#Romance #Modern #HappyEnding #ChildhoodSweethearts #YouthCampus #SweetPet #WarmAndCute
The bustling street was filled with people and cars.
Cheng Xingzhuo sat in a food stall, looking at the barbecued pork and chicken leg rice on the table. He then looked up at He Shuangyue, who was staring at him intently. After rubbing his chin and thinking for a moment, his eyes suddenly lit up. With a mischievous grin, he said, "Hey... Sister Moon, could it be that you've actually fallen for me?"
"This is the third meal you've treated me to this week. Although I know my stunning looks might tempt people into committing crimes, I'm still underage. It's immoral for you to extend your claws toward me!"
Hearing this, He Shuangyue almost choked. She slapped him on the head and said, "If you keep spouting nonsense, I'll seal your mouth next time!"
Cheng Xingzhuo rubbed the spot where he was hit, pouting as he gave her a pitiful look. Then, with a face full of indignation, he said, "Hmph! You're so violent; how can I trust you with selling my brother to you?"
Upon hearing this, He Shuangyue immediately put on a big smile. She took a piece of the fragrant barbecued pork from her bowl and placed it in his, then smoothed his messy hair like he was a little puppy. Batting her eyes, she said, "Xiao Zhuo, I've watched you grow up, and I always think of sharing good things with you."
"And since you said from a young age that you liked me the most as your Sister Moon, you'll definitely help me, won't you?"
Cheng Xingzhuo shuddered, feeling goosebumps rise all over. Thinking of his annoying brother, he said with disdain, "You and my brother—one a rogue, the other a schemer—are a perfect match! If you two get together, it would be a service to the public, and I'd be hailed as a hero! So, of course, I'll do everything I can to help you."
He Shuangyue smiled with satisfaction, then tugged on his sleeve to continue probing for information.
"Then tell me, what has Cheng Xingyi been up to lately? It's summer vacation, but he's acting like a cloistered young lady, not stepping out of the house at all, and he's not even replying to my messages."
"Is your brother hiding something from me, like another woman?"
Cheng Xingzhuo rolled his eyes at her. "Are you dumb? Besides you, with your unique taste, who else would be so smitten by him? Rest assured, even if he's into someone, it wouldn't be a woman."
Hearing this, He Shuangyue looked horrified and asked, "Then why is he ignoring me? Could he really be into men?"
"Hehe, well, he kind of is, if you count Xu Kele."
Upon hearing this, He Shuangyue gave Cheng Xingzhuo another smack on the head. "If your brother likes men, you'll be the first one I won't let off! So, speak properly!"
He glared at her in dissatisfaction and said grumpily, "With the way you are, only someone like Cheng Xingyi, who's scheming, could tolerate you! To be honest, he's been busy gaming lately. Xu Kele is paying him to help level up and defeat monsters."
"Does your brother need money?"
"I have no idea. Maybe he's saving up to buy you a set of 'Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Mock Tests.'"
"You're about to start your final year of high school, and he's probably worried about your grades. He's afraid you won't keep up and won't get into the same school, and he's even more worried you'll stop pestering him and start bothering someone else, so he's spooked."
Grades were He Shuangyue's sore spot, and this brat really knew how to hit where it hurt! She glared at him, then snatched back the barbecued pork from his bowl, angrily shoveling a mouthful of rice into her mouth.
Cheng Xingzhuo didn't argue with her and instead grinned as he continued, "Don't be fooled by my brother's cold demeanor; he's just repressed."
"Let me tell you, his pajamas are actually pink."
"You've been working hard for so many years; just keep pushing a little more. Don't let him out to charm other girls. I'm rooting for you, Sister Moon!"
Upon hearing this, He Shuangyue silently counted on her fingers and realized that she really had been eyeing Cheng Xingyi for many years.
When you think about it, He Shuangyue and Cheng Xingyi were really destined to be frenemies from the start.
When He Shuangyue was young, her parents were very busy with work and had little time to take care of her. So, they sent her to her grandparents' house, hoping that her grandfather could help discipline this rambunctious little girl.
But as soon as she arrived at her grandfather's house, He Shuangyue felt like a rabbit released from its cage.
Her grandparents doted on her and couldn't bear to scold her, let alone discipline her. So, she grew up with a wild streak.
Cheng Xingyi's family lived in the building across from her grandparents' place. When the adults were busy, the kids would usually gather and play together.
Cheng Xingyi was the leader of the group, a boy with an exquisitely handsome face, like a porcelain doll, but with a commanding presence. He didn't need to say a word to keep the other "small fry" in line.
