Chapter 5

Zhong Yin stared at her phone with an absurd expression. After a long moment, she slowly began to grasp the implication behind his words.

—He couldn't possibly think she had any designs on him, could he?

The nerve of him!

She let out a long breath and typed: [Did you misunderstand something?]

Yi Chen ignored her and asked again, [How much for the noodles?]

Zhong Yin replied expressionlessly, [10 yuan.]

He sent the transfer immediately. She collected the money in a flash and spitefully ended the conversation.

"Beauty, your noodles are ready." Before long, the owner handed her the takeout bag. Zhong Yin thanked him, then looked down and messaged Yi Chen: [I’m done here.]

001: [Sit there and wait a while.]

Zhong Yin glanced at the steaming noodles and couldn't help but reply: [You better hurry, or the noodles will get soggy.]

001: [Even the Emperor isn't in a rush.]

He sent those few words, blunt and contextless.

The implication was clear: *None of your business, what are you rushing for?*

Zhong Yin stared at the text, wondering how many times he had managed to infuriate her to the point of laughter.

How had he survived this long with that mouth of his?

A minute later.

001: [Come out.]

Zhong Yin looked up and saw Yi Chen standing across the street, holding a meal box in one hand and typing with the other.

He kept his head down, while all the young girls passing by stole glances at him.

When she reached him, Yi Chen reached out, signaling for the noodles.

Afraid he might spout more nonsense like "save your breath," Zhong Yin didn't push back.

She had achieved her goal for the night, so she said, "Your roommates are still waiting. I'll go back by myself; you don't need to walk me."

"Fine."

Zhong Yin: "?"

Though she hadn't actually wanted him to walk her, couldn't he have at least offered? Did he have to agree so readily?

Zhong Yin forced a smile: "Goodbye."

She walked a few steps away, only to hear the unhurried sound of footsteps following behind her.

Zhong Yin ignored him, crossing the street and entering the school gates.

She walked along the tree-lined path, passed the North Stadium, and as she neared the female dormitory area, those footsteps were still annoyingly trailing behind her.

Zhong Yin finally couldn't help but look back. Sure enough, Yi Chen was only a few meters away, dressed in all black, nearly blending into the night.

"You..."

"I'm heading this way anyway."

She shouldn't have asked.

Zhong Yin turned and walked away.

-

At the entrance of the campus supermarket, a group of boys walked out with drinks. Someone couldn't resist and lit a cigarette under a tree outside.

"Brother Hao, lend me a light."

Yan Hao tossed him the lighter. Suddenly, the boy who was lighting his cigarette nudged his elbow. "Brother Hao, is that girl Zhong Yin?"

"Where?" Yan Hao bit down on his cigarette.

"Over there, the one in jeans." He pointed across the street and clicked his tongue: "That pair of legs, that figure—she's truly something else."

Yan Hao narrowed his eyes and let out a dry laugh: "It really is her."

"Let's go."

"To do what?"

Yan Hao threw away his cigarette: "Pick up a girl."

"Beauty Zhong."

Someone called out to her with a drawn-out, teasing tone. Zhong Yin paused for a moment, then walked on as if she hadn't heard.

"Didn't you hear me calling?" Yan Hao crossed the road with a swagger, blocking her path directly.

Zhong Yin frowned: "Is there a problem?"

"Nothing much." Yan Hao wore a cheeky grin and raised his injured left arm. "Zhong Yin, I ended up like this because of you. Are you really going to be this heartless?"

Zhong Yin said coldly, "I never asked you to do those things."

"Yo, why so cold?" Yan Hao stepped closer to her with a lecherous grin. "Where did that seductive, flirtatious attitude from before go?"

Zhong Yin looked at him icily: "If you do this again, I'm calling the police."

"Don't be angry," Yan Hao continued, ignoring her. "Tell me quietly, have you slept with Jiang Kun yet?"

"Or was it not Jiang Kun? Is it that new host you've been rumored with? Or both of them?"

