Ling Mo had a wonderful dream that night.
He dreamed of accepting Xia Xinyan’s confession and becoming her boyfriend.
She took him to the seaside—to a villa facing the ocean. There, he gently pushed her onto the bed and slowly undressed her…
His dream shattered by a vibration from the phone beside his pillow.
Half-asleep and slightly annoyed, he grabbed it. “Hello? Who is it?”
Such a rare, perfect dream… ruined just like that.
“Decided yet? Want to grab breakfast together?” Xia Xinyan’s voice came through.
Ling Mo jolted fully awake. “Ah… Y-yes! I’ll be right there—wait for me!”
“Mm. I’m at the main entrance of the West District cafeteria.”
He hung up, checked the time—8 a.m. Weekend. Even his roommates were still asleep.
He patted his face to wake up… and felt a damp chill in his underwear.
“…Unbelievable.”
Ten minutes later, Xia Xinyan spotted him rushing over, clothes messy from waking up in a hurry.
*Ugh. Can’t even tidy up for a quasi-date? No wonder he’s single.*
*Idiot.*
*Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.*
Still… he *was* her past self. She sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and smoothed his collar. “No rush. I don’t mind waiting.”
Ling Mo froze.
*She’s… fixing my clothes? In public? With everyone watching?!*
*Why would she do this for me? Does she… actually like me?*
“There.” Xia Xinyan smiled softly, then naturally took his hand. “Let’s go eat.”
Ling Mo’s brain short-circuited.
*H-holding hands…*
*First time… a girl’s hand… so soft, so warm…*
“Ling Mo?” Her voice pulled him back.
He cleared his throat. “Ahem… Y-yes. Let’s go.”
Xia Xinyan gave him a tender smile—then turned away and rolled her eyes unseen.
*Idiot, idiot, idiot.*
*Why was I such an idiot back then? Just go for it! Trap or treat, take a bite first! Even if it backfires later, at least you’d feel good for a second!*
*Idiot.*
*Watching this guy… makes me doubt he’ll ever get anywhere.*
*Reincarnated as his bro would’ve been better. Bro bonds > fake girlfriend drama.*
【According to simulation: under peak male camaraderie, original body’s regard for host = 87%. Under peak female affection? 1000%.】
“…”
*Extra zero much?*
【Hello. There isn’t.】
“What’s wrong?” Ling Mo asked. “Noodles not good?”
Xia Xinyan blinked back to reality, tilted her head. “Just… about yesterday. Decided?”
“Ah…” He hesitated. “I… guess as friends first…”
“Then move your stuff after breakfast?”
“…So soon?”
“Because I really want to be with you. Even just as friends.”
“…Ah.”
His mind went blank. No playbook for this level of directness.
*Xia Xinyan kept smiling gently.*
*Hmph. If I can’t fool my past self… total shame.*
Ling Mo owned almost nothing: laptop, books, a sad pile of mismatched clothes. He never cared about outfits.
(Same went for Xia Xinyan—well, *she* didn’t care about *guys’* clothes. But back when she was a guy? Total pervert. Knew exactly how girls should dress. Just… never applied it to herself.)
Turns out “rooming together” meant Xia Xinyan’s family-owned luxury apartment across from campus.
Ling Mo gaped. “This… is the ‘shared place’?”
“Dad bought it. No rent.” She pulled him inside, closed the door. “But it’s lonely alone… so I wanted you here.”
He stiffened. “I can’t stay. People will talk. Your dad might—”
*Xia Xinyan sighed inwardly.*
*Truly… idiot.*
*Clutching pointless “good guy” pride. She’s obvious. He sees it. She knows he sees it. Still picks the “noble” dumb path.*
*Idiot.*
She spun around, wrapped her arms tightly around him. “I won’t let go until you say yes.”
“…Xia Xinyan… this isn’t—”
“I don’t care.” She squeezed harder. “Carry me back, or we hug till we starve.”
*Ultimate clingy tactic. If this doesn’t work… is he even me?*
True to plan—he caved fast. “O-okay! I agree! Please stop…”
She released him with a bright smile, snatched his bag. “You said it! No take-backs! You live here now, right?”
Watching her triumphant little stride, Ling Mo felt… oddly charmed.
*What’s her scheme? I’ve got nothing she wants…*
*She’s the Xia Group heiress…*
*Could it be… she genuinely likes me?*
A faint smile touched his lips.
“Alright. I’ll live here from now on.”
