Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

4:30 a.m.

Linjiang University was deathly silent.

Even the most stressed-out postgraduate entrance exam takers are dreaming about memorizing vocabulary right now.

In dormitory 302, the sound of snoring rose and fell.

Wang Qiang's fighting style was like a tractor going uphill, while Zhao Zixuan occasionally ground his teeth, like background music.

Li Chen opened his eyes.

Their biological clock is frighteningly accurate.

He rolled out of bed, landing silently, like a nimble cat.

I washed up, grabbed the Porsche car keys from the table, picked up a thick coat, and slipped out the door.

In the early hours of late autumn, the cold air can make your bones brittle.

Li Chen tightened his collar and jogged to the parking lot.

Zhao Zixuan's flashy Porsche 911 has been sitting in the corner collecting dust for days.

Unlock.

The headlights tore through the darkness, and the engine roared in a deep rumble.

"Buzz—"

Li Chen quickly stepped on the gas and sped away.

If you don't run now, the dorm supervisor's broom won't discriminate.

The car slid down to the foot of Building 7 in the girls' dormitory.

4:50.

Li Chen thought he had to wait.

After all, it takes girls at least an hour to go out, including washing their hair, putting on makeup, and choosing clothes.

He was just about to turn off the engine and light a cigarette to perk himself up.

I looked up and froze.

The balcony door on the third floor was open.

Yan Xi stood by the railing.

A khaki trench coat, a white turtleneck sweater, and long hair casually draped over her shoulders.

He was holding a steaming mug in his hands.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow.

The light shone on her face, softening her usual sharpness and leaving only gentleness.

Upon seeing the car lights, Yan Xi lowered her head.

Their eyes met precisely.

There was no surprise, no panic.

She raised her glass and waved it downstairs.

He turned and went inside.

Two minutes later, the automatic door to the hallway opened.

Yan Xi stepped out and opened the car door.

A cool morning breeze, carrying the faint scent of fir shower gel, drifted into the carriage.

"morning."

"morning."

Li Chen was somewhat surprised: "Up so early?"

"I thought I was going to smoke half a pack of cigarettes downstairs."

"I don't wait for people, nor do I wait for anyone."

Yan Xi fastened her seatbelt, turned her head to examine the dark blue sports car, and raised her eyebrows slightly.

"Nice car."

"My roommate's."

Li Chen turned the steering wheel: "Borrow Zhao Zixuan, whose closet is full of sneakers, to make a show of it."

"Oh, that rich kid."

Yan Xi spoke in a flat tone.

I casually adjusted the seat back and found a comfortable position to nestle in.

"Let's go to the seaside promenade, don't miss the sunrise."

The car drove out of the school gate and merged into the empty street.

The city has a unique beauty in the early morning.

The streetlights stretched out in a line, and the overpass was deserted.

Li Chen lowered the car window a crack.

A cold wind blew in, dispersing the warmth and instantly invigorating me.

Yan Xi didn't speak, but turned her head to look at the street scene rushing past outside the window.

Very relaxed, even a little lazy.

Having shed her aggressive demeanor, she was now like a cat that had retracted its claws.

"Watch where you're going."

Yan Xi didn't turn her head, but her voice drifted over.

Li Chen's hand trembled, and he quickly looked ahead: "I'm checking the rearview mirror."

"Oh."

A soft chuckle.

……

One hour later.

At the end of the seaside promenade.

Apart from a few photography enthusiasts carrying long lenses and tripods, there was almost no one else around.

The sea breeze was strong, and the salty, damp smell hit us in the face.

The two got out of the car and walked to the breakwater.

The sky was turning a pale white, and the deep blue sea met the sky at the horizon, blurring the boundary.

The waves crashed against the rocks with a rhythmic roar.

"Are you cold?"

Li Chen handed over the coat.

Yan Xi glanced at the men's windbreaker that was two sizes too big.

I didn't refuse.

He took it and draped it over his shoulders.

The clothes had a faint smell of laundry detergent, the same as the one on Li Chen.

She tightened her collar, shrinking into the oversized clothes, revealing only her small, palm-sized face.

"fine."

The two sat side by side on the cement steps.

No one spoke.

In the silence, the clouds in the east churned, and a golden-red ray of light tore through the thick cloud curtain.

The sun is coming out.

The gray sea was instantly ignited, shimmering with golden light that spread all the way to our feet.

The sunlight pierced through the morning mist and shone on people's faces, warm and comforting.

Li Chen narrowed his eyes.

He didn't watch the sunrise.

My gaze inexplicably fell on the person next to me.

The morning light gave Yan Xi a fuzzy golden edge.

Long eyelashes cast shadows on the eyelids, and the pupils reflected an amber hue, filled with the entire sea and the rising sun.

The wind tousled her hair, and a few strands clung to her cheeks.

She reached out to flick it.

The movements were slow and methodical.

This scene is much more exciting than any sunrise.

Li Chen forgot to blink.

"Is it pretty?"

Yan Xi suddenly turned her head.

Eyes facing each other.

Li Chen's little scheme was caught red-handed.

This time he didn't dodge.

Instead, she smiled, her courage growing: "It looks good."

"I'm asking the sun."

Yan Xi pointed to the sea.

I wasn't talking about the sun.

Li Chen stared intently at her, his tone carrying a hint of youthful impetuosity and seriousness.

The air was silent for two seconds.

Yan Xi was stunned for a moment.

Then, a very faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Reach out.

He flicked Li Chen's forehead.

"Glib-tongued."

The force was very light, like a cat's paw scratching.

I'm hungry.