Zhong Yin's hands were trembling. Unable to take it anymore, she swung her shoulder bag and smashed it into his face.

Yan Hao's head snapped to the side. His expression turned menacing, and he reached out to grab her shoulder: "Don't be ungrateful."

Zhong Yin couldn't dodge in time. Her heart felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. In a panic, with no other options, she blurted out: "Yi Chen...!"

At that exact moment, someone grabbed her arm and pulled her behind them. The distinct scent of soap, characteristic of a young man, filled her nose.

In an instant, Yi Chen let go of her, took a long stride forward, and kicked Yan Hao away.

The latter was caught off guard and sent flying into the bushes. He landed on his injured elbow and let out a sharp cry of pain.

The commotion drew a crowd of onlookers.

Yi Chen acted as if he hadn't noticed, handing the meal box in his hand to Zhong Yin: "Hold this."

He then took two steps forward, grabbed Yan Hao by the collar, and was about to throw a punch when Zhong Yin rushed over to hold him back: "Don't fight!"

Yi Chen pressed his tongue against the roof of his mouth: "And what if I want to?"

Zhong Yin couldn't hold back her emotions: "But I don't want to have to write another apology letter because of this!"

Yi Chen was silent for a moment, his knuckles slowly loosening. Just when Zhong Yin thought he would listen, his eyes turned cold and fierce, and he slammed an even heavier punch into Yan Hao's face.

Zhong Yin stared at him in disbelief.

Yi Chen curled his lips in a rebellious smirk: "Did I ever say I was standing up for you?"

Zhong Yin was choked with anger. Just as she was about to speak, the campus security guard arrived in the nick of time, shouting loudly: "Hey, what are you doing? Let go! I said let go! No fighting, do you hear me?!"

-

Yan Hao stood up from the bushes, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and immediately pointed at Yi Chen: "Sir, he hit me first! Because of the girl behind him!"

The guard looked them over and asked sternly: "Which department and major are you from?"

"Computer Science, sophomore, Yi Chen."

As soon as he reported his name, low gasps of surprise rippled through the gathered girls.

"And you?"

Yan Hao irritably gave his name.

The guard took out his phone: "Wait here, I'm contacting your department right now!"

He then looked at Zhong Yin: "And you too."

Zhong Yin lowered her eyes, remaining silent.

But many in the crowd recognized her, and whispers reached her ears.

"Is that Zhong Yin?"

"Why is someone fighting over her again?"

"Are they dating at the same time?"

"That guy Yan Hao is too pathetic, he's been beaten twice now."

"So is she with Yi Chen now?"

"Who knows."

"..."

Zhong Yin couldn't defend herself; her mood felt like a punctured bellows, letting in gusts of cold air.

She didn't understand why, despite her deliberate efforts to avoid them, these troublesome things kept finding their way to her.

Seeing her remain silent for so long, the guard lost his patience: "I'm asking you, which department!"

Suddenly, Yi Chen stood straight, blocking her figure, and tipped his chin toward Yan Hao: "I have a personal grudge with him."

The guard's attention was diverted: "What kind of personal grudge?"

"I don't like his face."

The guard's eyes widened in anger: "You hit people just because you don't like their face? Are you lawless?"

"I'm not done yet," Yi Chen said coolly. "Not liking his face is one thing, but he attempted harassment. Can't I act in the interest of justice?"

Yan Hao gritted his teeth: "What are you talking about..."

Yi Chen suddenly said sharply: "Shall we go check the surveillance footage now?"

Yan Hao was startled and became desperate: "You're the one who hit me, what do I have to be afraid of?"

Seeing his reaction, the guard had an idea. He looked coldly at Yan Hao: "Both of you, come with me to the surveillance room!"

His gaze finally landed on Zhong Yin's face, his tone much softer: "You can go back now."

After the emotional roller coaster, Zhong Yin finally nodded slowly.