The first time He Shuangyue showed up with a small bucket among the kids, the others, seeing her adorable face, immediately wanted to play with her.
Except for Cheng Xingyi, who stood there like a little prince with a cold expression, not paying her any attention.
She silently grumbled: This little stone-face is really wasting such a pretty face, standing there like a door god, not even saying a word to a new friend.
However, his younger brother, Xiao Zhuo, was the complete opposite—adorable and full of smiles as soon as he saw her. He grabbed her hand and started calling her "Sister Moon" this and "Sister Moon" that.
She provocatively made faces at Cheng Xingyi, sticking out her tongue—see, your brother likes me, nah nah nah!
Cheng Xingyi glanced at her, then grabbed Xiao Zhuo's hand and turned to head back home.
He Shuangyue couldn't stand it. Hmph, if you won't play with me and even get jealous when someone else likes me, how awful!
So, she threw her toy down and sprinted after Cheng Xingyi, intending to grab his collar and throw him over her shoulder.
But in her rush, she accidentally pulled down his pants in front of everyone and ended up sprawled at his feet in a dog-paddling position.
As He Shuangyue came to her senses, she was shocked, wondering if she should make a run for it or help him pull his pants back up first.
However, before she could react, Xu Kele, that rascal, suddenly exclaimed with delight, "Boss, your underwear has a cartoon piggy on it!"
Hearing this, the kids who had been holding back out of respect for Cheng Xingyi's dignity couldn't help themselves anymore. They all turned away, covering their mouths, trying not to laugh.
He Shuangyue, however, clearly saw Cheng Xingyi's beautiful face slowly turn beet red, his teeth grinding audibly.
He glared down at her, looking like he wanted to tear her apart right there.
Seeing the colorful cartoon underwear, He Shuangyue had also wanted to laugh, but was so scared by him that she swallowed the laugh that was on the tip of her tongue.
Then, in front of everyone, she cautiously helped him pull his pants back up.
"Um... actually, your underwear is quite nice."
He clenched his fists, the veins on the back of his hands popping, and ground out her name through gritted teeth, "He Shuangyue!"
But in the next second, she looked up at him with a big grin and said something that completely shattered him, "You don't need to be shy. Whether anyone else wants you or not, I'll always take responsibility for you!"
Cheng Xingyi stared into her sincere, innocent eyes, as if she were discussing something as mundane as what to have for dinner.
Yet, his face turned red, then green, then white, as a wave of unnamed panic washed over him.
He suddenly realized that he couldn't handle this seemingly naive little girl, and he quickly grabbed Xiao Zhuo's hand and fled the scene as if his life depended on it.
This incident, however, made He Shuangyue famous overnight.
From that day on, Xu Kele's little minions started calling her "Sister Moon," knowing full well that Cheng Xingyi's nemesis had arrived.
With her newfound determination to take full responsibility for Cheng Xingyi, He Shuangyue completely changed her attitude towards him. She no longer found his expressionless face off-putting; instead, she thought it was incredibly cool and handsome.
Every morning before school, she would stake out in front of his building, and as soon as he appeared, she would stick to him like glue.
After school, she would wait outside his classroom, shamelessly winking and whistling at him like some rich kid from a TV show chasing after a girl, acting like a little hooligan.
At first, every time Cheng Xingyi saw her, the embarrassing memory of that ridiculous incident would flash through his mind, and he felt it was the most humiliating experience of his life!
So, he never gave her a friendly look, avoiding her as if she were the plague, like a mouse hiding from a cat.
But who was He Shuangyue? She was the "Sister Moon" adored by all the neighborhood kids, the only one who could stand up to Cheng Xingyi—a legendary figure! With her thick skin, unshakable confidence, and the endless tricks she'd learned from books and TV, would she give up so easily?
In front of everyone, she boldly declared to an exasperated Cheng Xingyi, "Sooner or later, you'll be mine!"
This move earned He Shuangyue the support of everyone, including Xiao Zhuo, while Cheng Xingyi only felt more certain that he was in big trouble.
He had no idea what she had said to her grandfather when she got home, but the next day, the old man showed up at school and transferred her from her original class to his.
Then, he watched in disbelief as she, with a little tyrant's swagger, approached the boy sitting next to him and negotiated—through a mix of threats and bribes—to switch seats with her.
Finally, she became his deskmate, fully embracing her role as a clingy nuisance.
