Compared to the usual crowd of bare-faced, black-haired, black-eyed male college students, Fang Jingcheng was strikingly handsome, so much so that Xia Fu almost thought she’d stumbled onto the set of a TV drama.

But the amazement faded quickly, and the harsh reality hit her right afterward: it looked like he was the owner of those flowers… What if he asked for them back? She really didn’t want to go hungry again.

Though it was embarrassing enough to have her stomach growling in front of a stranger.

Yet when Fang Jingcheng casually asked, “Wanna grab a bite together?” Xia Fu secretly sighed with relief. However, another worry popped up almost immediately: “… Can I go? Wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

During her days without food, Xia Fu had already accepted quite a few handouts from her roommates. She planned to dismantle the flowers and give some to her roommate as a gift before selling the rest, to wish her a happy holiday too.

But romantic matters were always sensitive among girls.

If rumors started about her meddling in someone else’s love life, she’d be friendless in no time.

Xia Fu’s voice trembled in the night breeze from pure nervousness. A few strands of her faded hair blew across her pale face, dividing it into two expressions: one of longing and one of fear.

Despite Xia Fu’s best efforts, anyone could tell she was completely inexperienced with guys.

Awww, poor thing.

Fang Jingcheng gazed at the frail girl in front of him, feeling like he was looking at a miniature golden hamster. When caught red-handed, instead of fleeing, its first instinct would be to stuff its cheeks with food, trying to eat its fill before running away.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been rejected quite clearly. As you can see, both the flowers and I ended up in the trash pile, so I’m now a lonely single guy.”

Fang Jingcheng’s tone softened without him realizing it, and he tilted his head, looking at her with innocent, clear eyes.

“Oh, oh!”

Xia Fu’s usually dull face lit up with joy when she realized the flowers were up for grabs. She immediately looked down at the precious bouquet, thanking her lucky stars, only to later realize that celebrating someone else’s breakup wasn’t exactly nice, so she added awkwardly, “I’m Xia Fu, from the Math Department, first-year… What about you?”

Really, she was so obvious—he was single, yet her eyes were fixed on the flowers! It was like pouring out Moutai just to recycle the bottle!

The strange sense of disappointment made Fang Jingcheng sit up a bit straighter.

He crossed his hands over his knee, leaning forward as if suddenly intrigued by her presence. “Oh, is it the ‘Fu’ in ‘hibiscus’ or the ‘Fu’ in ‘poria’?”

“The second one,” she replied.

Poria—simple, clean, white, medicinal chunks in a wooden box. It matched his first impression of her.

“A delicate name.”

Fang Jingcheng smiled, complimenting her. “I’m Fang Jingcheng, a freshman in the Talent Class. It means clear scenery.” He fished a light blue card from his trouser pocket, playfully flashing it to grab her attention. “Look—this is my student ID.”

“Talent Class?”

The term piqued Xia Fu’s curiosity.

She’d heard of this special class when she enrolled. Like the honors classes in high school, universities had elite training programs, selecting students from across the country through independent admissions.

These students were assigned personal mentors, didn’t have to choose a major until sophomore year, and were provided with superior facilities, from piano rooms to gyms and study lounges. It was enough to make the average student jealous.

But the young man in front of her didn’t quite fit the “academic elite” image. Xia Fu guessed he might be an art student.

She widened her eyes, curious to see what was so special about a “top student’s” ID.

To give her a better view, Fang Jingcheng leaned closer, leaving his spot on the couch.

He was tall, easily over six feet by her estimation. The moonlight was obscured by his silver-white hair, and his shadow, along with the warm scent of his cologne, enveloped her.

The scent was like a soft silk that brushed her cheek, leaving a smooth, refined impression.

Unlike regular guys who often smelled of sweat, he actually smelled… nice.

Without thinking, she wrinkled her nose, uncertain whether to hold her breath or savor the novel experience. Xia Fu took a small step back, trying to refocus on the ID instead of the guy.

The ID for F University’s undergraduates was standard—most students had a photo from their college entrance exam ID, but Fang Jingcheng had chosen to retake his, opting for a fresher look.

The ID showed a bright smile, and his silver hair was so eye-catching that it left no doubt about his identity.

Bored, Fang Jingcheng lowered his head and noticed the small, white swirl at the top of Xia Fu’s head.

She was wearing a simple, round-neck white T-shirt. She was thin, with a delicate neck, and when she looked down, her shoulder blades jutted out, giving the impression that he could hold her neck with one hand.

