In November, Zhao Shanqi became busy.

As a staff member of the Student Union’s External Relations Department, the college was organizing a basketball tournament at the end of the month. The department needed to secure sponsorships before the latter half of the month. The department head felt they were understaffed, with too much work per person, and considered a second round of recruitment.

Zhao Shanqi was assigned several recruitment spots and had to bring people into the department.

“Joining the department and participating in activities will add points to your comprehensive evaluation,” Zhao Shanqi walked with Xiaxia after lunch, constantly trying to persuade her. “Your grades are already good. With extra activity points, you might even get the National Scholarship.”

The National Scholarship was worth eight thousand yuan. Though Xiaxia had no interest in joining the External Relations Department, the money tempted her.

Zhao Shanqi took out her notebook: “Then shall I put down your name?”

Just as she finished speaking, she saw Xie Huai riding an electric bike from the direction of the school gate.

He parked in front of the boys’ dormitory and unloaded the foam box of meals from the back seat.

Xiaxia quickly ran over to help him.

Xie Huai crouched down, and counted out twenty meal boxes into another container: “There aren’t many orders for the girls’ dormitory today. After delivering these, go back and take your afternoon nap.”

“I’m not tired,” Xiaxia glanced at the two large boxes of meals for the boys’ dormitory and said obediently, “I’ll help you deliver to the boys’ dormitory later.”

Seeing Zhao Shanqi still there, she quietly asked Xie Huai: “I want to join the Student Union to try for the scholarship at the end of the academic year.”

Xie Huai: “Up to you, but I won’t pay you if you skip work.”

Zhao Shanqi smiled: “Xie Huai, why don’t you join too? I happen to have one more spot.”

Xie Huai: “No.”

His refusal was swift, leaving Zhao Shanqi stunned: “Why?”

Xie Huai was concise: “No time.”

Zhao Shanqi tried the same persuasion she used on Xiaxia: “The Student Union isn’t that busy, just two shifts per week, one activity, one meeting. If you do well, you’ll get activity assessment points, you might even get a scholarship.”

Xie Huai asked: “How much?”

Zhao Shanqi calculated: “I can’t promise too much, but two thousand yuan.”

Xie Huai: “You better step aside. In the time you’re wasting, I could earn two hundred yuan delivering takeout.”

Irritated by his casual attitude, Zhao Shanqi stomped her foot: “Xie Huai, how can you be like this!”

Xie Huai raised an eyebrow: “Like what?”

Zhao Shanqi turned and left.

Xiaxia said: “Shanqi’s angry. She meant well, you’re being too insensitive.”

Xie Huai tugged her ear: “Xiaxia, you’re getting cocky, daring to lecture your Brother Huai? Who are you calling insensitive? Say that again if you dare!”

“Ouch—” Xiaxia cried out, “That hurts—”

Xie Huai released her and took out a milk tea from the delivery box: “I passed by Zhao Yilei’s shop earlier and snatched this. Here, drink it.”

Xiaxia’s skin was delicate; her ear had turned red from his light pinch.

She rubbed her ear and asked: “Why did you steal someone’s things?”

Xie Huai smiled roguishly: “I enjoy seeing Zhao Yilei get furious and curse me as a bandit when he can’t do anything about it.”

“Brother Lei is quite nice, don’t always bully him.”

Xiaxia mumbled casually, then noticed Xie Huai’s intense gaze on her.

He said coldly: “Say that again.”

Xiaxia: “?”

She quickly changed her tune, brown-nosing: “Brother Lei is absolutely terrible, Brother Huai, you did right to steal from him, you should steal more.”

Though she didn’t understand what had triggered Xie Huai, the flattering young master was never wrong.

Xie Huai remained cold: “Say it again.”

Xiaxia: “…”

“Brother Lei, he…” Xiaxia struggled to figure out what had displeased Xie Huai, choosing her words carefully, “He’s problematic…”

Before she could finish, Xie Huai grabbed the back of her neck.

He spoke, his tone extremely sharp: “Xiaxia, how many brothers do you have?”

Xiaxia: “…”

He snatched the milk tea from her hand: “Don’t drink my milk tea, go ask your Brother Lei for some.”

