“Darling, be good.”

I instantly pulled out my earphones, feeling a surge of heat rising to my head, my heart racing noticeably faster. I took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm down.

But I still couldn’t help smiling, and by the time I came back to my senses, I realized I had been grinning like an idiot for quite a while.

I rubbed the corners of my mouth, sore from smiling, and quietly cursed Xu Yang.

Seriously, calling me that so flirtatiously—what was he thinking? Messing with my peace of mind like that!

It took a few deep breaths before I calmed down, fearing that if I kept chatting, I might give something away, so I quickly said I was going to sleep.

Luckily, Xu Yang didn’t press further, simply replied with a “Good night,” and let me go.

Only then did I lie down, but I must have looked odd because my roommate gave me a curious glance and asked, “Wait, did you just watch something secretive? Your face is so red.”

I replied, “No, no.”

No way—at most…

I was just a little flustered by a certain man.

I couldn’t sleep well that night.

In my dream, Xu Yang was pressing me down onto a bed, his mesmerizing face close to mine, warm kisses falling on me…

So when I got up early, I was yawning like crazy, feeling like a tired panda.

Luckily, there were no classes in the morning.

After waking up, I went back to sleep and didn’t get up until noon.

Because of that dream last night, I temporarily didn’t feel like responding to Xu Yang.

So I ignored the flood of messages from him and went to the cafeteria with my roommate.

But I hadn’t expected to be stopped by my ex’s current boyfriend the moment I arrived at the cafeteria.

I glanced at Zhao Tian, my tone a bit cold. “Move.”

Zhao Tian, arm wrapped around Xu Xue’er, looked smugly at me and said, “So what if you’re good at studying? You couldn’t even keep a girlfriend.”

I gave Xu Xue’er a look. Back then, she’d chased after me persistently for six months, begging me not to let her lose face. That’s the only reason I agreed.

But little did I know it was just part of a bet she made with her friends. After just two days of dating, she hooked up with Zhao Tian and started telling everyone I was dull and unworthy of her.

Seeing me look at her like that, Xu Xue’er’s eyes showed a hint of guilt, but her pride won out, and she insulted me spitefully, “Mu Yu, you’re such a wimp. Who would like you?”

Hearing this, Zhao Tian laughed even harder, “Hahaha, exactly. Who would like a wimp like Mu Yu?”

Not wanting to argue, I lifted my foot to leave, but Zhao Tian blocked my way and held out his hand to me. “Xue’er said she gave you an expensive birthday gift when she chased you. Hand it over.”

I frowned, looked at Xu Xue’er, and instantly understood why Zhao Tian was bothering me now.

It seemed Xu Xue’er regretted giving me that watch, so she’d egged Zhao Tian into asking me for it.

But when we broke up, I’d already thrown away all her things. There was no way I could give it back now.

“I’ll transfer you the money; I threw out the watch.” I took out my phone, prepared to transfer the money, as I didn’t want to owe anyone.

“Alright, fifty thousand.” Zhao Tian raised an eyebrow, demanding an outrageous amount.

I was dumbfounded. “What, are you crazy?”

Zhao Tian didn’t back down, knowing I didn’t have the watch and thus clung to the story that it was worth a fortune.

I gritted my teeth; fifty thousand was far beyond what I could afford.

“Can’t pay? Fine, then just shout ‘I’m Zhao Tian’s dog’ three times in public, and you won’t owe me anything.” Zhao Tian looked satisfied, clearly expecting I wouldn’t have that much money.

I clenched my fists, figuring that, at worst, I could just shout.

But just as I was about to shout, a warm hand covered my mouth.

Then, I felt someone’s body press close to mine from behind. Surprised, I looked back, meeting Xu Yang’s concerned eyes.

Xu Yang shielded me behind him and quietly said, “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.”

He said this and then told Zhao Tian to take out his phone so he could transfer the money.

The robotic voice announced six hundred thousand being credited.

What? That was too much!

I tugged at Xu Yang’s sleeve to tell him he overpaid, but he smiled and nudged me away slightly before rolling up his sleeves a bit.

He approached Zhao Tian and said, “I paid his fifty thousand. The extra hundred thousand? Consider it a medical fee for you calling him a wimp.”

And then with a loud thud, Zhao Tian was kicked to the ground by Xu Yang.

Everyone was stunned.

No one seemed to understand why the usually aloof, untouchable Xu Yang would fight for someone else.

And, especially, for a guy.

For a moment, the crowd’s eyes turned curious as they looked at Xu Yang, but he didn’t care and simply pulled me away from the cafeteria after he finished.

As we walked, Xu Yang chuckled, “What’s wrong? Did I charm you?”

I said, “Huh?”

Seeing me a little dazed, Xu Yang, apparently in a good mood, reached out and gently ruffled my hair, his gaze uncharacteristically gentle.

I stared into his eyes, rooted in place.

I felt something inside me racing wildly.

Like a lost deer darting around my chest.

Nervous that Xu Yang might notice, I hurried back to the dorm.

My roommate, aware of what had just happened, knew I wasn’t in the best mood, so they suggested going to karaoke that evening to relax.

Since I didn’t have anything planned, I agreed.

I wasn’t quite sure how to face Xu Yang at the moment.

Realizing I was actually developing feelings for Xu Yang made me feel really conflicted.

Xu Yang liked his sister, after all—how could I be thinking this way about him?

Damn it.

So I texted Xu Yang, “Got plans tonight, won’t be able to have dinner together.”

Xu Yang replied almost instantly, his tone noticeably cooler, just a simple “Alright.”

I sighed in relief. Not being too nice to me felt better.