A phone rang.
Lin Yingyue picked it up and saw it was an unfamiliar number.
—Hello, is this Lin Yingyue?
"Yes, who is this?"
"I'm the counselor for Class 5. Sorry, but the school's dormitory resources are very tight this year, and all the beds are fully booked.
Your application was submitted quite late, so we're unable to arrange a dormitory for you."
"Teacher, but I asked yesterday and was told there were still vacancies..."
"That was temporary data from before. The final list is now locked. I'm really sorry."
The voice on the other end was full of apology.
Lin Yingyue felt a bit disappointed.
"It's okay, I understand, Teacher."
Beside her, Song Zeqian glanced at her as if by chance, taking in the disappointment on her face.
Her little head was drooping.
Her soft, fair face was full of frustration, her black hair tousled by the wind, as if she had just been bullied.
He glanced lightly at the rearview mirror, and the driver, startled, immediately rolled up the window.
"Miss, I'm sorry for letting you get blown by the wind."
Lin Yingyue forced a smile. "It's fine, I opened the window myself."
Song Zeqian furrowed his brows.
School dorms were so cramped that turning over could step on a roommate's head, not much better than a prison camp.
At the old residence, she even had her own walk-in closet. How could that compare to school? Why was she so disappointed?
Although Song Zeqian was studying for a double degree, he had very few classes now.
Apart from attending classes and competing for awards, he rarely went to school and had never lived in a dormitory since he was a child.
So Lin Yingyue was probably trying to avoid him.
He let out a cold laugh.
Hah, little troublemaker.
In the few months since moving into the Song family, she had been clinging to him every day, calling him "Brother, Brother."
Every time he went to play basketball, she was the first to run up, eyes sparkling, handing him water.
She would call him ten times a day, sharing every new thing she encountered.
She also liked telling him bad jokes.
Anyone could see her feelings for him.
So when he discovered her sneaky drugging, Song Zeqian just thought she loved him too much, willing to drug him to have him.
So he went along with it.
But as soon as they slept together, she wanted to draw a clear line.
So she really wanted to be a heartless woman who lifted her skirt and didn't recognize anyone.
He hadn't even held her accountable for drugging him, yet she was the one trying to distance herself.
If he weren't so confident, he'd really wonder if his skills were so bad that she was disgusted.
"What's wrong?" he asked, feigning ignorance. "Something with school?"
Lin Yingyue shook her head and stuffed her phone back into her pocket. "Nothing, the school dorms are full. I can't move back."
"Oh, that's really a shame."
Soon, the car drove onto Gold Street.
Outside, it was bustling with people coming and going.
Many high-end restaurants were on this street. In the past, Lin Yingyue only dared to look from afar, never hoping to enter.
Lin Yingyue quickly said, "Big Brother, I'm full, I can't eat anymore. I'd better head back first."
Actually, Lin Yingyue wasn't full, but she really didn't dare to stay with Song Zeqian.
Song Zeqian was like a fox, always seeming to see right through her.
Strange, even though they were close in age, how could Song Zeqian be so cunning?
Hearing her words, Song Zeqian said nothing and signaled the driver to head back to the old residence.
Back in her room, Lin Yingyue did some math problems for a while, then took a photo and uploaded it to the learning app.
She checked the time; it was already half past ten.
Whether it was because the bowl of snail noodles was small or she had used too much brainpower, her stomach suddenly started growling.
Lin Yingyue immediately took out a small pot to cook instant noodles.
The rich aroma of the seasoning packet spread with the steam.
"Gurgle..." Her stomach growled even louder.
She was staring eagerly at the noodle cake softening when her phone screen suddenly lit up.
Song Zeqian: 「Not full? I'll take you out to eat.」
She replied immediately, afraid that if she was late, he would come: 「I'm full, thank you for your concern, Big Brother!」
There were too many people and eyes in the residence, and that incident had just happened.
It wouldn't be good for a man and a woman to be found alone late at night, so it was better not to meet.
Speaking of which, it was really strange. She had already decided to let Song Zeqian go, so why was he still coming to find her?
He was way too responsible!
No wonder he could be the male lead.
The message was sent successfully, and Song Zeqian didn't reply.
She breathed a sigh of relief and turned her attention back to the small pot.
The noodles were already half-soft, the broth rich. She sprinkled in the included dehydrated vegetable packet, stirred it with chopsticks, and eagerly picked up a mouthful.
To be honest, slightly undercooked instant noodles were the best!
Cooking them until soft and mushy just didn't have the same flavor. This was her insight from three years of eating instant noodles.
Suddenly, two soft "beep" sounds came from the door—the sound of the electronic lock being opened.
Lin Yingyue's heart jumped, and she looked up sharply.
The door was pushed open, and Song Zeqian strode in on his long legs.
His gaze landed on the steaming small pot.
"Didn't you say you were full?"
"..."
Lin Yingyue froze in place, and footsteps came from outside the door.
Afraid of being seen, she frantically pulled him into the room and closed the door like a thief.
Turning around, she saw Song Zeqian standing there calmly, waiting for an explanation.
She stammered an explanation:
"I... I just watched a mukbang and suddenly got hungry again!"
Song Zeqian had an expression that said, "Do I look like a fool to you?"
She had to say, "It's dark, and there are many people in the residence. If I go out with you, wouldn't it be easy to expose our relationship?"
Song Zeqian's narrow eyes narrowed slightly.
"You don't want others to know we're together?"
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