Realizing Yi Chen was in trouble, she stopped him and whispered: "What are you going to do?"

Yi Chen didn't look at her. He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked forward lazily, shaking his phone.

Thinking he had something to say that wasn't convenient to speak aloud, Zhong Yin lit up her screen.

001: [Food delivered to Building 39.]

Was that all he wanted to say?

Zhong Yin pursed her lips and typed anxiously: [Then what are you going to do?]

After waiting for a long time, he finally replied: [Like I said, it's a personal grudge.]

He might as well have said she was meddling in affairs that didn't concern her.

"..." Zhong Yin felt helpless.

She opened the map and found the approximate location of Building 39.

A few seconds later, she looked back suspiciously.

It *is* Building 39, right?

She had already passed it, so what kind of "on the way" was that?

Zhong Yin realized the truth and felt a mix of amusement and frustration.

This guy—his mouth was the only thing that didn't know how to be kind.

-

On the other side, Dorm 312.

Cheng An rubbed his stomach and howled: "It’s been an hour and thirteen minutes. Is Brother Chen lost?"

Song Xu thoughtfully handed him a bag of snacks: "Eat something else to tide you over."

"No, I want Zhao's fried rice!" Cheng An cried out in the group chat.

[@001, when is the imperial famine relief arriving?!]

Just then, Lin Yinian returned from the showers, looking surprised: "Chen isn't back yet?"

Song Xu: "No."

"What did he go out for tonight?" Lin Yinian asked while wiping his hair.

Song Xu thought for a moment: "It seems Auntie Gu called him out."

Cheng An didn't believe it: "Since when is Brother Chen so obedient to his mom?"

"Auntie Gu said she'd cut off his living expenses if he didn't go."

Lin Yinian laughed: "No wonder."

"Oh oh oh! It's here, it's here!" Cheng An sprang from his chair, looking at his phone in confusion: "But why did he ask me to go down and get it myself?"

He typed:

[Brother Chen, did you order a delivery runner?]

Yi Chen ignored him and only sent: [Go down now, don't keep people waiting.]

Lin Yinian walked to the door: "I'll go. I have some trash to take out anyway."

Cheng An bowed his hands with peace of mind: "Thanks, Brother Nian!"

"Wait," Lin Yinian frowned at his phone and said apologetically: "There's an emergency in the department. You might have to make the trip after all."

"Fine, I'll go," Cheng An pulled at his undershirt and stepped into his slippers, rushing out like a gust of wind.

Zhong Yin was standing under Building 39. Boys returning from the bathhouse kept passing by, their eyes lingering on her involuntarily.

Two of them whispered to each other after walking a distance away: "Holy crap, was that Zhong Yin?"

"Which pile of cow dung got lucky this time?"

Zhong Yin avoided everyone's gaze and touched the meal box; it wasn't that hot anymore.

Sigh.

The noodles must be soggy.

Zhong Yin felt a pang of regret and looked at the building again, her palms sweating slightly.

On the other side, Cheng An walked out of the building and looked around, but he didn't see any delivery runner.

He saw the beautiful girl standing in front of the building, of course, but he couldn't imagine a beauty like her being here to deliver food.

Just as he was about to call Yi Chen, the beauty turned, looked at him, and walked over with her long legs.

Cheng An's heart pounded—*No way, no way?*

When the girl spoke, her voice was like a trickling spring: "Excuse me, are you Yi Chen's roommate?"

For several seconds, Cheng An could only stutter: "...Ah, yes, I am."

Zhong Yin smiled and handed him the meal box: "This is the food Yi Chen brought for you all. It’s been a while, so I’m sorry about that."

Cheng An shook his head repeatedly: "...It's fine, it's fine."

Zhong Yin looked into the building again, and after confirming no one else was there, she hid the disappointment in her eyes: "I'll be going then."

"Thanks, sorry for the trouble."

"You're welcome, bye."

