"You idiot, didn’t you even realize we were inside the donation room? You only snapped out of it after someone had to remind you!"

Leng Shuang glared at Lin Mo, who was supporting his slightly unsteady steps, wishing he could thump her a couple of times.

After triggering Leng Shuang’s Yi Yu Syndrome, this girl had recklessly indulged herself—right inside the donation room.

In the heat of the moment, she even cried out, making the staff think something terrible had happened and rush to knock on the door.

How utterly embarrassing.

Thankfully, the outcome was fine. Leng Shuang had stored plenty recently, completing the donation while giving this lower-body-driven girl more than enough.

"Hehe, don’t blame me, Leng Shuang! You have no idea how unbearable it was—especially catching your scent. My whole body felt like it was on fire."

Though Lin Mo said this, the mischievous smile on her face told Leng Shuang she felt zero remorse—and would do it again without hesitation.

"I’m really done with you!"

Leng Shuang’s face flushed as he shot a glare at the lovely high school girl.

"I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean it! I’ll make it up to you later, okay~?"

Lin Mo pouted, clinging to his arm with deliberate coyness.

In his past life, when would he ever see a beautiful girl acting like this? Only in this world—where lovely girls were everywhere—could such a comical scene happen.

*(I really wish I could time-travel back...)*

"You pulled the same stunt last time. Heh."

Leng Shuang let out a cold chuckle, then sighed helplessly.

With someone he cared about, anger never stuck. Even if he kept a sullen face after her apology, his heart held no resentment.

"Fine. Later, I want fried chicken."

"Fried chicken? You just lost so much—it won’t replenish you fast."

"Then do you have money to take me for seafood?"

Leng Shuang raised an eyebrow.

The question caught Lin Mo off guard. She scratched her head awkwardly.

"Let’s talk later. Once I’m capable, I’ll take you for seafood after every time."

Lin Mo patted her budding chest earnestly.

"Hahaha, forget it. A bowl of pig trotter rice is fine—I was just kidding." Her sincerity warmed Leng Shuang’s heart.

"I’m not joking! Once we’re rich, we’ll eat seafood daily—enough to fully replenish you!"

"Ahem… Why replenish *that* much?"

"Well… hehehe."

Lin Mo chuckled mischievously.

Since officially becoming a couple, the once well-behaved Lin Mo now occasionally flashed these playful smirks.

Perhaps this was the lighthearted charm unique to lovers.

"Honestly, so improper. You were so shy before confessing."

Leng Shuang spoke with a shy glint in his eyes, cheeks flushed.

"But I’m only like this with you. Only you, for this whole lifetime."

"Cheesy!"

He pinched her ear. "Come on, let’s verify. They’ll close soon."

Lin Mo guided him toward verification.

As staff verified the donation, a middle-aged male worker glanced at Leng Shuang’s unsteady steps, shot Lin Mo a peculiar look, and muttered,

"Kids these days…"

The two exchanged an awkward smile.

After verification and registration, they left.

Stepping onto the wide street, Leng Shuang felt cheerful thinking of tonight’s subsidy. Though his steps remained slightly unsteady from depletion, joy outweighed it.

He’d also bought a meal for lazybones Yu Mo. After seeing Leng Shuang home, Lin Mo departed.

Leng Shuang disliked eating out—street stalls or hole-in-the-wall spots often meant trouble: running into bleached-haired delinquent girls. He refused to drag Lin Mo into that.

This suburban area had poor security. Late-night alley walks sometimes ended with groups of such girls ambushing lone men.

Best avoided.

"Wow~ Smells amazing!"

Yu Mo shuffled into Leng Shuang’s room, drooling at the meal laid out.

"Honestly, message earlier next time. Good thing I was delayed." Leng Shuang handed him his portion.

"Hehe, I *knew* you’d be delayed~" Yu Mo shoveled rice, smirking faintly.

Seeing that smug grin, Leng Shuang nearly punched him.

"Oh right! I locked in a place—renting with two classmates. Own room each. Just 600 yuan monthly for a fully renovated apartment~"

Yu Mo announced between bites.

Fresh grads with little experience usually teamed up with classmates for mutual support through the rookie phase.

Best choice.

Leng Shuang had wanted to live with Lin Mo, but she held Sakura University admission privileges. Verified, the 18-year-old could intern at top companies.

Graduates from Sakura City universities brought companies significant tax breaks. In fiercely competitive Magic City, firms recruited promising high schoolers early to secure talent post-graduation.

Housing near those companies was scarce and pricey. Though Leng Shuang could afford it with his subsidy, he saw it as wasteful. Lin Mo disagreed too. So he teamed up with Yu Mo and fellow working-class peers.

"Jobs? Found plenty. But I’ll check them in person—online posts aren’t trustworthy," Yu Mo added.

"Oh, Leng Shuang, how much is your subsidy?"

"Not sure…"

*Ding!*

Before he finished, his phone chimed. Leng Shuang checked it—the sound felt like heavenly music.

"Wow~ Told you! Thirty thousand!" Yu Mo peeked, voice tinged with envy. "Our school beauty Leng Shuang’s a little rich guy now~"

"Stop it. Thirty grand won’t buy a square meter of toilet in Magic City!"

"Hahaha, then we grind! Aim for a Magic City toilet in ten years." Yu Mo laughed, then sighed wistfully. "…Though who knows how long it’ll really take."

"Relax. Didn’t homeroom teacher say? 'Bread will come, milk will come too.'"

Beneath the joke lay the bittersweet ache of youth stepping into the city’s grind.

At eighteen, fresh into adulthood, they were days from heading to Magic City—to be tossed into society’s relentless current…