Facing the cute young woman before him, Kong Liu’s expression remained as calm as if she were a man, failing to stir the slightest bit of interest in him.
The reason was simple: he had long since lost count of how many girls had found excuses to approach him today.
Ever since that sweet little song he sang at last night’s party was posted on the campus message board, his class, name, social media handles, and personal photos had all been dug up. Throughout the day, countless girls had tried to add him—and that wasn't even the strangest part; even some men had sent him requests. Helpless, Kong Liu had finally changed his social media settings to prevent anyone from adding him.
Kong Liu glanced at her, his eyes falling on the book in her hand. "This seat is empty, but if you sit next to me holding a copy of *Human Anatomy*, I might get a little scared."
"Uh..."
The girl awkwardly hid the book she had grabbed at random to look studious behind her back. She said shyly, "Actually... actually..."
In a flurry of nerves, the girl reached into her pocket and pulled out a carefully prepared "love letter," trying to shove it into Kong Liu’s hands.
"I actually have a girl—"
"Don't you know he's mine?"
Kong Liu had just been about to use the excuse that he already had a girlfriend to brush the girl off. Before he could even finish the word "girl," he heard a cold, clear voice.
Both of them turned toward the sound.
A lithe, elegant figure was walking toward them.
"Gu Chenxi?"
***
**Chapter 26: The Strange Girl**
Gu Chenxi walked up to the young woman. Standing tall, she looked down, surveying the girl with an air of superiority.
Under Gu Chenxi’s overwhelming presence, the girl was too nervous to even lift her head, let alone speak. At this moment, Gu Chenxi was like a noble white swan, holding her snow-white neck high, looking down at an ugly duckling with extreme arrogance.
The girl, dressed in her uniform and carefully made up, was naturally pretty, but compared to Gu Chenxi’s world-class, breathtaking beauty—which was stunning even without makeup—she paled in comparison. The nobility in Gu Chenxi’s very aura was enough to leave the girl miles behind.
"Hm?"
Gu Chenxi let out a soft hum, tilted her head, and asked in a cold voice, "Are you trying to pursue my boyfriend?"
The girl bowed repeatedly, terrified. "I'm sorry, Senior Gu. I'm sorry, I didn't know... I..."
"That’s enough." Gu Chenxi cut her off with a light wave of her hand. "I don’t care for your excuses. You can go."
"Thank you, Senior."
The girl fled the scene as fast as she could.
"Uh... you?" Kong Liu, who had been sitting in his seat watching the whole thing, gaped in astonishment.
When Gu Chenxi’s gaze, previously icy, landed on Kong Liu’s face, it softened instantly. She pursed her lips, flashed a lovely smile, and said, "Don't get the wrong idea. Last time you pretended to be my boyfriend to help me drive away an annoying suitor; this time, I’m helping you. We’re even."
As she spoke, Gu Chenxi sat down next to Kong Liu.
Hearing her explanation, Kong Liu gave a wry smile. "Well, then, thank you."
"Don't mention it."
Gu Chenxi waved her hand. "If you really want to thank me, come have dinner with me."
"Huh?"
Kong Liu was taken aback by her request.
Gu Chenxi assumed Kong Liu was worried about the cost of the meal, so she emphasized, "I’m paying. You just have to keep me company."
Kong Liu asked, puzzled, "Why do you suddenly want me to join you for dinner?"
"Well..." Gu Chenxi bit her lip, thought for a moment, and said, "I helped you get rid of an annoying pursuer. Isn't that enough of a reason?"
Kong Liu asked again, "Then why are you paying?"
"Because..." Gu Chenxi thought for another moment, then said, "Because I said I'd treat you to breakfast this morning, but I didn't go with you!"
Kong Liu pointed at his phone. "But didn't you send me the money for breakfast?"
"Oh, goodness!"
Gu Chenxi’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. She pouted, scolding him playfully, "Why are you asking so many questions? I asked you to eat with me; you should just say yes!"
"Uh, fine... fine."
