"Xinran, it's scorching hot out here. Why drag us shopping with you? Aren't you scared of getting roasted like a chicken?"

Right now, Xinran Ye was strolling through the commercial center near campus with her three dorm sisters.

The sun blazed down mercilessly. Even on this shopping street, barely anyone braved the awful weather.

"Don't worry," Xinran said with a smile. "You've slathered on sunscreen and carried umbrellas. You won't get tanned at all."

"So, Xinran, what exactly are you buying?"

"Yeah, we've walked with you forever, but you haven't bought a thing."

"Whatever. We're risking our lives to accompany a beauty in this heat. You owe us a meal," the three sisters grumbled unhappily.

"Alright, fine. What do you want to eat?" Xinran looked at her foodie roommates with a hint of helplessness.

"How about hot pot? There's a great new spot nearby."

"Eating hot pot in this heat? Are you insane?"

"Or grab ice cream at a dessert shop. Perfect for today."

The three girls chattered about food, but Xinran didn't join in. She stared at a shop down the street.

"'Zihan... Floral Capital?'" Xinran frowned slightly, eyes locked on the flower shop.

"Xinran, why are you just standing there?" her sisters asked in unison.

"Nothing. Wait—didn't this flower shop close down?" Xinran blinked her lively eyes, puzzled.

"Yeah, I came here for my birthday flowers once. The owner said it was shutting down."

"Weird. I was with you then. How'd it reopen?"

"Haven't you noticed? Even the name changed."

They'd all seen the new name and felt curious.

Xinran was extra puzzled—not because the shop was special, but because its name matched her old one.

Most importantly, she faintly recalled telling Chenghao years ago how much she loved flowers.

Seeing a shop with her name here felt unnaturally strange.

"Maybe... it's just a coincidence?"

Just as Xinran moved toward the shop, her sisters grabbed her arms, pointing and shouting:

"Xinran, look! A new dessert shop over there!"

"Yeah, the decor's cute. Great for photos."

"Enough talk—let's go! We'll lose seats otherwise."

And so, Xinran walked right past Chenghao's flower shop.

...

Afternoon.

Most flowers were sold out. With no more military training, Chenghao headed back to his dorm to laze around.

As he reached for his phone to nap, it vibrated.

He expected a message from Zihan Ye—but it was from the campus beauty senior he'd been avoiding.

Chenghao didn't want to reply. But remembering her scheming nature and fearing revenge, he reluctantly opened it.

"Junior brother, busy lately? Never saw you at training."

"Not really... just sprained my ankle. Resting in dorm."

"Hmm? Sure you're not avoiding me?"

"Impossible! I've been dying to see you," Chenghao typed, faking politeness.

He never expected his offhand remark to be taken seriously.

Xinran: "Really? Then come to my class this afternoon. I need to talk."

Chenghao: "Senior sister... do you even know the word 'polite'?"

Xinran: "So you don't want to see me?"

"It might hurt you, but yes."

"Fine. If you won't come, I can't force you."

Chenghao felt a flicker of excitement.

What was this?

Had the campus beauty changed her nature?

Was she... letting him off?

Suspicious. Way too suspicious.

Chenghao sensed something off. Though they barely interacted, he felt he knew her well.

Sure enough, Xinran messaged again:

"By the way, someone's spreading rumors online that I'm toying with your feelings. If I find them... hmm. How about stripping them naked and making them run two laps around the school track?"

Hiss... that's brutal.

No wonder they say a woman's heart is venomous. Chenghao finally got it.

He was certain Xinran knew he'd spread those rumors.

So... this was a threat?!

Imagining himself naked on the track made Chenghao shudder.

Can't mess with her. Can't mess with her!

"A day without you feels like three autumns. I suddenly miss seeing you, senior sister. And your sweet soup..."

Under this dark pressure, Chenghao had to yield.

Xinran: "Perfect! Meet me on the third floor of Building 2 at 3 PM. I'll make your favorite sweet soup."

Chenghao: "No need, senior sister. Just seeing you is enough. Making soup is trouble."

(To avoid diabetes, he typed fast.)

Xinran: "No trouble! Since you love it, I won't disappoint you."

Chenghao: "Really, skip it. Keep it for yourself."

Xinran: "Hmm? Do you... dislike my soup?"

Chenghao: "Of course not. I just hate seeing you work hard."

He dared not tell the truth—Xinran might prank him worse.

Just meeting her gave him a headache. Drinking her soup would kill him.

He had to stop her.

Xinran: "Silly! I know you're worried about me. But since you like it, I don't mind. It's easy—just dump a whole pack of sugar in."

???

No wonder it was cloying sweet... she used the entire pack.

Wait—are you an assassin sent to poison me?

Chenghao froze in terror, fingers flying to type a plea.

Before he finished, Xinran replied:

"Hehe (*∩_∩*), I already made it! Two full pots. If you don't finish them, senior sister gets very angry."

Chenghao: "..."

Tears of regret and sorrow rolled down his face.