Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 205, Section 203: Holding Hands
"Of course not."

"It's not like I'm giving you a birthday present, what's there to be upset about?"

Zhou Mingyuan certainly wouldn't fall into the woman's verbal trap with such a common, basic, and potentially fatal question.

He picked up a piece of meat and put it in his mouth, speaking without changing his expression, as if the answer was entirely instinctive, so calm that he didn't need to think.

"Yo~~~"

Zhong Yujun put down her chopsticks, wiped her slightly reddened lips with a tissue, and asked again.

"Easy for you to say. Do you even remember when my birthday is?"

"I remember, you're a Capricorn, born on the 22nd of next month."

Zhou Mingyuan leaned back in his chair, his expression relaxed, and answered fluently.

"."

Not buddy
He actually remembers it so clearly?
Zhong Yujun, of course, had no idea how scientific and precise the tabular data management method the boy sitting opposite her was using.

Not to mention basic information like her birthday, Zhou Mingyuan even remembered her preferences clearly.

Details, details are the devil, details are the key to a woman's heart.

Just like Zhong Yujun at this moment, she wouldn't think too much; her first reaction would only be that the other person cares about her.

She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes trembling, clearly satisfied with the answer.

"Then why are you so bothered by giving me a birthday present?"

A master is a master.

In just a few words, Bai Yueguang's attention was diverted from Gu Caiwei to herself.

"You are different."

Zhou Mingyuan looked serious.

"How am I different?"

"I'm not going to worry about what to give Gu Caiwei, because she's a friend. What gift I give her doesn't matter, as long as it's the thought that counts."

The man said with a smile, "Of course you're different."

“I’ll definitely struggle to pick out a birthday gift for you. What if I give you something that doesn’t suit your taste? What if it seems disrespectful or too perfunctory?”

"Hey, you don't understand, that's just how we boys are."

"I always feel lost, sensitive, and vulnerable when dealing with important people. I am always cautious and apprehensive."

"It's like giving a gift; you hope she likes it, but you're also afraid she won't like it, and even more afraid she'll like everything."

Zhong Yujun was taken aback: "You like them all?"

"Yup!"

Zhou Mingyuan continued.

"Whether it's a birthday or just an ordinary day, if I see something while shopping that I think you'll like, I'll want to buy it for you."

"When I saw that new pastry shop near the cafeteria, they had those small, not-too-sweet mung bean cakes, and I really wanted to buy some for you to try. Also, this morning when I went to the supermarket, there was a thermos with a kitten on it that was so cute and silly. I thought it would be so warm for you to hold it during class in the winter."

The man talked nonstop, his eyes shining with an astonishing light, carrying an almost reckless sincerity.

"."

Zhong Yujun blinked and stood there, stunned.

What did he mean by those words?
The girl with the ponytail had a fair neck and a hint of pink that was clearly visible under the bright lights of the cafeteria.

Is this considered a straight shot?

This realization made Zhong Yujun's heart skip a beat, and then start pounding wildly.

She pressed her cherry lips tightly together, a strange flutter in her heart instantly engulfing her.

She instinctively sat up straight and stared intently at Zhou Mingyuan opposite her.

The noise in the cafeteria seemed to be silenced at that moment.

Everything around them blurred and faded, leaving only him and her, and the air between them suddenly filled with tension.

Important people.

When I see something nice, I want to buy it for myself.

Every little sentence he uttered was straightforward, clumsy, unadorned, and even had a touch of absurdity.

There were no fancy words, no sentimental preamble; even a fool could understand. "Alright."

Zhong Yujun's cheeks turned bright red at a visible speed, much redder than when she was burned by the spiciness of the boiled fish, and the redness spread all the way to her ears and neck.

"Actually, you don't need to worry about it."

Her beautiful eyes sparkled, but her voice was barely audible, with a slight nasal tone, completely lacking the imposing manner she had when setting up the questions.

"I'll like any gift you give me."

The girl tucked her chin slightly, not daring to look into Zhou Mingyuan's incredibly bright eyes any longer. She twisted the hem of her clothes under the table and whispered.

I like any gift, but there are conditions.

The premise is—that person is you.

"It's okay, there's still more than a month left. If it really doesn't work, I'll ask Gu Caiwei for advice."

Noticing Zhong Yujun's flushed cheeks, Zhou Mingyuan couldn't help but feel playful, scratching the back of his head as he spoke.

"?"

Zhong Yujun raised her head again, her eyes bright, and glared at him fiercely.

Her eyes conveyed less anger and more a coquettish reproach, carrying a watery, accusatory glint.

"Zhou Mingyuan, can't you have any sense of boundaries?!"

Perhaps because her emotions were fluctuating like a rollercoaster, her voice was soft and lacked any intimidation.

"Why didn't you ask for my opinion when you were picking out a gift for her?"

I'm afraid you'll overthink it.

Zhou Mingyuan shrugged, revealing a set of white teeth, looking a bit naive and self-righteous.

Aren't you afraid?

Zhong Yujun angrily started to say something, but then swallowed the rest of her words.

No, no, no!

How did I get caught up in his scheme?

What right does Gu Caiwei have to overthink things?
After dinner, the two cleaned up their plates and neither suggested going back to their dorm room first. Instead, they tacitly took a walk along the pebble path by South Lake.

We went to class together, ate together, and took walks together.

Most college couples actually live such simple lives.

Time flies!

Taking a walk always seems to stretch out time.

Zhou Mingyuan and Zhong Yujun walked out of the path one after the other. In front of them was a large lawn, where several calico cats lay lazily, meowing at them.

"Lu Shiya is organizing another dinner for everyone in the group at the end of the month. I heard she won some award at the music academy and wants to celebrate with everyone."

"Shall we go together then?"

Zhong Yujun squatted in the grass, casually teasing the kitten while chatting with Zhou Mingyuan.

"Okay."

Zhou Mingyuan smiled and nodded, gently leaning his shoulder close to Zhong Yujun's and quietly reaching out his hand.

She looks incredibly youthful today. Besides her stunningly beautiful face even without makeup, her outfit is a classic college student style.

Wearing high-waisted jeans, canvas shoes, and a simple sweatshirt, with only a versatile tote bag slung across her body, she showed that she had put thought into her trip.

Looking around, only truly beautiful women would dare to be so casual on a date.

"."

Zhong Yujun looked up, and the streetlight shone directly on her profile, casting a warm glow that seemed to reflect her gentleness.

My hand was held.

As they left the lawn, they were still holding hands.

Like a couple, palms touching palms, fingers intertwined tightly.

The evening breeze swayed them as they walked towards the girls' dormitory building of the School of Management.

(End of this chapter)