The sudden scene plunged the entire basketball court into silence.

Ling Mo held the ball, staring blankly at the girl before him—as if he couldn’t believe she’d actually called his name.

But she truly was offering him a bottle of mineral water.

A flush of flustered delight washed over him.

With his looks, he’d attracted girls before. Yet his stubbornly straightforward personality had quietly turned many admirers away. He’d never minded much—he only believed in mutual connection.

But Xia Xinyan? She was the absolute exception.

Who was she?

Even before enrollment, she’d sparked campus-wide anticipation. After arriving at Linjiang University, she’d never slipped from #1 on the goddess ranking—a legendary campus beauty who rivaled top celebrities yet carried an unimitable, pure innocence.

She was also the heiress of the Xia Group, born with a silver spoon. A life of luxury awaited her, with or without work.

Some joked: marrying her meant living the male lead’s dream in a “marry-into-wealth” story—the pinnacle of existence.

So how could someone like her ever cross paths with an ordinary guy?

Ling Mo never imagined Xia Xinyan would take the initiative to speak to him. It felt like a dream.

Until her voice pulled him back: “You… don’t want to?”

He looked up. Her brows were slightly furrowed—a hint of worry, a trace of barely hidden disappointment.

Before Ling Mo could reply, his friends erupted:

“Yes! Of course he’s willing! Miss Xia’s invitation? He’d laugh himself awake dreaming about this!”

“Cat got your tongue? Speak up! Don’t keep her waiting!”

“Forget the game—hurry! Others are waiting for the court!”

Amid the teasing, Ling Mo awkwardly passed the ball away and accepted her water. “S-sure… where to?”

“Let’s walk by the lake,” Xia Xinyan said with a soft smile. “Stroll… chat… things like that.”

“…Okay.”

After they left, gossip exploded across the court.

“Holy crap?! When did Ling Mo get close to Campus Beauty Xia?!”

“Damn, never saw that guy had it in him! Swore we’d stay single dogs together—he’s upgraded to the Celestial Hound!”

“Gonna grill him back in the dorm!”

“Why?! What does that guy have besides looks?!”

“He *is* better-looking. Maybe she likes his type? You getting surgery?”

“I’ll be real—I’m jealous.”

The lake was artificial, nestled beside campus.

They walked in silence.

Ling Mo didn’t know what to say. Xia Xinyan feared opening her mouth would unleash sarcasm.

Only now, viewing her past self from a third-person lens, did she realize: *What an idiot I was.*

*Come on! Girl! Campus goddess! Heiress! Dream setup—and you won’t even say hi? No initiative, no story! Think a pretty face makes girls throw themselves at you? Wake up, idiot! This isn’t…*

…*Actually, it really is a pie from the sky.*

Annoyance flickered.

Knowing herself, she guessed Ling Mo’s mind was already naming their second child.

But he’d never taken the first step either. In her past life, she died never having held a girl’s hand.

That regret haunted her.

Reincarnation should fix regrets—but who reincarnates *into* the third person?!

Fix *whose* regret? This idiot ahead? Let him charm girls while she eavesdrops?

Unbelievable.

Was this Ling Mo still… *her*?

[Hello. Yes, it counts. Host and original body share identical soul resonance—closer than twins in soul studies. No blood relation exists; mating remains permissible.]

[Friendly reminder: Higher soul compatibility = greater pleasure during mating.]

“…”

Xia Xinyan smiled faintly.

*What if I killed Ling Mo right now?*

[Not advised. System would become inoperable.]

*It failed last life too.*

[Supernatural cheat ability resides in original body. Current identity cannot reach prior-life capability.]

“…You win.”

“Hm?” Ling Mo instantly perked up. “What… did you say?”

“What I said…” Xia Xinyan softened her smile. “Are we just walking forever? Won’t you do something?”

Ling Mo froze. “I… uh… what should we… do?”

*Idiot.*

If he used even a tenth of his bro-flirting skills on girls, he’d be a dating master.

Why must the girl move first? How’d he ever get a girlfriend?

She took a quiet breath. “Heard you’re looking for an off-campus place? Picked a spot? Want to co-rent?”

She’d always wanted to move out—roommate drama, y’know? Never found the right place or person.

No one knew herself better. Manipulating her past self? Effortless.

She even predicted his next line:

“Ah… we don’t really know each other… Why me, Miss Xia?”

Her reply ready: *“Because I like you.”*

Straightforward guys? Hit them straight.

Predictably, Ling Mo went rigid.

But not enough. One final step—

She stepped close and hugged him.

Arms gently circling his neck, bodies pressed tight, feeling his breath. In that intimate hold, Ling Mo stiffened completely.

Xia Xinyan kept her gentle smile. “I’ve noticed you for a while. My ideal boyfriend is someone like you… sunny, devoted, gentle, thoughtful… and into fitness.”

*…Wow. My past self really had zero selling points. Even praising myself feels forced.*

While she inwardly groaned, Ling Mo stood utterly stunned.

Never praised like this. Never held like this.

*So this is… hugging a girl?*

*That faint, sweet scent…*

Yet he still pushed words out: “I… sorry. I like you too… but this isn’t dating, right? We haven’t spent time together. I want us to understand each other first. I won’t be irresponsible and make you regret it.”

Xia Xinyan: “…”

*Knew it.*

*Idiot.*

She sighed, releasing him. “Then… live together as friends for a while? What do you think?”