Mask...

A thought instantly sprang to Xuye Cheng’s mind.

This guy loves flirting with girls, right?

So why not mess with him—pretend to be a girl, let him flirt, then reveal my identity and teach him a lesson?

Xuye Cheng’s head was a mess. The plan was feasible, but there were too many details to nail down...

Whether He Xiaohan would even fall for it was questionable.

Still, he really wanted to teach this guy a proper lesson...

Xuye Cheng sighed helplessly, stood up from his seat to wash up, then went to bed.

He took a deep breath and exhaled, opening WeChat on his phone. Staring at Ji Qingying’s profile picture, a mix of anticipation and hesitation swelled in his chest again.

“Feeling better?” Xuye Cheng asked.

Ji Qingying’s name quickly changed to “Typing...”

“Mm, much better. Getting ready for bed. Goodnight.”

Xuye Cheng’s eyes brightened slightly. “Goodnight.”

“Brother Cheng, no classes tomorrow morning. Come sketching with me, okay?” He Xiaohan sat on his chair, looking at Xuye Cheng lying in bed.

Xuye Cheng was slightly startled. He didn’t really want to go, even though the gig paid well.

But he was so annoyed with He Xiaohan now that he didn’t want any ties to him.

“I’ve got stuff tomorrow morning. I’ll skip this. You keep the bonus for yourself,” Xuye Cheng replied calmly.

A faint smile flickered in He Xiaohan’s eyes. “Alright, that’s a shame.”

Xuye Cheng opened WeChat again and saw a work group notification @ing him.

The manager had posted the schedule. Xuye Cheng checked the times—four days a week...

He had one day packed with classes, Saturdays off, and shifts most other mornings or afternoons.

A wave of exhaustion crashed over him. Xuye Cheng sighed helplessly.

But it added up to over a thousand a week...

That much money meant the workload wouldn’t be light.

Better just get to sleep.

The next morning, Xuye Cheng messaged Ji Qingying asking what she wanted for breakfast.

He got out of bed to buy food. His roommates were still asleep, but He Xiaohan’s bed was empty. Xuye Cheng frowned, a trace of confusion on his face—though He Xiaohan waking early wasn’t unusual.

...

He Xiaohan climbed to the rooftop of the lab building. Higher ground offered a wider view. His expression was calm as the morning breeze brushed his face. He gazed toward the sports field and lifted the camera hanging from his neck.

The morning fog was thick today. He hadn’t captured the scene he wanted. Standing on the roof, he lit a cigarette, savoring the quiet solitude.

The next second, his phone rang. He glanced at the caller, still calm.

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Bro He, the survey results are ready. Can you make the PPT? Deadline’s the day after tomorrow,” a male voice said over the line.

“Mm, send the files. I’ll head back to the dorm and do it now.”

He Xiaohan hung up, took one last drag, stubbed out the cigarette, and his gaze drifted to the field. He spotted two familiar figures. A flicker of confusion crossed his face as he raised his camera—capturing Ji Qingying and Xuye Cheng’s backs.

He Xiaohan frowned, his expression turning more complex.

Back in the dorm, he opened his laptop, clicked on the sent video file, skimmed it at double speed, and grabbed a few screenshots for the PPT.

He stared blankly at the screen. His eyes landed on a girl’s face.

“How much allowance does your family give you each month?”

The girl paused slightly, then replied, “A thousand.”

He Xiaohan hit the screenshot shortcut and dragged it into the PPT.

Also a sophomore, huh...

He propped his chin on his hand, staring at her face, his eyes growing vacant again.

“Great, thanks for your help~ Here’s a little gift for you~”

The interview ended quickly. The filmer handed her a British sentry plush toy. She took it, smiled faintly, and whispered thanks.

“Whoa, she’s gorgeous,” Zheng Wenxuan’s voice suddenly cut in beside He Xiaohan.

He Xiaohan chuckled. “Also a sophomore. Brother Zheng, why not try your luck?”

Zheng Wenxuan waved a hand. “Nah. Girls like her get swarmed. A loser like me stands no chance.”

“You won’t know unless you try,” He Xiaohan teased lightly, closing the video to organize data.

“Gotta know my limits,” Zheng Wenxuan sighed.

He Xiaohan chuckled. Zheng Wenxuan exhaled, then spotted a British sentry plush toy on Xuye Cheng’s bookshelf.

Guess Precious Cheng still has a childlike heart.

Zheng Wenxuan thought this as he headed into the bathroom.

After finishing, He Xiaohan stretched, rolled his neck, and opened WeChat.

Just as Xuye Cheng returned, He Xiaohan was about to leave.

“Where to, Bro He?” Zheng Wenxuan called out.

“Can you grab us some food?” Liu Xianlin added.

“I’m seeing Ji Qingying. If I have time, sure—I’ll bring food if that’s all.”

“Huh? You two got back together?” Zheng Wenxuan looked bewildered.

“Give her space to cool off. A little sweet-talking, and she’ll be fine,” He Xiaohan said, a hint of weariness in his tone.

“But you don’t even like her...” Zheng Wenxuan frowned.

“She’s the campus belle. Gotta hold onto that, right? Isn’t that what you said?” He Xiaohan replied, his gaze sweeping past Xuye Cheng.

“Bro He just gets it,” Liu Xianlin mused. “Hurry back. I’m studying your girl-charming skills tonight.”

He Xiaohan laughed again. “No problem.”

Xuye Cheng’s mind reeled. So Ji Qingying rejected him to eat with He Xiaohan?

A heavy gloom settled over him. He walked to his chair and sat down with a helpless sigh.

Was he really that worthless?

He Xiaohan just said a couple of things, and Ji Qingying was back with him.

He couldn’t understand it. No one knew about his feelings for Ji Qingying, yet a sharp shame burned inside him.

This was something he couldn’t have—treated like a toy others tossed aside when bored.

He’d even dared to hope. Just one night, and Ji Qingying was walking with He Xiaohan again.

Xuye Cheng felt like a clown. No audience watched, but he found himself utterly ridiculous.

Zheng Wenxuan noticed Xuye Cheng silently climbing into bed and pulling the curtain shut. His expression turned puzzled.

Lately, his Precious Cheng seemed off.