Xiaxia was stunned by his childish behavior: “…Yuan Tai calls you Brother Huai too, and you have so many followers. Why the double standard with me?”

Xie Huai raised an eyebrow: “Yes, I have double standards. Try and hit me if you dare.”

“I took Yuan Tai as a follower because I can protect him. You call Zhao Yilei brother, but can he protect you?”

Xiaxia stubbornly replied: “Why couldn’t he?”

Xie Huai responded coldly: “Oh? How? With his milk tea shop that’s on the verge of bankruptcy? Or with his useless six-pack abs?”

“You’re calling six-pack abs useless?” Xiaxia pointed at Xie Huai’s abdomen, “Then what about you who doesn’t even have one? Complete waste?”

Xie Huai paused, narrowing his eyes: “Xiaxia, you’re talking back to me?”

Xiaxia thought to herself, ‘You just noticed? I’ve wanted to talk back to you, you childish hypocrite,’ but meekly said aloud: “No, I’m not.”

Xie Huai tossed the milk tea into the delivery box and went upstairs.

Xiaxia couldn’t help but curse: “Xie Huai’s such a dog, even elementary school kids aren’t this childish.”

After delivering the twenty orders to the girls’ dormitory, she stood at the boys’ dormitory entrance for a while, feeling she should still appease the childish elementary schooler Xie Huai, after all, he was her meal ticket.

Xiaxia entered the boys’ dormitory, searching for Xie Huai floor by floor.

During the lunch break, many room doors were wide open for ventilation, with boys either eating or playing games inside.

Xiaxia found Xie Huai at the end of the third floor, just as he finished delivering one meal and checking the order list for the next room.

“Brother Huai,” Xiaxia waved at him, calling sweetly.

Xie Huai barely lifted his eyelids, pretending not to hear. Xiaxia eagerly ran over: “Let me help you.”

“Get lost,” Xie Huai said coldly, “Don’t follow me, you fickle woman.”

Xiaxia: “…”

She’d heard of possessiveness towards girlfriends, but this was the first time she’d seen such possessiveness towards followers.

Xiaxia tried to placate him gently: “Don’t be angry anymore.”

“I thought about it, Zhao Yilei really can’t compare to you. Though I called him brother earlier, he doesn’t have my true, heartfelt respect,” Xiaxia shamelessly flattered him. “So what if he has six-pack abs? He still can’t compare to even one finger of our Brother Huai.”

Xie Huai walked ahead while she followed closely behind.

“Brother Huai is not only young and successful, self-reliant, but also gives me work, treats me to food and drinks, and protects me.”

“Brother Huai is the light of my life, he’s the best person in the world.”

“What can Zhao Yilei do? He doesn’t deserve to have me as a follower.”

Xie Huai finished delivering the meals and walked back to his room.

He pushed open the door and stopped in the doorway.

Xiaxia was following too closely and bumped into his back.

She stood on tiptoes, curious to peek at what Xie Huai’s dormitory looked like.

She tried looking over his left shoulder, but he shifted left to block her view. She tried the right shoulder, and he moved right.

Xie Huai turned his face: “What are you doing!”

Xiaxia flinched at his sharp tone, looking hurt: “I just wanted to see your room.”

As she kept trying to peek, her head had barely lifted when Xie Huai pressed it down by the back.

Xiaxia’s hair was fluffy and carried a faint scent of hair conditioner, the strands tickling Xie Huai’s palm.

He felt somewhat awkward, his eyes darting around, not wanting Xiaxia to notice his slightly reddened face.

Xiaxia kept moving her head, but every time she tried to look up, Xie Huai would push it down.

“Brother Huai—” Xiaxia’s tone was soft and drawn out, “Are you playing whack-a-mole?”

Xiaxia was like an energetic little grasshopper, and Xie Huai grew tired of pressing her head down repeatedly, finally using more force to press her head against his chest.

November in Nancheng brought clear autumn weather, though temperatures were unpredictable.

Xiaxia had already put on a light jacket, while Xie Huai, a boy with naturally high body heat, wore only a thin T-shirt.

