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

"Can we go on like this?"

Yan Xi's voice sounded particularly soft in the night breeze.

Li Chen turned his head and looked at the moonlight outlining her profile.

"Why do you ask that?"

"because……"

Yan Xi lowered her head.

"Because I always felt that it was all too beautiful. So beautiful...it felt unreal."

Li Chen reached out and took her hand.

"It's not fake."

His voice was firm.

"I'm here, and you're here too, that's the truth."

Yan Xi looked up at him.

"Can you promise that no matter what happens, you won't leave me?"

Li Chen did not answer immediately.

He stared into Yan Xi's eyes for a few seconds.

Then he nodded.

"I promise."

"real?"

"real."

Li Chen gripped her hand tightly.

"I'm not going anywhere unless you kick me out."

Yan Xi smiled.

"Then you'll regret it."

"Won't."

Li Chen smiled too.

"My greatest strength is that I keep my word."

"Yeah?"

Yan Xi raised an eyebrow.

"Don't forget about dinner on Saturday."

"rest assured."

Li Chen patted his chest.

"I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

"Then I'll wait."

Yan Xi stood up.

"Let's go, take me home."

Li Chen stood up as well.

The two walked back along the lakeside.

Yan Xi stopped in her tracks when she reached the dormitory building.

"arrive."

"Um."

Li Chen nodded.

"Then you should get some rest."

"The same to you."

Yan Xi turned to leave, but then suddenly turned back.

"Oh, by the way, remember to come early on Saturday."

"How early?"

"The sooner the better."

Yan Xi blinked.

I'm afraid you won't be prepared.

Li Chen smiled.

"Okay, I'll try my best."

"Then it's settled."

Yan Xi waved.

"Good night."

"Good night."

Li Chen watched her walk into the dormitory building.

He didn't turn and leave until the lights came on.

Back to dormitory 302.

Wang Qiang and his two companions were playing a game while wearing headphones.

The sounds of keyboard clicks, mouse clicks, and Wang Qiang's angry roars mingled together.

"Holy crap! This is a good move! A good move!"

"Don't see me off! Chen Mo, you fucking don't see me off!"

"Zhao Zixuan, are you blind?! That's our Crystal!"

Li Chen shook his head.

Walk to your seat and sit down.

He took out his phone.

Yan Xi sent me a message.

Have you arrived at your dorm yet?

Just arrived.

Li Chen replied.

【That's good. 】

Go to bed early.

【The same to you.】

Li Chen stared at the screen for a few seconds.

Then type.

【XiXi.】

【Um? 】

I'm very happy today.

The other side remained silent for a few seconds.

Then they sent a shy cat emoji.

Li Chen smiled.

He put his phone on the table.

Leaning back in the chair.

My mind is filled with images from tonight.

Moonlight over the lake.

Yan Xi's profile.

And that unexpected kiss.

He raised his hand and touched his forehead.

It seems like there's still some warmth left there.

"Old Li!"

Wang Qiang suddenly ripped off his headphones.

"You're smiling so lewdly, you must be thinking about your sister-in-law again, right?"

Li Chen came to his senses.

"none of your business."

"cut."

Wang Qiang curled his lip.

"Once you have a wife, you forget your brothers."

"Oh, right."

Zhao Zixuan also took off his headphones.

Do you have any plans for the weekend?

"have."

Li Chen nodded.

"I need to go cook for Xixi."

"Cooking again?"

Wang Qiang's eyes widened.

"Are you going to be a stay-at-home dad?"

"What's wrong?"

Li Chen raised an eyebrow.

Is there a problem with cooking for your girlfriend?

"No problem, no problem."

Wang Qiang quickly waved his hand.

"I just feel..."

"What do you think?"

I feel like you've changed.

Wang Qiang looked on with emotion.

"You used to be someone who couldn't even be bothered to cook instant noodles."

"Now look what's happened, they're cooking for themselves."

"That's the power of love."

Li Chen rolled his eyes.

"Stop talking nonsense."

"Go back to your game."

"Okay, okay, okay."

Wang Qiang put his headphones back on.

"I won't disturb your thoughts about missing your wife."

Li Chen ignored him.

He picked up his phone.

I glanced at the message Yan Xi sent me again.

Then open the notes app.

Start making a shopping list.

Ingredients, seasonings, kitchen utensils...

He wrote them down one by one.

Make sure nothing is missed.

After all, this was the first time he had officially cooked for Yan Xi.

We can't mess this up.

……

The next few days.

Li Chen's life became unusually regular.

I went for a morning run with Yan Xi.

I attend classes during the day.

I took her for a walk in the evening.

I occasionally go to the library to sit for a while.

I occasionally go to the food street to grab a bite.

Life was simple yet fulfilling.

Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye.

Li Chen woke up very early in the morning.

He glanced at the time.

It's 6:30 in the morning.

My roommates are still fast asleep.

He got out of bed quietly.

I've finished washing up.

Change into a clean set of clothes.

Then I picked up my phone.

I sent a message to Yan Xi.

I'm off.

Not long after the message was sent.

My phone vibrated.

So early?

Didn't you say the sooner the better?

Okay then.

Be careful on your way home.

【Um. 】

Li Chen put away his phone.

Put on your backpack.

Gently close the door.

I walked out of the dormitory building.

The campus was quiet in the early morning.

There were only a few students jogging in the morning.

Li Chen walked to the school gate.

I hailed a taxi.

Headed straight to the supermarket.

We arrived at the supermarket.

He began purchasing according to the list.

Fresh vegetables, meat, seafood...

There are also various seasonings and side dishes.

When paying the bill.

The cashier looked at the shopping cart full of items.

I couldn't help but ask.

"Young man, are you hosting a banquet?"

Li Chen smiled.

"No, it's just cooking a meal."

"Does cooking a meal really require this much?"

"Um."

Li Chen nodded.

"Made for my girlfriend."

"oh--"

The cashier drawled out her words.

"No wonder."

"Young people are great."

Li Chen didn't reply.

He paid.

Carrying large and small bags, they walked out of the supermarket.

I hailed another taxi.

We went straight to Yan Xi's apartment.

We arrived at the apartment building.

He took out his phone.

【I have arrived. 】

【Um. 】

The key is under the flowerpot by the door.

Take it yourself.

Li Chen found the flowerpot.

Sure enough, they found a key down there.

He opened the door.

Enter the apartment.

The apartment is small.

But the decoration is very exquisite.

Living room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom.

Everything is available.

Just as Yan Xi said.

It's definitely a bit messy.

Several books on architectural design were piled on the coffee table.

A coat was lying on the sofa.

A thin layer of dust had settled on the kitchen countertop.

Li Chen put his things down.

Roll up your sleeves.

Start cleaning.

He first cleaned up the living room.

Books put away, clothes folded neatly.

Then comes the kitchen.

Wipe the countertop and wash the dishes.

Organize the kitchen utensils.

I worked for more than an hour.

The entire apartment has been completely renovated.

Li Chen glanced at the time.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

He went into the kitchen.

Start preparing the ingredients.

Washing vegetables, chopping vegetables, marinating meat...

Every step was done meticulously.

Time passed by, second by second.

It was eleven o'clock.

Li Chen's phone vibrated.