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

The Vacheron Constantin watch on my wrist is like a silent brand.

Li Chen felt uncomfortable all day.

During class, he would always unconsciously hide his left hand under the table.

It's not that I'm afraid of being seen by others, it's that I'm afraid of seeing myself.

The deep blue dial, like a whirlpool, constantly reminded him of the invisible chasm between himself and Yan Xi.

He thought he had gotten used to being a kept man.

But Yan Zhen's "heavy reward" brought him back to reality.

Holy crap!

During lunch break, Zhao Zixuan caught a glimpse of the new gadget on Li Chen's wrist and was so startled that he sat up straight in bed.

"Old Li, you've struck it rich?!"

He grabbed Li Chen's wrist and brought it close to his eyes to examine it closely.

"Vacheron Constantin, Overseas series, blue dial with steel strap... Wow, this must have a list price of over 200,000 yuan, right?"

Wang Qiang and Chen Mo also came over, the three heads huddled together, as if they were observing some unearthed cultural relic.

"More than 200,000?!"

Wang Qiang's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Just this little lump of iron?"

"What do you mean by a lump of iron? This is a work of art!"

Zhao Zixuan looked at Wang Qiang with disdain, "This is reflected in the serious overpricing; the secondhand market price has already reached over 300,000."

The dormitory fell into a deathly silence.

More than three hundred thousand.

This number is astronomical for ordinary students like them.

"Old Li..."

Wang Qiang, his hand trembling, reached out his chubby hand and carefully touched the cold watch strap. "You...you ransacked Senior Yan Xi's house?"

"It was a gift from Yan Xi."

Li Chen withdrew his hand, his tone indifferent.

"A gift?!"

Zhao Zixuan exclaimed in surprise, "Is this what you give when you're pursuing a girl?"

"Is this about pursuing a girl or raising a son?"

Chen Mo pushed up his glasses, his eyes behind the lenses revealing a complex expression.

"According to social class theory, this is a kind of 'marking' behavior."

"By giving gifts that far exceed the other party's spending power, one can establish a dominant position in the relationship and assert ownership."

Speak like a human.

Wang Qiang said irritably.

"Simply put, Senior Sister Yan Xi stamped Lao Li's name on his card."

Chen Mo summarized, "The stamp says: 'This person is already booked; no outsiders allowed.'"

Li Chen didn't speak, but simply stroked the cold watch face.

He knew Chen Mo had a point, but what he sensed was more than just a "mark".

It's more of an acceptance that cannot be refused.

Yan Xi was telling him in this way that her world was completely open to him.

Over the next few days, Li Chen deeply experienced what it meant to be "separated more often than together".

With the welcome party fast approaching, Yan Xi, as the general director and student council president, was extremely busy.

Li Chen often couldn't see her all day.

Their only communication was a few simple greetings on WeChat.

[Xi]: Have you eaten?

[Li Chen]: I ate it. The braised pork in the cafeteria isn't as good as yours.

[曦]: poor in youth.

[Li Chen]: When are you coming back?

[Xi]: We have to rehearse tonight, it might be very late.

[Li Chen]: I'm waiting for you.

Waiting has become the main theme of the past few days.

Li Chen found himself becoming somewhat addicted.

Addicted to the brief reunion after this wait.

Every night at 10 p.m., he would appear on time at the entrance of the UCSI Centre.

Then, accompany that exhausted woman to the degenerate street to eat a bowl of steaming hot and spicy hot pot, or walk a few laps side by side on the empty playground.

They talked about very trivial things.

Yan Xi would complain about the sponsors' bizarre demands, or that some department head had messed up again.

Li Chen listened quietly, occasionally handing her a bottle of warm water or tucking her wind-blown hair behind her ear.

This feeling is wonderful.

Gone was the intense sweetness and tug-of-war of the daytime; instead, there was a warmth and tacit understanding like that of an old married couple.

"Aren't you annoyed?"

Late at night, the two sat on a bench by the artificial lake. Yan Xi rested her head on Li Chen's shoulder, her voice thick with nasal tone.

"Just waiting around every day, there's nothing we can do."

"It's not bothersome."

Li Chen said, "It's fine."

"What's so good about it?"

There is hope.

Li Chen looked at the moonlight reflected on the lake and said, "It's like playing a game. You know there's a big boss ahead. Although the process is difficult, the rewards are incredibly generous after you defeat it."

Yan Xi nuzzled against his shoulder and chuckled softly.

"What reward?"

"You."

After Li Chen finished speaking, he tightened his grip on her hand.

Yan Xi didn't say anything, but just hugged his arm even tighter.

"Li Chen".

"Um?"

"Could you come backstage and help out at the welcome party?"

"Don't you have staff members?"

"We don't have enough manpower."

Yan Xi yawned, her voice languid, "Besides, I want you to watch over me."

Li Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"OK."

He agreed without hesitation, saying, "I guarantee I'll complete the mission."

"Oh, right."

Yan Xi seemed to remember something, and lifted her head from his shoulder, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

"The program for Wang Qiang's dormitory has been announced."

"What did they report? What can they do? Perform comedy?"

"no."

Yan Xi shook her head, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Zhao Zixuan plays the guitar, Chen Mo recites, and Wang Qiang... is in charge of being the mascot on the sidelines."

Li Chen: "..."

Just thinking about this scene is enough to make my eyes water.

"Did you arrange this?"

"That's called romance."

Yan Xi leaned back on his shoulder, closed her eyes, and said, "I want to see how your lovable roommates embarrass themselves on stage."

Li Chen smiled helplessly.

This woman has such a twisted sense of humor.

But he likes it.