After dinner alone, Suzhan Yue picked up the large bag on her desk again—filled entirely with takeout meals for her roommates.

Classmates always clamored to eat with her, but Suzhan Yue knew a grand procession to the cafeteria would only cause trouble. She’d reluctantly decline every time.

Yet no one ever complained. Instead, they’d cheer, "Princess Yueyue is just so thoughtful!!"

Truth was, Suzhan Yue didn’t want anyone seeing her struggling with the heavy bag. Knowing her classmates, they’d trip over each other to carry it for her. But that would ruin everything. She *wanted* to do this herself—to become true friends with her roommates. Letting others help defeated the purpose.

Raised on fairy-tale ideals, she firmly believed effort always brought reward, kindness always sparked kindness. This made her radiate innocent sincerity—almost naively so. Like a princess dipped in honey, sheltered in an ivory tower, her world was pure sweetness and storybook dreams.

She never expected...

A reckless, ill-mannered boy would crash into her life, shattering her beliefs.

"Yo, Suzhan Yue. Fancy meeting you here."

A familiar voice stopped her. Leaning against the wall, a boy grinned.

She remembered him—he’d introduced himself at lunch as—

"...Lin Jie! Running into you again!"

Suzhan Yue beamed, her smile bright and energetic.

*Shit. Almost forgot I used my roommate’s name.*

Cheng Yu nearly cracked up but snapped back into character. Smiling, he shifted the topic to something that’d hook her.

"After thinking it over... I guess I *could* be your friend."

Her eyes lit up. Stunned, then overjoyed, she nearly jumped.

"Really?! Hehe, that’s amazing! I knew deep down you’re a good person, Lin Jie! I just needed to—"

"*But*—"

His tone turned sharp. He locked eyes with her, smile now edged with mischief.

"If we’re friends... you’ll help me whenever I need it, right?"

"Of course! That’s what friends *do*!"

"Perfect. Then..."

He pointed at her bag.

"My first request: throw that away."

"...Huh?"

She froze. The demand made no sense—even to her. Staring at him, she stammered, "W-why? This is for my—"

"Yeah, yeah. Dinner for your roommates." His grin turned taunting, arrogant. "I just can’t stand it. Toss it. Simple."

Silence.

Suzhan Yue had grown up coddled—a jewel guarded by parents, siblings, and staff. Even teachers and classmates fawned over her, knowing she was the SuXia Group chairman’s daughter. Shielded her whole life, she’d never met anyone like *him*.

"What’s wrong, Yueyue?" Cheng Yu pressed lightly. "You wanted to be friends. Can’t even do this tiny thing?"

His words stung. Cheeks flushed, she marched to a nearby trash bin and *thudded* the entire bag inside.

*Damn. She actually did it.*

Cheng Yu hid his surprise. *Good. Saves time.*

*And this is only the beginning.*

"Nice, Yueyue. See? Hands free. Lighter. And way easier on my eyes."

"...I did what you asked. Happy now?" Her voice was flat, icy. He’d crossed a line.

"Don’t rush off," he teased. "We just became friends. Shouldn’t we hang out? Besides..." His smile sharpened. "If I let you go now, you’ll just buy *new* dinners for them. Wasting my effort."

She *tsked* involuntarily—he’d read her perfectly.

"Hmm... How about this?" He tapped his chin. "First, drinks at a bar. Then, midnight premiere of *Avengers: Retribution 3*. If we’re tired, we crash at an internet café all night. Back by morning." He winked. "You’ll stay with your *friend*, right, Yueyue?"

*Friend.* The word tasted bitter. For a second, she regretted her eagerness.

But after a pause, she lifted her head. Her gaze held a quiet storm as she whispered:

"...Okay."

She agreed, though every fiber of her being resisted.

For the first time, cracks appeared in her lifelong convictions.

Cheng Yu grinned. "Good." He grabbed her hand.

"Let’s go.

"Time for our night out."