On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter

Zhao Yueyue's slap wasn't hard, but it was as if she had pressed some magical switch.

Huang Mao let out an exaggerated "Ouch!" Zhao Yueyue burst out laughing at his over-the-top performance.

A crisp laugh rang out in a quiet corner of the convenience store, carrying a sense of relief and ease.

They both paused for a moment, then looked at each other and smiled again.

That smile still carried a hint of lingering shyness and the weariness of just weathering the storm, but more than anything, it conveyed a sense of familiarity, like "I'm back."

The iceberg of "confession" and "panic" that stood between them has melted away in the honesty under the streetlights and the deliberate return to everyday interactions.

The future remains to be seen, but at least "good friend Huang Mao" and "good friend Zhao Yueyue" are standing firmly by each other's side again.

And the seed of "liking" is still quietly sprouting...

"Let's go, let's check out!" Huang Mao pushed the shopping cart piled high with food, his tone regaining its usual energy.

As the two of them pushed open the door to the guesthouse courtyard carrying heavy shopping bags, lively laughter and chatter instantly filled the living room.

"They're back! They're back!" Zhou Hao, with his sharp eyes, was the first to shout.

All eyes turned to the doorway.

Zhao Yueyue and Huang Mao walked in one after the other.

Zhao Yueyue's cheeks were flushed, and there was a little sweat on her forehead. She was carrying a bag of cakes in her hand.

Huang Mao carried drinks and snacks, his face flushed from exercise.

Most importantly—the atmosphere between them!

It's no longer the stiffness, avoidance, and awkwardness of having a clear dividing line between us when going out.

Although they weren't particularly intimate, Zhao Yueyue was naturally turning her head to talk to Huang Mao, and Huang Mao was nodding in response.

There was a sense of relaxation between the two of them, a feeling of having been lost and then regained, a feeling that belonged to "best friends".

The deliberately maintained "normality" is gone, replaced by a truly relaxed naturalness.

A brief, unspoken silence fell over the living room.

Everyone's heart felt as if it had been gently squeezed by an invisible hand, and then slowly released.

Su Yuqing was the first to stand up and greet her, her face beaming with undisguised satisfaction. She took the cake from Zhao Yueyue's hand and said, "Thank you for all that, Yueyue."

"It's not hard work at all!" Zhao Yueyue shook her head, her voice regaining its usual crispness. She looked at Huang Mao with a hint of smugness, "After all, it was Huang Mao who carried the heavy things, hehe!"

Huang Mao rolled his eyes in agreement and placed the drinks and snacks on the coffee table: "Yes, yes, Miss Zhao is precious, it's only right that I do my part."

His tone was that familiar, irritating urge to punch him.

"My strawberries have turned into a cake!" Zhou Hao laughed.

“It just so happens that I like cake!” Qu Danwan smiled at him.

Lin Yu'an and Zhao Yuanyuan also came over to help tidy up the things.

Zhao Yuanyuan's gaze swept quickly between her sister and Huang Mao. She saw that although there was still a lingering blush on her sister's face, her eyes had brightened, and she no longer avoided talking to Huang Mao. She smiled gently.

Chen Mo leaned back on the sofa armrest, watching Huang Mao and Zhao Yueyue cut the cake and get drinks amidst everyone's company. Although there was a slight, unnatural glint when their eyes met, they quickly looked away, but their overall interaction had returned to its usual rhythm—Zhao Yueyue protected her share of mango cake, Huang Mao tried to snatch it but was slapped away, and they complained about each other's drinks... He smiled a truly relaxed smile, one of satisfaction from having "planned everything perfectly," picked up the oolong tea on the table, took a sip, and then looked at Su Yuqing beside him.

Su Yuqing was also looking at him. The two exchanged a look that only they understood, a knowing smile of relief and "it seems to have worked."

Su Yuqing leaned gently towards Chen Mo and chuckled softly, "Finally, the chapter is over."

Chen Mo naturally put his arm around her shoulder, his gaze falling on Zhao Yueyue, who was trying hard to grab the biggest piece of mango cake onto her plate, and Huang Mao, who, although complaining that "eating so many sweets will make you fat," still used a knife to help her stabilize the cake on her plate.

"Hmm." He responded softly, his voice carrying a hint of gentleness. "Once they take this first step, the rest will be easier. They can walk it on their own. This summer is still long."

The living room was filled with the aroma of food and the laughter of young people, making it warm and lively again.

The night breeze outside the window seemed much gentler, softly brushing against the window frame, twitching the wind chimes, and creating a pleasant white noise.

After a late-night snack, everyone went back to rest.

When Chen Mo and Su Yuqing said goodnight to each other, they had the reluctance of a new couple who wanted to be together all the time.

"If you're so reluctant to part, why don't you two sleep in the same room? I don't mind sleeping in the living room," Huang Mao said, unable to bear seeing the two of them looking back every few steps.

Su Yuqing then turned away shyly and obediently went back to her room.

Chen Mo then punched Huang Mao twice hard.

That night, the eight men, each with their own thoughts, found it difficult to fall asleep.

Especially Chen Mo and Su Yuqing. They used to be fine when they were apart for a while, but tonight they seemed unusually affectionate. Without each other by their side, they felt a sense of unease and a burning desire.

However, the two eventually managed to calm down and fall into a deep sleep.

The next morning, the sun shone brightly and a refreshing sea breeze blew.

The morning sunlight filters through the sheer curtains, gently waking the sleeping guesthouse.

The sea breeze, carrying its unique salty and refreshing scent, dispelled the last trace of awkwardness and noise from last night, leaving only tranquility and the unique vitality of a summer morning.

Breakfast consisted of simple congee and side dishes, along with homemade meat and seafood buns prepared by the guesthouse owner. Everyone sat around the table in a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere.

Huang Mao yawned and instinctively tried to snatch the last meat bun from Zhao Yueyue's plate, but Zhao Yueyue swiftly slapped his hand with her chopsticks.

"Hiss!" Huang Mao withdrew his hand, his eyes wide. "Zhao Yueyue! You went too far!"

"Serves you right! Who told you to always be thinking about me!" Zhao Yueyue proudly raised her chin, stuffed the bun into her mouth, puffed out her cheeks, and looked like a little squirrel that had successfully guarded its food.

His eyes held a familiar "fierce glint," but upon closer inspection, there seemed to be an added, subtle, and lively quality.

Su Yuqing and Chen Mo exchanged a glance, both seeing a smile in each other's eyes.

Very good, the familiar "war" mode has been restarted.

Zhou Hao then diligently handed the last seafood bun to Qu Danwan, earning her a slight smile in return.

Lin Yu'an and Zhao Yuanyuan ate quietly without saying a word.

"This is our last half-day on the island this morning. What would you all like to do?" Chen Mo put down his chopsticks and asked for everyone's opinions.

[PS]: The island arc officially ends tomorrow. Just a heads up, there will be a summer arc in between, and the university arc will begin afterwards. (End of this chapter)