I downloaded the app and discovered that my childhood sweetheart's affection level had skyrocke

"Rely on..." Gu Yuning's beautiful eyes flickered upon hearing this.

She wasn't actually a strong person, she—

She was a crybaby and a spoiled brat, but that Gu Yuning was sealed away in her heart. Gu Yuning couldn't even forgive herself and couldn't see that version of herself again.

She would fall down and need Lin Zhou to help her up; she would be sad and need Lin Zhou to comfort her; she would even tug at his clothes and act spoiled when she was sleepy, refusing to go to sleep on her own. At that time, Gu Yuning never felt that there was anything wrong with this, because as long as she called Lin Zhou, he would come over.

I like Lin Zhou the most.

but……

She discovered that Lin Zhou also had moments when he couldn't stand steadily, and that he would feel sad, scared, and even break down to the point of being unable to speak.

All she could do was cry, grab other people's hands and say she was scared, and even wanted Lin Zhou to comfort her.

Gu Yuning could never forget the death of her sister, and the deathly gray look in Lin Zhou's eyes.

If I had been more reliable, would none of this have happened?

But, but there are no "what ifs".

Everything happened.

Lin Zhou lost his most beloved younger sister. On that day, it was as if the sky was gray, and no color could be seen. A gray shadow shrouded everyone's heart.

Even if it felt more like self-punishment or torture, she learned to take care of others and to do things in advance. Even if she wasn't good at something, she could learn slowly and read it a few more times if she didn't understand it. As long as she worked hard enough, she could always do better than before.

Lin Zhou thought so too.

I also want to take care of you wherever you need me.

Gu Yuning should have been happy. For a moment, she wanted to turn around and grab his clothes like she did when she was a child, throw herself into his arms and act coquettishly. She was never a very mature person to begin with.

But as soon as the thought crossed her mind, she fell silent and quietly flipped the fried egg in the pan, making a sizzling sound.

No.

"Yu Ning?"

"Um?"

"What's wrong? Why are you spacing out? The eggs are almost burnt," Lin Zhou said.

Could it be that my words just now had an impact on Yu Ning?

Gu Yuning snapped out of her reverie and quickly scooped out the eggs. "Okay, I was thinking about something."

"What are you thinking about?"

"It's nothing." Gu Yuning turned the stove down a little. Seeing that Lin Zhou was still looking at her, she tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing her smooth nape, and added, "There are still some things to do at the academy today."

Lin Zhou didn't press further. "Tell me about it later, and I'll see if there's anything I can do to help."

"Aren't you supposed to go to class today?"

"It's not like I'm going to be welded there. I'll go wherever I'm needed." Lin Zhou flashed his pearly white teeth. "I'll be there for anyone who needs me."

Looking at his eager-to-show-off expression, Gu Yuning found herself unable to utter the words that had been stuck in her throat.

This guy... hasn't changed at all.

She gave a soft "hmm," picked up a small piece of egg, and held it to Lin Zhou's lips. "Here, have a taste first."

Lin Zhou glanced down at it. "Now?"

Gu Yuning smiled slightly, "Yes, open your mouth, be careful it's hot—help me taste it."

"Ook."

Lin Zhou didn't stand on ceremony. The eggs were very tender, and mixed with lettuce and a little sauce, they tasted even better than he had imagined.

Gu Yuning watched him eat, "How is it? Is there a little too little sauce?"

Lin Zhou didn't answer immediately, and instead lowered her head to eat the last bit she had left in her hand.

"Delicious." Lin Zhou gave a thumbs up after finishing chewing. "This egg is just right. Yu Ning, everything you make tastes incredibly delicious."

"No, they're all very simple things." Gu Yuning thought Lin Zhou was exaggerating.

"Then why can't I?"

"You're unwilling to learn."

"Nonsense, I was very diligent in washing the lettuce just now," Lin Zhou said. "My omelet rice is amazing; it already helped Class B win the championship."

"Aren't you in Class A?"

"Class A? That's irrelevant."

Gu Yuning finally couldn't help but laugh, and put the prepared portion into his hand. "Alright, you're always being cheeky. Take it out."

Lin Zhou took a couple of steps with the plate in his hand, then suddenly turned back. "What about yours?"

"I'll do it later."

"Then you can sit down first, I'll go get the cups." Lin Zhou put the plate on the table, and when he came back, he gave her the empty seat. "Didn't I just say that I could help too? President, give me a chance to show my skills."

Gu Yuning looked at him, and finally handed him the milk that was next to her, "Then pour the milk."

"receive."

Gu Yuning lowered her head.

like……

It's okay to ask him for a little help.

Soon, the sound of slippers came from outside the kitchen, slow and deliberate, stopping every few steps. Just then, Lin Zhou finished pouring the milk and looked up to see a black and white creature swaying down the stairs.

"Um?"

"Yo, good morning." Ye Zhiyu yawned, looking like she hadn't woken up yet.

Seeing Lin Zhou preparing breakfast, she asked, "Up so early? Aren't you going to exercise?"

"Okay, let's help Yu Ning first." As Lin Zhou spoke, his gaze fell on the other person.

Ye Zhiyu was wearing a penguin pajama set with the hood pulled up over her head and an orange-yellow mouth on her forehead. The sleeves on both sides were wide and big. She held onto the railing with one hand and rubbed her eyes with the other. When she reached the last two steps, she even let out a long yawn.

Lin Zhou asked, "You went to Antarctica for further studies last night? What's this... the 'Coo Coo Gaga' set?"

"What's with all the 'clucking' and 'quacking'? It's just a simple pajama set!" Ye Zhiyu twisted her body. "Am I just too cute?"

"Yesterday it was a shark, today it's a penguin."

"Take turns wearing them."

"You're quite a diverse breed," Lin Zhou said. "Your fashion sense is rather strange."

"You're pretty strange too."

"What about me?"

Ye Zhiyu pulled out a chair and sat down. "The sounds from your room... one minute it's 'ah ah ah,' and the next minute I don't know what you're yelling. I thought you were evolving in there."

Lin Zhou paused, "...Really? When?"

"Last night," Ye Zhiyu said lazily, "I could hear everything even with my headphones on, I had no idea what you guys were doing... Could you please keep it down?"

Lin Zhou: "..."

No, was the sound really that loud?

"Playing games." Lin Zhou could only manage to utter this one sentence in the end.

"What game could beat you like that?" Ye Zhiyu asked, propping her chin on her hand. "Send it to me, I want to play it too."

"What game? Just shooting, I guess. You... let's talk about it another time."

"Oh?" Ye Zhiyu drawled out the sound.

"Huh? You want to play with me in the future... that's not a bad idea."

……