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

Shen Xingbai noticed that Su Ningning was acting unusually today.

In the past, whenever they went shopping, after buying snacks and treats, Su Ningning would always insist on carrying the bags herself.

I never let him help me.

But today, she was carrying a bag of snacks, her brows furrowed slightly, and she actually said that she couldn't carry it.

Shen Xingbai was stunned on the spot, his face full of shock.

He immediately grabbed her hand nervously, looked her up and down carefully, and asked with a furrowed brow:

"What happened? Did you hurt your hand? Or did you accidentally twist it? Where does it hurt?"

He circled around her, examining her closely.

Su Ningning looked bewildered by his barrage of questions and shook her head: "No, I'm perfectly fine."

"Then why can't you lift it?" Shen Xingbai asked, puzzled.

Su Ningning said confidently:

"Boyfriends are supposed to help their girlfriends carry things."

Why are you reacting like this? I already said I couldn't carry it, shouldn't you have just taken it from me?

Why are you constantly asking me if I'm injured?

Shen Xingbai was slightly taken aback, and explained with a wry smile:

"In the past, whenever I wanted to help you carry things, you would refuse and insist on doing it yourself."

If you need my help, just tell me. I'm always happy to help.

Su Ningning choked for a moment, but then realized it made a lot of sense.

That evening, the two snuggled together on the sofa watching TV. The warm yellow light gently fell, creating a quiet and peaceful atmosphere.

Su Ningning thought that if showing weakness didn't work, then acting cute would surely work.

She snuggled closer to Shen Xingbai, her small hand gently hooking the hem of his clothes, deliberately softening her voice, and looking up at him.

"Brother Xingbai~ My arms are so sore, I need a hug from you to feel better~"

The air fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

Shen Xingbai froze, goosebumps rising all over his body, making him feel extremely uncomfortable.

He looked down at Su Ningning, who was in his arms, looking serious and waiting for his response. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and his whole body stiffened.

Su Ningning blinked, waiting for his response.

Shen Xingbai hesitated for a long time, swallowed hard, and asked cautiously:

"Ningning... what's wrong with you today? Are you feeling unwell?"

Su Ningning sat up straight and pursed her lips slightly:

"In the novels my cousin sent me, the male leads all seem to fall for this kind of thing."

"The moment the female lead acts so cute, they immediately listen to everything she says. Why are you reacting like this?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Xingbai frowned deeply, his tone full of disapproval:

"Stop reading those trashy novels, they'll lead you astray. If you keep reading them, you'll only get dumber."

Su Ningning was still a little sullen and retorted, "But my cousin said that men all fall for that."

Shen Xingbai sighed helplessly, reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, his voice tender:

People are inherently different. I don't like those pretentious ways; I like you just the way you are.

Be open and honest, speak your mind, don't try to appear weak, don't act coy or whiny—that's how I feel relaxed and at ease around you.

After hearing Shen Xingbai's words, Su Ningning's pent-up anger gradually dissipated.

She nodded obediently, "Okay, then I won't learn it."

She paused, then muttered to herself.

"I also felt really awkward and uncomfortable saying these sticky things and deliberately acting weak."

I really don't understand how anyone could like this.

In the bustling city of Beijing, the lights flickered in the bars, and the air was thick with the smell of alcohol mixed with an ambiguous atmosphere.

Ji Yunheng was leaning back in the center of a luxurious booth, surrounded by a group of exquisitely made-up women.

They spoke softly and sweetly, their words tinged with coquetry.

Being surrounded by such adoring guests made Ji Yunheng feel incredibly comfortable.

He was indulging in the dependence, flattery, and adoration of others.

His sense of superiority swelled infinitely, making him feel increasingly powerful, assertive, and capable.

The desire for control was greatly satisfied.

At this moment, one of the underlings next to him spoke up jokingly:

"Heng-ge, I heard that a really strong female player joined the club last year?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Ji Yunheng's casual smile vanished, and his expression turned icy.

The air pressure around him instantly dropped.

Upon seeing this, the younger brother immediately shut his mouth.

Another henchman who knew the situation quickly tried to smooth things over: "What's so great about her? She's just a female contestant. Her family is so ordinary that she's not even worthy of carrying Brother Ji's shoes. Her only use is to help Brother Ji make some money."

After hearing these words, Ji Yunheng's tense expression eased slightly.

Seeing this, the other underlings all chimed in.

Ji Yunheng raised his hand to stop everyone from speaking, and said in an icy tone:

"Even if she's somewhat useful and can make some money, so what? I, Ji Yunheng, have never cared about that kind of benefit."

"Anyone who has offended me will not have a peaceful life."

In the dim light, his expression was sinister.

Seeing this, the other underlings were all worried for the female contestant.

After all, they had witnessed Ji Yunheng's methods. Not to mention anything else, countless promising professional players had been ruined by Ji Yunheng.

They are all living in poverty now.

The rest of my life is already laid out before me.

This year, Su Ningning originally wanted to take her family on a trip to celebrate the New Year, and her parents also supported her.

Unfortunately, Shen Xingbai disagreed and earnestly advised Su Ningning that they only celebrated the New Year once a year.

It gives me the opportunity to get together with relatives and friends.

It's better to visit relatives and friends for the New Year before going on your trip.

Su Ningning thought Shen Xingbai's words made a lot of sense, so she changed her mind.

For the first four days, the group went about their business quietly, visiting relatives and friends.

They set off on their trip on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, heading to an ancient city.

There are many New Year activities, and the delicious food is countless.

Before setting off, Su Ningning learned that Shen Xingbai had booked three rooms.

She frowned and bluntly criticized him for being too wasteful:

"There are only four of us, two rooms would have been enough, why did you have to book three? Even if you have money, you can't just waste it like that."

Upon hearing this, both of Su's parents turned to look at Shen Xingbai, their expressions instantly tensing up.

Shen Xingbai immediately understood what the two elders were thinking and quickly explained:

"Ningning and I have always lived in separate rooms in Beijing, and we have never crossed the line."

Hearing this, Su's parents' expressions softened.

Su Ningning, however, interpreted it differently and said to Shen Xingbai, "We're a proper boyfriend and girlfriend now."

"It's definitely time for me to stay in your room. Once we get back to Beijing, I'll move in."