Teng Yi’s confession was grand and magnificent. As it ended, thunderous applause erupted, rivaling any stage performance. Even the dormitory supervisors and the dishwashing aunties from the cafeteria came running to witness this moment, pushing and nudging each other as they watched. Their long-dormant girlish hearts seemed to flutter alive in that instant.

This confession dance, and Teng Yi himself, captivated people of all ages.

Ruan Yu was surrounded by people as she went downstairs.

She was still in her pajamas – she had wanted to change, but her roommates were too excited to wait, practically ready to push her from the third floor straight into Teng Yi’s arms.

In the corridor, female classmates poured out in crowds.

Ruan Yu’s joy instantly became everyone’s joy.

“Congratulations on getting yourself a boyfriend, Ruan Ruan!”

“Ruan Ruan, I’m so envious!”

“No wonder Teng Yi came to audit our class – turns out he was following his wife!”

“…”

Everyone followed Ruan Yu downstairs, where many girls had already gathered. Like her, many wore pajamas with just a coat thrown over them, having rushed down to join the excitement. No one minded having their weekend sleep disturbed.

Teng Yi stood at the entrance holding a bouquet, gazing at Ruan Yu from afar. Behind him, Xiao Qing, Zhou Xihe, and the others stood arm in arm, their faces beaming with joy.

The morning sun was perfect, the breeze was perfect. The boys’ bright red figures and youthful smiles were like an animated painting, forever etched into Ruan Yu’s life, becoming her most precious memory.

Ruan Yu’s heart beat wildly.

She remembered the day the college entrance exams ended when their class’s sports representative had prepared a bouquet to confess to a girl from the neighboring class. Outside the exam venue, when the girl gave a slight nod, it completely burst through that oppressive net. The watching examinees clapped and screamed as if their uninhibited youth truly began at that moment… Although she hadn’t shown it then, she had felt a tiny bit envious. She never imagined that someone like herself, who had always kept her head down running through life, would one day experience such heart-fluttering moments.

Teng Yi was the most radiant flower blooming in her barren life.

“Here, little fish.” Teng Yi handed her the flowers, trying to appear calm though his eyes betrayed a hint of nervousness.

Ruan Yu took them, catching their fragrance before she even looked down.

“Do you like them?” he asked.

“I like them.” Of course, she liked them.

“Do you like the flowers or do you like me?” he lowered his voice.

“I like you who gave me the flowers, and I like the flowers you gave me,” she said.

Teng Yi reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

“Wow…”

Amid the screams, he kissed her ear.

“This is my first time dating. I don’t know what’s right, but I just feel that letting the whole world know you’re mine is the best thing.”

Hearing him say this, Ruan Yu could no longer hold back her tears. She raised her arms and hugged Teng Yi back.

“Alright, alright! It’s a happy ending, sisters have all seen it – Teng Yi is taken! Everyone stop having designs on him!” Xiao Qing called from behind. “If you’re looking for a boyfriend in the future, you can consider us brothers!”

All the girls laughed at Xiao Qing’s joke, understanding this was the signal to disperse. Everyone scattered amid playful banter. It was a sweet way to start the weekend.

Teng Yi released Ruan Yu and wiped her tears.

“Don’t cry. I didn’t come to make you cry.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

“Isn’t saying thank you too formal?”

“Then what should I say?”

“You don’t need to say anything. Just smile.”

Ruan Yu broke into a smile through her tears.

“My goodness, what kind of fairy tale drama is this!” Jian Xiangxiang exclaimed as she rushed over and slapped Zhou Xihe’s back. “You put so much effort into helping others confess, but I’ve never seen you give me such surprises!”

Zhou Xihe rubbed his sore shoulder: “Sister, weren’t you the one who pursued me?”

Jian Xiangxiang threatened him with a look: “Think carefully, who pursued whom?”

“Okay, okay, I pursued you, I pursued you.” Zhou Xihe yawned and stretched his arms. “We rehearsed all night, I can’t go on, I’m exhausted. Need to catch up on sleep.”

“All night?” Ruan Yu looked at Teng Yi. “You guys pulled an all-nighter?”

Before Teng Yi could answer, Xiao Qing nodded beside them.

“Yeah, he made us work all night. Don’t cry from being touched again.”

Xiao Qing and the others had truly experienced what it meant to “talk carelessly for a moment’s pleasure, practice till death.” They had merely been gossiping in the group chat about how Teng Yi had confessed, who could have imagined this guy had won his girlfriend purely with his looks, without any surprises or flowers? Of course, it wasn’t because Teng Yi was stingy or didn’t have money that he hadn’t prepared these things – he simply didn’t understand the process of pursuing a girl. When he saw the chat records in the group, he suddenly realized that pursuing a girl could be so romantic, and he couldn’t sit still anymore.

