Everyone’s eyes were wide with shock. They simply couldn’t accept what had just happened.

The usually aloof campus beauty had personally handed an ice pop to a freshman?

Worse, she’d even cooed at him like that.

If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they’d never have believed such a dramatic scene.

But honestly, Cheng Hao and Ye Xinran did look like a perfect match.

Unlike Yang Wei, who was just decently handsome, Cheng Hao’s looks were flawless.

His fair skin framed delicate, handsome features, blending sharp charm with gentle warmth.

His aura felt complex—a mix of qualities—but beneath that gentleness and handsomeness lay a unique ethereal grace.

Put simply, Cheng Hao’s face alone could carry him through life without effort.

But so what? Ye Xinran’s fame wasn’t just about beauty. She excelled in every way, like a flawless angel.

Cheng Hao was just a tiny bit too handsome—still just two eyes and a mouth like everyone else. Nothing special.

“Do you think… the campus beauty might be looks-obsessed?” a senior suddenly asked his friends.

“No way. She’s not the type who thinks looks are everything.”

“Exactly. Pretty faces all look the same; interesting souls are one in a million. She’d never care about someone just for their looks.”

“I agree!”

They tried to reassure each other, but even they didn’t believe their own words.

The real saying went: You can’t afford a pretty face, and an interesting soul won’t look twice at you…

Still, they couldn’t accept the truth. Self-deception was their only escape.

After military training ended…

Cheng Hao trudged back to his dorm, exhausted. He showered first, then collapsed onto his bed.

Just as he was about to drift into peaceful sleep, his phone buzzed.

No need to guess—he knew exactly who’d messaged him.

Zihan: “How was training today, Cheng-Cheng?”

Cheng Hao: “Don’t even get me started. Worst luck ever. Day two of college, and I’m public enemy number one to every guy on campus. Not sure I’ll survive to see you.”

“What happened?”

“Uh… I can tell you, but promise not to get mad.”

Zihan: “I promise. If I get mad, I’m a puppy.”

“Well… our campus beauty gave me an ice pop today.”

“What?! You’ve been in college two days and you’re already flirting behind my back? Do you even care about me?!”

“No way! I don’t even know her.”

“Liar. Why’d she give you ice cream if you’re strangers? Boredom?”

“Hmm… maybe? Don’t overthink it. If I’d actually done something, why would I tell you? You don’t even trust me.”

Zihan: “Hmph! Since you’re being honest, I’ll forgive you. Oh… is that campus beauty pretty?”

Staring at the screen, Cheng Hao instinctively typed: “It’s not about whether she’s pretty. She’s the kind of…”

Halfway through, he froze. He deleted the message fast.

Whoa—trick question. Good thing I caught myself.

If he called Ye Xinran pretty, Zihan would rage. If he called her ugly, she’d think he was lying and rage anyway.

No winning this.

Panicked, Cheng Hao searched online for solutions.

[My girlfriend asked if she’s prettier than the campus beauty. How do I answer? Urgent!]

He found a similar thread, skimmed a reply, and copied it.

Cheng Hao: “She’s just okay. Babe, you’re the most beautiful to me—like a pure swan in the sky. No matter how pretty that campus beauty is, to me she’s no different from a duck wallowing in mud.”

He nodded, satisfied with the sent message.

Comparing the campus beauty to a mud-wallowing duck? Brilliant!

Zihan would love knowing her place in his heart.

But Zihan’s next reply left Cheng Hao utterly bewildered.

Zihan: “…”

She only sent ellipses when mad. But he hadn’t said anything wrong… why the sudden anger?

Cheng Hao quickly typed: “Zihan, did I do something to upset you?”

No reply came.

What the hell?

Did I actually mess up?

Cheng Hao’s face twisted in confusion. No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t figure out why she was mad.

“Got it. Must be her period starting early. Just being moody,” he muttered to himself.

Zihan had done this before, but unlike clingy girls, she never needed coddling. She’d calm down in a couple days. So he didn’t worry much.

Meanwhile, in the girls’ dorm.

Three roommates eyed Ye Xinran suspiciously. She’d been acting weird all day.

First, giving an ice pop to a freshman. Then cooing at him.

Now, she sat quietly on her bed, hugging her phone and giggling like she’d won the lottery.

But in the next second, the smile froze on her cool, pretty face. Her teeth clenched tight.

“That pig-headed idiot! I’m so mad I could scream!” Ye Xinran growled, her chest heaving.

She’d planned this meeting with Cheng Hao for ages. Wore her prettiest dress. Did her most flawless makeup.

Dreamed he’d recognize her instantly, they’d hug tight, and become Donghai University’s most envied couple.

He didn’t recognize her? Fine. But comparing her to *that*? Of course she was furious.

“Xinran, what’s wrong? Who upset you?”

The girls had seen her smiling one moment, then scowling the next. They rushed over, concerned.

“Nothing. Just some pig-headed jerk,” Ye Xinran huffed.

“Who dares upset our campus beauty? We’ll handle him!” a roommate declared.

“Forget it. I don’t wanna talk about it. If you’re free later, walk with me to the sports field?”

Her mind was a mess. She needed fresh air.

“Sure! We’ll change and go.”

The three girls nodded in unison. After changing, they headed for the campus sports field.