She squinted her eyes, grinning at him like a crescent moon, "Hey, Cheng Xingyi, are you happy? I'm your deskmate now."
He shot her a sidelong glance, then picked up his pen and, much to her surprise, calmly drew a line down the middle of the desk.
He coldly said, "Don't cross this line! Don't talk about that incident at school! Don't look at me with those googly eyes!"
As soon as she heard his three "don'ts," He Shuangyue pouted, then her eyes sparkled with mischief. She deliberately tossed an eraser over the line and then looked at Cheng Xingyi with a feigned innocence.
"Oh no… my eraser accidentally fell on your side. Can I cross the line to get it back?"
As she spoke, she slowly extended her hand towards the boundary, carefully watching his expression.
Cheng Xingyi's face flushed with anger as he watched her invading hand creep closer.
Without thinking, he grabbed her hand and threw it back across the line.
"Haha, Cheng Xingyi, you like me! You held my hand!"
Hearing this, his face turned an even deeper shade of red, like a ripe tomato.
Immediately after, he picked up the eraser that had crossed the line and threw it back, then deliberately turned his head away, refusing to look at her.
That dividing line remained from elementary school all the way through middle school, but He Shuangyue never took it seriously. She constantly crossed it to tease him, whether she had a reason or not.
This infuriated Cheng Xingyi, making him glare at her repeatedly, his handsome face puffing up like a balloon ready to burst.
As they grew older, Cheng Xingyi gradually became accustomed to the presence of the little rascal beside him. However, he still held onto a glimmer of hope deep down. He wished that as He Shuangyue matured, she might start acting like a normal girl—at the very least, be more reserved and stop blurting out things like, "I'm going to make you mine," which made her seem like a full-blown troublemaker.
But reality soon proved to him that his hopes were misplaced.
After entering middle school, He Shuangyue became obsessed with online novels. Whether it was romantic tales like "The Arrogant Young Master Fell in Love with Me" or fantasy genres like "Leveling Up in a World-Changing Game," she devoured them all with unrelenting enthusiasm, to the point of being unable to put the books down or even eat or sleep properly.
As the beloved "Sister Moon," He Shuangyue believed that good things should be shared. With a strong sense of loyalty, she enthusiastically dragged Xuke Le and others into her reading world, gathering them to discuss their thoughts and reflections.
Cheng Xingyi couldn't stand it anymore. On one hand, he scolded Xuke Le for following He Shuangyue's lead and indulging in such nonsense, insisting that as a boy, he shouldn't be corrupted by a girl hooligan like her. On the other hand, whenever he saw any suspicious books in He Shuangyue's desk, he would confiscate them immediately, remaining unmoved no matter how much she whined or acted pitiful.
"Give me my book back!"
He glanced at the cover illustration, his brows furrowing slightly. "If you can promise me that after reading these books, you won't stare at me with that lecherous gaze or spout suggestive lines all day long, I might consider giving it back."
"Books are our best teachers! You can't deprive me of my right to learn! Otherwise, I'll tell Auntie Cheng that you're bullying me!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xingyi stared straight at her, his dark pupils as deep and tranquil as a quiet lake, with an intensity that could draw anyone in.
But He Shuangyue clearly sensed the turbulent emotions hidden beneath his calm exterior. She swallowed nervously and lowered her eyelashes, feeling too guilty to argue further.
He raised the novel in his hand with a look of disdain. "Are you trying to learn how to flirt from these books? Should I commend your dedication to studying in front of your grandpa, hmm?"
He Shuangyue's face flushed a bright red, making her look like a boiled crab. She glared at him angrily, but then she noticed the faint redness creeping up his ears.
A sly smile crossed her face as she casually played with a strand of hair, then gazed at him with mock affection.
"That's right, I am learning how to flirt from these books. Where do you think I've been getting all these ideas to chase after you over the years?"
"See, I've been applying what I've learned on you. Shouldn't you be praising me for it?"
With that, she deliberately reached out and touched his face, an unmistakable act of teasing.
Cheng Xingyi felt like he was about to explode—only she had the power to infuriate him like this! Yet, despite the slight burning of his ears, he managed to maintain an outward calmness. He responded coolly, "But you've been applying what you've learned for so long, and I still don't see you catching me. That just proves these books have no practical value."
He Shuangyue huffed, "Keep pretending. I know you like me."
"I find you annoying."
"No, you like me."
"I said I find you annoying."
"And I said you like me."
"…"
This back-and-forth battle over whether it was affection or annoyance dragged on between them, neither willing to back down.
