With their identity transformed into underground lovers, for the time being, there seemed to be no changes indeed. At least that was Shi Sui’s perception.

Both of them had classes from Monday to Friday, Yan Tingli also had various competitions, and Shi Sui knew that he privately participated in company research and development, spending large amounts of time training new AI.

He was lazy and didn’t like this kind of high-intensity rhythm. Previously, when suddenly disrupted by unexpected events, he would even coldly say: “Even making love requires scheduling time.”

Shi Sui looked at him woodenly.

She didn’t need him to “squeeze out” this kind of time from his busy schedule.

Just when Shi Sui was slightly relieved by the calm of the past two days, on Wednesday, Yan Tingli’s message came through.

[I want to see you tonight]

Shi Sui lingered on the word “want” for several seconds.

Her heart stirred slightly.

It was “want.”

Not “need to.”

Did that mean she now had the right to refuse, too?

Thursday was the only morning she didn’t have early classes, a rare leisure time she could control herself.

She didn’t want to do that kind of thing again.

It was too frequent.

Shi Sui’s fingertip paused on the screen, slowly typing: [But today is still a weekday]

[You don’t have class tomorrow morning]

Shi Sui: [I want to sleep in a bit]

[Come over and sleep the same]

It’s not the same at all, Shi Sui grumbled internally.

But Yan Tingli’s patience did seem better than before.

Things looked like they could still be negotiated, so Shi Sui continued typing: [Just one morning, running back and forth is a bit too troublesome]

The other side showed “typing.”

Then disappeared.

Back and forth several times.

Shi Sui had an ominous feeling.

Sure enough.

The next second, the screen displayed:

[I need to see you tonight]

“…”

Indeed, he was more patient.

But not by much.

Shi Sui reluctantly replied with “okay.”

Just after replying, the next second, the dorm door was pushed open. Xue Jing came in hurriedly carrying a stack of documents, immediately dragging a chair over to sit down and opening her computer.

Lin Anran, who was watching a drama, saw her hurried movements: “What’s wrong, more work?”

“Yeah.” Xue Jing sighed, particularly regretting being naive as a freshman, both serving as class committee and joining student union, now entangled in trivial matters every day, “Next semester’s exchange documents from various colleges came down, we’re busy helping teachers review them.”

Hearing the word “exchange,” Shi Sui’s lowered eyelashes moved slightly.

“Exchange?” Lin Anran asked casually, “How many spots for our major?”

Xue Jing gestured with her fingers: “Two.”

“Well, then it’s not my turn either.” Lin Anran shrugged and continued watching her drama.

In the quiet, suddenly a voice rang out in the room: “Jing Jing, can I take a look at the documents?”

“Huh?”

“You want to go on exchange?”

Both looked at her simultaneously.

No wonder they were surprised.

Although based on grades, Shi Sui could indeed compete for a spot, her introverted and quiet personality, plus being particularly homesick, didn’t seem like someone willing to go alone to an unfamiliar environment.

Shi Sui was silent for a moment, then said: “I’m just looking casually.”

“Here.” Xue Jing handed it to her.

Shi Sui took it, lowered her eyes, and flipped through the papers.

“Does this need to be applied for in advance?”

Xue Jing nodded: “Yeah, at least three months.”

Shi Sui hummed softly through her nose, roughly finished reading, and placed the documents back on Xue Jing’s desk.

Still the same as before, exiting the west gate and walking another two hundred meters forward, Yan Tingli’s car was waiting there.

Fifteen minutes later, the car was parked in the underground garage of the residential complex.

Seeing Yan Tingli get out without going to the elevator, Shi Sui was stunned: “Not going back?”

“Going to the supermarket, buying groceries.”

Neither of them had eaten dinner yet. Shi Sui was quiet for two seconds, then still nodded.

She had never been comfortable bringing it up, after all, Yan Tingli seemed very enthusiastic about cooking, but his culinary skills were unsatisfactory, so bland that she would rather eat some snacks to fill her stomach.

She didn’t understand his obsession with cooking at the apartment, and had even discussed it with Zhou Xuyan.

Zhou Xuyan answered: “Rich people all eat clean, afraid of dying.”

That made sense, Shi Sui nodded.

“He’s even more afraid.”

Shi Sui: “?”

Zhou Xuyan said seriously, “If he dies too early, how can he control you?”

“…” How absurd.

The supermarket was very close, just turn the corner and walk a few dozen meters.

The prices at supermarkets next to high-end residential complexes naturally rose with the tide. Yan Tingli pushed the shopping cart, casually throwing a small box of strawberries costing two hundred yuan into the cart.

