Though reborn, Chen Dao felt not a hint of joy.

After four years of foolish yet pure university life—and a job teaching him to bow, scrape, and curry favor with cigarettes and drinks—how could he possibly recall trig functions, poetry analysis, or passive voice now?

*You want me reborn?*

*At least give me a timeline after the college entrance exam!*

Right now, his brain desperately needed sugar.

"Hey! You okay?"

She clutched the milk tea. Condensation beaded on the cup, trickling down to dampen Bai Qiaoqiao’s fingers.

"Did *I* buy this water?"

Chen Dao’s gaze locked on the taro ball milk tea in her hand.

He remembered: today was results day for the fourth monthly exam. He’d bought it to celebrate her progress… then seized the moment to confess.

Bai Qiaoqiao always said she liked boys who were gentle, refined, chivalrous, tender. Later, Chen Dao realized those standards were just for impossible ideals.

"Well, yeah—you shoved it at me! I said no…"

No matter how naive, she’d never *accept* a gift from a guy outright. Impolite. So she claimed it was forced.

"I’m thirsty. I paid. I drink. Problem?"

Before she could react, he snatched the cup, jammed in the straw, and took a hard sip.

Finally, the mental fog lifted—just a little.

Still surreal. But reborn he was. This time, he’d live for himself.

First step: refill his brain. Find a tutor?

Bai Qiaoqiao stood dumbfounded. *He drank the gift he gave me?!*

"Wait—"

She watched helplessly as he beat her to the untouched drink.

"Who takes back a gift they gave?!"

Stomping, flailing arms, cheeks puffed—she thought acting coquettish and snapping would make him surrender like always.

"Weren’t *you* the one who rejected me?" His words muffled around the straw.

"It was a *test*! How else know you’re sincere?"

She reached for the cup—then froze. He’d drunk from it. A flicker of discomfort.

Frustration surged: *He must buy me more gifts!*

"Maybe I’d have said yes if you tried harder! But after stealing my milk tea? Forget it!" she huffed.

Chen Dao stepped back, palm out.

"Seventeen."

Bai Qiaoqiao blinked. *Seventeen what?*

"The milk tea. You want it? Pay seventeen."

He glanced at the label. Twenty-one yuan full price. But he’d sipped it—so "practically brand new," discounted.

He wasn’t a gentleman. No chivalry. No need to be gentle with her.

"How can you ask for money?! Don’t you like me?! Can’t handle one tiny test?!" she shot back, stunned by his sudden spine.

"Keep your tests for others. My temple’s too small for a Buddha of your stature."

Forcing a smile, he turned to leave—more decisive than when he used to run her errands.

Her proud, fragile heart felt pierced. But shock outweighed hurt.

Face flushed, teeth gritted: "Chen Dao! Walk away now, and I won’t speak to you tomorrow!"

He froze.

*He’s caving!* Bai Qiaoqiao’s smile bloomed. "Walk away? I’ll ignore you! Apologize now—we can still be friends!"

*Hmph. Trapped. I knew you still like me!*

"Such good news! Thanks a ton!"

He spun around, grinning brightly, then bolted toward the teaching building—speed that’d shame last year’s sprint champ.

*He had no idea this existed!* Overjoyed!

Recreate high school glory. Better university. Build a business. Let this "little fairy" bother someone else!

Hehehe! So satisfying!

He dashed back to class, ignored classmates’ gossip about the confession, and sprinted downstairs—heading straight home.

*Buzz buzz buzz—*

At the building entrance, his Meizu phone vibrated fiercely in his pocket.

Fumbling it out: unknown caller. Out-of-province number.

"Hello?"

Only shuddering breaths answered. *Freezing.*

(No wonder—the weather *was* bitter.)

"Hello? C-Chen Dao…?"

Five seconds later—a girl’s voice. But he had no girls’ contacts besides Bai Qiaoqiao’s.

(She’d "just be friends" while banning him from talking to other girls.)

"Who is this?"

Old workplace habit: honorifics slipped out before he caught himself.

"I… I’m Xia Jiuli. You might not know me, but I know you—"

"Where are you?"

His three crisp words cut her off. Calm. Rational. Reassuring.

"I-I don’t know… Looks like a school. Rooftop terrace. Sports field nearby. A girl’s walking past below…"

Vague—but Chen Dao spotted it: Bai Qiaoqiao stomping his way, sports field behind her, comprehensive building beside her.

He glanced up. A flash of flesh-toned figure by the rooftop railing.

"Wait for me!"

He kept the line open, sprinting toward the comprehensive building.

Bai Qiaoqiao needed her bag too. Seeing Chen Dao rush toward her, face softening into a hopeful smile—*He’s apologizing!*

Huh?

A gust whooshed past. Chen Dao shot right by her beaming face, vanishing into the building.

"Eh?"