Watching Gu Chenxi speak in such a strange tone, Kong Liu felt a bit uncomfortable. It was the first time he had felt that Gu Chenxi was so unfamiliar. A second ago, she had been like an iceberg, cold enough to freeze someone with her presence alone, and now she was acting spoiled? Anyone would find it hard to adapt to that, wouldn't they?
Kong Liu looked at the time on his phone. "It’s only two o'clock. Why don't you go stroll around and find me when it's time for dinner... or I can come find you?"
After suggesting she come to him, he added that he would go find her, fearing she might get angry.
Gu Chenxi shook her head. "I don't have anything to do this afternoon. I'll just stay here and read in the library with you."
As if claiming her territory, she placed her expensive luxury handbag down next to Kong Liu, stood up, and said, "Wait for me."
With that, she ran to the bookshelves to look for a book. After a while, she returned with two novels and sat back down beside him.
"You read yours, I'll read mine."
She placed the books on the table. Kong Liu took a peek; the book on top was titled *I Won't Ever Fall for You*. Just by the title, he knew it was the kind of cheesy romance novel he wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. He hadn't expected someone like Gu Chenxi, a young lady of her status, to read such things.
Gu Chenxi held up three fingers, acting as if she were taking an oath. She said very seriously, "Don't worry, I’ll be very quiet. I won't disturb you at all."
"...Fine."
Watching Gu Chenxi, whose attitude toward him had done a 180-degree turn, Kong Liu still couldn't adjust. He decided to stop thinking about it, picked up his book, and went back to reading.
Beside him, Gu Chenxi had no intention of reading. She propped her head up, her gaze fixed entirely on Kong Liu.
"Eyes, nose, mouth..."
"He really looks just like he did when we were kids. How could I be so stupid? He was my classmate for a whole year, and I'm only just realizing it now. Gu Chenxi, you’re an idiot!"
"No wonder I had that feeling when he held my hand and pulled me along... it wasn't a hallucination after all... hehe..."
Kong Liu tried to immerse himself in the sea of knowledge, but he couldn't concentrate. He felt as if the environment around him was... somewhat unsafe.
He looked up and met the gaze of Gu Chenxi, who was staring intensely at him. At this moment, a dazed, lovestruck smile hung on her lips, and the way she was looking at him made it feel like she wanted to devour him.
Seeing her lovesick expression, Kong Liu suddenly felt panicked—no wonder he couldn't concentrate on his book.
"Ahem..."
Kong Liu’s light cough finally brought Gu Chenxi back to her senses. She tilted her head and asked, "What’s wrong?"
Kong Liu said, "If you don't feel like reading, you don't have to force yourself. You could go for a walk."
Gu Chenxi immediately caught on. "Is me being here affecting your reading?"
"Maybe... a little."
Kong Liu didn't mince words. He stated the fact, risking her anger.
Strangely, Gu Chenxi didn't get mad. Instead, she put her hands together in apology and said, "Okay, I won't look at you. I'll focus on my book."
With that, she buried her head in the book, though Kong Liu noticed that she was still watching him out of the corner of her eye through the edge of the pages. He felt helpless, but since she wouldn't leave, he couldn't really kick her out—it wasn't like he owned the library.
Kong Liu returned to his reading, and eventually, he grew accustomed to her presence.
Gu Chenxi sitting next to him did have one benefit: for the rest of the afternoon, not a single person came to bother him—which made sense; what girl would be so bold?
It was hard to say how much time had passed, but a pleasant, faint fragrance like orchids began to linger at the tip of his nose. Only then did Kong Liu look up again.
Following the source of the scent, he saw that Gu Chenxi had fallen asleep on the table. He didn't know how long she had been asleep; those two romance novels had become her pillow. The elegant fragrance was coming from her.
She was hugging the novels, her face turned toward Kong Liu, eyes gently closed. Her curved eyelashes cast fan-shaped shadows on her cheeks, and with every breath from her pink, moist lips, they seemed to flutter like butterfly wings.
Her face, kissed by an angel, was like a masterpiece of God. No matter what angle he looked from, she was perfect.
