“But I’m not Zhao Xiaoluo. I won’t like you.”

Chen Yaoyi held May’s gaze without flinching. These words were necessary—for her, and for himself.

Yet even so… May wouldn’t give up, would she?

The moment he finished speaking, the girl’s face drained of color. Her trembling lips parted and closed several times, releasing only a faint breath.

“Ah…”

May lifted her head slightly, met Chen Yaoyi’s cold expression, then lowered her eyes again.

Riding in the car with Su Ziqing hadn’t felt awkward at all. Even when Su Ziqing suggested she leave Zhao Xiaoluo, May hadn’t felt angry—she could hardly believe it herself.

She worried about no longer feeling strongly for Zhao Xiaoluo, yet felt guilty and uneasy about the flicker of emotion stirring for Chen Yaoyi.

She’d proposed trying this to see if his response would make her heart skip.

But she never expected a death sentence before it even began—

May touched her cheek, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them again, a little steadier.

“Ah… um…”

She nodded, but Chen Yaoyi still caught the fleeting shadow in her eyes.

“Ah, ah, ah! I know, I know! You’re just a practice partner! Obviously—I’d never actually see a weirdo like you as a real love interest! Seriously!”

She shook her head hard, arms flailing in panic.

“Since you put it that way—”

Watching her self-deception, Chen Yaoyi felt a pang of pity.

“Then… has it started?”

May slowly rose, shifted sideways on the chair, and turned her face away with quiet restraint. Aside from unavoidable circumstances, this was the first time she’d been this close to Chen Yaoyi.

He didn’t look away from her slender, graceful silhouette. Less than ten centimeters separated them.

Close enough to reach her back—or lower.

But his gaze stayed fixed on her faintly flushed cheeks.

May exhaled softly. Even for her, this took courage.

“Can… can we hold hands?”

Face averted, avoiding his eyes, she slowly raised her left hand, hovering it midair.

Her slender fingers waited.

“Of course.”

Without hesitation, he took her hand.

“Hm?”

Warmth came—but something felt off. She turned. Chen Yaoyi had used his left hand, gripping hers like a business client.

“N-no! That’s not it!”

Cheeks puffed, eyes flashing with flustered anger and shyness.

“Again.” She faced him, left hand extended. “Use your right!”

“Fine, fine.”

Chen Yaoyi chuckled wryly, brushing his right fingers upward against her palm.

A light tickle made her brow twitch. She instantly flattened her palm, then slid her hand down to clasp his firmly.

Palms pressed, fingers interlaced. May stared at their seamless join and smiled like she’d tasted honey. She giggled foolishly—unaware Chen Yaoyi saw every second.

“What’s next? Stop grinning like that.”

He tapped her forehead gently.

She jerked her head up, stifled the smile, turned away, stole another grin—repeated it twice—then finally stilled.

Tilting her head in thought, she didn’t notice Chen Yaoyi studying the blush on her cheeks, her long lashes, her lovely face. *A girl this wonderful… winning anyone’s heart should be effortless.*

“I… I want to try… a hug? With you?”

Chen Yaoyi watched her flushed face, then paused. “You mean… with Zhao Xiaoluo?”

“Ah—with you! Um… with Xiaoluo! Look at me…”

An awkward, bitter smile surfaced. Was it failed roleplay? Or her little scheme exposed?

“Is it… not allowed?”

Perfect coyness. A soft, tender tone. A gaze lifting slowly toward him—every technique he’d taught, flawlessly woven together as she leaned closer.

She intended to go further.

Knock, knock, knock—

A knock at the door. Su Ziqing never knocked; she’d barge in, finish her business, leave.

This time, she must’ve known—or feared—walking in on something private.

May froze like a startled animal, eyes darting.

Flushed, she leaped off the bed, sat rigidly upright. Her fingers fumbled with her hair, smoothed her clothes, adjusted her pants, cleared her throat.

Only when she stilled did Chen Yaoyi call out:

“Come in.”

Su Ziqing entered, brown paper bag in hand. Her gaze flicked between them before she stepped inside.

“I bought these for you. Eat while warm. May takes the trash. And stick to visiting hours—understood?”

Efficient as ever: placed the bag in May’s hands, turned, exited—door open, shut, gone in one motion.

“Ah… it’s jiaozi!”

“Brings back memories…”

“Oh! Starting tomorrow, I’ll cook your dinner! Don’t underestimate me—I’m actually amazing in the kitchen!”

Rolling up her sleeves, May beamed with confident pride, all fluster and shyness swept cleanly away.