Chapter 10: Does That Make You Happy?

Three days later.

[You're only a freshman, but the earlier you start on your thesis, the better.]

[Some overachievers—your roommate Qin Meng, for instance—were already digging through the literature over summer break, prepping for their thesis and lab work.]

[Start now and you'll still make it. Aim to publish in a top international journal before sophomore year, make a name for yourself, let more professors see your talent…]

QQ kept feeding Wen Tingxia knowledge, prodding her to study hard—then stopped dead.

The system that had been so calm and methodical a moment ago was now spinning in circles:

[Oh no, oh no, oh no! I just remembered what I forgot!]

[Ahhh, the Male Lead!]

[I forgot the Male Lead! Forget studying—I'm a romance system now. Right, romance. Xia Xia, how many days has it been since you last contacted the Male Lead?]

"Three days."

[!!!∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ What?!]

The sky was falling, bro.

[Has it really been that long?] QQ panicked. [Young couples in the honeymoon phase—three days with no contact, no meeting—doesn't that basically mean they've been dumped?]

[We're doomed, doomed, doomed. What if the Male Lead is annoyed that having dinner with you slowed down his project? What if that two thousand yuan he put on your meal card is actually a breakup fee?]

"Come on, that's a stretch. Didn't you say the Male Lead is a man who keeps his word? Even if he's unhappy with me, he'd stick it out for the full month before breaking up."

Wen Tingxia talked big, but inside she was panicking just as badly.

This relationship was far too lukewarm.

She did a quick tally: she and He Xulin had met exactly three times, shared two meals, and then gone three straight days without seeing or contacting each other.

Did normal couples in the honeymoon phase act like this?

QQ launched into a self-directed analysis: [He's the crown prince of a top-tier family, and his breakup fee is only two thousand? Talk about stingy.]

[Ahhh, stupid brain—is this really the time to haggle over breakup fees?]

[No breakup. Absolutely no breakup. If we break up, the mission fails.]

Whipped up by the system's panic, Wen Tingxia's own nerves frayed.

At first, she'd thought dating was too clingy and wanted to give each other some breathing room—plus He Xulin really was busy.

But then the academic atmosphere at Qingda University got its hooks in her.

Top students from all over the country converged here. The library was packed every day. Everyone around her was grinding, and with QQ nagging in her ear, she settled down, buried herself in her studies, and lost track of time.

And forgot she had a boyfriend.

"Maybe I should go find him now?"

Wen Tingxia figured she bore most of the blame for this mess.

She'd promised QQ she'd do the missions properly.

The Male Lead was cold enough, honestly. She hadn't reached out—but as her boyfriend, couldn't he have initiated contact once?

Bad review.

Three months from now, they were breaking up.

As girl and system spiraled, Wen Tingxia's phone rang—as if on cue.

Caller ID: Senior Brother He.

[Wait, don't pick up! Why is the Male Lead suddenly calling you? What if he's calling specifically to break up? Let me think of a counter-strategy.]

At QQ's warning, Wen Tingxia snatched her fingers back and said the toughest thing in the most timid voice: "No breakup. Whatever he says, I'm not breaking up, even if it kills me."

With her life on the line, she found her courage.

QQ was tickled by how cute she sounded and hit on an idea: [How about you strike first? Throw a little tantrum, act spoiled, complain that he's irresponsible for not reaching out.]

"I'll try."

Two study-obsessed brains with zero romantic experience settled on a plan. Wen Tingxia hit answer.

She held the phone to her ear, opened her mouth, almond eyes darting—and for a moment had no idea how to strike first.

He Xulin: "…"

First time dating. First time calling a girl first. He didn't know what to say either.

Three seconds of silence. Then they both spoke at once.

Wen Tingxia put on her sternest face, convinced she looked fierce: "Days without a word—is that any way for a boyfriend to act?"

He Xulin: "What have you been busy with these past few days?"

"It really wasn't appropriate. That was on me." He Xulin answered at once, his voice magnetic and easy on the ear.

Wen Tingxia: "…"

QQ: [Is the Male Lead's upbringing a little too good? He doesn't even try to defend himself?]

"Ahem—"

She hadn't expected He Xulin to break the script and admit fault that fast. Thrown off balance, Wen Tingxia cleared her throat and rallied, all adorable ferocity: "Senior Brother, I feel like you don't care about me at all. I can't even tell we're dating. I'm really sad and upset right now—you have to coax me."

QQ: [(⊙x⊙;) You can play it like that?]

The line went quiet. He Xulin said nothing.

Wen Tingxia's heart pounded against her ribs: "Little Penguin, did I overdo it?"

QQ was worried too: [Let's dial it back. Don't actually piss off the Male Lead. Maybe soften up and apologize?]

"Okay."

For the sake of her life, Wen Tingxia could bend or stretch as needed.

Before she could get a word out, the man's voice came through the phone—magnetic, a little hoarse: "Baby, that's on me. No matter how busy I am, I should make time for my girlfriend. Be good. Don't be angry."

Wen Tingxia: !!!

QQ squealed: [Holy crap, the Male Lead called you Baby! He actually coaxed you! Amazing!]

Wen Tingxia's already racing heart nearly leapt into her throat.

God really did play favorites with the Male Lead. Handsome was one thing—but his voice. That single "Baby" was a feather dragging along her heart, making it tremble.

"Still angry?" He Xulin asked softly when she stayed silent.

[Angry? Impossible. Xia Xia, forgive him right now! Tell him you missed him every day these three days, missed him to death, and set up a date!]

QQ was over the moon. The Male Lead hadn't mentioned breaking up—he'd coaxed its host instead.

Its host was amazing.

"I—I—" Slender fingers twisted the hem of her shirt. Saying something that cheesy took real courage: "Senior Brother, I missed you. I want to see you right now, this instant."

The girl's sweet, delicate voice trembled with nerves, trailing off in a long, soft lilt.

She was confessing.

Or maybe just acting spoiled.

He Xulin, three days deep in the project lab, tightened his grip on the phone. His eyes darkened. That soft, endearing voice—and with it, that sweet, pretty little face and that waist slender enough to span with one hand—rose in his mind.

His advisor had been right. A girlfriend needed time and attention. Keep neglecting her, and someone else would snatch her away.

"Okay," he said.

"Huh? What?" Wen Tingxia thought she'd misheard.

"North gate of the school. Fifteen minutes."

He Xulin's warm, pleasant voice poured into Wen Tingxia's fair, delicate ear like a current of electricity.