“Cough… cough…”  

Hua Xin weakly wiped the sweat from her forehead. Her cold hadn’t fully healed yet, and the intense physical activity had left her still coughing.  

Last time, when she went out with Xia Yan to complete their assignment, she’d overdressed, lugged around a heavy camera, and ran too fast—sweating profusely—only to ride on the back of his motorcycle and get blasted by cold wind the whole way.  

Unsurprisingly, she got sick 🤧🤒.  

She’d missed classes all Thursday and Friday, staying in bed wrapped in a cozy blanket, resting under her dorm’s supervision.  

Only this morning did she finally start feeling better.  

Ever since Niu Niu disappeared, her body seemed unusually fragile.  

Could it be… that Niu Niu 🐮 didn’t just take away her “descendants,” but also stole her health too? (Incorrect assumption, of course.) 😨  

Not even chugging calcium and vitamin supplements helped!  
She’d already downed two whole bottles of calcium pills in the past month since her transformation—and her stock was nearly gone. 😭  

Now utterly drained of energy, Hua Xin collapsed limply onto her bed, long hair splayed out, tugging up her shorts as she idly scrolled through her phone.  

Two rounds today were already enough—any more would be unhealthy…  

She opened her photo album, filled with shots of her legs from every angle, some sultry poses, those special photos… plus game screenshots and pictures of her homemade dishes. 😋  

As a gorgeous girl, it was perfectly normal to occasionally take selfies and admire her own beauty and flawless figure, right?  

Her gallery overflowed with creamy white skin and soft pink hues 🥵—but sadly, no one except Hua Xin herself could ever witness this collection of visuals so lethal they’d make anyone drop dead on the spot.  

Yet among these photos now sat a video featuring a skinny guy.  

The girl froze for a moment, suddenly realizing something was off.  

That day… didn’t Xia Yan use her phone to record their interview?  

😨😨😱😱  

When taking photos or videos, you can always see the previous image in the bottom-left corner of the screen.  

If he saw those…  

Exposure. Clips circulating. Suspicion. Social death…  

A chill shot down her spine. 😭 She immediately sat bolt upright, frantically checking what photo came right before the video.  

It was… fried rice with green beans and chili bean paste.  

Phew…  

Hua Xin let out a long sigh of relief, her tense nerves finally unwinding.  

She absentmindedly tossed the freshly wrapped dumplings from beside her bed onto the floor and flopped back down.  

Crisis averted.  

But speaking of that video…  

Her scrolling paused. Before she even realized it, her fingers had already opened someone’s WeChat chat window.  

…………  

“It’s fine, Hua Xin!”  
“You two are friends now!”  
“There’s no need to hesitate sending a message to a friend!”  

She tried to pep-talk herself, though her beautiful eyes were brimming with nervousness.  

After half a month together, she’d genuinely come to trust Xia Yan as a real friend. After all, from middle school until now, he was the only person who’d approached her without malice.  

Hua Xin started typing—but froze at the very first word.  

Hmm…🤔  

What should she call him?  

They’d never really talked properly since they met.  

Just “Xia Yan”?  
Too disrespectful.  

“Yan-ge” (Big Brother Yan)?  
Couldn’t bring herself to say it.  

“Huo Huo Huo” (Fire Fire Fire)?  
…I’ll 🔥 your mom!  

An unpleasant memory flashed in her mind, making her scowl slightly.  

After much deliberation, she decided to stick with “Class Rep.”  

Hua Xin: “Class Rep… how was our assignment last time?”  

——————————  

Meanwhile, in a hotpot restaurant just outside Shanghai University…  

Vrrr.  

His phone buzzed.  

Xia Yan elegantly used the serving chopsticks to place a slice of blanched beef into the bowl of the elegant woman sitting across from him, then picked up his phone. A faint smile appeared in his eyes.  

Lin Qingyu gave a demure, playful smile. “Such a gentleman, Xiao Xuedi~”  
“I won’t hold back, then.”  

Xia Yan typed quickly, replying with a touch of humor: “Being a gentleman is mandatory for men.”  

He set his phone down, didn’t pick up his chopsticks, and leaned back in his chair, asking seriously, “So, Xuejie—what’s the real reason you invited me to lunch?”  

