What’s it like to have a girl sitting on your lap?
Lu Chengzhou’s mind went completely blank.
The only thought that surfaced was, *She feels a bit heavier than she looks.*
Of course, no girl likes hearing that.
Lu Chengzhou wasn’t suicidal enough to say it aloud.
“Miss Meng,” he asked after a brief standoff, “what would you like me to do?”
Meng Wanyu shook her head with a smile.
“Girls don’t like being asked questions.”
“But…”
“I’ll allow you to try something. Like…”
She tapped a finger lightly against the corner of her lips.
The hint was unmistakable.
Truth be told, she was nervous too—but certain he wouldn’t dare.
Lu Chengzhou sighed. He saw right through her test.
Being prodded like this again and again was giving him a headache.
His inner turmoil pushed him to voice what he’d normally keep silent.
“So after this ‘attempt’… will we become a real couple?”
“Or can we still be normal desk mates?”
“Or… might we even become enemies?”
One mood-killing question after another.
Even Meng Wanyu felt the charm fading.
Without hesitation, she leaned in—silencing him with a kiss.
From her clumsy technique, Lu Chengzhou instantly knew: this so-called “veteran” was all talk.
Meeting his deep gaze, she let out a soft gasp, cheeks flushing as she looked away.
Her tone stayed stiff.
“I already said—girls don’t like questions.”
“Mm.”
“Mm what mm? Idiot! Moron!”
Watching her flustered, nearly incoherent state, Lu Chengzhou cleared his throat.
*So cute.*
*This version of her… is the most adorable.*
He gently wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her effortlessly, and set her on the nearby chair.
If she stayed on his lap any longer, things would spiral.
Risk avoidance was non-negotiable.
As he turned to leave, she called out:
“Teacher Lu!”
He took a slow breath, glancing back.
“Just heading to the restroom.”
Only after he left did Meng Wanyu realize what she’d done.
Overwhelmed by instinctive shame, she buried her face in her arms on the desk.
A hot blush spread across her cheeks.
“What have I *done*?!”
It was just a test—how did she end up giving away her first kiss?!
…
In the restroom, Lu Chengzhou splashed cold water on his face.
Pretending he wasn’t affected? Impossible.
He was only human.
How many men could stay calm in that situation?
He sure wasn’t one of them.
What held him back wasn’t virtue—it was pure survival instinct.
Gradually, the heat inside him cooled.
He exhaled. Lighter. Calmer.
Back in the reading room, Meng Wanyu sat quietly, book in hand.
Her unusually obedient posture unsettled the ever-wary Lu Chengzhou.
(He definitely lacked the guts to tease her… though he *did* miss that flustered look.)
After over an hour, he finished his English novel.
She hadn’t absorbed a single word.
Noticing the late hour, he wanted an escape—but faced with her elf-like, twinkling eyes, he swallowed his nerves.
“How about a walk?”
*Figure it out on the way.*
“Let’s grab dinner,” Meng Wanyu suggested.
“Mm. As you wish,” he agreed.
Dinner meant a natural parting point.
Outside, a cool breeze brushed past.
Meng Wanyu instantly regained her composed air.
They chose a new nearby Japanese spot—good food, fair prices.
Lu Chengzhou, hating undercooked dishes, ordered ochazuke and tempura shrimp.
She mirrored his order exactly.
“Tomorrow’s Lin Chen’s birthday,” she casually asked. “You’re going?”
“Yes.”
“Dress formally, okay?” She smiled. “If you’re unsure, ask me.”
Lu Chengzhou paused.
*Right… upper-class banquet. Casual wear = embarrassment.*
*But as a side character, flashy attire might steal the leads’ spotlight. Risk the male lead’s resentment? Not worth it.*
He decided: keep it modest.
After dinner, they strolled side by side.
After two blocks, Meng Wanyu whined about sore legs.
No bench in sight.
Crouched on the pavement, pouting and sighing, she looked utterly pitiful.
*She’s definitely acting,* he thought.
“Young miss, you—”
“Carry me.”
She opened her arms, lips pursed. “I really can’t walk.”
*We kissed already. What’s one piggyback?*
*Stay calm. Stay calm.*
But the moment her soft body settled against his back, his pulse jumped.
Her subtle perfume, the gentle weight—it was dangerously captivating.
She rested her chin on his shoulder, openly studying his eyelashes, his profile.
*The more I look… the more I like.*
She poked the mole near his eye.
“Teacher Lu is truly handsome.”
“Even more delicate than a girl.”
Lu Chengzhou sighed. *Again with the girl comparisons.*
“Excuse me—can a girl carry someone like this?”
“The way Teacher Lu gets serious is *so* cute.”
She pinched his cheek.
*Skin’s rough, yet smooth… must be good genes.*
“Miss Meng, please stop complimenting me.”
Flustered and helpless, he had no defense.
She only grinned wider.
“Teacher Lu’s shy face? Universally, cosmically… the *cutest*.”
