"Ningning~ Good evening~"

Xuye Cheng couldn’t help but smile.

"Good evening," he replied.

"So, case solved? Why the extra hundred bucks?"

Seeing this, Xuye Cheng chuckled helplessly again.

"Hmm, someone tipped me."

Doudou: Dark-faced.jpg

"Was it that handsome guy?"

Reading her message, Xuye Cheng froze in shock.

Wow. Why was this girl’s prediction so scarily accurate?

Was this women’s sixth sense?

Xuye Cheng marveled inwardly.

But he played dumb. "How should I know?"

"It must be him!"

Xuye Cheng frowned. "How do you know?"

"Oh, just go confirm tomorrow. If not, I’ll treat you to KFC."

Xuye Cheng stared, stunned again.

Seriously, her confidence made him suspect she had insider knowledge.

This was unplayable—something felt off.

"That handsome guy’s He Xiaohan, right? From your school." Doudou messaged. "I asked the manager. His nickname’s ‘Lao Han Shui Bu Xing.’ Definitely him."

"But this... he’s got personality, huh? That nickname’s adorably cute."

"So he’s not aloof at all. Beneath that cool exterior beats a heart yearning for love."

Xuye Cheng’s face twisted in disgust. He nearly vomited his breakfast from yesterday.

He Xiaohan would never pick such a name. It must be because of him.

What weird taste did this guy have? Had he uncovered his identity?

Xuye Cheng thought it over. Unlikely—he hadn’t slipped up.

"Ningning, you’ve got a shot. Such a high-quality guy likes you—hold on tight!"

Xuye Cheng sighed, at a loss for words.

"Also, browsing your school’s Tieba, I found this!"

Doudou sent a photo with her eyes blurred out.

Xuye Cheng’s face flushed bright red.

It wasn’t shameful, but he felt deeply awkward.

"Looks like Ningning’s the top star in your school’s entertainment circle, hehe~"

"I don’t know why I was posted online," Xuye Cheng replied helplessly.

He hated the spotlight. It made him uneasy all over.

"Ningning, I’ve got a plan. After work, find He Xiaohan. Ask if he tipped you. Get his WeChat—you two will have a chance."

Xuye Cheng stared blankly.

Doudou, you’re too enthusiastic.

But as he typed a reply, he reconsidered. This might work. Other approaches would seem forced.

He Xiaohan’s contact wasn’t casually asked for.

He might even ask for it himself.

"So, Ningning? What do you think?"

Xuye Cheng pondered again.

Should he tell Doudou he was approaching him? Though it was revenge.

But asking for contacts tomorrow—Doudou would see it. Hard to explain.

Better to admit it openly.

Hesitating, Xuye Cheng finally replied: "Mm."

He sent it, then froze. Hadn’t he just called the guy a player? This slapped his own face.

"Ningning, you’re bad! Lying he’s a player. Afraid I’ll like him too?"

Xuye Cheng was stunned again.

Hmm... her logic was weird, but it worked.

No need to explain.

"Ningning?"

"Here... I don’t know what to say."

"Got you! Hehe, don’t worry. I like handsome guys, but I won’t steal him. I’ll be your number one CP fan. Ningning, work hard—I want to attend your wedding soon~"

Xuye Cheng took a deep breath. A mix of emotions swirled inside.

Doudou, this couple you’re shipping has no future.

Lying felt wrong...

Especially to a simple girl like her. His guilt deepened.

Though he hadn’t done anything terrible...

Xuye Cheng’s head felt heavy. He didn’t want to think anymore.

"Even seeing comments about He Xiaohan on Tieba, I think he’s not what people say."

Xuye Cheng inwardly agreed fiercely.

Indeed, he’s slyer and more cunning than you think.

"But if he dares to play you, I’ll chase him down and beat him up."

Reading her silly words, Xuye Cheng smiled again.

Meaningless, yet his mood lifted inexplicably.

"Hahaha, thank you."

"No problem. Sleepy. See you tomorrow."

"Good night, Ningning~"

Seeing this, warmth flooded Xuye Cheng’s heart.

Such an ordinary goodnight. He rarely received it...

Though it wasn’t for him. It was for Xu Wanning...

"Mm, good night, Doudou."

After replying, Xuye Cheng’s head felt heavy. He buried his face in the pillow, pulled the light blanket over himself, closed his eyes, and drifted off.

Next morning, sharp pain stabbed Xuye Cheng’s head the moment he woke.

He sat up drowsily. His head throbbed; his nose was stuffy, breathing hard.

Confused, Xuye Cheng shook his head. The pain tore through him again.

A cold?

Frowning, he lifted the bed curtain. The blanket slipped off—a chill rushed over him.

He touched his forehead. Slightly feverish.

Better check his temperature.

Struggling to push off the blanket, Xuye Cheng found he had no strength.

He got out of bed quietly. His roommates were already awake.

Liu Xianlin noticed Xuye Cheng’s listless state and looked puzzled.

"Not feeling well?" Liu Xianlin asked.

"Seems so. A bit feverish," Xuye Cheng replied weakly, reaching for the thermometer in his drawer.

He Xiaohan’s gaze swept over his back. He grabbed his backpack and left.