Kong Liu stared at the sleeping Gu Chenxi, completely mesmerized.
*Ding-dong...*
A message notification on his phone didn't wake her.
Kong Liu picked up his phone and checked it. It was a message in the dormitory group chat from Du Hongyuan asking where he was.
Kong Liu blocked Gu Chenxi’s face, took a photo, and sent it to the group. The chat exploded instantly. He didn't even have to guess; they were definitely roasting him again. He muted his phone and closed the app.
Looking at Gu Chenxi’s beautiful sleeping face, Kong Liu couldn't resist. He snuck another photo, this time without covering her face. But he hadn't realized the camera flash was still on.
"You're taking pictures of me!"
***
**Chapter 27: What to Eat Tonight**
In reality, Gu Chenxi had woken up the moment Kong Liu took the first photo. She had been pretending to be asleep, wanting to see what he would do.
As it turned out, the idiot just took two photos and even forgot to turn off the flash.
"I... I didn't."
Kong Liu said, hiding the phone behind his back like a child caught doing something wrong.
"I don't believe you."
Gu Chenxi sat up straight and looked at Kong Liu’s panicked expression, a hint of playfulness in her eyes. She reached out and grabbed his collar, pulling hard. Kong Liu was yanked from his chair.
To maintain his balance, Kong Liu immediately planted both hands on the armrests of Gu Chenxi’s chair, leaning forward slightly. His face was now inches from hers.
Gu Chenxi’s beautiful face suddenly zoomed into his vision. It looked like they were about to touch, so Kong Liu quickly lowered his center of gravity, struggling to keep his balance and stand firm so he wouldn't fall right into her arms—face-to-face.
Watching Kong Liu desperately trying to keep his balance, even trying to lean back, Gu Chenxi thought, *Would it kill you to move closer?*
She held her head high, her beautiful eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at him, whispering, "Come on, let me see your phone!"
He didn't know if it was his imagination, but her voice sounded a bit seductive, even flirty, as if she were teasing him on purpose.
Kong Liu stared into her eyes. He felt lost, his body stiffening. In that moment, he felt he could understand what it was like to be turned to stone by Medusa in Greek mythology.
Gu Chenxi had phoenix eyes with a slight inner double eyelid—long, with corners upturned. This eye shape naturally carried an air of cool detachment, and coupled with her usual indifferent gaze, it made her appear even more aloof and proud.
Kong Liu suddenly realized that the coldness was gone from her eyes. Instead, they were shimmering and full of swirling light.
*It's an illusion, it must be an illusion.*
Kong Liu thought to himself, growing even more nervous. He hid his phone firmly behind his back. "No, I really didn't take any... I promise..."
He figured if she didn't see the photos, he would just deny it to the death. If she saw he had taken photos of her sleeping, she would probably add another entry to her "grudge notebook."
Gu Chenxi looked at Kong Liu, whose face had turned bright red, and thought, *This little stutterer, he blushes so easily just from a little teasing. If I kissed him right now, would he go completely mute? ...Still, he looks pretty cute when he's shy, hehe.*
*Pfft—*
Gu Chenxi pursed her pink lips and let out a light laugh. She let go of his collar and used her slender, fair hand to gently stroke his chest, pushing him back into his chair. "I’m just teasing you. Look at how nervous you are."
"..."
Kong Liu looked at her in a daze, unable to recover from her smile. He pressed his hand against the spot she had touched; something was thumping inside.
What was it? His heart.
His heart seemed to be beating a bit fast, and it was uncontrollably accelerating.
Gu Chenxi gently rubbed her flushed cheeks with her palms. "Are you done with your book? Can you go have dinner with me now?"
"Sure." Kong Liu nodded and stood up. "I'm going to return these books."
With that, he grabbed the books and his phone and vanished in a blur.
Hiding where Gu Chenxi couldn't see him, he secretly moved the two photos he’d taken into a private album—he had intended to delete them, but after hesitating for a long time, he just couldn't bring himself to do it.
After all, it wasn't easy to get a photo of the school beauty sleeping. He’d keep them.
