Chapter 2: Aren't We Friends Too?

"Senior Brother, hello. I'm Wen Tingxia, the girlfriend you just met yesterday." Wen Tingxia actually went ahead and introduced herself obediently, her attitude especially serious.

He Xulin was slightly stunned.

This was Wen Tingxia?

Without her glasses, when she wasn't carrying trays, this was what she looked like?

He vaguely remembered that last night, when they were wrapping up, his friend Pei Jinghuai had been full of regret: "Brother Lin, it's just a game, no need to throw yourself into it. If it really doesn't work out, let's change the bet."

It was all because that greasy, tacky junior from Qinghua really didn't look great—ugly in a goofy sort of way.

How could an ugly duckling like that be worthy of the He family's Crown Prince?

Pei Jinghuai felt like his own good cabbage had been rooted up by a pig, and he was the one who'd set up this whole mess. If the other brothers found out, they'd curse him to death.

What a savage move.

But He Xulin had said, "A bet is a bet. Since we agreed on it, there's no reason to back out easily."

Fortunately, both sides had agreed beforehand to try dating for a month. After a month, if either party felt it wasn't working, they could bring up breaking up.

They weren't close before, so He Xulin didn't think the junior would fall for him.

And he certainly wouldn't develop any feelings for her.

Just treat it as making up for that "imperfection"—experience what dating feels like before graduation.

"Senior Brother?"

Seeing He Xulin not saying anything for a while, Wen Tingxia broke out in a sweat, her heart leaping into her throat.

No way. Was she going to get eliminated by the male lead on their very first date?

This mission really wasn't easy.

QQ was sweating bullets too.

Did the male lead have some special fetish? Didn't like beauties, just liked sloppy girls like the original host?

If the mission failed, it wouldn't matter much for QQ—at worst it'd get punished by the System Bureau, drop a rank, and find a new host. But what about Wen Tingxia?

[Host, you're standing too far from the male lead. At this distance, you two are more distant than strangers. Why don't you walk closer, get a bit intimate with him.]

[You guys are boyfriend and girlfriend now, a couple, totally legit. Even if you pinned him against a tree and force-kissed him, it wouldn't be too much.]

Wen Tingxia: "..."

Forget pinning him against trees and force-kissing, but for the sake of her mission with QQ, she should be a little braver.

Wen Tingxia gathered her courage and shuffled a few steps toward He Xulin. Her slender fingers carefully reached out, lightly tugging at the cuff of his shirt, not daring to touch his hand.

Biting her lower lip with her white teeth, Wen Tingxia secretly cheered herself on.

It's fine, it's fine. As long as He Xulin showed even a tiny bit of annoyance or intent to shake her off, she'd immediately pull her hand back and retreat to that safe distance from just now—or just run straight back to the dorms and hide.

Right, the dorms weren't far away.

He Xulin stiffened, clearly not used to this sudden closeness. He lowered his gaze to glance at the girl's little movement.

That hand was slender and long, pale and tender, the nails pinkish with cute little moons.

Maybe because she was too nervous, her fingers trembled slightly. Her watery eyes blinked and blinked, her thick lashes like two little fans, fanning people into a panic.

He Xulin calmly withdrew his gaze.

He, who never let the opposite sex get within an inch of him, didn't push her away.

"Sorry, I didn't recognize you at first glance just now." He Xulin's tone was gentle, gentlemanly and polite. He bowed his head slightly, looking down at Wen Tingxia's delicate little face.

At such a close distance, Wen Tingxia realized the man was taller than her by more than just a little. She had to tilt her head up, her innocent almond eyes meeting the man's deep black pupils, stuttering a bit: "I-it's okay."

For a moment, neither spoke again.

In the campus wisteria corridor, the handsome Campus Prince who was 190cm tall and the graceful girl who was 166cm stood mere inches apart, gazing at each other.

"I have a project to work on tonight. Is it okay if we eat at the cafeteria?" He Xulin broke the silence first.

As the heir to the top-tier wealthy He family, He Xulin was genuinely busy. Not only did he have to help manage the family business, he also had to run the tech company he'd founded himself.

He was also a second-year master's student at Qinghua, with academic tasks and projects assigned by his advisor.

In short, He Xulin's schedule was packed tight, completely full.

Even this first date was squeezed into his meal break.

Eating alone was eating, eating together was eating. It wouldn't delay anything else, and he could get the dating done too—killing several birds with one stone.

"Mhm, anywhere is fine."

Wen Tingxia pursed her little pink lips and nodded cutely.

She had no feelings about the cafeteria, but since the male lead suggested it, as a coward, how could she dare say no?

[Host, why are you so easygoing? Whatever the male lead says goes? Next time you should refuse when you need to refuse.]

[Your persona is a vain, shallow love-brain. On a first date, the male lead should at least take you to a fancy, upscale restaurant. That's the only way to show you're important.]

"Ah, I forgot my persona! But I already agreed, what do I do?" Whenever Wen Tingxia got nervous, she forgot the main task.

[It's fine, it's fine, let it slide this time. On a first date, leaving a good impression on the male lead is more important. Not getting dumped is already pretty good.]

He Xulin strode ahead on his long legs. Wen Tingxia let go of his cuff and followed behind.

The man had long legs and a big stride. Wen Tingxia had to quicken her pace just to keep up with his rhythm, while chatting with QQ every now and then.

Not paying attention, Wen Tingxia, who was walking with her head down, suddenly crashed right into He Xulin's solid back.

"Ouch~"

Wen Tingxia let out a soft cry and rubbed her forehead. The refreshing, pleasant scent of lime from the man seeped into her nose.

[The male lead is doing it on purpose! We were walking perfectly fine, why did he suddenly slow down? Hmph.] QQ complained on her behalf.

"Did it hurt?"

He Xulin turned his head to look at the girl rubbing her head. How was she so skinny? She looked especially fragile, like she'd get hurt easily.

"No, it doesn't hurt." Wen Tingxia put down the hand rubbing her head.

The man's back was hard and solid; it wasn't enough to damage her.

He Xulin hesitated for a moment, then extended his palm toward Wen Tingxia.

[Ahhh, what is the male lead doing?! You didn't bump into him on purpose! He, he, he, is he trying to hit you?!] In her mind, QQ was screaming frantically.

Wen Tingxia: "..."

Was this really a romance system?

She glanced at He Xulin's broad, knuckle-defined big hand. Under the man's calm, unwavering gaze, she placed her pale, tender little hand on his cuff, grabbing his sleeve once again.

So cowardly. Still didn't dare touch him.

He Xulin noticed Wen Tingxia's little movement. He didn't say much and continued walking toward the cafeteria.

After a few steps, He Xulin stopped again. This time, Wen Tingxia hit the brakes in time and didn't crash into him.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"How about we eat outside instead," He Xulin suddenly said.

QQ was stunned.

Changing plans on the fly was the thing the male lead hated most. His life was always arranged crystal clear, orderly and neat.

He liked everything under his control and planned out, and detested anyone or anything that made him lose control.