The heavy black backpack dragged her shoulder down like a weighty turtle shell, which Fang Jingcheng found a bit of an eyesore.

From this angle, she looked even more petite than before.

If she was already this hungry, taking her to eat anything too heavy might trigger an acute stomach issue by midnight. His ex-girlfriend once ended up hospitalized after binge-eating for weight loss.

But then again…

Well, he had plenty of time on his hands. He could accompany her to the hospital if needed; it’d even prolong the time they’d spend together. Looked at that way, he’d be extending the chance to repay her favor.

So, with a wide smile, he casually listed some options like reciting a menu: “Japanese food? Barbecue? Hot pot? Or if you like them all, how about a buffet?”

Each option was quite tempting.

While Fang Jingcheng was eyeing Xia Fu, she was studying him, too.

More than the ID, what stood out to her were his hands.

Perfectly proportioned, with slender fingers and irregular rings on his index and middle fingers. When he shook the ID, his sleeve slipped to reveal a sleek, gemstone-studded watch and a dark thorn tattoo creeping up his wrist toward his shoulder.

It was like a snake crawling into darkness…

The thought startled Xia Fu, and her gaze followed the tattoo’s path, feeling as though things were rapidly spinning out of control.

The mix of black and white fit the common stereotype—a handsome guy with a hidden “black heart.”

At that moment, she almost heard her parents’ voices in her head, warning her: girls should be careful not to talk to shady men.

But she didn’t have time to think this over; her mind was filled with the list of foods Fang Jingcheng had just mentioned.

Meat! She wanted meat.

With a sparkle in her eyes, she looked up. “All of them! I’ll go wherever you think is best.”

Xia Fu’s shining gaze made Fang Jingcheng feel like he could almost see her wagging an imaginary tail. When she gulped, her delicate Adam’s apple bobbed on her white neck like a marble rolling in a bottle.

Realizing that was her sound of joy, he thought, Fine, I guess dinner alone is enough to make her happy—no need for a hospital trip after all.

He quickly changed his mind, “Ah—since it’s already so late, let’s just go for something light nearby.”

He tapped her shoulder lightly with his knuckle. “How about you hand over that heavy bag? Let’s head to the garage. Can’t have a girl carrying a heavy bag on an empty stomach.” He slipped his hand under the backpack’s strap, lifting it gently but securely.

“Thank you!”

Obediently, Xia Fu raised her arm.

The rough nylon strap brushed against her skin, sending a tickling sensation from her arm to her fingertips, reminding her of when her mom used to help her take off a sweater as a child, bringing a faint sense of embarrassment.

Now free of the weight, Xia Fu felt strangely light, almost unsteady.

Is this… gentlemanly behavior?

While he might be a bit eccentric, for now, he was a “good guy.”

Even her younger brother never offered to carry her things.

Thinking this, Xia Fu stole a glance at Fang Jingcheng. They walked side by side along the plane tree-lined path, the streetlights casting a gentle glow on his frame. She noticed that his skin was even fairer than most girls’, and when he tightened his arm, not only did firm muscles appear, but faint blue veins as well.

Despite his flawless appearance, Fang Jingcheng carried a youthful masculinity in every movement.

Although she’d guessed he was well-off, Xia Fu was still shocked when she saw his car.

The old campus was valuable real estate, with new buildings exclusively having underground parking, and only for staff. Usually, parents dropping off freshmen could only stop temporarily on the narrow dorm pathways.

But somehow, Fang Jingcheng had a permanent spot here.

She couldn’t recognize the car brand, but the sleek lines, sculpted logo, and the mirror-like glossy black paint made it clear it was pricey.

In the car filled with high-tech gadgets, Xia Fu felt out of place. Even the passenger seatbelt was clipped on by Fang Jingcheng.

The high-definition GPS screen showed their route clearly, heading toward the bustling city center. It seemed, at least for now, that he had no plans to kidnap her for the black market.

She sat obediently in her seat, staring out the window, finding comfort in the one thing familiar: a small dangling ornament swaying from the car roof.

It was a small snow-white creature, with fluffy fur and gemstone-blue eyes, crafted so lifelike that even its white lashes trembled in the air. It had large, fox-like ears but with moth-like wings on its back.

Definitely not something from the natural world. It didn’t quite match Fang Jingcheng’s vibe, but for some reason, it seemed familiar to her.

Xia Fu was certain—she’d seen this little trinket somewhere before.