Facing Fang Jingcheng’s confession, Xia Fu didn’t respond immediately. The silence, soft as water, made Fang Jingcheng feel uneasy. He counted silently in his heart, from one to five, then started overthinking: was his confession too casual? Or maybe his playful tone came off as childish, beyond Xia Fu’s expectations?

It wouldn’t be surprising if that was the case. Compared to him, girls generally preferred someone with his brother’s mature and steady vibe. In the past, he always had to play a role to win someone’s affection.

After all, his relationship with Xia Fu started as a partnership, slowly evolving into romance, and with time, he couldn’t help but reveal parts of his true self. Perhaps he shouldn’t have had that drink; it muddled his words and lowered his guard.

Just as he regretted it and was about to switch topics, he suddenly heard Xia Fu’s heavy sigh. The girl, who had just been complaining about him being “so heavy,” now pulled him closer, hugging him with a mix of helplessness and fondness. Rather than dislike, it seemed more like she was shy and unsure of what to do.

Leaning against her neck, Fang Jingcheng could distinctly smell the warm, comforting scent on her skin—it was the sea salt and vanilla body wash he’d bought her. The scent spread around him, sweet and soothing, like she was pressing a candy against his tongue, filling him with happiness.

His worries melted away instantly. Sitting up a bit, Fang Jingcheng shifted his weight to make himself more comfortable in her arms, wrapping his own arm around her waist. He grinned and, like an excitable kid, chattered, “Oh, by the way, what about the flowers? Do you like the ones I picked?”

“Too heavy” turned into “too warm.”

Xia Fu felt like she was back in her childhood, watching her younger brother pose with a python at the zoo, laughing while nearly getting squashed under its weight. Now, it was her turn to suffer a bit for fun. But, for some odd reason, she couldn’t bring herself to push away this beautiful big snake.

With her head bowed, she recalled the bouquet’s appearance and described it carefully: “It’s beautiful. I’ve never seen a combination of hydrangeas and peonies before. The florist was thoughtful too; they included a packet of plant food with it, so if I take care of them, they should last a while.”

Just like when they’d eaten together the first time, instead of expressing her emotions, she seemed more interested in the practical value of the gift. Her straightforwardness often made Fang Jingcheng want to give her more, so he quickly added, “You don’t have to worry about the flowers’ shelf life; I’ll send you fresh ones every day and replace the wilted ones.”

Xia Fu shook her head, clearly not taking it seriously. “No need; that’d be too expensive. I already told you, one flower is enough. A whole bouquet already shows your thoughtfulness… Besides, flowers are meant to wilt.”

Watching her profile, Fang Jingcheng caught a subtle hint—Xia Fu wasn’t that into this bouquet.

When she’d said she wanted him to be happy, she hadn’t meant to fake it. It was the first time she’d requested something from him, and he didn’t expect her to be fully satisfied with his first attempt. He just wanted to make her happy, so technically, this bouquet didn’t even count!

“That’s a bit of a sad thought; I’ll come up with another idea,” he murmured, pouting. Rubbing his cheek against Xia Fu’s chin, he quickly started plotting his next gift.

Since he couldn’t drive after drinking, Fang Jingcheng had arranged for a driver to bring them to the gym. He’d told Xia Fu it was his family’s chauffeur, who was not only skilled but very reliable. He planned to drop her at her dorm and then head back to his apartment with the driver.

After getting out of the car, he took her backpack as usual. This time, however, his free hand wrapped around hers, and the warmth from his fingertips spread continuously. Even without looking at him, the “presence” of her boyfriend surrounded her like the moist night wind of summer. The moonlight shone down on the familiar path they often took, making it glow with a unique beauty.

If the restaurant and gym felt like strange places where she could let herself go, then back on campus, the reality of kissing her former employer Fang Jingcheng and turning him into her boyfriend finally hit.

How surreal. The more she thought about it, the more impulsive it seemed. What would campus life be like from now on?

Lost in thought, Xia Fu realized she’d been walking in silence. She hadn’t even thought about such practical questions until now.

Before she knew it, they were approaching the crossroad where they usually parted ways, and Fang Jingcheng’s steps gradually slowed. In the last fifty meters, the tall youth, whose stride usually doubled hers, had somehow slowed to a half-step behind. Their intertwined hands now dangled in the air instead of by their sides.