Noticing her widened eyes, Yan Tingli said flatly: “Don’t you love eating them?”

Shi Sui blinked and said nothing.

They weren’t in the same consumption dimension anyway, saying anything would be making a mountain out of a molehill.

Yan Tingli then threw several more boxes in.

“Too many, we can’t finish them.” Still couldn’t help it, Shi Sui held him back.

He turned his head: “What else do you want to eat?”

Shi Sui pointed to the small cakes on the other side.

Again, several hundred yuan each, Yan Tingli casually took several different flavors.

After that, he looked at the fresh produce section for a long time, checking the origin of everything clearly.

Shi Sui was bored when Yan Tingli said as if he had eyes on the back of his head, “Go get the snacks you want to eat yourself.”

Shi Sui’s eyes lit up, and she wasn’t polite either.

Many imported snacks that usually required purchasing agents were available here as stock, but the prices were expensive. However, since Yan Tingli was paying, not buying would be foolish.

Shi Sui put bags large and small into the cart.

Just when she was torn between two flavors of chips, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind: “Shi Sui? What a coincidence, running into you again.”

Shi Sui: “…”

She slowly turned around to see Gao Linhan behind her.

The frequency of encountering this old classmate recently was also oddly high.

“You live here too?” He stopped, to have a long chat with her.

Shi Sui said vaguely, “A relative lives around here, what about you?”

“My sister goes to the affiliated elementary school, my family bought a school district house here. Today’s her birthday, I specially came back, and stopped by to buy some things.” Gao Linhan chattered away like pouring beans.

In her memory, Gao Linhan’s family conditions were also good, middle class and above, living here was about right, so Shi Sui nodded.

“Oh, right, weren’t you pulled into the group a few days ago? Let’s get together sometime when there’s a chance.”

“Okay.” Shi Sui replied casually, quickly throwing both bags of chips into the shopping cart.

She didn’t dare linger long, now only grateful that she and Yan Tingli weren’t seen together by Gao Linhan.

Just as she was about to find a topic to end the small talk, suddenly, Gao Linhan said “damn”: “No way! Guess who I saw again?” He lifted his chin behind Shi Sui.

“…” Shi Sui didn’t want to guess, quickly averting her gaze and pushing the cart forward: “There are still some things I haven’t bought, I’ll go look over there, talk later.”

“Hey, why are you in such a hurry?” Gao Linhan turned to look at Yan Tingli approaching them.

He muttered in confusion: “Too coincidental, isn’t it, seeing you two every time.”

“Brother Yan.” Until Yan Tingli came close, he patted his shoulder, glanced at his shopping cart, surprised, “You even buy groceries yourself?”

Yan Tingli’s gaze swept past the hand on his shoulder: “I also eat personally.”

“…”

Gao Linhan awkwardly withdrew his hand.

Looking for topics to chat: “You live here too?”

“Mm.” Yan Tingli responded half-heartedly, his gaze shifting lightly.

“What are you looking at?” He followed his line of sight.

Yan Tingli: “Looking for someone.”

“Someone came with you? Who?” Gao Linhan continued.

“Girlfriend.”

“Oh girlfr…” Reacting, Gao Linhan’s voice suddenly rose, making an explosive sound, “Girlfriend?! You have a girlfriend?!”

“Is that not allowed?”

“It’s, it’s allowed.” Gao Linhan was still dazed, sighing, “Really, really didn’t expect that.”

“Oh?”

“Don’t know what kind of goddess could win you over.”

Yan Tingli said carelessly, “Maybe you’ve seen her.”

Gao Linhan searched in his mind: “Have I seen her? Someone from high school?”

“Can you give me a bag of those?” Yan Tingli pointed to the packages in his basket, “The shelf is empty.”

It was tomato flavor, Gao Linhan had just taken the last few bags, he handed two bags over: “Take them, don’t be polite.”

Yan Tingli indeed wasn’t polite.

His topic change was too natural, and it wasn’t until the person pushed the shopping cart away that Gao Linhan belatedly realized, scratching his head—

Wait.

Who exactly is this girlfriend?!

Unable to contain his gossipy curiosity, he pushed the shopping cart in the direction Yan Tingli had just left to look.

But the person had disappeared, nowhere to be seen.

Standing there in a daze for a while, he still scratched his head and left reluctantly.

The moment he left, one aisle away behind a shelf, Shi Sui stood on tiptoe, firmly covering Yan Tingli’s mouth with her hands, not letting him make a sound.

