The crowd stood frozen, as if struck by a thunderbolt on a clear day, drenched head to toe in icy water—numb to the core.

To Donghai University students, Ye Xinran was far more than just the campus flower. She was a sacred angel, untouchable and pure. She never mingled with boys, never sparing a glance for her admirers. Sometimes, she’d even look at them like cockroaches—as if all men were filthy creatures.

In short: everyone fantasized about her, yet everyone knew she was a goddess forever out of reach. A girl so proud and brilliant—who could possibly deserve her?

But today... shattered every assumption they had about Ye Xinran.

As if all their guesses had been wrong. All because of one freshman.

Cheng Hao.

The girl who kept her distance from every male on campus had just greeted a boy first. If they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they’d never have believed it.

This aloof, sacred presence blushed like a schoolgirl when she saw Cheng Hao, shyly inviting him to walk the track, even handing him a popsicle. And when another girl asked for his number? She turned fiercely protective.

No one knew if she was truly jealous, but they felt the icy glare she shot that girl—like a child whose favorite toy had been stolen.

Yes, as campus queen, Ye Xinran had countless eyes on her. Her popsicle delivery during military training was already campus gossip. Some had comforted themselves: *Just a prank*.

But now? Seeing *this* version of her? Wild theories erupted.

*Was the campus flower... actually dating someone?*

"Senior, what a coincidence... out for a run too?"

Cheng Hao hated the spotlight, but manners forced a greeting.

Ye Xinran’s lips curved into a radiant smile. She tilted her head, eyes locked on him.

"A fortune teller said I’d meet my destined one tonight. Never thought it’d be you, little brother. Must be fate."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

*Did we drink too much? Hallucinating?*

*Fortune teller? Destined one?*

*Senior, snap out of it—superstition’s nonsense!*

*If you must believe it... I bumped into you too. What about me?*

Even Cheng Hao froze, heart skipping a beat.

*Senior, I—* His mind raced. *Was that... a confession?*

*No. Impossible. We just met today. Why would she—?*

*Teasing me? Playing games?*

Panic clawed at his throat.

Just as despair set in, Ye Xinran tucked a stray hair behind her ear and laughed softly.

"Kidding. You didn’t actually believe me, did you?"

Relief flooded Cheng Hao—so intense he nearly wept.

*Thank god. Thank god.*

A goddess like her? He’d be dead before their first date, murdered by her legion of admirers.

Then her next words plunged him back into darkness.

"Oh, you still haven’t answered my question. Walk the track with me?"

*No.* Cheng Hao instinctively recoiled. Only couples—or crushes—did this. And Ye Zihan might be watching somewhere on campus. He had to refuse.

"Senior, I think—"

Before he could finish, Ye Xinran rose on her toes, whispering in his ear with a sly grin:

"First time I’ve ever asked a boy. Say no... and you’ll face the consequences, sweetheart."

"C-consequences?" Cheng Hao stared, stunned. *This campus flower’s got a devious streak?*

Trapped by her unwavering gaze, he surrendered. "Fine. Whatever you say, Senior."

"Good boy." She beamed, then turned to Xia Yuhan—the girl who’d asked for Cheng Hao’s number—and offered a saccharine smile. "Sorry, but I’m borrowing Cheng Hao. You don’t mind, do you?"

"Uh... I—" Xia Yuhan stammered.

"Doesn’t matter. He’s *mine* now." Ye Xinran cut her off, already dragging Cheng Hao away. "Ask for his contact later."

Silence swallowed the bustling track. What they’d just witnessed defied belief.

"*Mine*? Did she just say *mine*?"

"And that ‘queen bee catching her man with another woman’ tone—what was *that*?"

"Our campus flower... *sob*... she’s gone..."

They finally believed it: this "ordinary" freshman truly had a special bond with Ye Xinran.

Maybe even her secret boyfriend.

Side by side on the track, their hands brushed with every step—like a new couple too shy to hold hands.

"Little brother," Ye Xinran said suddenly, "I have a question. Answer honestly."

"Ask away, Senior."

"Why did you give that girl your WeChat?"

Cheng Hao blinked. An easy question—but wildly inappropriate coming from *her*. And that tone... thick with jealousy? Or was he imagining things?

"Why do you care?"

"Don’t question me! Just answer!" She stopped dead, cheeks puffed, glaring at him.

Flustered, Cheng Hao rushed to explain. "I... I just thought girls value pride. Asking for a number takes courage. Rejecting her publicly would’ve humiliated her. So I gave my contact first. Planned to explain later—in my dorm."

"Explain what?" Ye Xinran’s wide, dewy eyes blinked in confusion.

"That... I have a girlfriend."

"*I*—I never agreed to be your girlfriend! Shameless!" Ye Xinran’s face burned crimson. She whipped her head away, flustered.

"Huh?" Cheng Hao frowned. *I never said it was you. Why react like that?*

"Not you, Senior. I meant—"

Ye Xinran took a sharp breath. *Right. I’m Ye Xinran now.* She cleared her throat, composing herself. Then she pinned him with a serious stare.

"Listen. Never give your contact to *any* girl who asks."

"Why not?"

"Trust your senior," she said gravely, nodding. "College girls are terrifying. You’re too inexperienced. The waters run deep—you can’t handle them, little brother."