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

Sang Jiuning covered her mouth and chuckled, deliberately keeping everyone in suspense: "Dad, I'll be back in a few days, and I've prepared a huge surprise for you!"

"A surprise?" Sang Tingyan was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and joked, "What surprise? Let me tell you beforehand, I'm not surprised. You wouldn't be secretly dating some young punk at school and want me to check you out, would you?"

Sang Jiuning's cheeks instantly flushed red. Wen Zhaoci's handsome face involuntarily flashed through her mind, and her heart raced. She quickly retorted playfully, "Dad! What nonsense are you talking about! You'll see when I get back!"

After saying that, fearing that she would give herself away if she said any more, she simply hung up the phone.

Meanwhile, Sang Tingyan, on the other end of the phone, shook his head helplessly as he heard the busy tone, but a doting smile appeared on his lips.

"This child has even learned to hang up on her father on the phone. She's like a little cotton-padded jacket that's leaking the wind."

☆

At 6:30 a.m., the Fu family villa was still immersed in tranquility, with sunlight filtering through the gaps in the curtains and casting dappled patterns of light on the floor.

Sang Jiuning was curled up in the soft quilt, fast asleep, her little brows slightly furrowed, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, sleeping without any guard.

Suddenly, the phone beside my pillow started vibrating wildly, the screen suddenly lit up, the glaring light breaking the silence of the room, and the three words "Wen Zhaoci" kept flashing on the caller ID.

Awakened in a daze, Sang Jiuning grumbled reluctantly, squinting her sleepy eyes as she fumbled for her phone. She swiped to answer, but before she could utter a sound, Wen Zhaoci's deep, magnetic voice came from the other end of the line, carrying the unique languid huskiness of early morning, yet clearly penetrating her ears: "Come out, let's go on a date."

"..."

Sang Jiuning froze, her mind completely blank, and she stood there for a full ten seconds, unable to come to her senses for a long time.

Dating?

What kind of date?

She was still sleeping in, so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open. Why did Wen Zhaoci suddenly show up?

Her mind went blank, her sleepiness mostly gone. She opened her mouth, and it took her a while to find her voice, which was soft and hoarse from just waking up, still a little dazed: "Huh?"

Hearing her confused reaction, Wen Zhaoci chuckled softly. His laughter, deep and pleasant, came through the receiver. He patiently reminded her, "Didn't we agree yesterday to go out for dinner and a movie together?"

He paused, then added, his tone gentle yet certain: "I'm already at your doorstep."

"!"

Sang Jiuning was startled and fully awakened. She instantly sat up in bed, her hair a mess from sleeping, with a few stray hairs sticking up high, making her look like a fluffy little kitten.

Without bothering to put on shoes, she ran barefoot to the cool floor and hurriedly pulled back the curtains to the balcony.

The morning sunlight hit her face, and she squinted, immediately spotting a low-key black sedan parked by the roadside outside the villa.

With the car window half-lowered, one could vaguely see Wen Zhaoci in the driver's seat, her head slightly turned, her gaze fixed on the balcony. The moment their eyes met, Sang Jiuning's heart skipped a beat.

She hurriedly looked away, her cheeks flushing bright red. Her hand holding the phone felt hot as she whispered, "W-so early? I-I just woke up..."

He must have seen her looking so disheveled. It's so embarrassing!

Sang Jiuning wished she could disappear into a crack in the ground. She felt both ashamed and embarrassed, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. She was annoyed that she had slept so soundly and that he had caught her in such a disheveled state.

"Yes, I saw it." Wen Zhaoci's voice came again, with an undisguised smile, her tone doting and gentle, "Your hair is all frizzy, like a little hedgehog."

Sang Jiuning's cheeks burned even hotter. She subconsciously reached out to smooth her messy hair, too embarrassed to speak.

"No rush, I'll wait for you." Wen Zhaoci softened her tone and carefully made arrangements. "Let's go out for breakfast first. The Cantonese breakfast shop in the alley is very authentic. Their steamed shrimp dumplings are highly recommended. You should like them."

He had made plans in advance, knowing that she liked light and sweet food. He had specifically inquired about breakfast shops beforehand and arrived based on her approximate schedule, hoping to gain more time alone with her.

As Sang Jiuning listened to his detailed arrangements, even her early morning drowsiness dissipated considerably.

She unconsciously licked her slightly dry lips and replied softly, "Okay... wait for me a moment, I'll be right downstairs after I've washed up!"

After hanging up the phone, Sang Jiuning acted quickly, rushing into the bathroom to wash up. She brushed her teeth and washed her face in one go, casually applied a layer of sunscreen, and then applied a light pink lipstick in front of the mirror, making her already fair lips look even more pink and moist.

She opened her wardrobe, picked out a simple white cotton T-shirt, casually tucked the hem into a light blue denim pencil skirt to reveal her slender waistline, and then put on a pair of clean white sneakers. It was simple and refreshing, full of campus girl vibes.

The whole process took no more than ten minutes. Sang Jiuning tidied herself up, grabbed the canvas bag by the door, and tiptoed out of the villa, afraid of waking her family.

As she walked to the black sedan, the door opened, and Sang Jiuning bent down and sat in the passenger seat.

The car was filled with a faint scent of cedar, a unique fragrance that Wen Zhaoci carried, pleasant and reassuring.

As soon as she sat down, Wen Zhaoci leaned slightly towards her.

The man's aura instantly enveloped her, causing Sang Jiuning to freeze, her breath catching in her throat. She instinctively shrank back, too nervous to move, unsure where to look.

He was standing so close...

Wen Zhaoci looked at her ears, which were red with nervousness, and his smile deepened. He naturally picked up the seat belt and carefully fastened it for her. His fingertips brushed against her shoulder, bringing a warm touch.

"Sit still," he whispered, his voice deep and pleasant.

After finishing breakfast, Sang Jiuning was naturally led by Wen Zhaoci, who was standing beside her.

The boy's palm was large and warm, with distinct knuckles, holding her hand tightly, his strength gentle yet possessive, leaving her no room to break free.

Sang Jiuning looked up at him. The boy was tall and straight, wearing a simple white T-shirt.

"Follow me, I'll take you somewhere." Wen Zhaoci lowered her head, her voice deep and pleasant, carrying a gentleness unique to her.

Sang Jiuning let him lead her into a quiet alley. At the end of the alley was an inconspicuous little handicraft shop with a wooden sign that read "Handmade Painting Workshop". Pushing open the door, the wind chimes tinkled softly, and the whole room was filled with the faint fragrance of plaster.