He tricked the female lead into becoming his boyfriend, but then went on to criticize the male lead.

The streets were bustling with people in the afternoon.

A handsome young man in a white T-shirt was walking side by side with a girl in a light blue dress.

Sang Jiuning's mind was already in a mess.

She originally wanted to make him angry, to make him think she was a troublemaker, and then naturally break up with him. But now it feels like... she's the one being unreasonable?

Upon arriving at the milk tea shop, senior student Song Zhenmeng greeted Sang Jiuning warmly, "Ningning's here? Oh, and this is..." Her gaze fell on Wen Zhaoci, who was holding hands with Sang Jiuning, and her eyes lit up instantly.

Sang Jiuning then noticed that Wen Zhaoci had been holding her hand the whole time. Her heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "Oh no, how did I end up holding your hand?"

This was her first time falling in love in both her lives. If she hadn't known she had transmigrated into a book, she wouldn't have been so bold as to try and steal the female lead's love interest.

She subtly withdrew her hand and smiled at her senior, saying, "Hello, senior, this is... my boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? You mean that guy~" The senior student drawled out her words, then winked at Sang Jiu Ning ambiguously. "Alright, then go change into your uniform. There are a lot of customers today, and we're short-staffed."

"Okay, senior." Sang Jiuning felt like she had been granted a pardon and quickly took her work clothes to the backstage lounge.

She changed into her work clothes and came out, only to find that Wen Zhaoci was still standing there.

Sang Jiuning glanced at the subtle glances directed at her from around her, and her mischievous impulse resurfaced.

She said calmly, "Go back."

When Wen Zhaoci saw her come out, she said, "I'd like to order your shop's signature milk tea, less sugar and less ice."

His gaze fell on Sang Jiuning, carrying a hint of tenderness that was barely perceptible. "I'll take you home after you get off work."

Sang Jiuning's heart tightened. Why wasn't this guy playing by the rules? Didn't we agree to keep our distance and only see each other once a week?

She was about to retort when she was interrupted by her senior, Song Zhenmeng.

"Oh, why don't you stay and help out? Look, Ningning can't handle it all by herself," Song Zhenmeng said with a smile, her eyes darting back and forth between the two of them. "It'll be a good opportunity for you to experience what a girlfriend's daily work is like, won't it?"

Sang Jiuning wanted to refuse, but she swallowed the words back.

She couldn't very well say to her senior, "We just agreed to keep our distance," could she? That would be too strange.

Wen Zhaoci shook her head: "No, I still have work to do. I'll just sit there and wait for her."

Then he found a seat by the window, took out his laptop, and seemed ready to start working.

Sang Jiuning watched him work quietly, feeling a mix of emotions.

So he's just... not going to leave? Waiting for her to get off work here?

And so, under Sang Jiuning's helpless gaze, Wen Zhaoci sat down in the milk tea shop "openly and legitimately".

Sang Jiuning was busy behind the bar, occasionally stealing a glance at Wen Zhaoci.

His fingers are long and slender, and even the way he types on the keyboard looks exceptionally graceful.

Occasionally, when girls come to buy milk tea, they can't help but blush when they see him. Some of the bolder ones even try to chat him up, but he just politely and distantly replies, "My girlfriend is at the bar," and then his gaze drifts toward the bar.

Sang Jiuning felt a little awkward, with a feeling that she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Her original plan was to make Wen Zhaoci feel that she was a nuisance and then leave on his own. But now, not only did he not leave, he has become the "signature" of the milk tea shop and is even very popular. Many girls pass by outside and come in to buy a cup of milk tea when they see him sitting there.

This resulted in Sang Jiuning being extremely busy all afternoon.

During this time, several bold girls pretended to order food and secretly inquired about Wen Zhaoci's situation from Sang Jiuning, who gave vague answers to each of them.

In his mind, he was thinking: This guy is a walking troublemaker!

"Ningning, is the 'Taro Ball Boba Milk Green Tea' ready? The customers are waiting!" The senior's voice pulled Sang Jiuning back to reality.

"Oh, okay, okay!" Sang Jiuning quickly handed the milk tea she had made to her senior, but in her heart she was thinking: Wen Zhaoci, what exactly are you trying to do?

He sat there quietly, looking serene and content.

Over the next few hours, while busily attending to the guests, Sang Jiuning couldn't help but secretly observe Wen Zhaoci.

He just sat there, occasionally glancing up at her. When their eyes met, he would give her a slight smile, then lower his head and continue working.

His presence was like a stabilizing force; even though he did nothing, it inexplicably calmed her down, and even her frantic movements became much more composed.

At six o'clock, another part-time girl at the milk tea shop arrived.

Sang Jiuning was exhausted and her back ached. Just as she was about to say goodbye to her senior, Wen Zhaoci closed her laptop, stood up, and walked over.

"Off work?" he asked.

"Mm." Sang Jiuning nodded, took off her work clothes, and picked up her small handbag.

"Let's go eat together, and then I'll take you back to your dorm," Wen Zhaoci said naturally.

"No need, I can manage by myself..." Sang Jiuning subconsciously refused.

"I made a reservation at a restaurant. It's very difficult to get a table there, so it would be a waste not to go," Wen Zhaoci interrupted her, her tone leaving no room for argument, yet carrying a hint of gentleness that left no room for refusal.

Looking into his serious eyes, Sang Jiuning swallowed back the refusal that was on the tip of her tongue.

Why can't this guy play by the rules?

She's being so cold to him, how come he's not angry at all?

However, she really didn't want to admit that she was attracted to restaurants that were hard to book. The male protagonist in the book must have booked such a good restaurant, so she wanted to go.

She has never experienced the power of capital.

The two walked side by side on their way back to the dormitory, the setting sun casting long shadows of them.

This time, Wen Zhaoci naturally took her hand and walked beside her.

"Are you tired today?" he suddenly asked.

"It's alright." Sang Jiuning's voice remained indifferent.

"Working at a bubble tea shop must be very tough, right?" Wen Zhaoci asked again.

"It's alright, I'm used to it." Sang Jiuning lowered her head and kicked at the pebbles on the roadside.

Wen Zhaoci was silent for a moment, then said, "If you need money, you can tell me."

Sang Jiuning looked up at him and said, "I don't lack money! I just... just...!" She was paying off her credit card.

Should she act angry, make a scene, ask him if he thinks it's shameful for her to work at a bubble tea shop, or if he thinks she needs his charity, and then break up with him?

So she angrily began to act, "What do you mean?"

Sang Jiuning abruptly pulled her hand back, her cheeks slightly flushed, whether from anger or something else, it was hard to tell. "Do you think it's beneath me to work at a bubble tea shop? Do you think I'm not good enough for your status, or do you think I'm poor and need your charity?"

She deliberately raised her voice a few decibels, with a hint of grievance and stubbornness, her eyes wide open like a puffed-up kitten.