Yan Xi stood up and patted the dust off her trench coat: "Go buy breakfast."

"Yes, ma'am."

Li Chen ran excitedly toward the breakfast stall in the distance.

A short while later, he came running back carrying two cups of hot soy milk and a few fried dough sticks.

"Here, be careful, it's hot."

The two sat on the breakwater, eating fried dough sticks while facing the sea.

Driving a Porsche, wearing a trench coat worth thousands of yuan, and eating a two-yuan fried dough stick.

But Yan Xi seemed to enjoy this combination.

She tore the fried dough sticks into small pieces, soaked them in soy milk, and ate them little by little.

She has no airs of a well-bred lady and exudes a down-to-earth authenticity.

"Are you full?"

Li Chen cleaned up the trash.

"Um."

Yan Xi wiped her mouth and checked the time: 7:30.

"Where to next? Go back to school to catch up on sleep?"

"I won't reply."

Yan Xi got up, stretched, and her oversized windbreaker swayed with her movements.

"Since we're already here, let's go for a stroll in the city."

"shop?"

"What, you don't want to?"

"Yes, yes, as long as you don't find it tiring."

……

Nine o'clock in the morning, on the pedestrian street in the city center.

The most bustling area in Linjiang.

Li Chen followed half a step behind Yan Xi, carrying two shopping bags in his hands.

The return rate is off the charts.

Yan Xi herself is a radiant being.

With her cool and aloof demeanor and stunningly beautiful face, and standing next to Li Chen, who is over 1.8 meters tall.

This combination is practically a walking hormone generator.

"Does that look good?"

Yan Xi pointed to the hats in the window of a trendy brand store.

"It looks good, want to try it on?"

Yan Xi walked into the store, picked up a black baseball cap, and put it directly on Li Chen's head.

Take two steps back and examine it closely.

I reached out and helped him pull down the brim of his hat.

"Not bad, I'll cover your flirtatious eyes."

Li Chen asked helplessly, "Senior, are you buying this for yourself or for me?"

"I'll buy it for you."

Yan Xi took out her card and handed it to the clerk with a smooth and efficient motion.

Consider it payment for accompanying me to watch the sunrise.

Step out of the store.

Li Chen now had a hat on his head and a bag in his hand.

Just then.

That familiar feeling came over me.

Li Chen paused slightly.

Being watched.

It wasn't like the amazement or curiosity of a passerby.

Rather, it is a scrutinizing, even somewhat furtive, kind of spying.

As a martial artist, he was sensitive to this kind of gaze.

Li Chen subtly adjusted his posture, and while helping Yan Xi organize her bag, he glanced behind him out of the corner of his eye.

The crowd was bustling.

Ten meters to the left rear.

The two men in black jackets looked out of place.

Someone is pretending to take a selfie with their phone, but the camera is pointed this way.

The other person held a cup of milk tea, their eyes darting around, their gaze never leaving Yan Xi.

Tracking?

Li Chen frowned slightly.

These two men had a stable stance and upright posture; they didn't look like thugs, but rather like trained martial artists.

"What's wrong?"

Yan Xi noticed his pause and turned around.

"It's nothing."

Li Chen looked away, a smile on his face.

He subtly moved closer to Yan Xi, blocking the two people's view.

"I just feel this hat is a bit tight."

He didn't sense any murderous intent.

There was a hint of...doubt in that gaze?

Still a little conflicted?

Like an old farmer who sees his own cabbage being eaten by a pig.

They wanted to come up and herd the pigs, but were afraid of hurting the cabbages.

Li Chen had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

It seems that what Liu Xu said yesterday about "the waters running deep" wasn't just a bluff.

at the same time.

A dozen meters away.

The two men in black jackets were whispering to each other.

"Old Zhang, did you see that? The young lady was adjusting that boy's hat just now?"

"I saw it clearly! He even laughed!"

Old Zhang looked at her with a disbelief: "I've worked for her for three years, and aside from the boss, I've never seen her smile at any other man!"

"Who is this kid? He looks like a student."

"Investigate! We must investigate! Report to the boss immediately and say... it seems the young lady is in love."

"Are you crazy? If the boss finds out, will this kid even see the sun rise tomorrow?"

"Then what should we do? Keep it a secret?"

"Keep an eye on him! See what this kid is up to."

Old Zhang crushed the milk tea cup in his hand, his eyes fierce.

"If he dares to lay a hand on the young lady, I'll break one of his legs!"

But the next second.

The two were dumbfounded.

Suddenly, Li Chen in front of them stopped.

He inserted the straw into the milk tea in his hand, but instead of drinking it himself, he directly handed it to Yan Xi's lips.

Yan Xi lowered her head.

He took a sip from his hand.

Natural and intimate.

It's even a little...sweet?

"Click."

Old Zhang's jaw almost dropped to the ground.

"It's over."

His companion looked on in despair: "This leg... it's probably beyond repair."

Li Chen withdrew his hand, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.

He knew, of course, that the two people behind him were watching.

Since the purpose is to "protect".

Then I'll let you see as much as you want.

"What are you laughing at?"

Yan Xi bit her straw and looked at him suspiciously.

"It's nothing."

Li Chen lowered the brim of his hat and leaned close to her ear.

Hot air is sprayed.

"I just feel that today's milk tea is especially sweet."

Yan Xi rolled her eyes at him.

Her ears, however, turned a deep red.

"Silly girl."

The two continued walking, blending into the bustling crowd.

Behind.

The two bodyguards exchanged a glance and took out their phones.

With trembling fingers, he began to edit the text message that might trigger an "earthquake" in Linjiang City.