Zhou Yi gave a faint smile and said, "No big deal."
After saying that, he handed over the milk tea in his hand.
"I wasn't sure what flavors you all prefer, so I just ordered some of the most popular ones from the shop."
Xie Tingwan's roommate, an adorable girl with glasses, giggled and asked, "Oh wow, there's even a share for us? Handsome guy!"
Zhou Yi chuckled, "Of course. I bought five cups—you can pick whichever flavor you like best."
He lifted up the five cups of milk tea.
"Thanks, handsome!"
"Today we're basking in Tingwan's glory—getting free milk tea from such a charming guy!"
"Wow, they have my favorite jasmine flavor!"
"It's from the store on the left side of the school gate—their drinks are kind of pricey."
After Xie Tingwan's roommates each picked their cup, they thanked Zhou Yi one by one. Once everyone had chosen, the remaining cup belonged to Zhou Yi.
When Xie Tingwan pulled her milk tea out of the bag, she realized it was hot. She inserted the straw into her mouth and thought to herself how considerate Zhou Yi was.
*Here's a little tip: If you're buying milk tea for someone without knowing their preferences, it's better to get a hot drink—it avoids any potential discomfort during certain times of the month.*
"I'll walk you back to your dorm first," Zhou Yi offered.
Xie Tingwan smiled gently, nodded, and walked alongside him. Her roommates were quick to catch the vibe, subtly keeping their distance.
As Zhou Yi and Xie Tingwan strolled ahead, they drew quite a few glances. The crowd outside the classroom gradually dispersed, but whispers among Xie Tingwan's classmates continued.
"Do you think Xie Tingwan actually has something going on with this guy? She's my goddess—I'm heartbroken!"
"Forget it, Xu. Even if it's not Zhou Yi, it'd be someone else. It's never going to be us."
"Well… at least Zhou Yi is handsome and rich. They do make a pretty good-looking couple."
Zhou Yi hadn't touched his own milk tea yet, still holding it in his hand. Curious, Xie Tingwan asked, "Aren't you going to drink yours?"
"I don't really like milk tea."
"Wait, then why did you buy an extra cup?"
"I was worried that if I didn't buy enough, there might not be a flavor you'd enjoy. This way, you'd always have a backup option."
Xie Tingwan froze momentarily. He thinks of everything…
[Xie Tingwan Affection Level +1]
"Thank you, Zhou Yi. You're incredibly thoughtful."
"It's my pleasure. Treating my senior to milk tea is an honor."
Zhou Yi's demeanor today felt different from when they interacted during exams. Was it her imagination? He seemed less distant now. Though she didn't know why he'd changed, she definitely preferred this gentler, more attentive version of him.
She teased with a playful grin, "You're so considerate. How many girlfriends have you had before?"
Zhou Yi shook his head. "Just one. But… let's not talk about her."
At the mention of his past relationship, Zhou Yi's expression darkened slightly. Xie Tingwan could tell he'd been hurt.
"It's okay," she reassured him. "Someone like you must have plenty of girls chasing after you. Don't dwell too much on the past."
"Yeah, I've moved on," he replied. "What about you, Senior? How many boyfriends have you had?"
"No need to be so formal—just call me Tingwan. And no, I haven't dated anyone yet."
Xie Tingwan took a sip of her sweet milk tea, a contented smile spreading across her face. Walking along the campus path, the two looked indistinguishable from other couples around them.
In truth, Xie Tingwan had never been in a relationship. All her energy went into striving to become better. For her, marriage wasn't something she could choose for herself. Thinking about this, her gaze dimmed. If only she could live life more freely, without feeling so exhausted all the time.
They chatted as they approached the entrance to the girls' dormitory.
"Wait here for a moment—I'll be right back!" Xie Tingwan waved with a smile before heading inside.
Back in the dorm, her roommates teased her mercilessly. She laughed shyly, then rummaged through her wardrobe. After some deliberation, she chose a simple white sweater and jeans to change into. Comfortable clothes were key for their next destination: the internet café.
Zhou Yi waited outside for about five minutes before Xie Tingwan emerged, holding something in her hand.
"This is for you."
Resting quietly in her palm was a fountain pen.
Zhou Yi accepted it, puzzled. "Why are you giving me a fountain pen all of a sudden?"
She tilted her head and smiled softly. "Reciprocity, of course! You treated me and my roommates to milk tea—I had to return the favor somehow."
The two walked side by side toward the internet café near the school gates.
"But this gift feels too valuable compared to milk tea…" Zhou Yi remarked.
"Then think of it as… a challenge."
"A challenge? Because I beat you in the competition?"
"Exactly. Actually, I should thank you. If you hadn't won first place, I might still be stuck basking in my old achievements. You reminded me that I need to keep pushing myself."
Though she'd won countless awards, large and small, she realized she was far from her ideal self. Lately, she'd been slacking off in her studies—a dangerous sign. She needed to refocus.
"You're already amazing. Don't put too much pressure on yourself," Zhou Yi encouraged her.
[Xie Tingwan Affection Level +1]
Xie Tingwan appreciated his kindness, but there were things she couldn't share with him. If she didn't push herself, others would do it for her. No matter how hard she worked, at home, she remained replaceable—in her father's eyes, she would never measure up to her two older brothers.
Still, she forced a smile. "I know."
When they arrived at the first internet café, Zhou Yi frowned at the smoky atmosphere. Upon asking the owner, they learned there were no private rooms available.
The two decided to try another place nearby. Though slightly pricier, the environment was significantly cleaner. Zhou Yi booked a private booth for two.
"What games do you usually play, Zhou Yi?"
"PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds—PUBG. You know, the battle royale game?"
"I'm not very good at it, though. Don't laugh at me if I mess up!"
"Don't worry—I'm average at best."
The two sat down and started a match. Though Xie Tingwan's skills were mediocre, she played with intense focus, her eyes glued to the screen. She coordinated well with Zhou Yi, following behind him to collect gear while he expertly took down enemies. Every time gunfire erupted, Zhou Yi immediately stepped in to protect her, eliminating threats one by one. His precision was impressive.
She finally understood why her roommates loved playing games with their partners—it was thrilling, and the sense of being protected was oddly addictive. Somehow, despite her lackluster performance, she managed to survive until the final circle.
When it came to the last stage, Zhou Yi deliberately sacrificed himself. Standing behind Xie Tingwan, he watched as anxiety visibly gripped her.
"I—I feel like I'm going to lose. There's no way I can beat them. What do I do, Zhou Yi?"
Video games weren't her forte, and she lacked confidence in unfamiliar territory. They'd made it this far; she didn't want to fail now.
Leaning down, Zhou Yi gently placed his hands over hers.
"Let me guide you."