Chapter 3

Downstairs of the dormitory building. Qin Yichi reached out and took hold of the handle of her suitcase. His phoenix-shaped eyes were deep and unfathomable, while the lines of his handsome profile were smooth and defined. He said casually, “I’ll help you carry it upstairs.” Qiao Zhen froze and was just about to refuse. But Qin Yichi seemed to have already anticipated her reaction. He casually added, “I just happen to like exercising. I like carrying things.” Qiao Zhen paused before following behind him. “Oh, thank you.” She liked exercising…… Qiao Zhen’s lashes trembled slightly, and the tips of her ears quietly turned pink. Qin Yichi really did have an extraordinary talent for sports. He trained on motorcycles every day, was strong and fit, and had incredible stamina. So incredible that on their wedding night in her previous life, he had literally worn her out until she passed out…… Qiao Zhen shook her head and patted her cheeks, forcing herself to wake up and banish those intimate images from her mind. Qin Yichi tilted his head slightly, his expression lazy. “Room 609, right?” “Mm-hmm!” Qiao Zhen nodded vigorously. A moment later, suspicion flashed through her eyes. How did he remember her dorm room number so clearly? Then again, his memory had always been excellent. He was the type who could remember anything after seeing it once. He was ridiculously smart. Qin Yichi lifted her suitcase with one hand and carried it effortlessly. The heavy 26-inch suitcase felt as light as cotton in his hands. Walking ahead of her, he took two or three steps at a time. Dressed entirely in black, his tall, straight figure looked especially striking from behind. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and, most importantly— What a nice butt! Qiao Zhen blinked and hurriedly lowered her head. Ever since she had dreamed about marrying Qin Yichi in her previous life, she could no longer look at him normally. Good heavens, what was happening to her?! At the door of Room 609, Qin Yichi gently set down the pink suitcase and turned his gaze toward Qiao Zhen. The girl had her head lowered. Her cheeks were fair and flawless, and her eyes were clear and pure, like they held the shimmering waters of autumn. She looked as innocent as a blank sheet of paper, untouched by the slightest impurity. She was beautiful, obedient, and soft. Slowly, she took a bottle of strawberry yogurt from her backpack and obediently held it out to him. “Thank you. You can have this.” Qin Yichi gave a soft hum and accepted the yogurt. His expression remained completely calm as he turned and walked away. But the moment he turned his back on her, his gaze suddenly became unreadable. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a faint blush gradually crept up the tips of his ears…… Back in the dorm, Qiao Zhen tidied her desk and unpacked her luggage. Half an hour later, a short-haired girl appeared carrying an enormous suitcase, panting heavily with a bright-red face. “Damn it, I’m freaking exhausted! The sixth floor! The freaking sixth floor! Would it kill the school to install an elevator for us fragile college students?!” Sheng Lulu was completely worn out as she complained nonstop. She pushed her suitcase inside, then suddenly widened her eyes in surprise. “Holy crap, Zhenzhen, you even mopped the floor for me?!” Qiao Zhen shared a four-person dorm room. She was majoring in Music Performance, while Sheng Lulu studied Art and Design. Both were freshmen, while the other two roommates were sophomore students from different majors. Qiao Zhen smiled gently. “I was already cleaning, so I just mopped your side too.” “I love you, I love you!” Sheng Lulu’s heart practically melted from happiness. She almost wanted to hug Qiao Zhen and nibble her. “By the way, how are things going with the Student Council President?” At those words, Qiao Zhen lowered her lashes. Her eyes gradually reddened, and her expression darkened as she shook her head. Ji Xian was the Student Council President and a sophomore in the Finance Department. He ranked first academically, came first in competitions, and, more importantly, was the heir to a wealthy family. From their days at No. 1 High School to Peking University, he had always been a heaven-favored genius. He was the moon in the sky—beautiful, dazzling, and impossibly far away. Qiao Zhen had pursued him for three years. Until a few days ago, when she began repeatedly dreaming about fragments of her past life. The years of cold treatment from Ji Xian felt like a sharp blade stabbing straight into her heart, spilling out waves of bitterness and grievance…… Seeing Qiao Zhen’s reddened eyes and realizing she didn't want to talk about it, Sheng Lulu stopped asking questions. She reached out and gently squeezed Qiao Zhen’s hand in comfort. Sheng Lulu had seen everything. She knew exactly how Ji Xian had kept Qiao Zhen hanging, and how his friends had bullied and belittled her. Just thinking about it made her furious. Absolutely infuriating! In her heart, Sheng Lulu cursed Ji Xian from head to toe. *Damn it, I hate pretentious guys the most! So what if he’s handsome? Ice-block pretty boy!