Only when she confirmed from the corner of her eye that Gao Linhan had left did she sigh in relief and lower her hands.

“Why did you tell him you were looking for a girlfriend?” Shi Sui said. Before Gao Linhan came, they had been debating this topic.

Yan Tingli casually picked up things: “Aren’t you my girlfriend?”

Shi Sui choked: “But there was no need to tell the truth.”

“I don’t lie.”

What a ridiculous excuse! Shi Sui was simply speechless. Usually, he told lies without even blinking.

She said with a headache, “His mouth is so big, what if he spreads everywhere that you have a girlfriend?”

Yan Tingli picked up canned milk powder to examine the origin, carelessly: “Then my surroundings will be quieter in the future.”

“We appeared here one after another. What if he figures it out?”

Yan Tingli thought about it: “That would show he has some intelligence.”

“…”

Shi Sui took a deep breath, still feeling she couldn’t back down on this issue: “…You shouldn’t have said that from the beginning!”

Yan Tingli’s lips curved slightly.

He leaned close, his dark pupils capturing her: “I couldn’t help it, I just wanted to say it.”

“I have a girlfriend now.”

“…”

Shi Sui could see clearly; it was a kind of mischievous smugness like successfully pulling a prank.

Like a child who got a beloved toy and couldn’t stop showing it off.

All of Shi Sui’s words stuck in her throat.

The taste in her heart was subtle and indescribable. She gripped the shopping cart tightly and walked forward two steps.

With Yan Tingli, whether he came hard or soft, Shi Sui always had no way to deal with him.

After storming off two steps, she still turned back, dropping a line without any intimidation: “Don’t say it next time!”

She ignored Yan Tingli’s laughter behind her.

After returning, Yan Tingli methodically prepared the ingredients and cooked.

Shi Sui had eaten cake before the meal. Although she wasn’t interested in the healthy meals Yan Tingli made, she still gave face and ate half a bowl.

Seeming to think their dinner table was too quiet, Yan Tingli had Little Snail turn on the TV.

Not knowing what channel it randomly landed on, it was playing a household name cartoon – “Big Ear Tutu.”

Shi Sui had watched it since childhood, and seeing it again after many years, still found it heartwarming.

She looked at Yan Tingli across from her, somewhat curious: “Did you watch this when you were little?”

He glanced at it and nodded.

Shi Sui seemed surprised that they had watched the same cartoon as children: “You watched cartoons too.”

“My little brother watched it,” Yan Tingli said lightly, “his mother would put it on for him during meals.”

This was the first time he had actively mentioned this little brother, his tone seeming casual.

Shi Sui’s movements paused, stealing glances at him, not knowing what to say for a long while.

Racking her brains to liven the atmosphere: “Every time I watch, I’m especially envious of the food Tutu’s mom makes.”

Yan Tingli glanced at the TV, which was showing a scene of a family eating. He said unhurriedly, “Then I’ll make it for you next time.”

Shi Sui: “…” That’s not necessary.

Yan Tingli’s lips curved in an imperceptible arc.

“Tutu’s family is very warm.” Shi Sui said, propping her chin, “When I was little, I hoped to have such a family, but mom and dad were both too busy, always not at home.”

“We in the future…”

“Hmm?”

Shi Sui seemed to hear Yan Tingli say something, but the ending theme music was too loud, drowning it out.

When she turned her head to meet Yan Tingli’s gaze, his eyelashes moved, and he looked away.

“Nothing.”

This evening was so peaceful, it was incredible to Shi Sui.

Their previous meetings.

Mostly at night, on beds, on sofas, in any corner unknown to others.

Bodies intertwined, temperatures touching.

Yan Tingli would drill into her body, the most intimate distance in the world, and when she was exhausted, he still seemed unsatisfied.

Shi Sui had never thought she could have a day of covering herself with a blanket and purely sleeping with Yan Tingli.

Yes.

Purely sleeping.

After he finished showering and came over, Shi Sui was on the bed, working on modeling on her computer.

She had already prepared herself mentally, placing condoms in the most convenient position on the bedside table – if she didn’t choose in advance and let Yan Tingli choose, he would play with variations, ribbed, cooling, anything was possible.

“What time are you sleeping?” He lowered his eyes and asked her.

Shi Sui glanced at the time.

She didn’t want to do it for too long, so she chose an hour later, saying softly: “I want to sleep at ten-thirty.”

“Then ten-thirty it is.”

Yan Tingli had Little Snail turn on the TV, and the bedroom filled with the cheerful music of “Big Ear Tutu.”

Shi Sui’s hands on the keyboard paused, looking up incredulously.

