Chapter 30: Su Zijin, you really are remarkable!

It was nearly ten o'clock when Xu Ye dropped Su Zijin back at her university.

The two of them shared a tacit understanding; neither mentioned what had happened at the restaurant, which, of course, included that kiss. While passing through the college street, Xu Ye stopped to buy a few fruit teas.

"You have military training coming up, so you need to adjust your sleep schedule. Milk tea will keep you awake, so I got you fruit tea instead."

Su Zijin looked at Xu Ye and gave a soft, affirmative hum.

"I’m also buying you some fruit to share with your roommates."

Su Zijin: "?"

"You rarely even speak when you're with me, so you're not exactly good at socializing, are you?"

As he picked out the fruit, Xu Ye smiled without looking up. "You have to remember to share with your roommates; that’s the only way nice people will want to take care of you."

Having known each other for over four years, Xu Ye understood Su Zijin’s personality well. She was introverted, withdrawn, and suffered from a degree of social anxiety. Such a temperament was easily misunderstood; people often assumed she was being snobbish or looking down on her classmates. In her previous life, she had suffered greatly because of these personality traits.

In reality, she was nothing like that. On the contrary, only when someone truly entered her heart could they understand her nature. She was a person warmer than the sunshine itself.

Su Zijin remained silent, staring blankly at Xu Ye. So, he understood her this well? But… when did he start to notice?

"Moved so easily?"

Xu Ye finished paying and looked at her with a gentle expression. "You’re a young girl, having come all the way here from Shangjing. I can’t let you suffer any grievances."

"Remember, if anything happens, tell me immediately. Don't you dare be polite with me."

Su Zijin’s red lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but after a moment of hesitation, she finally just gave another soft "Mm."

"By the way, don't share that box of grapes," Xu Ye said.

"Why?"

Xu Ye blinked. "Because in all the world, I only want to please you."

Su Zijin: "..."

Her lips twitched violently. She hurriedly took a large gulp of her tea and let out a long breath.

"What’s wrong?"

"Cheesy. I almost threw up my dinner."

What the? Seriously? Was she for real? Xu Ye felt dejected and sighed, "Should I go then?"

Su Zijin glanced at him and waved her hand expressionlessly. "Yeah... okay... bye..."

***

Although she said that, Xu Ye could clearly hear a deep sense of reluctance in her voice. He chuckled and deliberately feigned a nonchalant tone. "Forget it, I don't have anything to do back home anyway. How about I walk you back to your dorm?"

Su Zijin’s eyes instantly curved into crescents. "Okay."

"How’s the fruit tea?"

"So sweet~"

"Is it good?"

"It’s good~"

As she spoke, Su Zijin suddenly quickened her pace and did a little twirl, lifting the hem of her skirt. Under the streetlights, the fabric flared high as she spun, revealing a glimpse of her snowy, slender legs. Even though it was only a fleeting sight, it was undeniably beautiful and captivating.

Huh? Suddenly, the figure stopped spinning.

But the hem of her skirt was lifted even higher than before. What was once just her calves was now visible up to her knees. She looked up at him. Walking backward while facing him and sipping her tea, she used her other hand to pull her skirt up another inch.

"Looks good, right?"

Xu Ye: "..."

"You really are a pervert, a leg man."

Xu Ye’s expression changed drastically. "I’m not, I didn't, don't go spreading rumors!"

"So you’re not? I was thinking that since it was hard on you to spend the whole day with me, I’d let you have a look as a reward. But since you're not..."

"Ah, wait..."

Su Zijin hummed with a look of feigned arrogance, but she didn't lower her skirt. However, a faint blush had already crept across her cheeks.

Xu Ye really didn't want to look, but his eyes had a mind of their own. How could there be such beautiful legs in the world? If only... bah, what "if only"? This is a harmonious society; lewd thoughts are prohibited.

"Hey, you aren't thinking of something dirty, are you?"

True to her reputation as his "bro" of four years, Su Zijin saw right through his inner thoughts. But how could Xu Ye admit to that? He didn't blink and stated righteously, "Impossible. I was just thinking that with legs this long, riding a tricycle must be incredibly easy, right?"

Su Zijin: "..."

She nearly lost control and kicked him flying.

***

Downstairs at the dormitory building.

The distance, neither long nor short, had finally come to an end.

"Go on in," Xu Ye said, clearly reluctant to part.

"Mm."

"Goodbye. If anything happens, remember to call me. Anytime, I'll be there."

"Okay."

"See you tomorrow."

"Mm, see you tomorrow."

Su Zijin waved at Xu Ye, who gritted his teeth, turned around, and strode toward the parking lot. *Go home early, get some rest. Won't I see her again the moment I open my eyes tomorrow?*

Su Zijin stood at the base of the dormitory building until Xu Ye’s figure had completely vanished.

"Still looking? He’s already gone!"

A middle-aged woman emerged from the shadows, looking both helpless and indulgent. "Besides, won't you see him again first thing tomorrow morning?"

That was true. Su Zijin repeated it in her heart; she would see him again tomorrow. At the thought, the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.

"Thank you, Auntie."

This thanks wasn't just for the words she had just spoken, but also for what happened with Ji Boduan tonight.

She walked briskly toward the entrance but suddenly remembered something. She turned around and handed over the fruit, keeping only the box of grapes.

"Auntie, this is for you and Uncle."

A look of surprise appeared in the beautiful eyes of the dignified Mayor of Jiangzhou City. Her niece, an iceberg with zero emotional intelligence, had not only thanked her but actually remembered to bring her a gift? Could it be because of that guy? But he didn't seem like much of a catch, so how could he...

"What’s wrong, Auntie? Do you not like it?"

"No... no, it's fine."

Liu Qinghan quickly denied it, though she was muttering to herself. It seemed she really needed to run another background check on that bastard named Xu Ye.

Su Zijin said "Oh" and didn't think much of it. She said lightheartedly, "I have military training soon, so I need to adjust my sleep schedule. I'm going up now. Goodbye, Auntie."

Without waiting for a reply, she walked lightly back to her dorm. Thinking about everything that had happened today, she patted the top of her head, eyes crinkling, and whispered to herself, "Su Zijin, you were amazing!"