With her forehead pressed against his warm chest, feeling its warmth radiating, Xiaxia’s cheeks grew hot.

What was Xie Huai doing?

Are you holding her against him in plain view at the boys’ dormitory?

Xiaxia felt dizzy, but her sharp peripheral vision caught two boys coming out of the neighboring room.

They seemed to be from her class, Xiaxia thought frantically. Would they misunderstand? If they did, would Xie Huai explain? How would he explain?

He would probably put on his usual arrogant expression and say: “Xiaxia is my follower, what’s wrong with me hugging my follower?”

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Xie Huai curse above her head: “Have you no shame?”

Xiaxia: “…”

Oh, she thought coldly, so Xie Huai just thought she was shameless.

She was about to explain when she heard Xie Huai say: “Xin Pu, put your pants on.”

Xin Pu was Xie Huai’s roommate, a fair-skinned boy.

He had stayed in bed until now and was wandering around the dorm in just his underwear.

Xin Pu put on his pants and said with a smile: “Xiaxia, come in and sit.”

Receiving the invitation, Xiaxia tried to struggle free from Xie Huai’s hold to go in but was blocked again.

“I didn’t hear clearly what you said earlier, say it again.”

Xiaxia blinked, looking confused, and Xie Huai reminded her: “About being the light of something, and the best man…”

Xiaxia suddenly understood, her words honey-sweet: “Brother Huai is the light of my life, he’s the best man in the world!”

Standing in the busy dormitory corridor, the pretty young girl’s clear voice singing Xie Huai’s praises made passing boys turn their heads.

Xie Huai asked again: “What about that Lei guy?”

Xiaxia immediately drew a clear line: “I don’t know any Lei.”

Xie Huai was very pleased, his expression satisfied.

Xiaxia asked sweetly: “Brother Huai, are you still angry with me?”

Xie Huai said: “Not angry.”

“When can I come in and see your room?”

“No.”

Xiaxia was puzzled: “Why?”

Xie Huai blocked Xiaxia at the door, saying casually: “Brown-noser, stay outside.”

Then slammed the door shut.

Xiaxia: “…”

Xin Pu was disappointed that the girl wasn’t invited in, and complained about Xie Huai’s lack of charm: “Xiaxia’s such a cute girl, how could you be so harsh with her?”

Xie Huai glanced at him: “None of your business.”

He bent down under the desk, reaching out to retrieve two weeks’ worth of smelly socks.

Xin Pu stared in surprise.

Xie Huai moved his arm again, pinching his nose as he pulled out shoes that hadn’t been washed for two months.

Xin Pu stopped questioning why he was harsh to Xiaxia and silently opened the window.

Xie Huai put the shoes and socks in a basin, then secretly peered through the peephole to check outside.

No one was outside, all peaceful and quiet.

The brown-nosing Xiaxia had left.

Xie Huai grabbed the laundry detergent and headed to the washroom to wash his socks.

Friday.

The regular meeting was held in the evening.

It was Xiaxia’s first exposure to the Student Union since starting school, and she learned that Jiang Zhouzhou was the Vice President. Eight senior students sat in the front row from left to right, each heading different departments of the Student Union.

While the department heads spoke up front, Xiaxia sat with Zhu Ziyu, drinking milk tea and complaining: “That dog Xie Huai is childish and petty, and loves making people praise him…”

Zhu Ziyu gave her a look, and Xiaxia understood, turning to see Xie Huai entering through the door.

She immediately changed her expression, waving at him with a sweet, forgiving smile: “Brother Huai, why are you here?”

Xie Huai looked half-asleep, said nothing, and sat down next to her to nap.

Zhu Ziyu whispered: “The External Relations Department head is a bit weird. Zhao Shanqi didn’t recruit enough people, so she’s been pestering Xie Huai these past few days to make up the numbers.”

Xiaxia turned to look at Xie Huai. He’d been busy juggling classes and work, plus getting up early for tests at Teacher Yi Meixian’s office. He hadn’t slept well in a long time, and his dark circles were severe.

Though Xiaxia had just been calling him a dog, now she had nothing to say.