He turned his head to meet her eyes: “Watch with me.”

Covering themselves with a blanket and watching cartoons together with Yan Tingli was truly an overly novel experience.

Shi Sui had a low threshold for laughter, watching Tutu adorably say childish things, she laughed until she swayed back and forth.

Suddenly, her hair was stroked by a palm, her head gently pressed toward that side.

Shi Sui was slightly stunned.

After hesitating for a moment.

Finally, slowly and gently, she rested her head on his shoulder.

The bedroom was dim; only the light from the projection remained.

When Shi Sui was feeling somewhat sleepy, sensing that Yan Tingli had been quiet for a long time, she lifted her eyes slightly to look at his profile.

Only then did she discover that his long eyelashes had drooped down, and he had fallen asleep.

Yan Tingli always slept very quietly.

Only when sleeping would his aloof, coldness dissipate, like the most ordinary, beautiful young man.

Shi Sui didn’t notice she had been looking at him for a long time.

Until her phone on the bedside lit up, Xue Jing sent a message.

Shi Sui reached out to get it, before opening the message, she looked to the side to make sure Yan Tingli hadn’t woken up.

[What you looked at this afternoon was the initial version; this is the file we reviewed and revised. The conditions changed a bit. Do you want to look again?]

Shi Sui’s hand lingered on the screen for a long time, not asking her to send it now.

Sending files would leave traces.

At least she couldn’t alert him now.

Shi Sui tapped the screen lightly: [I’ll go look at your computer when I get back]

After replying, Shi Sui deleted the chat records.

Also at this time.

Yan Tingli beside her moved, Shi Sui’s heart jumped, turning to look—

He hadn’t woken up, just changed positions, sinking, his long arm naturally wrapping around her waist, encircling her.

At this height, his head naturally buried in her chest, exposing his soft neck.

Shi Sui’s fingers could just touch his hair.

A trace of complex sourness flashed in her eyes.

This person was strong and cold everywhere, but when quiet and unguarded.

His hair was soft.

His body temperature was also warm.

A University at the end of March was at its most beautiful. Willow branches by the lake were sprouting, trees along the walkways were lush and green, and when the wind blew, spring was in full bloom.

“Sui Sui, why are you suddenly so interested in exchange programs? You’re not planning to go abroad, are you?” On the way back from the cafeteria, Xue Jing asked while walking.

“Not yet,” Shi Sui said softly, “I just want to understand it first.”

She naturally hadn’t immediately made up her mind, it’s just that A University’s tuition-free exchange spots were tight and competition was fierce. Truly speaking, her current conditions were still a bit lacking; having more professional awards would be better.

Every step ahead felt like walking a tightrope.

She wasn’t sure if she would use this as a last resort when truly cornered someday.

The past half month has been peaceful.

She and Yan Tingli had fixed on meeting every Wednesday and weekend, Shi Sui accompanying him to watch all the cartoons they had seen as children.

To add credentials to her resume, Shi Sui had recently registered for several professional-level animation production competitions. The new works required 3D technology, necessitating self-learning new production software. Time was tight, making her temporarily overwhelmed.

She was dizzy from studying and complaining bitterly, while Yan Tingli flipped through the textbook in one evening and began teaching her.

Shi Sui once again deeply experienced the intelligence gap between geniuses and ordinary people.

“You’ve been entering a lot of competitions lately,” Yan Tingli asked in her ear last night, “do you have some plan?”

Shi Sui’s eyelashes moved, trying to say as steadily as possible: “It’s already the second semester of sophomore year, I should participate in more competitions to accumulate experience, otherwise I won’t be able to find a good jobs later.”

“At least those big companies in Beijing will be difficult.” She added.

Hearing this, Yan Tingli chuckled.

Lowering his head, his chin rubbed against the top of her head. He now did these intimate gestures very naturally.

“Then prepare well, Brother Tingli will help you win gold awards.”

Back in the dorm, Shi Sui’s phone lit up, showing Li Yin calling.

She pressed answer.

The voice on the other end was joyful, saying with a smile: “Sui Sui, mom came to Beijing, do you miss me?”

Shi Sui immediately stood up from her chair in delight: “Really? When did you arrive? Where’s Dad?”

“Your dad isn’t here, I came on business, arrived this morning.” Li Yin said.

“When can we meet?” Shi Sui asked impatiently.

“Tonight, five-thirty, mom will pick you up at the school gate,” Li Yin glanced at her watch, her tone suddenly becoming mysterious, “Oh right, today mom also wants to take you to meet someone…”

She hadn’t finished speaking when someone over there called “Sister Li,” probably work had suddenly come up.

