]
Lin Xinyuan froze at the message, then looked up at the girl’s questioning expression. She didn’t hide it, though she didn’t go into detail. “He’s busy; he went to work.”
Liu Qingyan nodded and stopped asking. She sat back down at her desk to enjoy the breakfast the girl had bought for her. However, in her heart, she was still analyzing the situation of this couple.
She hadn’t noticed at first yesterday, but later she felt that Lin Xinyuan’s boyfriend seemed a bit familiar? Like she had seen him somewhere before…
After waking up today, it finally clicked. Wasn’t that the “illustrious” Great Ladykiller?
Of course, Liu Qingyan didn’t actually follow the school forums, it was mostly hearsay. She recognized Qin Nanfeng mainly because he used to play basketball with her [friends/acquaintances] occasionally.
I heard he’s a real scumbag? Then Xiaoyuan…
The more Liu Qingyan thought about it, the more she worried. Though they had known each other for less than a day, she genuinely liked this overly innocent girl. At least she wasn’t like those people… acting one way to your face while likely treating you as a joke or dinner-table gossip behind your back.
She stole a glance back at Lin Xinyuan, who was already sitting at her desk scrolling through her phone, and shook her head gently.
Whatever… why care so much? It’s someone else’s business. Besides, it looks like that playboy’s feelings for Lin Xinyuan aren’t fake. Best not to say anything reckless…
The morning passed quickly, and soon it was lunchtime. Liu Qingyan invited Lin Xinyuan to the cafeteria. Since Lin Xinyuan wanted to build their friendship, she didn’t refuse.
However, after eating, Liu Qingyan didn’t return to the dorm. Instead, she went straight to the basketball courts and invited Lin Xinyuan along. Lin Xinyuan didn’t go; after all, she had no interest in basketball.
But if Brother Feng were there… maybe I would go.
Actually, the main reason she didn’t follow Liu Qingyan was that a certain someone had asked her to come pick her up.
Speaking of which, Li Tang had been in contact with her quite frequently these past few days, complaining about this and that every single day. But Lin Xinyuan knew her friend was just looking for topics to talk about; she wasn’t actually a chronic complainer.
Speak of the devil. Lin Xinyuan had only been back in the dorm for less than an hour, trying to write some code (or web novel chapters), when a call came in.
“A-Yuan! Come pick me up!”
Over the phone, Li Tang shouted in the dialect Lin Xinyuan had taught her, complaining, “There are so many people out here!”
With school starting for three days, Lin Xinyuan knew today—the second day—would be the busiest. She understood Li Tang’s complaints. Even so, she teased, “Isn’t Brother Zeng with you? Why call me? Do you want me to be a third wheel?”
Despite saying that, she prepared her mask and headed out.
On the other end, Zeng Yan was right beside Li Tang. Hearing the girl mention him, he responded with a light laugh, “She’s just tired of waiting in line and wants you to come experience it with her.”
“Brother Yan, is that not okay?”
“Whatever you say goes.”
Hearing the girl’s lively voice after so long, a faint smile unconsciously appeared on Lin Xinyuan’s clear, pretty face.