Cheng An waved like a beckoning cat: "Bye, bye~"

Not until Zhong Yin's figure disappeared around the corner did Cheng An walk back, clutching the meal box, lost in a trance.

He pushed open the dorm door and placed the noodles on Lin Yinian's desk without a word.

Lin Yinian thanked him, but Cheng An ignored him, walking back to his seat with his fried rice.

Song Xu, who had been watching anime, glanced at him: "Weren't you hungry? Why aren't you eating?"

Cheng An shook his head slowly.

He looked at his own reflection in the mirror.

A few seconds later, he let out a high-pitched scream: "Why did I have to wear this thing downstairs!"

The two people in the room were startled. Lin Yinian turned around helplessly: "What's wrong?"

Cheng An jumped onto his chair, pulling at his undershirt and making strange noises.

Song Xu was baffled: "Don't you wear that every day?"

Cheng An looked at him with heartbreak: "Do you know who delivered our late-night snack?"

Lin Yinian joked: "Wasn't it the counselor?"

"I wish it had been the counselor!" Cheng An went mad. "Zhong Yin! It was Zhong Yin!"

Lin Yinian was stunned for a rare moment, and Song Xu looked over in shock.

They were no stranger to the name Zhong Yin. Aside from Yan Hao's group of boys constantly bringing her up, it was mostly because she had hosted several major ceremonies within two months of enrollment and was responsible for the campus radio broadcast two days a week.

Even the video from her military training had been posted online by the school as promotion, garnering nearly a million likes.

As a result, the school's official account had her film a popular gesture dance.

That was even more exaggerated, sparking a nationwide university campus beauty pageant, and to this day, Zhong Yin's position remained unshakable.

Cheng An still couldn't believe it: "How did Brother Chen manage that? Getting Zhong Yin to deliver our food late at night? I wouldn't even dare to dream that."

Lin Yinian asked with a smile: "I hadn't heard they knew each other."

"Brother Chen, that liar!" Cheng An's expression was full of resentment. "He said he didn't know her the day before yesterday! Could they have been together for a long time?"

Lin Yinian nodded: "Maybe."

As soon as he finished speaking, the dorm door was pushed open from the outside. Yi Chen walked in, casually opened a bottle of mineral water, and downed half of it in one go.

He turned his head and saw the stares from his roommates.

He curled his lips: "If you have no use for your eyes, you might as well donate them."

"Tell us the truth," Cheng An stared at him.

Yi Chen frowned: "Tell you what?"

Cheng An: "Why did Zhong Yin deliver the late-night snack just now?"

"It was her, so what?"

Yi Chen suddenly put down the water bottle and stared at him: "How do you know who she is? What did you say to each other?"

Cheng An broke into a cold sweat: "Please, not everyone is as oblivious as you. How many people in school don't know Zhong Yin?"

Yi Chen gave a nonchalant "oh."

"You haven't told us yet, what exactly is your relationship with Zhong Yin?"

Yi Chen started taking off his jacket: "No relationship."

"No relationship, and she delivers food for you? Did you guys secretly get together?"

Yi Chen paused, incredulous: "What kind of joke are you making?"

Song Xu, who was eating potato chips on the side, chimed in: "Then you're chasing her?"

Yi Chen: "...Hey, is that even possible?"

"Then stop beating around the bush, what exactly is the relationship?"

Yi Chen was annoyed: "Her mom and my mom are old friends. We had dinner together today, that's all."

"That's it?"

Yi Chen glanced at him: "What else?"

Cheng An sighed in disappointment: "I thought it was something major."

Yi Chen had been planning to shower, but upon hearing this, he suddenly turned his head, staring at him with a blank expression.

"Brother Chen, why are you looking at me?"

Yi Chen said out of the blue: "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

Under the gazes of his roommates, he said lazily:

"If you insist on saying there's a relationship, then I suppose it's this."

"She covets me."

"And is currently, hard, at, work, trying to get my attention."