Chapter 12: “At Your Service, Princess.”

Fu Chiyu’s voice had a rich magnetism to it, drawing out the last syllable with a teasing lilt that tingled delicately at her ear.

It didn’t sound like he was reprimanding her—more like a casual, half-hearted joke.

Xia Zhicha felt like her whole body was on fire. She pulled her hand back quickly, consumed by an overwhelming sense of embarrassment.

A faint red mark had bloomed on Fu Chiyu’s pale hand from where she had gripped it too tightly. His lashes drooped slightly as he lazily rubbed the spot along the faint blue veins with his long, slender fingers.

“I’m sorry…” Xia Zhicha murmured.

Fu Chiyu raised his eyes slightly, “What are you apologizing for? It doesn’t hurt.”

His lips curved in a small smile, voice slow and easy, “At your service, Princess. I really don’t mind.”

Xia Zhicha: “……”

---

On the way back to meet up with Gao Yuyang, Xia Zhicha still felt guilty and stopped by a snack kiosk to buy Fu Chiyu an ice cream.

It was a small, palm-sized cup—barely as big as his hand. Sea salt lemon flavor, wrapped in a light blue packaging that looked cool and refreshing.

Fu Chiyu held the box and examined it for a moment, then looked at Xia Zhicha.

He suddenly noticed—this ice cream kind of matched her outfit.

The girl stood petite in front of him. After the roller coaster ride, her hair was a little messy, so she had tied it into a simple bun, which made her look even softer and more innocent.

The random thought made him chuckle.

Xia Zhicha, puzzled, looked up at him.

“Nothing,” Fu Chiyu replied lazily, the plastic spoon in his mouth, “Just thought—it’s all very cute.”

Who exactly he was referring to, he didn’t say.

---

They had tried quite a few rides all morning—mostly ones Jiang Lili suggested, and they were the thrilling kind.

Jiang Lili was always brimming with energy. Even after the whole round, with noon approaching, she still looked eager to try the giant swing ride.

Thankfully, Gao Yuyang stopped her in time and suggested they go eat lunch first and play more afterward.

Jiang Lili agreed.

It was lunchtime, and the restaurants with better reviews in the amusement park all had long queues.

After placing their order, the waiter guided them to a table. Fu Chiyu said he’d go grab drinks and left with Gao Yuyang.

While waiting, Xia Zhicha, feeling a bit tired, leaned on the table and let her mind drift, eyes blankly scanning the noisy restaurant crowd.

Next to her, Jiang Lili was scrolling her phone with a bored expression, mumbling to herself.

“What’s wrong with these people? So childish…”

Xia Zhicha didn’t even have to guess—she knew Jiang Lili was on the university’s gossip forum again.

This girl could never keep things to herself and loved reading campus gossip. Every time she found something juicy, she would share it with Xia Zhicha immediately.

“Zhizhi, look at this. I swear I’m speechless…”

Xia Zhicha slowly returned from her daze and turned her head. Jiang Lili had already shoved her phone in front of her.

[Discussion] So many freshmen this year seem to be trying to get close to Fu Chiyu.

The headline was bold, and tagged as “Hot.”

“Wasn’t it the same last year? I hadn’t even started classes yet and already heard of Fu Chiyu. A bunch of upperclassmen girls approached him first thing at orientation. Now it’s the freshmen’s turn, lol.”

“Can you blame them? He’s hot and amazing. All the guys respect him too.”

“Rumor has it, he’s single now. Maybe he’s waiting to meet the right girl from this batch of freshmen~”

“Let’s bet with spicy sticks! Who do you think will be his next girlfriend?”

…

The replies were filled with pictures and names flying across the screen—it was dizzying.

“Looks like a school beauty competition,” Jiang Lili scoffed. “Didn’t he break up with that girl, Na, recently? Now everyone’s betting on who he’ll date next.”

Xia Zhicha paused. She scrolled slowly through the comments, as if in slow motion. Jiang Lili occasionally helped her swipe down and explained.

“Oh, right—here’s the one they think has the best shot. She’s in our fine arts department,” Jiang Lili stopped on a photo and zoomed in. “Probably the prettiest among the freshmen, and just Fu Chiyu’s type.”

Her voice lowered, becoming more secretive: “And get this—she openly said she applied to our university just for him. She’s going after him head-on.”

Xia Zhicha couldn’t really hear the rest. Her gaze lingered on the photo, dazed.

The girl in the picture had bold, stunning features. Eyes sharp with a kind of seductive confidence rarely seen in girls their age. She exuded passion and boldness.

So… that’s the kind of girl Fu Chiyu liked?

Xia Zhicha’s fingers reflexively tightened around the small butterfly bow on her skirt.

A wave of disappointment hit her like a crushed orange peel—bittersweet and bitter, swelling inside her.

Suddenly, all her careful preparation and effort in dressing up that morning felt utterly meaningless.

So from the very start… she wasn’t his type at all.

Just then, their number was called. Xia Zhicha looked away abruptly, almost fleeing as she stood up. “I’ll go get the food.”

At the pickup counter, the staff apologized—one of their side dishes had been mistakenly taken by someone else and had to be remade.

Xia Zhicha didn’t mind and decided to wait.

While waiting, she looked down and, with complicated feelings, opened the school forum on her phone.

The post was still on the homepage. She tapped in again.

“Everyone knows Fu Chiyu likes bold, outgoing girls. With looks and a body like that, she’ll probably win him over easily.”

“It’s only a matter of time. Question is—how long will it last?”

“She got into Beijing University just for him. That kind of determination—can’t compete!”

…

Xia Zhicha’s eyes dimmed.

She had also gotten into Beijing University… for Fu Chiyu.

Back in her second year of high school, her grades were good, but not top-tier. She was still a bit away from being able to apply to one of the top schools in the capital.

But the moment Fu Chiyu moved back to Beijing, she quietly crossed out her original target in Nancheng and wrote in Beijing University instead.

For the next 300-plus days and nights, she studied with gritted teeth, clinging to sheer willpower. Her life had no light—only relentless effort.

She got into Beijing University with raw scores alone.

Everyone praised her for her determination, but no one knew—her only motivation was a hidden wish she never dared to say aloud.

“Spacing out?”

Her phone was suddenly pulled from her hand, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Startled, she looked up to see Fu Chiyu holding her phone. He hadn’t scrolled through anything yet.

He tilted his head slightly, long, fox-like eyes narrowing as he glanced at the screen.

Then, he gave a slow, amused smile, shooting her a look of mockery.

“Still reading this kind of stuff?”