In the blink of an eye, ten years had passed since they first met.
That day, after gathering intel from Xiao Zhuo, He Shuangyue wasted no time in seeking out Xuke Le. Without any explanation, she launched into a tirade, leaving him utterly confused.
"Sister Moon, did I do something to upset you?" he asked, bewildered.
"Tell me, why did you go to Cheng Xingyi to help you level up in the game instead of coming to me?" she demanded. "Do you know that because of your little stunt, he's been holed up at home for over two weeks, and he hasn't returned a single one of my calls!"
Xuke Le, feeling aggrieved, mumbled, "Oh, my dear sister, no one can beat you in real-life combat, but when it comes to gaming, you're pretty bad. You even asked me to teach you last time."
After a pause, he added with admiration, "But our boss is different. Not only is he handsome, but he's also a pro at gaming."
"So I asked him to help me level up so I could show off to those brats."
Hearing this, He Shuangyue grabbed his ear and narrowed her eyes. "Seems like you still don't realize your mistake. Do I need to spell it out for you, hmm?"
Xuke Le, in pain, quickly surrendered and begged for mercy, "Sis, don't pull, don't pull! I was wrong, I shouldn't have asked the boss, I shouldn't have gotten in the way of you and him building your relationship."
"But I didn't ask him first; it was the boss who offered to help me."
At this, He Shuangyue let go of him and suspiciously asked, "Did your boss take the wrong medicine recently? He never plays games. And why would he need money?"
He, rubbing his ears, jumped three steps away and replied, "How would I know what's going on in his head? I'm not a worm in his stomach."
"If you want to know, you might as well ask him directly. That way, you can see him and ease your longing."
"That's true."
He Shuangyue thought to herself that Cheng Xingyi had become increasingly hard to read.
Even though he had always had that expressionless face since childhood, and despite his usual indifferent attitude towards her, over the years, aside from occasionally bickering with her, he'd been relatively nice to her. Even when she teased him to the point of anger, he never really retaliated, right?
After two days of holding back, He Shuangyue finally couldn't resist any longer. She grabbed a bag of dragon fruits and headed straight to Cheng Xingyi's house.
Xiao Zhuo opened the door. Seeing her, he gave her a knowing look. "Sister Moon, you came at the perfect time. My brother is sleeping right now. Let me take you to see his pink pajamas."
Come to think of it, she had never seen him in pink pajamas. Following Xiao Zhuo stealthily to the door of the room, she felt a surge of inexplicable excitement.
She didn't notice the sly glint in Xiao Zhuo's eyes. Suddenly, she was shoved from behind and stumbled into the room. Then, with a loud "click," the door was locked from the outside.
Her phone buzzed with a new message: "Sister Moon, as a dutiful wingman, this is as far as I can help. The rest is up to you. Good luck!"
He Shuangyue chuckled with satisfaction, slipped her phone back into her pocket, and began to survey Cheng Xingyi's room.
The entire room was impeccably clean and organized, just as she expected from a neat freak like him. Hmph, he had a bad temper and an emotionless face; who else could tolerate him besides her? He was truly blessed but didn't even realize it!
She tiptoed over to Cheng Xingyi's bed and crouched beside it, staring at his sleeping face with a dreamy expression. Normally, he wore that cold, emotionless mask, exuding an icy demeanor. But now, asleep, his features had softened, making him look like a child. His long, delicate eyelashes were strikingly beautiful. And those tightly pressed lips—how sexy was that lip line!
Unable to resist, she reached out and touched every part of his face, laughing inwardly at how good it felt to the touch. Then, she quietly opened her phone's camera and snapped a picture of this adorable sleeping beauty in his pink pajamas. Her excitement was palpable—Cheng Xingyi in pink pajamas was too cute for words, and this photo was a limited edition!
Just as she was reveling in her triumph, the person on the bed suddenly opened his eyes and stared directly at her, his gaze fixed on her still-smiling face. In a low voice, he asked, "Does it look good?"
Startled, He Shuangyue stumbled and fell to the floor, but she didn't forget to reply, "It looks great."
Hearing this, Cheng Xingyi propped himself up on the edge of the bed and slowly leaned closer to her. His presence overwhelmed her senses, making it feel like they were about to collide at any moment.
Although she often teased him, it was always just playful banter; she had never been this close to him before. Now, her heart was pounding wildly, and her face was burning with heat.
"Give me the photo," he said.
"Huh?"
