Can following the rules be called rebirth?

Chapter 241, Page 239: No Two Hearts Matched
A common unspoken rule in traditional buffet restaurants is that customers are not allowed to take food home with them.

But desserts and ice cream are allowed.

After the two had eaten and drunk their fill, Zhou Mingyuan picked up a cardboard gift box provided by the service desk and began to carefully pack the items.

"These are all carefully selected by Junjun!"

"Cheesecake, mille crepe, matcha mousse, and egg tarts—all of them can be packed up."

He spoke calmly, carefully placing the cheesecake into the box first, and even placed a thin piece of paper underneath to prevent it from sticking.

"I don't even want to pack up the leftovers anymore, I'm so full. I definitely won't eat anything when I get back."

Zhong Yuyun giggled, leaned back in her chair, and patted her still flat stomach, showing no trace of the poise and arrogance of a great beauty.

Whether you eat it or not is not important.

"The key is to have it."

"For example, if you get hungry while watching TV or reading at night, you can have it as a midnight snack, or if you don't want to eat it yourself, you can share it with your roommates."

Zhou Mingyuan said with a smile, as if all of this was perfectly natural.

"Tsk tsk tsk"

Zhong Yujun's eyes lit up instantly: "Oh right! I didn't expect you to be so thoughtful."

"The secret to maintaining friendships lies in sharing."

Zhou Mingyuan smiled, his hands moving smoothly and continuously.

Next, seemingly casually but with a clear purpose, he carefully packed the layered chocolate mille-feuille and the exquisitely crafted matcha mousse cups, which resembled works of art, into the box.

Several golden, crispy, freshly baked Portuguese egg tarts were also placed in another spacious compartment of the box.

His mind raced.

Rich and silky texture, this thousand-layered pastry is Vivi's favorite.

The mousse is delicate and slightly bitter, which creates a perfect contrast.

Egg tarts are a classic choice, hard to go wrong with, and I happened to get four, so she can share them with her closest roommate.

It is both generous and thoughtful, and perfectly avoids the risk of envy caused by excessive displays of affection.

Of course, the same tactic was replicated on Zhong Yujun.

Looking at the neatly arranged dessert boxes and the man's earnest expression as he worked on them, Zhong Yujun couldn't help but smile, feeling completely satisfied.

She even started looking forward to the sharing session that was about to begin.

"Wow, you're so lucky! My roommates are definitely going to tease me and be so envious of me later!"

Zhong Yujun's pretty face flushed, and her tone carried a hint of girlish smugness.

That kind of smugness—wanting to share happiness with close friends, even to show off.

"Look, you girls just love to stir things up."

Zhou Mingyuan jokingly added, "If I pack up some delicious food to share, my roommates will just call me 'good dad.'"

"You're bragging!"

The girl's clear, bell-like laughter echoed in the hall.

No one doubted such a perfect excuse.

As he just said, the secret to maintaining friendships lies in sharing.

Zhong Yujun had friends to share with, so he brought one along as well. Of course, it was an open and aboveboard act, a generous sharing purely out of friendship.

Logically, it makes no problem!
Soon, all the small gifts were packed up.

Zhou Mingyuan and Zhong Yujun, carrying two small dessert boxes that held completely different sentiments, lingered in the booth and chatted for a while.

The city of Jiangcheng is ablaze with neon lights at night, the light outlining the skyline, and a gentle evening breeze blowing.

The atmosphere inside the clubhouse is the same.

The two chatted about the upcoming final exams, complained about a classmate who always spoke with a strange accent, and made a promise to go see the IMAX version of the new Christmas movie together next time.

The surge in blood sugar after a full meal, along with the ultimate relaxation brought on by the hot spring, gradually surged up like a tide.

"let's go?"

I'm getting sleepy.

As Zhong Yujun spoke, her voice gradually lowered, and she let out a big yawn.

"Okay."

Half an hour later, Zhong Yujun, carrying a small gift box, skipped and waved goodbye to him.

"I'm leaving~"

"good night!"

Only after the tall figure disappeared into the corridor of the School of Management dormitory did Zhou Mingyuan turn a corner, reach the blind spot of the dormitory building, park his electric bike on the roadside, and take out his phone.

The WeChat ringtone indicating that the call is about to be connected sounds.

"Hello~~~"

The moment the call connected, the soft, gentle accent characteristic of the Jiangnan water towns was soothing, like a feather brushing against one's heartstrings.

"what's wrong?"

"Making a phone call so late."