She rested her chin in her hand, not chatting with Zhu Ziyu or listening to the speaker up front, just watching Xie Huai.

His eyes were closed, eyelashes trembling slightly.

The evening light from outside shone directly on his eyelids.

His brows were furrowed, unable to sleep peacefully.

Xiaxia stretched out her hand, placing it in front of Xie Huai’s face to block the light shining on his eyes.

The sunset and darkness fell outside the window.

After the meeting, Zhao Shanqi pulled Xiaxia to the front of the classroom.

She pointed to a chubby man: “Xiaxia, this is Senior Lu, our External Relations Department head. Since you’re new, give him your phone number and QQ, and he’ll add you to the group.”

Xiaxia had just been lying down with Xie Huai, and her cheek had a red mark from the desk, making her look pitiful yet cute.

She exchanged QQ information with the department head, only to realize Senior Lu was already on her friend’s list.

Lu Shuo stared at her for a while, then said in disbelief: “You’re Xiaxia?”

Xiaxia hadn’t expected this dark, chubby boy to be the senior who had tricked her and smiled awkwardly.

Lu Shuo seemed excited: “You… you look different from your QQ picture.”

“QQ?” Xiaxia was confused, “Do I have a photo of QQ?”

Lu Shuo stared at her with a smile: “You have a QQ avatar.”

Xiaxia: “…”

Only now did she finally understand why Lu Shuo’s attitude toward her had been so different from his attitude toward Enchanting Sprite.

Enchanting Sprite’s QQ avatar was an internet photo of a stylish girl standing by the sea in waves, while Xiaxia’s avatar was a pig with mud around its mouth, and front hooves raised as it lay on the pig pen rails.

In Lu Shuo’s mind, a pretty girl wouldn’t use such a dirty, silly avatar.

Lu Shuo checked his watch: “Since it’s your first day joining the External Relations Department, let me treat you to dinner.”

Xiaxia didn’t want to have dinner with him, but couldn’t refuse since he was the department head. Just as she was about to nod, someone put a hand on her shoulder.

Xie Huai had woken up and was standing behind her.

He also had a red mark on his face, symmetrically matching Xiaxia’s on the opposite side.

“Don’t run around tonight, come to my dorm,” he said lazily, having just woken up.

Xiaxia: “Why should I go to your dorm?”

Xie Huai thought to himself, obviously because I’ve washed the socks, changed the bedding, cleaned everything up, and the whole dorm is now spotless – I want to show you what a refined, neat, and clean boy your Brother Huai is.

But his words remained harsh, his tone disdainful: “When I tell you to come, just come. Why so many questions?”

Xiaxia obediently said: “Okay.”

Xie Huai: “Wait for me outside, we’ll go back together.”

Xiaxia dutifully declined Lu Shuo’s dinner invitation.

Like a docile little rabbit, she squatted outside the teaching building, drinking milk tea while waiting for Xie Huai to come out.

The moonlight was hazy, its light clear as water.

She played with the green holly leaves in the flower bed, lying on the stone edge and watching beetles crawl around.

Suddenly, there was a commotion from the meeting room near the main gate.

Xiaxia looked up curiously and saw Zhu Ziyu coming out.

“Want to head back together?” Zhu Ziyu asked.

“No,” Xiaxia said, “I’m waiting for Xie Huai.”

“Don’t wait for him, he got into a fight with Lu Shuo from External Relations.”

Xiaxia asked: “Why?”

According to Zhu Ziyu’s description, the situation inside was complicated and unclear to everyone.

Xie Huai was temporarily recruited by Zhao Shanqi to make up numbers. To avoid being exposed, Zhao Shanqi called him over to Lu Shuo to leave his contact information before leaving.

Zhu Ziyu shrugged: “They just added each other as friends, then Lu Shuo suddenly punched Xie Huai and called him a liar.”

Xiaxia took a sip of milk tea, her eyes wide as saucers: “There must be some reason?”

“Who knows?” Zhu Ziyu said, “Maybe they had some past grudge. Lu Shuo seemed to call Xie Huai something like ‘little sprite.'”

“I couldn’t hear clearly…”

Xiaxia’s milk tea got stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t hold back, spraying it out.