* That evening, Sheng Lulu opened Ele.me and sprawled across her bed, yawning. “Fried chicken and cola are the source of my happiness~ Zhenzhen, want some too?” She loved ordering takeout. There was no way she was climbing six floors again. She was already exhausted! After finishing her cleaning, Qiao Zhen looked up and smiled. “No thanks. I’ll eat at the cafeteria later.” There was a new promotion today. As long as students ate in the school cafeteria, they could receive a free serving of double-skin milk pudding with fruit. Free! But the moment Qiao Zhen arrived at the cafeteria, she regretted it. College students loved anything that was free. The normally quiet cafeteria was suddenly packed with people. Unfortunately, the very last serving of fruit-topped double-skin milk pudding was claimed by the person right in front of Qiao Zhen. Qiao Zhen stared helplessly at the empty container. She pursed her lips, her lashes drooping slightly as disappointment flashed through her eyes. She ordered a bowl of pickled-vegetable and shredded-pork noodles and carried her tray around looking for a seat. Every table in the cafeteria was occupied. Except for one table in the corner where six or seven boys were sitting. There happened to be one empty seat. As Qiao Zhen approached, she gradually recognized someone sitting there. Qin Yichi. Under the dim lighting, the man leaned lazily against his chair, half of his face hidden in shadow, making him appear even more intimidating. His dark eyes happened to be looking directly at her. Or rather, he had noticed Qiao Zhen long ago. He even curled his finger at her, motioning for her to come over and sit with them. Qiao Zhen obediently carried her tray over. Hearing the movement, the boys who had been enthusiastically devouring their food all looked up. The girl had the face of everyone's first love. Her skin was fair, and her hair was tied into a neat bun. Dressed in a beige maxi dress, she looked like a cherry blossom waiting to bloom. Her eyes curved into a smile, and two playful dimples appeared beside her lips. She looked like a beautiful, dazzling star in the night sky—pure and radiant. She was practically a fairy! Qin Yichi’s lips curved slightly. His messy bangs added to his wild charm as he spoke first. “No one’s sitting here. Take a seat.” His voice was unexpectedly gentle, almost affectionate. The boys at the table instantly looked as if they had been struck by lightning. What the hell? Did they hear that correctly? Qin Yichi—the infamous bad-tempered, aloof guy who never showed interest in girls—had just spoken to a girl with such an affectionate smile? And his voice was actually this gentle? Had Brother Chi taken the wrong medicine today?! Under their stunned gazes, Qiao Zhen slowly sat down across from Qin Yichi. For some reason, she felt like the man sitting opposite her was in an especially good mood. But Qiao Zhen didn't think much of it. She lowered her head and quietly ate her noodles, doing her best to ignore the boys’ shocked expressions. She took small bites and ate very quietly, barely making a sound. Suddenly, Qin Yichi spoke. “Why didn't you get any double-skin milk pudding?” Qiao Zhen looked at the table. Every boy had a serving of the pudding sitting in front of him. Everyone had one. Except her. Her fingers paused. She chewed her noodles and answered softly, “They ran out.” And, of course, it had happened to run out right when it was her turn. Qiao Zhen lowered her head again, looking utterly dejected. After all, she had never been particularly lucky. Suddenly, a warm, strong hand pushed a serving of double-skin milk pudding toward her. Qiao Zhen looked up blankly. “Huh?” The cafeteria was noisy, but Qin Yichi’s lazy voice slowly drifted into her ears. Wild yet strangely alluring. “Then you can have mine. I don't feel like eating it anyway.” Qiao Zhen stared at the pudding he had pushed toward her. A strange feeling suddenly welled up inside her. “Thank you.” She lowered her head and strategically took a sip of her soup, trying to hide something. The next second, a cool, familiar figure suddenly entered the corner of her vision. As if sensing something, Qiao Zhen slowly raised her head. Ji Xian stood not far away. He wore a white shirt, looking cold and refined. His crystal-clear eyes were exquisite and distant. His entire presence resembled a bright full moon—beautiful yet impossibly out of reach. His gaze landed precisely on Qiao Zhen. It was as cold as frost, as if the temperature around them had suddenly dropped several degrees.