Military training continued as usual, while Cheng Hao—the lone couch potato—slept in his dorm.
But his rest was troubled by a truly terrifying nightmare.
In the dream, he finally saw his long-awaited Ye Zihan. It was a crisp autumn day. Cheng Hao arrived at their prearranged spot on time, watching his childhood friend’s slender, graceful back as he delivered his carefully rehearsed confession. And Ye Zihan accepted.
This was exactly the scene Cheng Hao had always craved. So why call it a nightmare? Well…
After agreeing to date him, Ye Zihan turned around as Cheng Hao slowly approached. The moment he saw her face, he froze. Staring back at him was a painfully familiar face—a face that sent chills down his spine. It was none other than Campus Goddess Ye Xinran.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH I WON’T DRINK IT!!!"
Cheng Hao jolted awake, sweat-drenched, his heart thudding wildly. In the dream, his first thought upon seeing Ye Xinran wasn’t shock—it was the horrifying realization that she’d force-feed him her "tonic" soups every single day. The thought nearly gave him a heart attack.
"Holy crap… what a messed-up dream."
Cheng Hao pressed a hand to his chest, forcing his breathing to steady.
*Thank goodness it was just a dream. Ye Xinran and Ye Zihan share a surname, but they can’t possibly be the same person.*
Beyond childhood memories or personality differences, Ye Xinran’s legendary cooking alone killed that idea. Ye Zihan had once told him she loved cooking in her free time—dreaming of making his favorite meals every day. Cheng Hao had enthusiastically promised to devour eight bowls daily to honor her efforts.
*Ding.*
His phone chimed mid-thought. A message from Ye Xinran:
*"I’ve got an open lecture today on the 4th floor of Building 2. Come keep me company. Waiting for you~"*
*"Open lecture… Can I skip it?"*
*"Sure. Your choice."*
*"Really?"*
*"Mhm. But consequences are on you."*
*"…Five minutes."*
Cheng Hao sighed helplessly. Against Campus Goddess Ye Xinran, he was powerless. It felt like they were fated nemeses.
Five minutes later.
Cheng Hao arrived at Ye Xinran’s floor and immediately spotted her. She skipped toward him, light-footed and radiant.
"Junior, you came!" A smile bloomed on Ye Xinran’s lips, warm as spring sunshine.
"Yeah… But why drag me to your class, Senior?"
"I just want to see you every second. What else?"
Ye Xinran turned her head away, fingers twisting together. A delicate flush spread across her flawless cheeks, making her look utterly adorable.
Cheng Hao froze at her words and that flustered expression.
*Senior, you’re being way too obvious…*
*I thought you were just messing around at first. You’re actually serious?*
*No wonder I always felt… her gaze on me was weird.*
*Turns out she’s after my body.*
"Senior… I told you I have a girlfriend," Cheng Hao sighed.
"But you’re not officially together yet, right?"
"Well… it’s basically the same."
Ye Xinran waved it off, covering her mouth with a light laugh. "So what if you did? You’re not married. Maybe I still have a chance."
Cheng Hao’s lips twitched. He turned to her. "Senior… setting aside whether that’s right—aren’t you worried about gossip?"
"Gossip? Pfft. Do you think I care about what those bugs think?"
"Bugs?!" Cheng Hao’s mind blanked.
*She’s not just cold to others… she calls them bugs? Worse than lapdogs?*
*If anyone heard this, half the campus would jump off dorm roofs tonight.*
"Ahem… I meant I don’t care about others’ opinions at all," Ye Xinran coughed lightly, hiding her slip.
*Senior, I heard you loud and clear…*
"Senior, I—" Cheng Hao tried to protest, but Ye Xinran cut him off.
"Enough! Hurry up and come to class with me. Ask whatever you want later."
She dragged him into the lecture hall.
The moment they entered, dozens of eyes locked onto them. Curious stares dissected Cheng Hao—the rumored boyfriend of the campus goddess.
Ye Xinran wore her usual serene smile. "Where do you want to sit, junior?"
"Uh… that corner seat in the very back?"
"Eh~? Naughty junior~ Sitting so far back… planning something sneaky with me?"
"…You’re overthinking it. I just don’t want attention." Cheng Hao rubbed his temples, utterly defeated by his senior.
"Hmph! No romance at all. Blockhead!" Ye Xinran huffed, clearly displeased.
Around them, the entire class sucked in sharp breaths.
*She brought a freshman to class… and flaunts their affection right in front of us?*
*Is the campus goddess really dating?!*
*Is our youth… over?*
Cheng Hao felt murderous glares prickling his skin. He leaned close, voice low:
"Senior, can you *please* keep it low-key? I don’t want to get stabbed in my sleep…"
"Stabbed?" Ye Xinran blinked innocently. "Relax. The whole campus knows you’re mine. No one would dare lay a finger on you."
*…That’s exactly why I’ll get stabbed.*
Cheng Hao shook his head, despairing. *This senior really wants me dead.*
*First all that, now announcing I’m ‘hers’ in public? She’s begging for misunderstandings…*
*And when did I ever become ‘hers’?!*
The pressure mounted. *I might need to hire bodyguards… or I’ll end up dead in a ditch.*
"Senior, maybe I should just go back. A freshman like me doesn’t belong here. If someone takes photos of us—"
He couldn’t fathom why she insisted he accompany her. He wasn’t even her boyfriend! Didn’t she fear rumors?
Ye Xinran just smiled, patting his shoulder. "Don’t worry. I won’t mind."
*…*
Cheng Hao’s eye twitched. *You won’t mind? I mind!*
*Does this woman ever consider others’ feelings?!*
*This is it. I’m doomed…*
*If photos leak online, Ye Zihan will see them. She’ll dump me on the spot.*
"Senior, just say what you need! Don’t torture me like this," Cheng Hao pleaded, near tears.
"Hmph! Countless guys would kill for this chance. Why are *you* complaining?" Ye Xinran puffed her cheeks, glaring.
"It’s not that… I just think—"
"I don’t care what *you* think. I care what *I* think." She cut him off again.
Cheng Hao sighed deeply.
*Yep. This campus goddess senior is definitely my fated nemesis.*
*When will this grudge ever end…*