No matter how “oblivious” Xia Fu was, she couldn’t pretend any longer.

Turning back to him, she asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling dizzy again?”

Fang Jingcheng shook his head. “No, I just want to look at you a little longer…walk with you a bit more.” His blue eyes sparkled with reluctance.

Xia Fu blinked slowly. Avoiding his gaze, her eyes wandered toward the nearby crossroad and then down to his arm. He was still wearing his sleeveless gym vest, and his muscular arm bore a large tattoo—a dark, winding snake skeleton that looked mesmerizing and eerie under the silvery moonlight.

When she’d first met him, she’d wondered if his tattoo felt cold and smooth like snake scales. But as they grew closer, she realized it wasn’t as intimidating as she’d thought. It seemed warm and reliable, often lending her support.

But now… a snake is still a snake.

Xia Fu stared at the snake head on his hand, imagining it retracting its fangs and gently nibbling her. Why else would she still be holding Fang Jingcheng’s hand tightly, even as her palm grew sweaty and they passed the crossroad and the dark little garden?

Maybe it didn’t matter—they were dating now. Holding hands wasn’t a big deal.

“Let’s walk a bit more…” Xia Fu said, holding his hand until they reached the dorm’s lighted edge.

“We’re here. I’m going upstairs now.”

“Mm, see you tomorrow.”

Fang Jingcheng brushed his fingers over her hand, speaking words of farewell, but made no move to leave. Seeing her confusion, he explained softly, “I’ll wait until you go upstairs.”

It seemed pretty normal—lots of couples did this. She’d seen guys waiting outside the dorm for their girlfriends after work too.

Xia Fu bit her lip, took her backpack from him, and reminded him, “Okay, go home early and don’t stay up late.”

“Mm-hmm.” He looked at her with a docile expression.

The tall youth stood there until Xia Fu reached the hall corner and could still glimpse his silver silhouette out of the corner of her eye.

Is this what dating is?

Walking up the stairs slowly, she passed the little balcony where they dried clothes and, feeling a bit mischievous, peeked outside, remembering the time Fang Jingcheng had picked her up from the dorm on his bike.

She’d never thought she’d be someone worth waiting for, nor did she picture Fang Jingcheng as the “foolish” romantic type. But lo and behold, there he was.

Leaning lazily against the camphor tree with his hands in his pockets, he looked up at the balcony. When he spotted her, he grinned and waved his hand with childlike enthusiasm.

Caught off guard, Xia Fu almost covered her face in embarrassment.

How embarrassing! So he had seen her with a mouthful of foam last time!

But since he was the one who lingered around tonight, she had every reason to get the upper hand.

It was almost 11 p.m., too late to shout down at him, so she waved her arm wildly like shooing a dog and quickly ducked back to the wall by the balcony, typing furiously on her phone:

“Alright, you’ve walked me far enough; go back to bed now!”

Having lost his target, Fang Jingcheng glanced down at his phone and replied, “I’m feeling a bit dizzy and walking slow; let me rest here first!” adding an emoji of a white cat clutching its owner’s leg, looking pitiful.

Why did he always pull this? He’d said he was fine holding hands earlier, and now he was using dizziness as an excuse… She couldn’t tell if he was serious.

Even though she’d been the one to kiss him, she still couldn’t bear to meet his handsome face outside of certain moments. She only took her time studying him from a distance.

Not entirely able to ignore him, Xia Fu peeked half of her face out.

Under the soft moonlight, the night breeze ruffled Fang Jingcheng’s silver hair like grass swaying by the lake or a dandelion’s delicate stem. As he gazed up at her, something small and soft seemed to drift into her heart.

For a moment, Xia Fu didn’t know what to say to him.

Then Ji Xiaowei’s loud voice thundered in her ear, “Hey! Xia Fu! You’re back!” Startled, she jumped up like a spring.

Ji Xiaowei, in her nightdress, was holding a toothbrush cup in one hand and scratching her chin with the other. She looked at Xia Fu, curled up on the balcony like a hamster, and teased, “How’d the match go? With that bouquet, something good must’ve happened? You look so happy.”

Was she smiling?

Xia Fu blinked in surprise, awkwardly covering her lips with her hand.