If asked about Bai Ziyi’s feelings, besides happiness, there was also a trace of disbelief.

Yun Mingxin had always been her hero.

To her, he was handsome and brimming with talent.

Their first meeting happened on a rainy day just like this one—same road, same situation, same person.

Back then, Bai Ziyi had been skeptical. Boys at school always tried flashy tricks to win her favor.

She’d assumed this was just another ploy. But since she genuinely struggled with that game, she’d casually added him as a friend.

Only after becoming friends did she realize his attitude toward her wasn’t overly eager.

That felt refreshing. The deeper she got to know him, the more she saw his gentle, romantic soul.

He always touched her heart in the subtlest ways.

A casual line in her signature? He’d grasp its meaning completely.

When her words hinted at sadness, he’d quietly find ways to comfort her.

When she was happy, he’d share amusing stories to brighten her day further.

The quiet beauty in ordinary moments made life feel extraordinary.

She’d fallen hopelessly for this man.

Later, he reciprocated her feelings. After legally marrying at the right age,

they cherished each other for many years.

The romance she dreamed of? Yun Mingxin always delivered.

The stories she loved? He’d write them himself.

In the future, he’d become a top-tier author—his words held a magical charm.

She adored the silhouette of him writing stories just for her.

When these memories surfaced in this life, she was stunned, then overjoyed.

*This must be the future*, she thought.

But their shared memories ended abruptly at thirty, when they’d wanted a child.

How could Bai Ziyi accept that?

She *would* make that future happen. She’d have many children.

That was Bai Ziyi’s lifelong goal.

She knew Yun Mingxin was a romance novelist—but perpetually single in reality.

His true self couldn’t stand typical school rom-com plots.

Her first step—this "chance encounter"—was now complete.

Next came conversation, building connections...

By step four, Bai Ziyi would secure her place by his side.

She wasn’t blind to the other girls eyeing him.

Outwardly composed, she waited for Yun Mingxin’s reply.

Her starlit eyes held such bright anticipation, it felt like gazing at the night sky at noon—utterly irresistible.

Frankly, Yun Mingxin’s expression right now was pure question mark.

Uninterested in campus gossip, he didn’t recognize Bai Ziyi.

Bumping into a stunningly beautiful girl on his way to class?

Who played the same game—and needed coaching?

Even K-dramas and anime wouldn’t script this.

*Did I come on too strong?* she worried. *I thought he’d be thrilled.*

In that game, seniors were always kind and encouraging.

She knew Yun Mingxin was like that—a passionate, helpful PhD student with over 100k followers on a certain video site.

That’s why he’d helped her even when she’d been cold before.

*Need damage control. My persona’s set now. Gotta seem more innocent.*

Bai Ziyi cleared her throat softly. Professional vocal training kicked in as she beamed: "Pretty please~?"

Yun Mingxin, still conflicted, nearly melted at her coquettish tone.

*Damn. I’m a sucker for legs AND voices. Okay, fine—both.*

Truth was, he couldn’t resist that soft, pleading sound.

If his skills could make a friend love the game too? Even better.

"...Alright. Add my in-game ID: ‘XinHuoXiangChuan’. Message me on QQ later—I’ll guide you personally."

"Yes! Amazing!" Bai Ziyi’s radiant smile held no trace of pretense.

Hesitantly, Yun Mingxin asked: "This game has tons of players... Why haven’t you found a mentor yet?"

"Plenty of players," she admitted, "but I don’t join groups or chat first."

"Huh? Then why me? I mean, I’m decent—but you didn’t know that. And trusting a stranger on first meeting?"

"Only you get this treatment," Bai Ziyi murmured, tapping her glossy pink lips with a slender finger.

"Because you’re clearly a good person. I’m no eyesore, yet when you caught me falling, your first move was grabbing my phone. Not asking if I was hurt—you praised my ‘Hongdi’ weapon choice."

"Isn’t that adorably clueless? Someone who pours that much heart into a game—how could his skills be bad?"

Yun Mingxin was speechless.

From collision to now—mere minutes, a handful of sentences.

She’d dissected him this deeply?

He didn’t even know her name, yet she’d laid his entire personality bare.

Having lived with Yun Mingxin for years, Bai Ziyi read his stunned expression instantly.

*Unbelievable?* she chuckled inwardly. *Child’s play.*

His face never hid anything.

*Good. Be curious. Get interested.*

Then he’d discover the treasure she’d left behind—enough to fund ten daily 648-yuan top-ups for life.

Just as Bai Ziyi predicted, curiosity flickered in Yun Mingxin’s eyes.

But she didn’t know his current state.

She was unaware he’d just gone through a breakup.

Originally, she’d planned to take it slow like last time. But she couldn’t bear another day without him.

Missing those twin tails to tug made her whole body ache.

So she’d gone straight for the bold move.

Her plan: +10 affection points.

Reality: +2.

Even if she knew? She wouldn’t flinch.

She had countless tailored schemes ready.

This was Bai Ziyi’s layered game.