*(Scrub-scrub-scrub-scrub-scrub-scrub-scrub-scrub)*
*(Spit out foam, rinse mouth)*
*(Tilt head back, glug-glug-glug)*
*(Spit)*
*(Jam toothbrush into cup, whirl wildly)*
*(Rinse once with water.)*
Xia Yan dried his face with a towel, then lifted his head and smiled.
A perfectly calibrated, textbook smile.
The boy in the mirror had just washed up. Water droplets clung to his dark, tousled hair. Fair skin, sharp jawline—undeniably handsome. Gentle depth in his eyes. No flashy jewelry. His bare upper body revealed solid muscles and a six-pack…
The ultimate sunshine-on-the-outside, wolf-on-the-inside hottie.
The kind who’d thrive in nightclubs and hotel suites, feasting on attention…
But no.
*Beep-beep-beep.*
His phone buzzed on the counter.
Xia Yan’s smile vanished. Instantly, his face turned icy—every trace of warmth gone.
Ever since becoming class monitor, he’d kept his phone unmuted. School notices needed relaying. He couldn’t miss a thing.
He stepped deeper into the room, away from the closed door, and opened WeChat.
Hua Xin again…
Three days of leave meant she’d be back tomorrow…
He sighed, instantly replying with an 👌🏻. Bittersweet feelings churned inside.
He’d learned about their would-be fourth roommate from the counselor.
Bullied since middle school. Unfair treatment from teachers. Family turmoil. Pages of medical reports explained it all.
Those hollow, evasive eyes in her file photo reminded him of his own past.
Even without the counselor’s request, Xia Yan would’ve helped her.
At 6:10 AM, he moved to shut off his phone for his morning run—when QQ notifications popped up.
*Invincible Kitty Punch (e-pet):*
Instinct made Xia Yan swipe right.
Who could resist ☁️🐯…?
“?”
…
He stared at the girl’s message, torn between amusement and silence.
*Did I just take the bait?* (Annoyed.)
*What’s this cat—whom I’ve solo-killed 25 times—rambling about now?* (Stubborn.)
More messages arrived. Xia Yan powered off his phone, changed quietly, and slipped out for his run.
——————
In a windowless, pitch-black room.
Hua Xin nervously stared at her phone. No reply. 😖
*Did he not see it? Still asleep?* This was her first voice message to anyone… (Mortifying.)
She’d even sent two awkward memes to tease him…
Hesitantly, she tapped her sent voice note: ▶️|ııı|ıı|||5″.
▶️|ııı|ıı|||5″: *“1s (silence), 2s (silence), 3s (Bro…), 4s (pause), 5s (Brother…)*
A soft, sweet, naturally melodic voice—nothing like fake sweet voices or voice-altered streams.
Hua Xin’s face flushed instantly. Steam practically hissed from her ears.
*That… was my voice???* 😨
*So sweet… so cute… I want to…* 🤤
*Wait.*
She wiped drool from her chin, snapping back to reality.
*Did I just call some random dog—who stole twenty bucks from me—“Brother”?*
Her eyes blazed with fury. She stabbed the voice note.
“Recall! Recall! Recall! Recall! Recall! Recall…!!!!”
*Hua Xin!*
*What have you done?!* 😡
*Without your “man” disguise, how will you fight this dog jungler?!*
*Wait…* 🤔 *Why fight? Wasn’t I supposed to seduce him into dropping gold?*
Better than empty greetings: drown him in my voice and beauty until he’s obsessed. Make him slave at construction sites all day, begging to send me his wages just to hear me scold him once more, see one photo, hear “Brother” again—turning him into my money-spitting puppet. 🤤
*Yes… Exactly!*
Revenge fantasies drowned her shame. She lowered her hand, ignoring the “too late to recall” warning.
Her eyes gleamed with triumph.
*Who could resist me?*
*Who could resist a voice dripping with honeyed sweetness?*
*Who could resist snow-white legs and the allure of ice cream???*
*She* certainly couldn’t resist herself. 🤤
But photos of her legs or feet? Rejected instantly. She wouldn’t sell her body or soul for cash. As a living human with dignity, she had limits. (Serious face.)
Her eyes morphed into spinning coins (｡💵∀💵｡).
*“Master-tier jungler? ‘Loves killing supports’? Shrimp-head guy?”*
*“Soon you’ll kneel and lick my feet!!” (Daydreaming.)*
Fingers flew across her keyboard. She sent more messages.
The thrill of turning an enemy into a servant fueled her daydreams. She floated in sweet victory, forgetting the Kangshifu Sour Spicy Beef Noodles soaking beside her for twenty minutes.
Predictably—
Wails filled the room.
“My noodles!!! 😭”
Hua Xin stared tearfully at the soggy clump. She took a bite.
“Still delicious. 🤧”
“Can’t waste food…”
——————
Meanwhile, on the Magic City University track.
Even at dawn on the first week of term, disciplined students were already moving.
Xia Yan breathed rhythmically. Sweat soaked his shirt, hinting at the abs beneath.
*Haaah…* He exhaled deeply, settling onto a plastic bench. He checked his phone for replies.
“Hey classmate! Running solo too?” A cloying perfume hit Xia Yan’s nose. He frowned slightly.
“You’re Xia Yan, right? The freshman rep who spoke on stage?”
The girl wore black yoga pants, sneakers, and a sports bra. Her ponytail swung. Average-cute face. Zero signs of actual exercise.
Xia Yan replied politely: “I’m Xia Yan. What can I do for you?”
As he spoke, he tapped to transcribe a voice message. Paired with the texts below… mild surprise flickered in him.
The girl’s eyes flicked to his abs and handsome face. A flash of confidence crossed her eyes. She feigned surprise, voice dripping with faux sweetness: “Oh! We must be destined! You like running too? We should jog together every morning. Here, add my We—”
*“Bro… Brother…”*
An absurdly soft, sweet voice spilled from Xia Yan’s phone—cutting her off.
Xia Yan waved his phone, eyes crinkling with laughter. He forced an apologetic smile:
“Sorry. My girlfriend… just messaged.”