He frowned slightly and repeated, "Hand over the photo you secretly took."
Realizing what he meant, she pushed him away. So he had been awake while she was swooning over him earlier—how annoying!
"No way, it's my photo!" she said, clutching her phone like it was a precious treasure.
He narrowed his eyes and gave her a meaningful look. Then, without warning, he pulled her onto the bed.
He Shuangyue felt the world spin, and when she regained her senses, there was a warm body pressing down on her.
What the heck was happening?
She wanted to escape this ambiguous situation, but he held her tightly, leaving her unable to move. "Cheng Xingyi, stop messing around. I'll give you the phone, okay?"
Seeing the panic in her eyes, he smiled and said, "I don't want it anymore."
He Shuangyue's face was burning, and for once, she was genuinely shy. She pushed him with all her might. "Get off me! I brought you your favorite dragon fruit, haha."
His intense gaze locked onto hers, his voice low and mesmerizing. "He Shuangyue, after reading all those romance novels, wasn't your goal to seduce me? Now that you've got your wish, why aren't you happy?"
"I... I wasn't trying to do that!"
"But I was," he murmured. Then, he suddenly leaned down and kissed her, biting her lip gently. "I'm already great at leveling up. From now on, you can only admire me, and you're not allowed to let Xuke Le lead you astray!"
He Shuangyue felt her brain short-circuit, her face flushed bright red, and her eyes darting around, unable to meet his gaze.
He gently pinched her chin, forcing her to look at him, and said slowly, "He Shuangyue, you said you'd take responsibility for me. So let's start now."
Ever since her first kiss was inexplicably stolen by Cheng Xingyi, He Shuangyue had been avoiding him for days. Even now, when she spotted him from afar in the neighborhood supermarket, she instinctively grabbed Xu Kele and bolted.
"Something's definitely off! Sister Yue, you're usually the one who loves to pester the boss the most. Why are you acting like you've seen a ghost today?"
"Did something happen between you two that I don't know about? Come on, tell me."
She gave him a disdainful look. "Xu Kele, could you stop acting like a gossipy girl?"
"Oh, come on! We're best buddies, right? Or best sisters, if you prefer."
"I've been risking my neck in the boss's lair since we were kids, gathering intel for you. You even said I was the best sidekick ever!"
Hearing him bring up their childhood, He Shuangyue paused, then asked quietly, "Xu Kele, do you think I like Cheng Xingyi?"
"Of course you do! From the moment you yanked down his pants, I knew you two were destined for each other!"
"And do you think Cheng Xingyi likes me?"
"Definitely! Don't be fooled by how quiet he is; he really cares about you."
"Think about it—has he ever gotten along with any other girl besides you? No, right?"
"And even though he says you're annoying, hasn't he willingly put up with you all these years?"
"If he didn't like you, with his personality, do you think he'd bother with you?"
"He's the king of repressed emotions!"
Xu Kele was about to say more when he suddenly noticed Cheng Xingyi standing behind her, looking displeased.
Seeing Cheng Xingyi's sharp gaze, Xu Kele gasped and decided it was best to leave. "Good afternoon, boss! You're looking great today, boss! If you don't need anything, I'll take off. You and Sister Yue have a nice chat!"
Hearing this, He Shuangyue quickly turned around, and sure enough, there was his expressionless face. She glanced back, but Xu Kele had already made a swift escape.
The two of them stood there, staring at each other for what felt like an eternity before Cheng Xingyi finally broke the silence with a slight cough. "He Shuangyue, starting tomorrow, you're coming to my house for math tutoring."
Normally, she would have been thrilled, but now, with the strange tension between them, she found herself asking, "Why should I?"
He gave her a long, penetrating look before responding in his usual calm tone, "You don't have a reason to refuse."
"But if you really don't want to come, that's fine. I'll make sure no one dares to hang out with you this summer."
Every time she met his deep, intense gaze, He Shuangyue felt a pang of guilt, like a mouse caught red-handed by a cat. Panicked, she muttered reluctantly, "Fine, I'll go!"
Hearing this, Cheng Xingyi's lips curled slightly, and a warm smile flickered in his deep eyes.
He Shuangyue couldn't help but think that her poor academic performance was all Cheng Xingyi's fault. Since childhood, her life goal had been to win him over, and she spent all her time with Xu Kele and their little gang, plotting ways to catch up to Cheng Xingyi. Where would she find time to study?
And besides, the reason Cheng Xingyi became a top student probably had something to do with her. With that handsome face of his, countless naive girls had been infatuated with him back in the day, constantly seeking him out.
