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

the next day.

The moment his phone vibrated, Li Chen was engrossed in an introduction to algorithms at the library.

The note that popped up on the screen was "Dad".

He froze for a moment.

The old man called just yesterday; he should be in a meeting at the company at this time.

"Feed?"

"son."

A slightly tired voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Yes, Dad."

"How have you been lately?"

"fine."

Li Chen closed the book, walked to the window, and lowered his voice.

"Are you keeping up with your studies?"

"I can keep up."

"That's good."

Li Mohan paused.

"By the way, your mom asked me to ask you how your girlfriend is doing lately?"

Li Chen's lips twitched.

"fine."

"Is it fine?"

Li Mohan's tone carried a hint of disappointment.

"Can't you put a little more effort into your relationship?"

"I……"

"You know the weather's getting colder? Take that girl out to buy some clothes and get something nice to eat, instead of just staying in the school cafeteria eating steamed buns all day."

Li Chen was both amused and exasperated.

"Dad, I'm not that stingy."

"Don't I know whether you're pregnant or not?"

Li Mohan gave a cold snort.

"Your mom said that you have to be willing to spend money to pursue a girl. Buy her what she needs, treat her to things she should treat her to, don't let her think you're stingy."

"I know."

"Know nothing."

Li Mohan cursed.

"Alright, I'll transfer you 20,000 yuan later. Don't be stingy. That girl comes from such a good family; if you're so stingy, do you think she'll even look at you?"

Li Chen opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back.

"understood."

"Okay, that's settled."

The phone hangs up.

Less than a minute later, a WeChat notification sound rang.

[Li Mohan transferred 20000 yuan]

Note: [Treat that girl well.]

Li Chen looked at his phone screen, a warm feeling welling up inside him.

Although my dad can be incredibly fierce, he never hesitates to give me what I'm entitled to.

He thought for a moment and sent Yan Xi a message.

Are you free tonight?

Yan Xi replied instantly.

【What? 】

Let me take you out for a walk.

Where to go?

[A food street, a night market, and some fun places.]

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Why are you being so proactive today?

Li Chen smiled.

I miss you, is that not allowed?

[Glib and smooth-talking.]

Are you going or not?

【go.】

What time does get out of class end?

[6:30.]

I'll wait for you downstairs at 6:20.

【Um. 】

Li Chen put away his phone, feeling inexplicably good.

---

6:15 PM.

Li Chen arrived at the girls' dormitory building ahead of time.

He specially changed into a clean casual outfit today, and styled his hair with hair wax.

The girls passing by kept glancing at them and whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that the Fierce God?"

"Wow, so handsome! Who are you waiting for?"

"Who else could we be waiting for? It has to be Senior Yan Xi."

"Tsk, I'm so envious."

Li Chen ignored him and just stared at the dormitory building's entrance.

6:23.

Yan Xi appeared.

She was wearing a beige long trench coat, a black turtleneck sweater underneath, slim-fit jeans, and white sneakers.

Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, swaying gently with her steps.

Li Chen's gaze was instantly drawn to her.

Yan Xi walked up to him and looked him up and down.

"Is it this formal today?"

"When taking your girlfriend out, you have to be a bit formal."

Li Chen smiled and extended his hand.

"Let's go."

Yan Xi looked at his hand, hesitated for a second, and then reached out and shook it.

The two held hands and walked towards the school gate.

A suppressed scream came from behind.

"Ahhh! They're holding hands!"

"It's too sweet!"

"I'm blown away!"

Yan Xi's ears turned slightly red.

"It's all your fault."

"What's it to my fault?"

"It's your fault for being too flashy."

Li Chen smiled.

"Then let go."

Yan Xi glared at him, but gripped his hand even tighter.

---

The snack street in Linjiang City is located in the heart of the old town.

This place gathers the most authentic local delicacies in the city.

Grilled cold noodles, fried skewers, stinky tofu, takoyaki, candied hawthorn...

The various aromas blended together, creating a unique smoky flavor.

Li Chen led Yan Xi through the bustling crowd.

"What would you like to eat?"

he asks.

Yan Xi looked at the dazzling array of food stalls, a hint of hesitation flashing in her eyes.

"casual."

"That won't do."

Li Chen stopped and looked at her intently.

"You're in charge today. Eat whatever you want, don't be shy."

Yan Xi pursed her lips.

"Then... grilled cold noodles?"

"it is good."

Li Chen pulled her to a grilled cold noodle stall.

"Boss, two servings of grilled cold noodles, one mildly spicy and one not spicy."

"Okay!"

The boss quickly and efficiently began making the product.

A short while later, two steaming hot bowls of grilled cold noodles were handed over.

Li Chen took it and handed the non-spicy portion to Yan Xi.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Yan Xi took it and took a bite.

The sweet and sour sauce, combined with the aroma of the bread, bursts in your mouth.

Her eyes were slightly narrowed, like a contented cat.

"Is it tasty?"

Li Chen asked.

"Um."

Yan Xi nodded and took another bite.

As Li Chen watched her eat intently, an indescribable tenderness welled up in his heart.

This girl, who is usually aloof and cold, is now just like an ordinary little girl, happy over a plate of grilled cold noodles.

He suddenly realized that being able to make her show such an expression was an incredibly happy thing.

The two ate as they walked, trying fried skewers, takoyaki, candied hawthorn berries, and more...

Yan Xi's hands were soon filled with all sorts of snacks.

Li Chen couldn't help but laugh when he saw her slightly disheveled appearance.

"Do you want me to help you with that?"

"Need not."

Yan Xi stubbornly shook her head.

"I can do it myself."

"Okay, then be careful."

Just then, a hurried passerby bumped into them.

Yan Xi's candied hawthorn skewer slipped from her hand and was about to fall to the ground.

Li Chen reacted quickly and caught it.

"careful."

He handed the candied hawthorn back to her.

Yan Xi paused for a moment, then said softly.

"Thanks."

"Why are you being so polite with me?"

Li Chen ruffled her hair.

"Let's go, there's a night market up ahead."

---

The night market is more lively than the food street.

A row of stalls selling all kinds of small commodities, including clothes, accessories, toys, and more.

Yan Xi's gaze was drawn to a stall selling hair clips.

The stall owner was a young girl, and her stall was filled with all kinds of exquisite hair clips and headbands.

"like?"

Li Chen asked.

"A little."

Yan Xi's tone was somewhat uncertain.

"Then let's buy it."

Li Chen pulled her to the stall.

"Boss, how much is this?"

He pointed to a hair clip inlaid with small pearls.

"twenty."