When eating cake, play a little clueless—let him wipe your mouth. While walking, never scroll on your phone. Stay aware, and let your boyfriend guide you sometimes.

Near him, use upward glances sparingly but precisely.

Even during breaks, stay alert. Rest time is the perfect moment for a cute girl to strike—he’s relaxed; you close in.

Forget shyness. If you let the one you like slip away, that modesty becomes regret.

Better to regret not trying hard enough than never taking the step at all.

May silently repeated Chen Yaoyi’s lessons in her head—then put them into action.

Walking side by side, she quietly reached out and intertwined their fingers.

Chen Yaoyi froze for a beat, then didn’t pull away. Honestly? He’d taught her the moves, but never expected her execution to hit this hard.

“Hehe… What’s wrong? Heart racing? Is it my hand… or me?”

She smirked, casting another upward glance—Chen Yaoyi had warned her: three or four times a day, max. May clearly hadn’t listened.

What she missed? At moments like this, a guy’s gaze locks on her chest, not her face.

Wrong angle. Totally.

“Next time… don’t wear this.”

He gently covered the neckline where a hint of skin peeked through. Only then did May realize she’d flashed him.

Blushing, she straightened up and stepped back.

“Pervert! Why didn’t you say sooner?!”

“Hey, you’re like a prime cut—who could resist a taste?”

“I’m not fat! Don’t say that!”

“I’m complimenting you!”

“Sounds like you think I’m fat!”

In the circular lounge on the mall’s first floor, the two bickered fiercely over wording—Chen Yaoyi was teasing; May had completely misread it.

Then a passerby murmured, “Just a couple squabbling.”

Both froze.

“Thirsty. Rest.”

Flustered, May looked away, found a yellow two-seater sofa, sat, and patted the space beside her—*demanding* he join her.

Seeing her genuinely upset, Chen Yaoyi hesitated, dashed to a vending machine, bought water, and returned.

May puffed her cheeks, took the bottle, and stared at the potted plant ahead. Chen Yaoyi quietly pulled out his phone, aiming the lens at her profile.

Sunlight streamed through the glass dome of the four-story mall, dust motes dancing in the gentle glow. Her slightly furrowed brows. That delicate, lovely face.

Not that he was smitten—he just knew: missing this shot would haunt him later.

Then—vibration. A text from Yaya. Through the screen, an unwelcome couple appeared.

“Secret photography’s illegal, you know!”

May’s lips twitched. She *knew* he was filming her—and she was secretly thrilled.

“Hey? Why so quiet? See something interesting?”

She shot him a *you’re-up-to-no-good* look… then followed his silent gaze.

Her breath caught.

She never imagined *them* here—arm in arm.

Chen Yaoyi read Yaya’s text, pocketed his phone, and turned toward the pair.

They noticed them too. The girl tugged the boy’s sleeve; he shook her off and sprinted straight toward the sofa.

Chen Yaoyi glanced at May. Her eyes dimmed, expression hollow. She recognized him too.

Zhao Xiaoluo. On a date with the plain-looking girl, Chu Chu.

“How about we—” May’s voice tightened. She hadn’t expected him here. Not today. Not on her rare date with Chen Yaoyi.

“Tch. Ignore him. You’re *my* girlfriend now. Who the hell is he?”

As Zhao Xiaoluo charged closer, Chen Yaoyi grew calmer. May wasn’t the heroine anymore. No worries left.

He grabbed her hand and pulled her close.

May lost balance, tumbling into his arms. Chen Yaoyi crossed his legs, watching Zhao Xiaoluo’s approach with cool amusement.

Her cheeks burned. All her teasing today felt tame next to this embrace. Lying against him, she hesitantly looked up—

Zhao Xiaoluo skidded to a halt before the sofa, frantically scanning for a weapon. *Seriously? Hoping to find a baseball bat lying around?*

“Wu—May! What are you doing here?! How can you be with this *scum*—?!”

At “scum,” May’s chest tightened, brows furrowing. *How did I ever like someone like him?*

Chen Yaoyi’s hand settled gently on her shoulder—a warmth she’d never felt before.

“Easy there, kid. I know you’re worked up… but take a breath.”

Chen Yaoyi sat calmly, cutting off the panting, panicked boy.

*What? Trying to pull moral high ground? Dream on. I won’t give you the chance.*