“Xiao Feng, have you decided which university you’re going to attend?”

Xiao Feng choked instantly on the sip of water he’d just taken at Situ Changxi’s question.

He patted his chest while coughing. “Cough, cough… I—I really haven’t decided yet!”

Situ Changxi quickly pulled a handkerchief from her small bag and handed it to him. Then she stood, gently patting his back—her movements incredibly tender.

Xiao Feng was almost moved by such a small gesture. *This young lady is way too gentle…*

“How did you choke again? Drink slower next time!”

She chided him softly while patting his back, her voice brimming with concern.

“It’s fine, really—just a little slip. All better now. Thanks for the handkerchief!”

He handed back the clean handkerchief, still carrying a faint milky scent.

Once sure he’d stopped coughing, Situ Changxi smoothed her skirt and settled back into her seat.

“Xiao Feng… you truly haven’t thought about where to go?”

She asked again, her tone firm—unwilling to drop it. Xiao Feng felt utterly stuck.

“Well… honestly, I don’t think my scores were great. Might end up at some no-name college.”

Trapped, Xiao Feng told a small lie, grasping for any excuse to end the topic.

At his words, Situ Changxi’s bright eyes dimmed slightly. Then, as if making a decision, she pressed her lips together and spoke tentatively:

“Xiao Feng… what if I ask my dad to arrange a spot for you at a university in H Province? Just don’t mention how you got in. What do you think?”

Xiao Feng’s chest tightened. *Damn. How was he supposed to answer that?*

Say, *“Nah, I actually want a no-name college?”*

Or, *“Actually, I’ve already picked one?”*

“Well… Situ—no, Changxi. Results aren’t out yet. We don’t know our scores. We can talk later, right?”

Situ Changxi nodded. If he did well, great. If not… she’d just ask Dad to secure a place for him in H Province. Easy.

“Mm! Once results come out, Xiao Feng, you *have* to tell me. We’ll go to the same university!”

*Xiao Feng’s thoughts raced: Good grief. The worst-case scenario is happening.*

Aloud, he managed:

“Um… Changxi, why do you want the same university? Haven’t you thought about your major? What if we like different ones?”

Situ Changxi shook her head with a soft smile. “Friends matter more than that.”

Xiao Feng fell silent. He couldn’t blame her. Society *was* money-driven.

And Situ Changxi? Clearly a girl who’d never lacked wealth. For her, what mattered wasn’t money—but connection.

Still… why *him*? A guy she’d known barely days?

*Does she… like me?*

*What about me?*

He wasn’t handsome. Not rich—heck, even *if* he were, he’d never match her level. Just an utterly ordinary guy.

Honestly? He couldn’t imagine any girl liking someone like him. Least of all a sweet, wealthy young lady like Situ Changxi.

What Xiao Feng didn’t know: he was her *only* male friend.

Being around him made her strangely happy—infinitely more than enduring her father Situ Ming’s endless “introductions.”

There was no helping it. A girl with zero experience talking to boys suddenly meets one…

And finds his presence warm, comfortable, *happy*.

Naturally, she wanted more of that.

Situ Changxi felt exactly that. She liked Xiao Feng—but wasn’t sure if it was friendship or something deeper. With so little exposure to boys, confusion was normal.

She never worried about jobs or scores. In H Province? Money solved everything.

And as a straight-A student, any university there was within reach. She was simply waiting for Xiao Feng to name his choice.

(Though *she’d* never set foot in a no-name college. She’d get Situ Ming to place Xiao Feng in a good one. If he refused? She’d pout, act cute, wheedle—whatever it took.

One way or another… they *would* end up together.)