Chapter 7

The birthday banquet had concluded.

Zhou Zhenyao was already on his way back. He leaned lazily against the back of the seat and sent a message to Yu Xuan.

“Z.Y.: Arrived?”

On the other end, Yu Xuan gave a soft huff.

Asking what you already know.

Setting aside the fact that he had clearly liked her hotel selfie, she had also seen the driver messaging on his phone right before she closed her room door. He had definitely informed him.

“Xuan: Yes, I just finished my bath.”

“Xuan: What are you doing, Senior?”

“Z.Y.: Just finished a friend’s birthday party. On my way back now.”

“Xuan: Oh~ a ‘friend,’ huh~”

“Xuan: It was Sister Zhao Zhao, wasn’t it?”

Zhou Zhenyao let out a light laugh and replied.

“Z.Y.: Mm, yes.”

“Xuan: I’m so jealous. I’ve never even been in a relationship before. I definitely have to date intensely once I’m in university.”

“Z.Y.: Intensely?”

“Xuan: Hehe, I actually meant I want to have a really good, deep relationship.”

A relationship where we “do it” intensely.

Yu Xuan collapsed comfortably onto the soft Simmons mattress. Her loose bathrobe slid down her shoulders, but she didn’t bother to fix it, continuing to type while lying down. She didn’t care in the slightest how… suggestive she looked right now.

“Xuan: Senior, how do you and Sister Zhao Zhao usually get along? Do you have any pet names for each other? Tell me about it.”

“Xuan: I want to learn from your experience.”

“Z.Y.: We don’t have pet names.”

“Xuan: How is that possible? I thought couples usually had them.”

“Z.Y.: Friends call her Zhao Zhao, so I call her that too. However friends call me, she calls me the same.”

“Xuan: Then are we friends?”

“Z.Y.: Mm.”

“Xuan: Then I can follow suit and call you that too?”

“Z.Y.: You can.”

“Xuan: You call me first. My friends all call me Xuan Bao.” (t/n: Adding “-Bao” (Baby/Treasure) to a name is an intimate, sugary way of addressing someone.)

Zhou Zhenyao froze for a brief two seconds.

…

“Z.Y.: Xuan Bao.”

“Xuan: [Cat kissing you]”

“Xuan: Then… Yao Yao? Or Zhen Zhen?”

In the front seat, the driver heard his young master let out a short, sudden laugh. He glanced in the rearview mirror; Zhou Zhenyao’s expression was much more vivid than usual, making him look even more handsome.

The driver found it quite rare. Zhou Zhenyao was usually emotionally reserved and rarely laughed like that. Out of curiosity, he asked, “Young Master, is there something good happening?”

“Mm.” The smile on Zhou Zhenyao’s lips vanished instantly.

Driver: …

Did I say something wrong? He had no choice but to honestly continue driving.

“Z.Y.: No friend calls me that.”

“Xuan: Yao Yao Senior, let me be the first one then.”

“Z.Y.: …Suit yourself.”

The next day was registration day.

In the early morning, a black Bentley appeared punctually at the hotel entrance. The car drove smoothly into the A-University campus.

The ancient institution was shaded by green trees, and freshmen and parents could be seen everywhere—bustling and extraordinarily lively.

Yu Xuan pushed open the car door and stepped onto the campus, instantly attracting many gazes. Everyone appreciates beauty, but the students at A-University generally had high conduct; most just couldn’t help but steal a few glances or whisper to their companions, but no one rashly approached to disturb her.

A few boys who had intended to offer help with her luggage saw the driver behind her. Assuming he was a family elder, they dejectedly held back.

Even a low-profile Bentley Flying Spur would always be recognized by someone. In no time, rumors of a “super beautiful rich young lady” entering the freshman class began to circulate in student group chats, accompanied by several photos of her silhouette taken from a distance.

Yu Xuan seemed completely oblivious to the attention. Following the guide signs, she found her dormitory building. The driver followed silently half a step behind her, his posture respectful.

When they reached the dorm, it was empty. The driver efficiently unpacked her luggage and skillfully fitted the duvet and pillowcases, smoothing the bedsheets until they were perfectly flat and wrinkle-free, almost like in the military.

Actually, the driver was indeed from a military background. Even the teddy bear she had brought from home was placed squarely in the center of the bed, with its dress pleats straightened out perfectly.

Yu Xuan: …

This guy is actually quite thoughtful.

“Miss Yu, everything is organized. Is there anything else you need?”

“Nothing else, thank you. You can head back now.”

The driver bowed, exited the dorm, and gently closed the door.

Strictly speaking, the driver had already met Yu Xuan twice, but Zhou Zhenyao had yet to see her in person—he hadn’t even seen a photo of her full face.

With his resources, it would be child’s play to investigate everything about her. But he didn’t. This was a form of detachment, but also a form of arrogance.

It wasn’t that he wasn’t curious, but rather that he preferred the process of getting to know her. Once everything was uncovered, the sense of mystery would vanish, and he would surely lose most of the interest.

Zhou Zhenyao had even prepared himself for the worst-case scenario: perhaps the girl behind the screen didn’t look like much at all. Those “atmosphere photos” might just be a way to hide mediocrity.

But so what?

He could afford that tiny risk. At most, it was a negligible amount of pocket change—an emotional investment with almost zero cost.

If they clicked, they’d continue. If not, he’d stop at any time. He didn’t care.

Once the driver left, Yu Xuan was suddenly the only one in the dorm. She surveyed the small space she would inhabit for the next four years. The other three beds were still empty, bare wooden planks waiting for their owners.

She was quite happy to have the peace. Yu Xuan planned to rest in the dorm for the morning and head to the auditorium in the afternoon to pick up her student ID and other materials.

Finding herself idle, she took out her phone and opened Little Green Book. Upon refreshing her feed, a post from “Zhao Zhao” appeared right at the top. The cover image was exceptionally striking: A photo of Zhao Zhao holding Zhou Zhenyao’s arm.

The background appeared to be some high-end venue with suggestive lighting. The girl’s smile was like a flower, and Zhou Zhenyao allowed her to cling to him. This was the most intimate photo of the two that Zhao Zhao had ever posted.

The caption read:

“Another year older, thank you for always being by my side. #BirthdayLog #TheBestGift”

The comment section was as lively as ever, packed with various expressions of envy and blessings. Amidst the harmony, Yu Xuan’s sharp eyes caught a comment that had been pushed toward the top:

“momo: @Xuan Why hasn’t the little ‘Green Tea’ come to report for duty today? Usually, she’s so active! The person you love most is right there on the cover, come look!”

Though the words weren’t sharp, the sarcastic undertone was obvious. Judging by the avatar, it was likely one of Zhao Zhao’s real-life friends who had gossiped about her in private messages before.

Yu Xuan scrolled through the replies with great interest. Surprisingly, there weren’t many people scolding her.

“Sister, is that really necessary? She hasn’t actually done anything.”

“I went to check @Xuan’s profile. She seems like a beautiful sister with money and a great body. Why would she be desperate for a guy who already has a girlfriend?”

“Exactly. Maybe that’s just her talking style. At most, she lacks boundaries, but there’s no proof she’s actually done anything.”

A pity.

These kind-hearted girls were destined to guess wrong. She was coming exactly for Zhou Zhenyao.

Yu Xuan raised her hand and gave a “like” to this “momo” person who was gossiping about her.