The apartment complex where Xiao Feng and Liu Qing lived wasn’t far from downtown—just two subway stops, a matter of minutes.

Nighttime always made the city livelier than daytime.

Evening strolls, dog walks, and group dinners had somehow become part of daily life.

On the bustling street, Liu Qing insistently linked arms with Xiao Feng, her delicate face beaming with a radiant smile—the very picture of a girl head over heels in love.

Xiao Feng, however, looked exactly like someone dragged unwillingly to school: utterly reluctant.

He wasn’t strikingly handsome—just decently cute—but his careless outfit knocked points off his vibe, making him seem utterly ordinary.

Yet while Xiao Feng flew under the radar, Liu Qing turned every head. Her long legs, seemingly sculpted by a master artisan, left countless guys frozen mid-stride.

Paired with her heavenly beauty and that enchanting smile, envy practically radiated from every passerby toward Xiao Feng.

If they knew he was *unwilling*, they’d probably tackle him on the spot!

Liu Qing tugged him into a massive mall. “I’m buying you a sharp new outfit,” she declared. Xiao Feng groaned inwardly—but had zero power to resist.

“Sister Qing, I really don’t need clothes! I’m not even dating—why dress up? Weren’t we just grabbing dinner?!”

Liu Qing’s smile vanished. “What do you mean, ‘not dating’? If you don’t look sharp, how will any girl like you?”

“Dinner can wait. Clothes first!”

Hearing that tone, Xiao Feng blinked. *Sounds exactly like my mom… so stubborn!*

“Sister Qing, are you my mom? Why so obsessed with my love life?!”

She dodged with a pout. “Mom? I just want to buy you something! Call it thanks for always looking out for me!”

Xiao Feng sighed inwardly. *“‘Looking out for you’? If you didn’t keep mooching meals at my place, I wouldn’t ‘look out’ at all!”*

Aloud, he chuckled. “Of course I care! But there’s such a thing as *too much* care. I’m genuinely touched you ‘care’ so much about my cooking!”

Liu Qing stopped dead, eyes locked on his. “Xiao Feng… are you tired of Sister?”

He shook his head instantly. “No! Absolutely not!”

“Then… do you not *like* Sister anymore?”

He scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. “Sister Qing, don’t be vague. Spell it out!”

She nodded firmly. “Romantic liking. Do you like Sister… *that* way?!”

Xiao Feng forced a nervous grin. “Truth or lie?”

“The truth!”

He cleared his throat. “Ahem… truth is, it’s not exactly romantic. It’s more like—"

Her lips quivered. Eyes welled. One tear threatened to fall.

Panic shot through him. *Why’s she crying?!* He backpedaled fast. “I misspoke! I *meant* romantic liking! I like Sister Qing! Very, very much! I can’t wait to be with you every single day!”

Liu Qing sniffled. “Really?”

“Really! Truer than steamed fish!”

“No lies?”

“None! If I lie, I’ll take my mom’s surname!” *(Both of Xiao Feng’s parents shared the surname Xiao!)*

Tears vanished. She let out a watery giggle, sniffled cutely, then wrapped herself around him like an octopus, cooing, “Xiao Feng… so you’re my little boyfriend now?”

He gently peeled her off. “Sister Qing… did you study face-changing? Mood switch that fast?”

She pouted. “I don’t care! You said you like me *romantically* and can’t wait to be together. I accept! No take-backs!”

*Pfft—*

Xiao Feng nearly choked. *“Is that even a move?!”*