Whatever others had, his girlfriend must have too.

So he gathered his brothers, dragged them to the Journey to the West base, and spent all night buying flowers, selecting songs, and rehearsing the dance.

No wonder he hadn’t replied to her messages all night.

Zhou Xihe’s yawn was contagious, and everyone else started yawning too.

Knowing they had put in so much effort and stayed up all night for her, Ruan Yu felt both guilty and touched.

“You all should go get some sleep,” Ruan Yu said, giving Teng Yi a gentle push. “You go sleep too.”

“Alright.”

Teng Yi had been excited all night, and now that he could relax, he was tired.

He turned and nodded to Xiao Qing and the others.

“Let’s go.”

The boys stood in place and suddenly all bowed to Ruan Yu in a curtain call gesture.

“Goodbye, Sister-in-law!” they said in unison.

Ruan Yu smiled and waved.

The fragrance in her arms colored her face red.

–_–

Ruan Yu spent the entire morning in her dormitory arranging the flowers Teng Yi had given her, trimming and adjusting them, never quite satisfied yet somehow completely satisfied at the same time.

Her three roommates remarked it was a sight to behold – who could have imagined that one day they would see the usually time-conscious Ruan Yu spending time in the dormitory so sweetly wasting time?

The video of Teng Yi’s confession spread across all the school’s forums within two hours. His rumored relationship with Fang Wan naturally dissolved, and simultaneously, the video pushed Ruan Yu into the public eye.

Top student, provincial champion, radio station host… People tried to dig up dirt on Ruan Yu but found she was overwhelmingly excellent, beyond reach. Moreover, she was beautifully elegant, and her bare-faced ID photo could easily outshine many glamour shots.

“Originally thought this girl wasn’t good enough for Teng Yi, but turns out she’s more than worthy.”

“The dancing god confessing to the academic goddess – your circle knows how to play.”

“Whoa, after seeing Ruan Yu’s grades in every subject, I’ve given up any improper thoughts about Teng Yi. Can’t compete, can’t compete.”

“I don’t know how to comfort all the heartbroken sisters, just… drink some hot water I guess.”

Jian Xiangxiang lay on her bed holding an iPad, reading comments all morning, occasionally letting out pig-like squeals of laughter. Finally, she concluded.

“Ruan Ruan, you’re going to be famous.”

Before Ruan Yu could recover from these waves of impact, Shen Bing called.

Seeing the name on the screen, she suddenly became nervous.

She already had some reverence for the formidable Shen Bing, and now with her changed status, she felt even more self-conscious.

“Who’s calling?” Chen Manbai asked beside her.

Ruan Yu showed Chen Manbai the screen.

She had saved Shen Bing as a “Tutoring Employer.”

“Isn’t the tutoring employer Teng Yi’s mother? Oh my, is the mother-in-law already coming to call? She’s not going to offer you a million yuan to break you up, is she?”

“…”

Ruan Yu took her phone to the balcony.

Chen Manbai followed her out, trying to listen in while leaning on Ruan Yu’s shoulder, but was pushed back inside by Ruan Yu.

Actually, Shen Bing didn’t know about Ruan Yu and Teng Yi’s relationship. She was calling Ruan Yu just to invite her home for a meal, to thank her for helping Teng Hao improve.

It was hard to decline such sincerity.

Ruan Yu didn’t hesitate and agreed directly.

“Going to meet your mother-in-law? Want me to do your makeup?” Chen Manbai asked excitedly.

“No need.”

Ruan Yu was still used to going bare-faced, and she remembered that the last time she met Shen Bing, she had approved of her natural look.

Between women, makeup can be a defensive barrier.

Ruan Yu took the bus to Hua Manor. When she arrived, Shen Bing was busy in the kitchen.

Shen Bing was dressed casually today, wearing an apricot-colored sweater and lighter-colored pants, with very light makeup, her short hair fluffy as if deliberately styled that way, giving her elegant sophistication a hint of girlishness.

“You’re here.”

Ruan Yu nodded, wanting to call her Aunty but feeling shy, only managing a “hello.”

Shen Bing seemed to notice her constraint and said, “I should be about the same age as your mother. If you don’t mind, you can call me Aunty.”

“Aunty.”

Shen Bing smiled.

“Teng Hao is upstairs on the second floor. I told him to study, but I don’t know if he listened or if he’s secretly playing games again. Why don’t you go check on him? I’ll cook a few more dishes, and then we can eat.”

“Okay.”