Right after his interview, as he was heading back to his dorm, this department head had messaged him:  
【Let’s grab lunch. There’s something I couldn’t discuss during the interview.】  

Lin Qingyu tilted her head with feigned innocence, mischief flickering in her eyes. “Does a senior sister need another reason to treat her junior brother to a meal?”  

Xia Yan chuckled lightly, rhythmically tapping his fingers on the table—but said nothing.  

This Lin Xuejie… definitely played at a high level.  

Of course, Xia Yan had understood her intentions from the start—even suspected she’d personally attended the interview because she’d seen his name on the application form.  

From what he’d heard on campus… no other department heads showed up to interviews.  

Not that he was being arrogant.  

It was simply because he was that exceptional (sigh).  

Though no one knew the price he’d paid—how much sweat, tears, and darkness he’d endured—to become this bright, capable young man.  

——————————  

Xia Yan: “It was great! The teacher gave us an ‘Excellent’ rating. Lots of classmates want to meet you now.”  

He even sent a meme:  

Hua Xin: “Ahaha, that’s absolutely wonderful!”  

She replied, sweating nervously—but her joy was unmistakable.  

“Hmph hmph hmph…”  
“I knew I was awesome!!”  

Rolling gleefully on her bed, Hua Xin couldn’t wait to share the news: she’d made a real friend and completed an impossible outdoor assignment!  

But who to tell?  

Obviously—her dear “son” online!!  

She opened QQ. Only one contact appeared.  

Invincible Cat Paw: “I’ve made a new friend! 😉”  

Almost instantly replied:  

#1 Best Online Son: “Boy or girl?! BOY OR GIRL??!! 😡😡”  

He clearly cared a lot about the gender of her new friend.  

Hua Xin’s lips curled into a smirk, amusement dancing in her eyes. So this weirdo did care about her after all.  

Invincible Cat Paw: “A guy. Very gentle, super handsome, and super nice to me.”  

#1 Best Online Son: “Cut ties with him IMMEDIATELY!! 😡😡 Babe, think carefully! 😥 No one approaches someone like you—a stunning beauty—without an ulterior motive! 😡 Where are you? I’m coming to protect you RIGHT NOW!! 👊🏻👊🏻”  

Those words struck her like lightning.  

Hua Xin froze.  

That’s right… Why would someone like Xia Yan—kind, popular, normal—want to be friends with a lonely, strange, socially awkward “psycho” like her?  

He must be mocking her. Laughing behind her back.  

She lowered her head slowly, vision blurring. She set her phone aside, ignoring the flood of frantic messages still pouring in from QQ.  

Only she was foolish enough…  
to believe she’d found a friend.  

Only her.  

The silly girl.  

——————————  

“Who are you chatting with so intensely? Your girlfriend?”  

Lin Qingyu placed a peeled oyster into Xia Yan’s bowl, glancing at his busy texting with a slight frown, then asked casually—though her real question was whether he was single.  

“Just a close friend,” he replied with that same calm smile. “I’m not planning on dating anytime soon.”  

“Oh, yes… dating really isn’t all that fun,” Lin Qingyu agreed smoothly, twirling a strand of her long hair. “Be at the activity hall tomorrow at 7 a.m. for rehearsal.”  

“You’ll perform a solo song and co-host the entire event with me. I’ll coach you—don’t worry.”  

“You won’t mind that I didn’t tell you earlier, will you?”  

Her eyes sparkled with quiet triumph. Unbeknownst to Xia Yan, he’d already stepped into her trap.  

Xia Yan blinked, clearly caught off guard by her move.  

Interesting.  

“Then I thank you in advance, Xuejie,” he said, standing up politely. “I’ll be counting on your guidance. How could I possibly be upset?”  

He showed no sign of anger—only gratitude.  

“I have something urgent to attend to. Thanks again for the meal, Xuejie.”  

Lin Qingyu smiled calmly. “See you tomorrow, then.”  

No hint of annoyance in her tone.  

Xia Yan didn’t touch the oyster in his bowl. He grabbed his suit jacket and strode out of the private room, fingers flying across his phone screen.  

Why isn’t she replying??  

Damn it…  

A wave of panic and jealousy surged through him. 😡  

Was he seriously about to get home-invaded by some random dude?? 😨😡😭