*Maybe if I make her mad again one day, I can use these photos to threaten her,* Kong Liu thought with a mischievous glint in his eye. He returned the borrowed books to their spots, and his phone buzzed again.
It was a message from [Xixi]. She asked, "Baby, I’ve encountered a problem of the century!"
It was worth mentioning that Kong Liu had two separate accounts for both QQ and WeChat. His main account was for family, relatives, and close friends, while his alt account was for miscellaneous contacts, school groups, and logging into games.
Xixi had added him through his alt account—they had met while playing games, after all.
Thinking back, Kong Liu felt lucky he hadn't used his main account to add Gu Chenxi, or his cover would have been blown instantly.
In fact, [Xixi] was also Gu Chenxi’s alt account. Initially, it was just a QQ account she’d created for gaming. After they started their online relationship, she had created a secondary WeChat account that no one else knew about, with only Kong Liu on her friends list.
This was why, despite dating for a year, neither of them had discovered the other was a classmate.
Kong Liu typed back: "What kind of problem of the century?"
Gu Chenxi replied: "I don't know what to eat tonight!"
She included a [crying cat] emoji.
Kong Liu looked at her message and thought, *You don't even know what you want to eat, yet you were rushing me to go eat with you.*
In reality, Gu Chenxi was trying to use her persona as his online girlfriend to get Kong Liu to reveal what he wanted to eat so she could take him there.
Sure enough, Gu Chenxi sent another message: "Baby, what do you usually eat for dinner?" [Expectant]
Kong Liu replied directly: "Just grab a bite at the school’s First Cafeteria and head back to the dorms."
The First Cafeteria was close to the men’s dorms; it was known for being cheap and filling, but the food was terrible. It was mostly frequented by men, with very few women, so it was jokingly called the "Shaolin Temple" by JiaoDa students.
In contrast, the Third Cafeteria near the women’s dorms had great, albeit pricier, food and was filled with beauties. Dining there was a treat for the eyes, often called "a man’s paradise."
There was also a Second Cafeteria, located near the faculty apartments, which offered the best value, but it was the farthest away and mostly frequented by professors or students with classes nearby.
Gu Chenxi looked at his message and frowned slightly, feeling a pang of heartache for him. *He’s eating at the First Cafeteria just to save money... I’ve never eaten there, but I’ve heard the food is awful.*
She immediately replied: "Baby, you should treat yourself better. You don't have to save money so desperately to see me! I can wait, it’s fine, don't rush." [Love you]
*Saving money? I only go to the First Cafeteria because I’m too lazy to walk far!*
*She... she didn't actually believe that 'saving money to date her' excuse, did she?*
Kong Liu suddenly felt that Gu Chenxi wasn't as shrewd as she looked on the surface. She had believed such a lame excuse. She was so pure—his conscience stung for a second. Just one.
Kong Liu replied: "Okay."
Gu Chenxi asked: "Is there anything you particularly like to eat? Hotpot, BBQ, Western food, Chinese, or a buffet?"
Kong Liu replied: "I don't think so."
"This..."
Seeing his reply, Gu Chenxi was speechless.
Kong Liu thought for a moment and added: "If I had to choose, Chinese food. When I go out with classmates, we usually eat stir-fry at the stalls on the snack street or a local home-cooking restaurant."
Gu Chenxi immediately replied: "Now that you mention it, I know what I want for dinner! Thanks, baby." [Kiss]
Kong Liu: "You're welcome. I'm going to go eat with someone else now. You go eat, too."
Gu Chenxi: "Who? A guy or a girl?" [Suspicious]
"Uh... just a special friend."
Kong Liu didn't answer directly, using a clever excuse to brush it off.
*I can't exactly tell her I'm going to eat with you, can I?* Kong Liu thought, putting his phone away and walking toward Gu Chenxi.
Seeing that message, Gu Chenxi smiled to herself, even more convinced that Kong Liu knew she was his online girlfriend.
Watching Kong Liu approach, Gu Chenxi picked up her handbag and said, "Let's go."