Regarding school arrangements, since Zhou You was a Hangcheng local, he chose to commute. Thanks to Sister Mo’s help, the paperwork wrapped up in no time—

practically dragged through departments in under half an hour, braving envious stares for his closeness to the beautiful principal.

It was already September. The sun blazed fiercely.

On Hangcheng Z University’s playground, thousands of freshmen stood rigid in camouflage uniforms.

Sweat trickled down temples; uniforms clung damp. Legs trembled from strain.

Some delicate girls swayed unsteadily, seconds from collapse.

The drill instructor checked his watch and gave a satisfied nod.

“Attention! Rest where you stand!”

The moment the words landed, everyone collapsed onto the scorching ground, faces washed with relief.

Zhou You squatted, rubbing his sore calves. Fit as he was, a full day under this sun was no picnic.

“Two weeks of training… and this is just day one. How do we survive?”

“For the first time, heatstroke sounds blissful.”

Earlier, a student carried off for heatstroke earned not concern—but envy.

No wonder. Hangcheng in September felt one step from being well-done.

Nearby students buzzed with complaints. Zhou You offered a faint smile—he wasn’t even in their class.

He’d enrolled in Z University’s Psychology Department, the sole guy in his cohort, so he trained with another squad.

He moistened dry lips. Someone entered the field carrying water. Excited murmurs erupted.

Who wouldn’t kill for an ice-cold drink right now?

The instructor relented. As the squad organized a water run, a girl in camouflage strode straight toward Zhou You’s formation, bottle of chilled mineral water in hand.

Unwavering steps. Sweat-glazed cheeks flushed from exertion, yet her youthful charm shone through.

All eyes locked on her. Whispers spread—many recognized the undisputed campus beauty, already legendary in freshman group chats.

How could any ZU freshman *not* know her?

“I bought you water.”

Yun Daidai offered the bottle, voice soft and timid. “Would you… drink it? Even just a sip?”

???

Eyes widened across the field. *The campus beauty… snagged?*

“Dude, you’re something else.”

“And she’s acting like a shy bride? Did you *tame* her already?”

Gazes pierced Zhou You like daggers.

He glanced at the bottle, then at Yun Daidai’s pleading expression. Thoughts raced.

*Deliberate display? Marking territory? Or… am I overthinking?*

“Don’t… you want it?” Her hand froze. Hurt flickered plainly across her face—enough to make love-struck onlookers leap to her defense.

“Thanks.” He took it, gulped two swallows. Coolness flooded his veins. Yun Daidai’s water or not—bliss.

Her sorrow vanished. Beaming, she squatted beside him, scrunched her face twisting open another bottle.

A tiny sip. A shiver ran through her petite frame—like a startled fawn.

Critical hit to every male heart except Zhou You’s.

*Damn… why isn’t she MY girlfriend?*

“Aren’t you heading back?” Zhou You frowned. *She broke up with me. Why’s she still clinging? Is she okay?*

“I…” She glanced at her squad, still resting. “…Can I just watch you… for a moment?”

“…”

“Do you even know what you’re doing?” He suddenly wished Sister Mo—or Chen Youzi, or Ning Mengmeng—would appear and drag him away.

“I…” Realization dawned. “…Sorry.”

She stood abruptly. The bottle slipped.

Zhou You caught it instinctively—handling surprises was second nature.

“Your water.”

She took it, eyes glistening. Such a small kindness stirred deep regret. *He used to be so gentle… and I didn’t cherish it.*

Head bowed, sincere: “Thank you.”

She left, clutching the bottle tight, stealing glances back.

*If he called me now… I’d do anything.*

University training was freshmen’s first real encounter. Every moment stuck.

Especially campus-beauty-brings-water-and-gets-rejected-level moments—guaranteed to ignite envy campus-wide.

Zhou You knew fame awaited. And with Yun Daidai’s inevitable next move…

“Maybe… find a girlfriend as a shield?” he muttered. Most feasible plan.

But…

He sighed. He took love seriously. Fake relationships? Not his style.

“Attention! Fall in!”

The instructor’s stern voice cut off budding gossip.

Training resumed under the merciless sun until six p.m.

Exhausted freshmen trudged toward dorms or cafeteria.

Just as Zhou You breathed easy—

*Thump.*

A very familiar luxury car waited beyond the gate.

His heart skipped.

Tomorrow’s rumor mill was already spinning: *Freshman heartthrob rejects campus beauty for sugar mama’s arms. Conscience lost? Morality broken? Humanity twisted?*

Let’s step into his mind.