Ordinary romance between boys and girls?

You’re talking nonsense.

I told you—real love doesn’t exist. I don’t believe in it at all.

Dating’s like a lab experiment. Mix the right elements, and the reaction’s guaranteed. It’s all quantifiable. Controllable.

The people in such "romances" are lab rats—blinded by love. Only outsiders see the truth.

So I won’t date. No need to waste time and energy for lopsided returns.

And now, Jiang Xiaoyao’s idea of "ordinary romance"? Utterly incomprehensible.

"Can you explain what ‘ordinary romance’ actually means?"

"Well…" Jiang Xiaoyao paused. "It’s when your heart pounds just being near him. You get flustered. Sweaty palms. You crave his company but dread meeting his eyes…"

*Heartbeats mean you’re alive. Sweaty palms? Just hormones.*

That explains nothing.

Chen Yuzhe rubbed his temples. "That’s not helpful at all… Wait."

A realization struck him.

The key wasn’t "ordinary romance"—it was that Jiang Xiaoyao’s usual "green tea" tactics wouldn’t work on Gu Chengjin.

Gu Chengjin was the rich, handsome type. His world overflowed with women fawning over him—many far more polished than a college girl. Even if Jiang Xiaoyao had mastered her tricks, she couldn’t compete with seasoned players.

Especially with someone like Gu Chengjin. He’d spot a "green tea" from miles away. Her usual act might backfire.

Maybe… genuine, wide-eyed sincerity would work better.

"If that’s the case…" Chen Yuzhe mused. "It might be doable."

Jiang Xiaoyao’s eyes lit up. "Really?!"

"Hmm. But I’ll need your full cooperation." He drained his coffee and sat up straight. "From my brief observations, Gu Chengjin’s a sheltered young master. Impeccable manners. Gentle. Naïve. The pure-hearted type."

Jiang Xiaoyao’s gaze practically sparkled.

"Yes! Exactly! Like those gentle, rich heartthrobs in idol dramas!" She looked ready to float away on starry-eyed clouds.

"But," Chen Yuzhe tapped the table, "this type’s surrounded by women like you—women with hidden agendas. He’s built defenses." He shook his head. "To win him over, you must change yourself first."

Jiang Xiaoyao nodded eagerly—then slammed her palm on the table. "Hey! Who’s got a hidden agenda?!"

"Just humor me," Chen Yuzhe waved dismissively. "Back to the point. When you talked to him the other day, you held back your usual flirtatious style. You were poised. Graceful. That’s good. Just needs fine-tuning."

*(Though that image clashes horribly with your real self.)* He kept that thought locked inside.

Jiang Xiaoyao bit her lip. "How do I change?"

Chen Yuzhe hesitated.

Turning her into a genuinely pure girl was impossible. But faking it? That might work.

Not all "green teas" use the innocent act—Jiang Xiaoyao didn’t. Her weapon was innate allure. Not just looks—a bone-deep magnetism that made men’s thoughts turn sinful the moment she spoke. A little fox spirit, really.

Her curves and long legs only amplified it. She could play dumb and still draw crowds.

Pretending to be shy and pure? That’d be her hardest role yet.

But for Gu Chengjin? She’d endure anything.

"I’ll draft a detailed guide later," Chen Yuzhe said, standing to leave.

"Already going?"

"What else?"

"I…" Jiang Xiaoyao fidgeted, fingers twisting her collar. Her eyes darted everywhere but at him. That flustered look was new. *Why’s she awkward around me now? She never hesitated to boss me around before.*

After a deep breath, her cheeks flushed slightly. "Could you… not leave yet? Just… stay a little longer?"

Chen Yuzhe narrowed his eyes.

Normally, he’d assume she was deploying her "vulnerable act" to reel in a guy. Any decent guy would stay, playing the comforting hero.

But today was different. They’d laid all cards on the table—no mutual attraction, no hidden moves. Why show this side now?

*Testing me? Pointless. What would she gain?*

He studied her micro-expressions—the trembling fingers, the averted gaze. A hunch formed.

He sat back down, glancing at his phone. "Fine. I’ve got time. Though I need to grab dinner for my roommate in an hour—"

Her shoulders slumped. Her long lashes trembled. "An hour’s enough… I’ll buy you another coffee."

"Oh—wait." He snapped his fingers. "They’re eating together today. No dinner run." He stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Actually… I can stay until dorm curfew."

Her eyes brightened instantly. Her voice lifted. "Stay until curfew then! I’ll treat you to anything you want!"

Chen Yuzhe finally looked away.

*Confirmed.*

"Jiang Xiaoyao."

"Hmm?"

"I think…" He tapped his coffee cup, eyes on the table. "You’ve completely fallen out with your roommates."

Her body stiffened. Pupils contracted.

"Why… would you say that?"

"Obvious." He stared out the window, calm. "You were disappointed when I said ‘one hour.’ But ‘until curfew’ made you happy. You’d rather sit here alone all night than return to your dorm."

No surprise, really. Jiang Xiaoyao’s personality guaranteed friction with other girls. True friends? Either schemers or fellow "green teas." Birds of a feather.

Girl cliques could be vicious—silent treatments, isolation. A quiet kind of bullying.

And for someone like Jiang Xiaoyao? No one would defend her. They’d probably enjoy her suffering.

Returning to cold stares and deliberate silence… that loneliness was worse than sitting alone in a café.

*Why did I think of this?*

When a girl shows her fragility to a guy, it’s not always about seeking comfort.

Sometimes…

She’s truly, deeply lonely now.