Gu Caiwei was obviously in her dormitory at the moment, and the background noise could be faintly heard from girls chatting and laughing.

"What are you doing?"

In communication, it's all about give and take.

Given his current relationship with Gu Caiwei, asking those four words might not be interpreted by her as "I miss you," but coupled with his deliberately lowered, magnetic tone, it could still make her heart skip a beat.

"me."

So, Gu Caiwei held her phone and chattered away to him for a long time.

She said she received the compiled site selection materials and spent the whole day studying them, picking and choosing with Li Zhi. She didn't even have a proper dinner.

Busy, busy is the main theme of the owner of the Relief Coffee shop.

"So I'm exhausted."

"That's just right!"

Zhou Mingyuan listened patiently for a while before finding an opportunity to speak.

"what?"

"What's just right?"

The person on the other end of the phone expressed confusion.

"I just finished eating out with friends, and there's a dessert shop nearby that makes really delicious desserts. I tried it, and it really is!"

"So, I brought you some to try on the way."

The man's tone was nonchalant.

"I'll be back soon, in about five or six minutes. Is it convenient for you to get off?"

It was clearly a special delivery, but Zhou Mingyuan made it sound like it was on the way.

His expression was natural and frank, even somewhat casual.

"."

There was silence for two or three seconds on the other end of the phone.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Caiwei's voice, clearly filled with surprise and slightly raised in pitch, rang out: "Huh?"

"Now!"

"Five or six minutes?"

The smile was clearly transmitted through the receiver.

"Then drive slowly, and let me know when you get there. I'll change my coat and come downstairs!"

"Okay, I got it. See you in a bit."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Mingyuan whistled, twirled his wrist, and the electric scooter sped away in the night wind.

As he drove into the still-busy traffic at night, the night view resembled a flowing painting, with the interplay of neon lights and streetlights on his face.

Even at night, the entrance of Jiangcheng University of Finance and Economics is still bustling with people. There are postgraduate students returning from self-study with their backpacks, young couples holding hands and chatting quietly, and little boys like him who are full of surprises.

Zhou Mingyuan rode his bicycle to the dormitory building of the Finance Department with ease. With a quick glance, he immediately spotted a small figure under the streetlight.

He didn't even need to send another message; Gu Caiwei was already standing downstairs with a smile on her face.

Even though it's winter now, she only wore a coat over her clothes, and the oversized style completely concealed her curvaceous figure.

It appeared to be a cotton floral nightgown underneath the neckline, with a small section of delicate lace trim peeking out.

You can tell the little princess is in a great hurry. She's wearing a pair of white, soft-soled, plush slippers, which look like the kind she wears at home in her dorm.

Are you about to go to sleep?

Zhou Mingyuan smiled and waved to her. "Hmph~ You've got sharp eyes."

Gu Caiwei's long brown hair was casually draped over her shoulders. She had just taken a shower, and her face was bare and unadorned.

Under the soft light of the streetlights, her fair skin appeared even more translucent, giving her an unexpectedly innocent and pure look.

She was standing on tiptoe with her arms crossed in front of her chest when she saw Zhou Mingyuan riding closer. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and two small dimples at the corners of her mouth became particularly clear.

Here, this is for you~

Zhou Mingyuan parked his car, quickly walked over, and waved the box in his hand, intending to hand it over.

"What did you bring me?"

Gu Caiwei glanced at the heavy box, then looked down curiously at the thin ribbon on the packaging, and asked.

"Go back and try it yourself."

"I think the chocolate mille-feuille and matcha mousse are especially good, you might like them."

Zhou Mingyuan said with a smile.

"You bastard, you tricked me into having a midnight snack again!"

Gu Caiwei giggled, her tone sounding reluctant, but her eyes were full of joy.

"dislike?"

Zhou Mingyuan's push-pull skills are simply unparalleled.

"If you don't like it, give it back to me. I'll send it to Xiaolizhi."

"Give it to me!"

Gu Caiwei didn't say anything for several seconds, but pouted angrily, then snatched the box back and couldn't help but glare at him fiercely.

"Hey, is this the only one you prepared?"

Her eyes widened, and she peeked through a crack in the box. Her first reaction was to ask a question.

"Why not?"

Zhou Mingyuan spread his hands and started spouting nonsense with a straight face.

"Does this mean that there are matching sentiments?"

"."

Gu Caiwei immediately fell silent, her gaze shifting as she lowered her head and quickly changed the subject.

Wow, it looks so delicious!

"It's quite exquisite. Okay, okay, I'll make an exception and go back for some late-night snacks."

