Lin Xi couldn’t bring herself to lift her head. How could she have done something so mortifying?

That wasn’t the most pressing issue, though. She lowered her gaze and pressed on. “Then… how did I get back? Did I do anything even worse after we got home?”

Song Xu took a bite of his sandwich. He chewed slowly, swallowing before answering. “You were glued to me the whole way. Like a koala. I couldn’t even peel you off.”

Lin Xi wished a hole would open up in the floor and swallow her whole. “And after that?”

What she really wanted to know was who had changed her clothes.

Song Xu took another bite, taking his sweet time to chew. Lin Xi felt like she was being grilled on a slow fire. She eventually looked up, her eyes pleading for him to get to the point.

A meaningful smirk played across Song Xu’s lips. Lin Xi’s heart hammered against her ribs. She immediately regretted asking.

I should have just pretended nothing happened, she thought.

Song Xu finally swallowed. He picked up his glass and took a slow sip of milk.

Just as Lin Xi was about to give up on an answer, he spoke. “Once we got back, I threw you onto the bed, and then…”

“Then what?” Her heart leaped into her throat.

“Then I went to my own room,” Song Xu said, casting a side-long glance at her. “Did you expect me to stay and tuck you in? Besides, you were busy spilling your ‘drunken truths.'”

“Huh?” The relief Lin Xi had just felt vanished, replaced by a fresh wave of anxiety. “What else did I say?”

Song Xu’s gaze sharpened. “You cursed at me. And it was quite foul.”

“Impossible.” Lin Xi didn’t believe it for a second. “I never curse at people.”

Song Xu’s expression shifted again, as if he’d just been insulted all over again.

Lin Xi realized how that sounded. “I didn’t mean it like that! I’m sorry. I… I won’t drink anymore.”

“Is this really about the drinking?” Song Xu actually found her drunken state rather entertaining. “The real issue is your hidden resentment toward me.”

“Brother Xu, I was wrong. Please don’t be angry,” Lin Xi said cautiously. “I’ve never been unhappy with you. If anything, I’m incredibly grateful. Without you, I can’t imagine how miserable my life would be right now.”

Song Xu gave a cold snort. “As long as you know.”

Seeing him soften slightly, Lin Xi wiped the cold sweat from her brow. She had never felt this out of her depth before.

—

There was a major event at Jiang University today, and everyone was required to arrive early. After finishing breakfast, Lin Xi prepared to head out.

“Brother Xu, there’s a school event today, so I’m heading out first.” She grabbed her phone, leaving everything else behind.

“Wait,” Song Xu called out as she reached the door. “I’m heading to campus too. Let’s go together.”

Lin Xi realized then that the entire university was participating. As a sophomore, Song Xu would naturally be expected to attend. She nodded. “Are we walking?”

Song Xu had been drinking the night before as well. While Lin Xi didn’t remember how they got home, she knew he hadn’t driven. His car was a two-seater; a designated driver wouldn’t have been able to fit them both.

Song Xu had considered taking a different car, but Lin Xi’s suggestion appealed to him. He shoved his keys into his pocket. “If you don’t want to walk, we can call a cab.”

“Walking is fine. The morning air is still cool, and it’s only a ten-minute trip.” Lin Xi was used to walking; she saved money wherever she could.

“Alright. Let’s walk.” The two of them stepped out of the apartment together.

Once they stepped off the elevator, Song Xu took Lin Xi’s hand.

She had grown used to the gesture. If she wanted to earn her keep, she had to provide something in return. Holding hands was the most basic level of contact.

They wore similar colors today. Both were tall and exceptionally attractive; they turned every head as they walked down the street.

Anyone who saw them would have thought the same thing: They’re the perfect match.

Song Xu glanced down at Lin Xi’s shoes. They were pristine white but looked quite worn. “Xi Xi, what’s your shoe size?”

“Size 37,” Lin Xi replied, looking down at her feet. “Why?”

Does he really need to control what size shoes I wear too? she wondered.

“It’s nothing. I’ll have someone have a few pairs sent over today,” Song Xu replied. “I didn’t have time yesterday, so I’ll make up for it today. I’ll order some lingerie, loungewear, and pajamas for you too.”

“There’s no need for that. It’s all stuff I wear underneath; nobody sees it anyway.” Lin Xi’s heart ached at the thought of the expense. Even if it wasn’t her money, it felt like a waste.

“I’m not exactly hurting for cash. Why should you only look glamorous on the outside?” Song Xu pulled out his phone and messaged his assistant.

He sent over a list of items to buy, making sure to note her shoe size—and her bra size.

He hadn’t known her shoe size until just now, but he knew the other measurement well. After all, he had measured it by hand. It certainly wasn’t small.

—

They entered the school gates and headed toward the stadium.

Lin Xi had no idea where the stadium was. She felt lucky to be with Song Xu; otherwise, she would have spent half the morning wandering in circles.

The two of them were a striking sight on campus. Song Xu, in particular, was the university’s acknowledged Prince Charming. He had no shortage of secret admirers.

Many girls dreamed of standing by his side. They never expected that after just one break, he would return with a girlfriend.

On the school forums, threads were already popping up. People were desperate to identify the mystery girl.

Lin Xi hadn’t spent much time on campus since the semester started, so few people recognized her. But “few” didn’t mean “none.”

Soon, content began to surface: videos and photos of the day Li Sheng had harassed and insulted her during registration.

Lin Xi and Song Xu were oblivious to all of this. Neither had the time or interest to browse the campus forums.

They parted ways once they reached the stadium since their respective colleges were seated far apart.

“Wait for me when it’s over. We’ll head back together,” Song Xu said, finally letting go of her hand.

Lin Xi nodded. “Alright. See you then.”

Lin Xi located the Law Department’s section and scanned the area for her class sign.

As she walked past the stands, the students’ eyes followed her.

“Who is she? Is she an upperclassman from our department?”

“She’s gorgeous. Could she be the new School Belle?”

“I heard the current School Belle is a sophomore over in Economics and Management.”

“Wait… she looks familiar.” A girl tapped on her phone and pointed at a photo on the forum. “Look, is that her? I think that’s the Prince Charming’s girlfriend.”

“Wow, it really is! She’s amazing to have actually landed him.”

Lin Xi didn’t hear the whispering. Even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared. Paying attention to gossip was like throwing trash into her own mind.

She finally found her group: Law Class 01. Lin Xi walked up to the boy holding the class sign. “Hello, I’m Lin Xi from Law Class 01. Are the seats assigned, or can I sit anywhere?”

“You’re Lin Xi?” Cao Jun stood up, his eyes lighting up. He had been staring at her for a while, never imagining she was the “mystery student” from his own class. “I’m Cao Jun, the acting class monitor.”