He stole his best friend's photos and fell for a tycoon's heir through online dating.

He leaned back on the sofa, his long, slender fingers slowly stroking the edge of his phone.

If she knew her boss was her online boyfriend, would she be happier? Or would she be so scared that she quit her job immediately?

He had originally intended to tease her a little more. But then he thought—since she was so satisfied with him, it wouldn't hurt to let bygones be bygones.

Zero: [Looks like the baby really admires this boss.]

Huh? Xia Ruo stared at the message, stunned for a moment.

She just wanted to brush it off and get Zhou Siyan to stop asking about the overtime work, so how did the topic turn to "admiration"?

Fine, whatever you say!

"Yeah, the boss is amazing!"

After posting it, she felt a little guilty—President Huo was indeed impressive, but the words "super impressive" sounded so strange coming from her mouth...

Zero: [Baby, you're not hiding something from me, are you? Did the boss do anything to you tonight?]

Xia Ruo's fingers suddenly stiffened. How did he know? Was it just a casual question, or did he sense something?

She instantly felt her lips burning hot; the skin that had been touched felt like it had been reignited, so hot that she couldn't help but purse her lips.

"No, my boss is very serious!" She typed the message quickly, but after sending it, she felt that the word "serious" sounded a bit like she was trying to hide something.

Zhou Siyan looked at the words "very serious" and chuckled softly.

Little liar.

There is ample time.

-

Xia Ruo walked to the dormitory building in a daze. The streetlights cast long shadows of hers, trailing on the ground, like a lost soul who couldn't find her way home.

The mess she's been through these past two days is more dramatic than anything she's ever done in her entire life—overtime, planning, socializing, being forced to drink by her boss, being kissed on the lips by her drunk boss, and having to coax her online boyfriend on her phone.

When exactly did her life turn into an absurd drama?

She sighed and reached out to push open the dormitory door—

"Xia Ruo".

A clear, cold voice drifted on the night breeze.

Xia Ruo turned her head in confusion and saw a tall figure emerge from the shadows beside the flower bed.

The light from the streetlamp crept inch by inch onto his face.

Xia Ruo looked closely.

His eyes widened instantly.

Holy crap!!! The second male lead is Liu Yinan!!!

Why is he still looking for me? Is he here to settle scores?

Last time, she pointed her finger at him and called him "brainless" downstairs in the dormitory. Later, I heard Wanwan say that he rejected Lin's million-dollar annual salary offer. People with backbone and ability like him are the most vengeful.

I'm so sorry, I was blind to your true identity and didn't know you were the second male lead.

If I had known, I would have treated you with the utmost respect.

Xia Ruo felt her legs trembling slightly. It must be from the cold. Yes, it was from the cold.

She backed away little by little, her voice involuntarily tightening: "W-what...what do you want to do?"

Liu Yinan frowned slightly as he looked at the girl in front of him, who looked terrified, as if she had seen a ghost.

He stopped two meters away from her, not moving any closer, as if afraid of startling her.

"Xia Ruo, I'm here to apologize to you." His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear, and every word sounded like he had thought it through carefully.

"I'm sorry, I didn't understand things clearly before. I've thought about what you said last time for a long time, and you're right. I've reflected on my mistakes."

He paused, his gaze falling on her face: "So... I wanted to ask when you'd be free. I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Eating? Xia Ruo's mind raced—no, she absolutely couldn't go.

Having dinner with the second male lead? Does she have a death wish? What if she says something wrong and offends him again? She might as well give up on life.

"No, no," she quickly waved her hand, her smile more like a grimace.

"I was too excited last time and spoke without thinking. Please don't take it to heart..." It would be best to forget about it completely. Forget about her entirely, including her as a person.

"Xia Ruo, I really want to treat you to a meal to make amends." Liu Yinan's tone was very serious, so serious that it didn't seem like he was just being polite.

"I know, I know, I accept your apology," Xia Ruo nodded vigorously, speaking as quickly as if she were rushing to catch a train.

"But you don't need to eat, you don't earn money easily..."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she wanted to bite off her tongue.

"Do you think I don't even have the money to treat you to a meal?" Liu Yinan's voice turned colder, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Huh? No, no, no... How could that be?" Xia Ruo screamed inwardly—why did she have to bring up the very thing she didn't want to talk about?

"I've been too busy lately," she quickly tried to make amends, her voice carrying a humble plea for forgiveness.

"Look, I just got back from working overtime, I really don't have time, Liu. Just forget about what happened last time."

"Go ahead and do your business well. I believe you will achieve great things in the future!"

"How did you know I was starting a business?" Liu Yinan's gaze suddenly changed.

Xia Ruo was utterly speechless with herself.

She really wanted to slap herself—"Serves you right for being so talkative!"

She gave a dry laugh, looked up at Liu Yinan, and said with a tearful expression:

"I heard it from Wanwan. Her family sponsors you, so they know a bit about you."

"It's getting late, Liu, you should go back and rest early too. I'm going upstairs now."

After Xia Ruo finished speaking, without waiting for Liu Yinan's reply, she used all her strength to open the dormitory door and slipped inside.

The moment the door closed behind her, she leaned against it, gasping for breath, her heart pounding.

My apologies, my apologies... Dear Second Male Lead, in this life, I, Xia Ruo, have turned over a new leaf and will never hurt Wanwan again.

Please don't hold a grudge against me. I don't want to die at your hands instead of at Zhou Siyan's hands in this life...

Outside the door, Liu Yinan stood there, staring at the tightly closed door, and remained silent for a long time.

Turning around, I slowly walked towards the computer science dormitory building.

-

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains and fell onto the bed.

Xia Ruo lay asleep on the bed, her cheeks slightly flushed, a thin layer of sweat on her forehead, and a few strands of hair stuck to her skin.

His brows furrowed slightly at times and relaxed at others.

In my dream, there was a misty white vapor, the tiles were cold, and the mirror was covered with a layer of fog.

She was pinned against the wall, her back pressed against the cold porcelain surface, while in front of her was a scalding, airtight embrace.

The steam from the hot water mixed with the body temperature of the two people, turning her whole body pink, from her fingertips to her ears, from her neck to her collarbone, every part of her body was burning hot.

"Baby, is it so good? Tears are streaming down your face."