If it weren't for her playing the role of a proactive deskmate, helping him fend off all those unwanted admirers, how could he have possibly stayed so focused on his studies?
After three weeks of tutoring, He Shuangyue increasingly felt that Cheng Xingyi was a total sadist. She regretted chasing after him for ten years and couldn't help but think she must have been out of her mind, utterly possessed, to shamelessly cling to him and demand that he take responsibility.
He wasn't tutoring her out of kindness; he was clearly out to torment her. He even teamed up with her grandfather to supervise her as she copied formulas and practice problems. It must have been Cheng Xingyi's way of exacting revenge for being utterly fed up with her.
Staring at the mountain of test papers, exercise books, chaotic formulas, countless punishment copies, and that cold, expressionless face of his, she felt this summer was turning into a suffocating ordeal.
For the sake of her future, she decided it was necessary to have a talk with Cheng Xingyi—at least they needed to get along.
One day, she arrived at the Cheng residence early. After Cheng Ayi let her in, she left, only mentioning that Cheng Xingyi was at home.
Hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom, and knowing that Xiaozhuo was likely out playing, she instinctively assumed it was Cheng Xingyi inside. She squatted by the door and began muttering to herself, "Cheng Xingyi, let's make peace, okay? No, let's turn our swords into plowshares!"
"I know I was wrong when we were kids. I shouldn't have pulled down your pants and embarrassed you in front of everyone."
"I shouldn't have had a crush on you and shamelessly demanded that you take responsibility."
"I also shouldn't have used force to block your romantic prospects, let alone tease you with words all the time."
"I've done some deep reflection, and I know I was wrong. So can you please stop retaliating against me?"
"I'll delete those photos I secretly took of you, and I'll pretend you kissing me never happened—like a dog bit me. Let's call a truce, okay?"
"Why don't you talk to Grandpa for me? I really don't want to copy any more math problems."
At that moment, the water stopped, and the door opened, revealing a shocked Xiaozhuo. "Sister Yue, did you really kiss my brother?"
"Why is it you? Where's your brother?"
He jerked his chin towards her. "He's right behind you."
Before He Shuangyue could react, a warm hand covered her eyes, causing her to blush furiously.
She heard Cheng Xingyi's displeased voice directed at Xiaozhuo, "Go to your room and put on a shirt, now!"
"Sister Yue isn't an outsider. But... Bro, did you really kiss her?"
"Cheng Xingzhuo!"
"Okay, okay, I'm going."
He Shuangyue pulled his hand off her face, grumbling, "I've already pulled your pants down; what's the big deal if Xiaozhuo isn't wearing a shirt?"
Hearing her words, a suspicious blush crept up Cheng Xingyi's face, and he felt a tightness in his temples. Couldn't they just move past this already?
Hadn't she just said she'd done some deep reflection and admitted her mistakes? Clearly, a woman's words couldn't be trusted.
Seeing him sweaty, his wet hair sticking to his forehead, and wearing a red jersey with his collarbones faintly visible, He Shuangyue realized he had just finished exercising. He looked incredibly sexy!
Her old habit kicked in, and she blurted out with a smirk, "Cheng Xingyi, you look absolutely stunning right now. So young and already so impressive!"
Cheng Xingyi removed the hand she had draped over his shoulder, then flicked her forehead with a light laugh. "He Shuangyue, copy the notes I organized for you yesterday three more times today!"
He Shuangyue instantly bristled, "Cheng Xingyi, I just admitted I was wrong! You can't just keep torturing me like this!"
He stared at her with deep eyes for a long time, then sighed softly and bent down to peck her lips. "He Shuangyue, I'm not retaliating against you."
The first time Cheng Xingyi laid eyes on He Shuangyue, he found himself liking her.
Especially when she proudly declared to everyone that she was "Sister Moon," the younger sister of Chang'e. He found it both amusing and endearing.
But it was precisely because he liked her that he didn't know what to say.
Watching her happily chat and play with others, he bottled up his frustration.
What he never expected, however, was that she would pull down his pants in front of everyone.
This utterly humiliated him, making him wonder how he could ever maintain his image as the leader. And seeing her innocent expression afterward, he suddenly realized this little girl was someone he couldn't afford to provoke.
His boyish pride compelled him to avoid her, but the more he avoided her, the more relentless she became. The two of them started a ten-year game of cat and mouse.
Over time, he grew accustomed to her mischievous flirting, her blatant declarations of affection, and her constant noise around him.
