Reincarnation: Trying to pretend to be ordinary, but it turns out it's really impossible.

Su Ningning, carrying snacks she bought from a roadside vendor, pushed open the hotel room door. Shen Xingbai was already awake.

Leaning back on the sofa with his eyes closed to rest, the dark circles under his eyes had faded somewhat, and he looked much better.

Hearing the noise, he looked up at her and asked gently, "You're back? Where did you go?"

"I ran into a few players from previous competitions, so we strolled around together."

Su Ningning placed the snacks on the table, looking cheerful.

Shen Xingbai's eyes darkened. He stood up and poured her a glass of warm water. "Did you have fun?"

"Happy! So happy!" Su Ningning's eyes lit up, and she immediately stepped forward.

With her little face tilted up, she looked up, pleading for praise.

"You have no idea how amazing I was today! I even went to a haunted house, such a terrifying place, and I actually made it out safe and sound!"

Looking at her bright, sparkling eyes and her smug, self-satisfied expression,

Shen Xingbai forcefully suppressed the bitterness and resentment in his heart caused by her going out with other boys.

He couldn't resist touching the top of her head with his fingertips and softly replied, "Mm, impressive."

Receiving affirmation, Su Ningning practically wagged her tail. She happily packed her things, then looked up and asked, "Shall we go back now?"

Shen Xingbai nodded: "Okay, let's go back."

The atmosphere in the car on the return trip was quiet and gentle.

Shen Xingbai gripped the steering wheel and spoke casually:

"Where are those people you hung out with today from? Do you have their contact information?"

Su Ningning shook her head: "I didn't add them. I don't know where they're from either."

And they left incredibly fast at the end; I didn't even have time to say a few words before they ran away as if their lives depended on it.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingbai's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, and the gloom in his eyes dissipated considerably.

"Oh, I see."

He then casually asked, "When is your roommate getting married next year?"

Su Ningning thought for a moment: "Next August, that's summer vacation."

"Let's go to the wedding together then."

"Sure, of course."

Shen Xingbai glanced at her sideways, his tone seemingly normal:

"And what about you? Have you ever thought about finding a partner?"

Without even thinking, Su Ningning shook her head repeatedly, her face showing a hint of resistance:

"No, no, you know how annoying the guy I dated in my freshman year was. I don't want to date anyone."

"That's not dating at all... it's just making friends. When looking for a partner, you should find someone you know well and who is reliable."

Shen Xingbai stared straight ahead, his fingertips tightening slightly, his voice steady and calm.

Su Ningning fell into deep thought, and after a moment of contemplation...

She tilted her head and said, "I've realized that among the men I'm relatively close to, you seem to be the only one."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingbai's heart skipped a beat.

It felt like there was a warm, soft cotton ball in my chest, swelling gently, and the previous gloom and jealousy...

It instantly transformed into a secret joy.

His Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and an irrepressible smile spread across his eyes.

Shen Xingbai glanced at her sideways, his voice low and deep: "So, do you think I'm reliable?"

"Reliable, of course reliable!" Su Ningning blurted out, her eyes exceptionally sincere.

"There's no one more reliable than you in the whole world!"

Shen Xingbai didn't ask any more questions, but a faint, barely suppressed smile quietly appeared on the corner of his lips.

The atmosphere in the carriage instantly became subtle.

Su Ningning belatedly realized what had just happened—the conversation, his gaze, and the strange atmosphere.

It all started to connect in my mind little by little.

She suddenly opened her eyes wide, staring blankly at Shen Xingbai, her tone filled with disbelief:

"You...you want to be my boyfriend?"

Without the slightest hesitation, Shen Xingbai slowly pulled the car over to the side of the road and engaged the handbrake.

He turned around, his gaze fixed on Su Ningning, his eyes serious yet tinged with apprehension.

He nodded emphatically:

"Yes, I really, really want to."

"So, Su Ningning, could you... give me a chance?"

Su Ningning, sitting in the passenger seat, was completely stunned, her eyes wide open, her mind blank.

He didn't utter a word for a long time, just staring blankly at Shen Xingbai, who looked nervous.

The carriage was so quiet you could hear each other breathing. The air conditioning was blowing gently, and there was a warm, ambiguous atmosphere in the air.

Su Ningning was stunned for a while before blinking and looking up with a serious expression:

"So... what do I have to do as your girlfriend?"

Shen Xingbai's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. His gaze fell on her pink lips, then quickly shifted away, his voice extremely soft and gentle:

"It's basically fine to stay the same as it is now. We'll eat together, go back to school together, I'll protect you, I'll stay by your side, nothing needs to be changed."

"Then... what about the non-basic?" she asked curiously, tilting her head.

Shen Xingbai didn't speak, but slowly leaned closer.

His presence gradually enveloped us, carrying a clean and refreshing scent.

Su Ningning subconsciously held her breath, her eyes wide open, and dared not move at all.

The next second, a soft, warm pair of lips gently landed on her lips.

It was very light and soft, like a feather brushing past, only lingering for a moment before quickly disappearing.

Su Ningning froze completely.

Shen Xingbai stepped back to her original position, her ear tips slightly red, her voice low and hoarse:

"This is... when things aren't basic."

She raised her hand blankly, her fingertips lightly touching the spot where she had just been kissed.

She felt no dislike whatsoever, only a strange feeling.

It left her speechless.

"Is there... anything else?" Su Ningning asked softly.

Looking at her bewildered yet accepting expression, Shen Xingbai's heart melted.

He reached out and gently patted her head.

"There's still a lot to come, but we'll take it slow. So, will you let me be your boyfriend?"

Su Ningning stared at his nervous yet expectant eyes, then suddenly smiled, her eyes curving into small crescents, and nodded clearly and firmly:

"willing."

The moment Shen Xingbai heard the word "willing," he froze on the spot, as if a pause button had been pressed.

His previously tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, and the anxiety that had been hanging over him all night finally subsided.

It hit my chest, yet felt so light it was as if I were about to fly away.

The unease, gloom, and anxiety that had been building up in his eyes for so long finally exploded at this moment.

Instead, an unbelievable light shone, astonishingly bright.

His Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his voice trembled uncontrollably.

"……real?"

"I'm a person of my word, I never lie," Su Ningning said earnestly.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingbai's eyes lit up with a genuine smile, and he said softly:

"Shall we go back and tell your aunt and uncle about this?"

After speaking, he looked at Su Ningning with a hint of anticipation.

Su Ningning replied calmly, "Sure, they already like you anyway."

These words made Shen Xingbai feel cheerful the whole way, and his smile never left his face.

Even the way he drove exuded an undisguised joy.

he knows.

Su Ningning probably doesn't yet understand the significance of formally telling her parents about their relationship.

But so what?

Anyway, in this lifetime, Su Ningning can only be his.