The girl's cheeks flushed, making her look exceptionally beautiful and charming under the evening stars, and her joy was almost overflowing.

"But why did you bring so much?"

"There are four egg tarts left?"

"You can share these with your roommate."

"Well, it's you."

Gu Caiwei pursed her lips, thinking to herself that he was truly considerate and thoughtful.

"All right!"

Zhou Mingyuan was decisive and efficient.

"I'm leaving now. Look at you, running out dressed like this. You'll catch a cold if you chat for too long."

As the man spoke, he naturally raised his hand and gently brushed a strand of hair from Gu Caiwei's face that had been blown by the night breeze.

His fingertips were icy cold, yet as he gently brushed across her cheek, the brief touch felt like an electric shock.

The electric shock caused Gu Caiwei's body to stiffen almost imperceptibly.

"Okay, then I'll head back too."

The girl could hardly contain the blush spreading across her cheeks, and subconsciously lowered her head slightly, her voice becoming softer.

Be careful on the road.

"Okay, I'll see you off and then I'll leave."

Zhou Mingyuan nodded, got back onto the electric scooter, and gripped the handlebars.

Gu Caiwei looked up at him again and smiled sweetly, holding the box in her arms, feeling happy inside.

She turned around and walked towards the dormitory, waving to him halfway there, turning back every few steps.

the other side.

As soon as Gu Caiwei opened the dormitory door, carrying the box, she attracted the attention of her roommates who were busy with their own things.

"Vivi!"

Why did you rush downstairs just now?

"Are there still deliveries this late?"

Wearing a silk robe, Liang Jiaqi was carefully applying toner in front of the mirror when she asked without turning her head.

"Unlike express delivery, there's nothing labeled on the box."

My other roommate, Liu Jing, was already curled up in bed, wearing glasses and watching variety shows on her tablet.

Seeing Gu Caiwei return, she deliberately peeked out, spotted the key point with her sharp eyes, and immediately pressed pause.

"Like a small gift!"

"No~"

Gu Caiwei's face was still flushed, and her starry eyes were full of an obvious, undisguised smile.

She placed the box in the center of the desk, talking as she unpacked it.

"A small dessert that someone gave me."

"Delivering desserts so late?"

Liang Jiaqi paused, turned around curiously, her face still covered in lotion.

"Was it delivered by that person?"

Her gossip radar immediately went live, and her tone instantly became mischievous.

"Wow~ It's that guy again, you two are definitely up to something!"

Liu Jing was completely energized, her gossip spirit burning brightly. She scrambled off the bed in a flash, almost not even putting her slippers on properly.

"Offering warmth in the middle of the night? I know that kind of story!"

At this moment, Zhao Xiaoyan, another roommate who was reading in the dormitory, was also attracted by the commotion. She took off her headphones and curiously came over.

"Quick, open it and see what it is!"

Surrounded by them, Gu Caiwei felt a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed even more, and she quickly explained.

"Oh, it's not what you think! He said he was running errands nearby and had ordered too many desserts with his friends that he couldn't finish, so he brought them over for us to try."

She repeated Zhou Mingyuan's words while carefully untying the ribbon and opening the box.

“Weiwei, let me tell you, some things take time.”

Gu Caiwei quickly distributed the egg tarts to her roommates, as she couldn't possibly finish them all by herself. The cake was also cut into several small, square pieces.

Alone Better Together.

While enjoying her meal with a small spoon, Liang Jiaqi couldn't help but tease him.

"I gave you a small gift for your birthday yesterday, a dessert today, what should I give you tomorrow?"

Should I send you flowers?

Liu Jing chimed in, "Sending flowers is perfectly normal, isn't it?"

"No no no!"

Liang Jiaqi waved her hand and said seriously, "Sending flowers during the ambiguous period is different."

"Haven't you heard what Leslie Cheung said?"

"Which sentence?"

Zhao Xiaoyan and Liu Jing exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

Both of them were young girls who had never been in a relationship and had no understanding of these things.

He said that dating should start with a bouquet of flowers and a formal confession, not with a natural development of ambiguity!

"If someone doesn't explicitly express that they like you, then you're just ordinary friends."

"Life needs a sense of ritual. Gifts are a reminder of love and being loved. An unclear beginning will only lead to an unclear end."

Liang Jiaqi, as the only girl in the dorm with a boyfriend, spoke with great confidence and authority.

Even Gu Caiwei, who was enjoying the cake in small bites, listened attentively.

(End of this chapter)