To keep her from waiting too long, he would come downstairs early every day to find her. He secretly enjoyed watching her fiercely fend off his admirers.
Even though he knew her friendship with Xu Kele was purely platonic, he couldn't stand seeing her always hanging out with Xu Kele, reading all kinds of nonsense together. He liked it even less when she asked Xu Kele to help her level up in games.
So, he confiscated her books and spent two weeks in seclusion, studying the game intensely.
Feeling indignant, he even tricked Xu Kele out of his allowance for the month as punishment.
And then, when she caught him off guard, he kissed her—he just couldn't help himself.
Everyone knew that He Shuangyue liked Cheng Xingyi because her affection was loud, passionate, and enduring.
But Cheng Xingyi liked He Shuangyue too. His affection, however, was deep, restrained, and eternal.
He Shuangyue touched her lips, still stunned for a while.
If the first time he kissed her was a prank, then the second time probably wasn't out of revenge, right? The more she thought about it, the more her face flushed red.
She looked up at him, feeling a bit unreal, and then pinched his cheek hard. When she saw him frown slightly, she quickly pulled her hand back, widened her eyes, and cautiously asked, "Cheng Xingyi, can I take this to mean you like me?"
His ears turned slightly red as he averted his gaze, deliberately avoiding her eyes, and answered somewhat awkwardly, "You can understand it that way."
Upon hearing this, He Shuangyue reached out again, giving him a slap on the head. "If you like me, why did you make me copy notes? Cheng Xingyi, are you crazy?"
No one knew better than him how spoiled and arrogant He Shuangyue could be. He had already anticipated that confessing his feelings would lead to this kind of outcome.
That's why he had refused to admit his feelings back when she was relentlessly pursuing him.
His face darkened instantly, and he gritted his teeth, squeezing out a "He Shuangyue!"
"I'm not copying anymore! Whoever wants to can do it!"
"If you don't copy, I'll break your legs!"
"Cheng Xingyi, you pervert!"
"Better a pervert than an uneducated thug like you!"
"Hmph!"
He Shuangyue thought that all those novels were full of lies. What nonsense about a domineering young master falling in love with me, or the gentle light of the moon like spring willow, or soft words flowing like water... Bah! In reality, there was only a big pervert like Cheng Xingyi!
The two of them were at an impasse. After her anger subsided, He Shuangyue thought it over and decided that a wise person knows not to fight when the odds are against them. Better to live to fight another day.
So, she turned to him with tearful eyes, looking pitiful as she pleaded, "Cheng Xingyi, as my boyfriend, you can't be mean to girls. I'll copy the notes, okay? But can I copy fewer?"
He looked at her with disdain. "Who said I'm your boyfriend?"
She panicked. Why wasn't he following the script?
"You just said you liked me!"
He smirked. "But I didn't say I'd be your boyfriend. If you want to be my girlfriend, it's not impossible."
"First, study hard and get into the same university as me, and then I'll consider it."
He Shuangyue was on the verge of exploding, but looking at Cheng Xingyi's smirking face, she forced herself to hold back.
A truly smart person can endure the present oppression and also deliver a perfect counterattack.
"Fine! I'll take the exam!"
She would endure! After the college entrance exam, let's see if he doesn't come begging her, hmph!
When the results of the college admissions came out:
"Cheng Xingyi, I didn't get into your university. Boohoo!"
Seeing her poor attempt at acting, he frowned slightly and then pulled her into his arms. "Don't cry. You're so dumb; getting into a second-tier university is already quite impressive. Besides, it's not far from my school."
She buried her face in his shirt, wiping her tears, then grumbled indignantly:
"But if that's the case, you can't be my boyfriend."
"And if you're not my boyfriend, I can't boss you around. Who am I supposed to get payback from for all the suffering I've endured over the years?"
Hearing this, Cheng Xingyi pressed his lips together, repeatedly telling himself, "It's fine, she's dumb, but I'm smart. I chose her, so I'll just have to spoil her no matter what!"
As he patted her back, he chuckled and said, "I'll reluctantly agree to be your boyfriend then. You can come find me anytime to vent."
"Huh? Isn't this the part where you're supposed to say you'll give up the top university and join me at the second-tier school? Do you not like me? Are you still holding a grudge and trying to get back at me?"
He ruffled her hair. "Be good. Don't read so many romance novels—they're all lies."
"If I attend a better school, I can get a better job and earn more money so that you can spend it all later. Don't you think that's right?"
