Xia Xia raised her eyebrows defiantly. “I dare you.”

Xie Huai playfully kissed her in retaliation. “I’m still upset, and you haven’t even tried to make it up to me yet.”

“As if I’m the one pursuing you,” Xia Xia pouted, then sighed. “Fine, I’ll comfort you.”

She gently held his face between her hands, softly caressing his ears.

“I finally understand how you felt. After meeting Ping Jiapeng today, I now know what that feeling is like.” She gazed into his eyes. “I’m sorry for getting upset with you about Chen Manxi, Huai Ge.”

Previously, Xia Xia had been angry at Xie Huai for his actions regarding Chen Manxi, always feeling that Chen Manxi held a special place in his heart.

Back then, she wouldn’t listen to anything he said, consumed by jealousy. But after encountering Ping Jiapeng today, she understood that even with fond memories, meeting an ex-partner stirred no romantic nostalgia – especially given that Xie Huai and Chen Manxi’s past wasn’t even particularly pleasant.

Xia Xia had barely registered Ping Jiapeng’s presence, concerned only about how Xie Huai would react. When she realized he was genuinely upset, she hadn’t even taken time to shower properly or change clothes before following him upstairs. Though she didn’t say it explicitly, every word and action carried an apologetic tone.

She nestled closer to him. After her shower, she used Xie Huai’s sea salt milk body lotion from the bathroom, leaving her skin with a sweet milky scent. It was her usual brand, and she’d used it when she saw it there, though she couldn’t understand why a man would keep women’s body lotion in his dorm room.

Xie Huai pinned her arms against the pillow, interrogating her playfully: “Who’s more handsome – me or Ping Jiapeng?”

Xia Xia laughed, “You are.”

He gently squeezed her cheek, making her yelp: “I said you!”

His eyes sparkled: “You hesitated.”

“Do you like me or Ping Jiapeng?”

This time Xia Xia answered without hesitation: “You, of course.”

He left matching gentle marks on both her cheeks.

Xia Xia protested: “What are you doing?”

Xie Huai’s expression was neutral, but his eyes were smiling: “Just liking me isn’t enough?”

Xia Xia smiled too, touching her tender cheeks, and whispered: “I love you.”

He kissed the marks tenderly and spoke seriously: “I’m a man. I can handle my affairs – you don’t need to compromise yourself. Next time something like this happens, walk proudly out the front door. Business deals can fail, but don’t let me see you climbing out of a lake soaking wet again, understand?”

Xia Xia looked up at him, accepting his kisses obediently: “I understand.”

The autumn breeze was gentle, with summer’s warmth still lingering. Through the window, the 3 PM sunlight filled the room brilliantly. The cheers from the basketball court echoed outside, and palm tree shadows danced on the wall like graceful patterns.

Xin Pu reached for the curtain. “Come down and help me look, it must be with your things.”

Xie Huai quickly made sure Xia Xia was covered and pulled the curtain back. “Don’t touch my curtain!” His voice carried clear anger that startled Xin Pu.

Xin Pu didn’t dare provoke him further and searched the desk himself. After a while, he exclaimed excitedly, “Huai Ge, I found it!”

Xie Huai remained silent, and Xin Pu assumed he was sleeping.

[The narrative continues to describe their tender private moments.]

When Xin Pu finally closed the door, Xie Huai pulled Xia Xia up, his voice a mix of affection and exasperation: “You’ve gotten quite bold.”

Xia Xia tried to push him away and get off the bed, but Xie Huai followed and held her.

Her punches were as soft as cotton against him, half playful and half angry: “Don’t touch me!”

“You think you can just say no?” Xie Huai gently wiped her mouth, “After what you just did, what about me?”

He teased: “Your technique needs work.”

“If you don’t like it, go find someone better,” Xia Xia said jealously.

“I won’t,” Xie Huai comforted her, “If you don’t like those places, I won’t go anymore.”

Xia Xia: “Will you still drink with them?”

Xie Huai kissed her: “Whatever you say. If you don’t want me to, I won’t.”

[Their reconciliation continues with playful banter and deepening emotional connection.]

The evening sunlight was brilliant, with streams of students heading toward the dining hall.

Xie Huai held Xia Xia’s hand as they walked slowly: “What do you want to eat?”

She felt self-conscious, raising her hand to cover her mouth whenever anyone passed by.

Xie Huai smiled brightly: “Stop hiding, no one can tell.”

In the distance, someone was standing at the intersection. Xia Xia stopped, her shy smile fading.

Xie Huai stopped too, meeting Ping Jiapeng’s gaze from afar. He held Xia Xia closer, almost possessively.

Ping Jiapeng was holding Xia Xia’s bag, which she had forgotten in his room when she left hurriedly earlier.

“Huai Ge,” Xia Xia said softly, “Can you let me handle this?”

Xie Huai looked at her for a moment, checking his watch before releasing her: “Five minutes. One second more and I’ll fight him.”