Just as Ruan Yu responded, Shen Bing’s phone rang.

–_–

“Hello?” Shen Bing answered the phone. After listening to something from the other end, she asked, “Now?”

Ruan Yu had just stepped onto the first stair but hesitated and turned back.

Shen Bing leaned one hand on the kitchen counter, looking at the half-washed ingredients in the sink, pondering for a long while before finally nodding.

“OK, I’ll come right over. Fifteen minutes.”

She hung up the phone and turned to see Ruan Yu standing at the kitchen door.

“Um…”

“Aunty, if you’re busy, I can help with the cooking,” Ruan Yu said.

Shen Bing was completely surprised by Ruan Yu’s suggestion. She couldn’t help but look at the young girl before her anew. She was still as she had been when they first met – delicate, fair, and clean, like the little jasmine she had once grown.

“How could that be? You’re my guest. How could I let a guest cook?”

“It’s no problem.”

“No, no.”

“Aunty, if you don’t let the guest cook, are you planning to let the guest go hungry?”

“Eh?” Shen Bing was startled for a moment before breaking into laughter.

This young girl – she had thought she was smooth like jade, but unexpectedly, she had some sharp edges too.

“I was joking,” Ruan Yu quickly said.

“Of course, I know you were joking.” Shen Bing beckoned her into the kitchen. “Since you’re not being formal with me, I won’t be formal with you either. Since you offered to cook for me, your culinary skills must not be bad. Look at these ingredients – I bought them all this morning. You can combine them however you like, cook what you want to eat, or what you know how to make.”

“Okay.”

“Then I’m leaving. I’ll be back within two hours. If I’m not back by then, you all eat first.”

Shen Bing took off her apron and handed it to Ruan Yu, then turned and left.

The driver was waiting, and soon came the sound of a car starting and leaving.

Everything became quiet.

Ruan Yu put on the apron, rolled up her sleeves, and began washing the remaining ingredients. Shen Bing had bought many vegetables – it was clear that if she hadn’t been called away, she had wanted to treat Ruan Yu well.

This thoughtfulness was enough to be touching.

After washing all the ingredients, Ruan Yu had a good idea of what dishes to make. Cutting vegetables, combining ingredients, cooking – she proceeded step by step, methodically.

The house gradually filled with enticing aromas, and she slowly got into her rhythm, finding her feeling like the master of the kitchen.

“Did the sun rise in the west today?”

As Ruan Yu was crouching to get a plate, Teng Yi’s voice suddenly came from the doorway.

She stood up and smiled at him.

Seeing it was her, Teng Yi rubbed his eyes, thinking he hadn’t woken up properly.

“I wondered who it was – turns out the snail maiden has come to our door.” He walked into the kitchen holding a water cup.

“Consider it a surprise in return for your surprise.”

Teng Yi smiled: “How did you end up here?”

Ruan Yu explained everything from start to finish, from Shen Bing’s phone call to her being called away.

“Inviting someone for a meal but ending up with them in your kitchen – that’s Ms. Shen Bing’s style,” Teng Yi concluded.

“I volunteered. I wanted you to try my cooking, to repay you for the instant noodles from last time.”

Teng Yi wrapped his arms around her from behind: “You remember that? The top scholar does have a good memory.”

Ruan Yu’s neck tickled from his breath.

“Don’t fool around, we’re at home.”

If Teng Hao caught them again, she really wouldn’t be able to face him.

Teng Yi acted as if he hadn’t heard. He turned her around, held her shoulders, and lowered his head to her lips.

He had wanted to do this since morning, but with so many people around then, both familiar and unfamiliar, he had to hold back. But now, in his territory, he had no reservations.

Teng Yi had just woken up, and his mouth tasted of toothpaste. The sweetness and fragrance of green tea passed from his mouth to hers, kneading into her tongue.

Neither had experience, but fortunately, they were both quick learners. After their first exploration, there was a clear improvement the second time.

Nibbling, pushing, entangling.

Light tasting, licking, deep kissing.

The unknown world always has a fatal attraction.

The increasingly deepening intimacy was quietly hatching a more terrifying force within.

Ruan Yu couldn’t take it anymore. Her hands clutched a bit of clothing at Teng Yi’s lower back, her eyes as lustrous as glass pulled from the water.

“Mmm…”

She pushed him, her strength as light as a tickle, but it was all she could muster at the moment.

Teng Yi slowed down, finally giving her breath back, but still unwilling to let her go. He held her, burying his face in her long hair, letting its fragrance continue to provoke his senses.

After a while, he kissed her again.

So this was love – seeing makes you want to kiss, and kissing makes you want to kiss more.