Li Yin then lowered her voice: “Mom has something going on here, I’ll talk to you later, bye bye baby.”

The past two years, her parents’ work had been especially busy, phone calls were always squeezed in whenever possible. Shi Sui was used to it, blinked, and put down her phone.

Here, Li Yin had just hung up when she heard her assistant beside her say indignantly: “Sister, Xinshuo’s side only plans to settle 10% of the payment, when asked for reasons they say platform deductions and operating costs, they’re not having it easy either.”

This time, Li Yin had made a special trip over to discuss contract matters with Xinshuo Group.

A month ago, she had brought goods for their subsidiary brand Meiyan Intelligence, only 10% deposit had been settled, with the remaining balance being delayed with various excuses exploiting loopholes.

Even going through legal procedures, Xinshuo Group was a large established business with a famously domineering legal department that their small studio couldn’t afford to provoke.

Li Yin had specially rushed over to negotiate, but still received a lukewarm cold shoulder.

After calming down for a long while, she still couldn’t swallow this grievance.

She took her phone and called Song Jie.

Xinshuo Group was a Yan family enterprise.

The other end answered quickly, with background sounds of paper rustling, probably busy.

“Speak.”

Song Jie at work spoke very little, inevitably sounding somewhat impersonal.

“It’s me, Sister Song.” Li Yin politely greeted.

Song Jie’s tone slightly softened: “Oh, what’s the matter?”

Li Yin explained the situation in the most concise terms and requested, “Could you please help me with this favor?”

She needed this payment to clear previous debts from starting the company, after which she would be free and clear.

“I’m on business in America,” Song Jie said, “I’ll have my secretary contact—”

Halfway through, she paused.

The entire Yan family internally was chaotic, and Xinshuo was exactly the faction that didn’t get along with their family. Just sending a secretary probably wouldn’t be intimidating enough, and might even cause her to lose face.

“Like this, call Tingli, have him make a trip, the person in charge of Xinshuo Meiyan is his cousin.”

Li Yin hurriedly thanked her.

“Don’t mention it,” before hanging up, Song Jie said, “Sui Sui is very well-behaved.”

Li Yin was stunned for a moment, slowly understanding the meaning.

Song Jie’s willingness to give face was based on Sui Sui being obedient and well-behaved, saving her worry.

She felt somewhat uncomfortable in her heart.

Still swallowed it down, smiling and saying okay.

When calling Yan Tingli, Li Yin prepared herself mentally again.

Privately, she had never contacted this young master, only knowing he was excellent beyond reproach.

Unexpectedly.

He answered the phone quickly.

With young people, Li Yin was embarrassed to state her predicament too obviously, speaking diplomatically for a few sentences. He almost understood immediately, and before she could speak, he said: “I understand, are you at Xinshuo? I’m coming over now.”

Half an hour after Yan Tingli arrived, the matter was resolved.

The assistant ran over excitedly, telling her, “Sister, they said they’ll transfer the balance to us within a week!”

Li Yin looked gratefully at the person across from her, saying sincerely, “Thank you so much, Xiao Li.”

Yan Tingli stood up while coldly cutting off the call from his cousin, smiling: “Auntie, you don’t need to be polite with me.”

Walking out of the company building, he held an umbrella for Li Yin, “What are your plans next? Do you need me to accompany you?”

Li Yin smiled: “Having come all this way, tonight I want to have dinner with Sui Sui.”

When Chinese people mention eating, they naturally follow up politely: “If Xiao Li is free, you can come along too.”

She naturally didn’t think Yan Tingli would be so idle: “If you’re not free, that’s fine too, Auntie will specially come with your Uncle Shi next time—”

“I’m free.”

Li Yin was stunned, thinking she had misheard.

Until she heard the young man across from her repeat: “I’m free, Auntie.”

Li Yin: “…”

She was somewhat dumbfounded, taking a few seconds to recover before nodding rapidly: “Oh, oh, okay, it would be wonderful if you could come.”

This dinner, Li Yin had also called Fang Huaijing.

Having met by chance during Spring Festival and learning he was also studying in Beijing, she had actively added his contact information, this time specially wanting the two young people to meet for a meal.

She had watched Fang Huaijing grow up; his appearance, education, and character were all first-rate, and their family backgrounds were compatible. If he and Sui Sui could be mutually interested, that would be perfect.

But now there was suddenly an additional Yan Tingli.

Li Yin secretly observed the refined, polite young man beside her, who understood everything immediately, thinking to herself—

It should be fine, right?