He Shuangyue glared at him fiercely, "Cheng Xingyi, would it kill you not to mock me? You don't seem to like me at all! Xu Kele treats me better than you do!"
"Xu Kele only listens to you because he's scared of you."
"But I'm different. I know you're dumb and a bit of a thug, yet I've stayed by your side all these years. So, I'm the only one who truly likes you."
She rolled her eyes at him, "I must have been blind to pull down your pants and end up on this sinking ship, with no help from heaven or earth."
He laughed, "You've got a great eye. You've landed such a handsome boyfriend for free—plenty of people would be jealous."
"In the future, you can not only pull down my pants, but my clothes too. You can strip me completely and flirt with me as much as you want."
"You could be the leader's woman, with a bunch of little guys calling you 'Sister-in-law.' Doesn't that sound amazing?"
She snorted, "And you'd be Sister Moon's man, with a group of little underlings calling you 'Brother-in-law.' Doesn't that sound cool?"
His eyes and brows were filled with an uncontrollable smile. "Yeah, it sounds really cool."
He Shuangyue thought that when he wasn't smiling, he had a bit of an abstinent vibe.
But when he smiled, he exuded a seductive charm, captivating and irresistible. Just one look, and all her anger would dissipate.
As she kept looking at him, a mischievous thought crossed her mind. She grabbed his collar, pulled him down a little, stood on tiptoe, and planted a kiss on his lips. Then she said contentedly, "Alright, I guess that does sound pretty amazing."
He touched his lips and smiled, "Sister Moon, that's not how you kiss."
With that, he lowered his head and kissed her lips. Teeth bumped, tongues intertwined, and their saliva mixed, carrying the warm breath of summer—a tingly, soft, and sweet sensation.
One day.
A woman, engrossed in her novel, suddenly turned around and shot a fierce glare at the man sleeping soundly on the nearby sofa. She slammed the book onto his lap and said, "Cheng Xingyi, get up!"
He opened his eyes groggily, gave her a quick kiss on the lips, and lay back down. "Stop making a fuss. I've just finished a project and haven't slept in days. Let me rest a bit."
"If you don't get up, I'll go tell Xu Kele all my grievances."
Hearing this, he immediately sat up. "If he dares, I'll break his legs!"
She brandished the novel in her hand. "Hmph! I'll break your legs instead!"
He glanced at the book's title, *The 36 Strategies to Tame a Husband*, and felt a headache coming on.
"No more reading these worthless books. They're confiscated!"
"But they're actually quite useful. Look at the boyfriends in these books; they're so gentle and considerate."
"Look at you. You rely on your charm, and whenever we talk seriously, you start seducing me whenever you can't win an argument. How have you been good to me?"
He straightened his face, staring at her seriously. "He Shuangyue, think about it. Besides earning money for you to spend, coming home to listen to you, and satisfying you whether I'm the abstinent type or the seductive type, what haven't I done for you?"
"You've never given me a romantic confession! No roses on Valentine's Day, no gifts on anniversaries, and you've never said sweet words to me!"
"I chased you for over ten years, and you never showed any indication of feelings. We just ended up together without any explanation. Thinking about it, I'm the one at a disadvantage!"
Cheng Xingyi couldn't help but chuckle. Seeing her indignant look, he lowered his head and fiercely kissed her lips, leaving her breathless before finally releasing her.
He Shuangyue, still savoring the kiss, huffed at him. "See? You only know how to seduce me."
He gently pulled her into his embrace and said, "He Shuangyue, there are some things I'll say only once, so listen carefully."
"The first day I met you was on the Summer Solstice, and the sun was shining brightly. From the very first moment I saw you, I liked you."
"I liked the way you chased after me, the way you clung to me, and the way you said you liked me."
"I get jealous seeing you read novels and play games with Xu Kele, and I get jealous seeing you eat with Xiao Zuo. Basically, I feel uneasy whenever you're with someone else."
"You like being a leader and being their 'Sister Moon,' and that's fine. But you must remember that I am your dream."
"My love for you is the kind that wants to protect your love, the kind that wants to give myself to you, the kind that wants to give you a home."
"So remember this: Cheng Xingyi likes He Shuangyue. I really like you."
"He Shuangyue, so you've been deeply in love with me all along and pretended not to care? You're so bad! Come on, kiss me again and I'll forgive you."
"..."
He Shuangyue, I really like you, so I like the way you flirt with me.
Cheng Xingyi, I really like you, so even your scheming side seems adorable to me.