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"So if you’re not mad anymore, does that mean you’re going to tell me that little secret about Ruoruo?" Seeing that she had seemingly calmed down, Ye Ling immediately asked.

Hearing Ye Ling’s words, the frustration that had just vanished from Luo Yue’s face immediately returned.

’Damn it, bro! Even if you were just buttering me up for a reason, could you at least not be so obvious about it?’

’At least wait a little while before revealing your true intentions!’

"You rotten Master! All you ever do is ask about Ruoruo. I guess your apprentice’s life just doesn’t matter, huh?"

Luo Yue grumbled, her face a mask of resignation and sorrow.

"Alright, cut the crap and just say it. Otherwise, I’ll go find that upperclassman of yours and tell him about the Trojan’s vulnerability."

Ye Ling stated flatly.

"???"

Luo Yue was utterly dumbfounded.

"Out with it."

Ye Ling couldn’t be bothered to waste his breath on the girl. After all, she was a mischievous little imp; the less they interacted, the better.

「At that moment.」

Comrade Luo Xiaoyue felt her fragile little heart suffer a second critical hit within twenty-four hours. If it had merely shattered the first time, then this time...

...it had been shattered to crispy smithereens!

"You’d better not tell Ruoruo that I’m the one who told you, okay?"

Luo Yue’s eyes darted about before she leaned in close to Ye Ling’s ear and whispered a few words.

"Well now."

Upon hearing her, Ye Ling couldn’t help the wicked smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"So? Was that secret worth your help or not?"

Not at all surprised by Ye Ling’s reaction, Luo Yue raised an eyebrow and said with a smug expression.

"Worth it. Very worth it."

Ye Ling nodded in satisfaction, an irrepressible smile spreading across his face.

’I never would have thought... that little rascal had a secret like that.’

"Oh, right. Did that Trojan I gave you give your upperclassman any trouble?"

Luo Yue was so moved she could have cried. ’Bro, you finally remembered me!’

"It worked like a charm! The second I sent it to that guy, he went completely radio silent. I should be able to get some peace and quiet for a while."

Luo Yue giggled, her voice full of satisfaction.

"Good."

Ye Ling nodded.

This was all within his expectations. After all, if a Trojan he designed could be cracked by any random Modu University student, what kind of "god-tier" computer skills would he have?

Around four or five in the afternoon, the class ended. The moment it was over, Ye Ling made a beeline for the School of Arts.

Even though he had only been apart from his girl for two or three hours, he missed her terribly, as if half a year had passed.

"Hee hee, did you miss me?"

Ning Ruoxi, who was just walking out of her classroom, grinned cheekily at Ye Ling as she spoke.

"Yeah. A lot."

Hearing her words, Ye Ling reached out and pulled the young woman into his arms.

The weather was quite cold and the wind was strong, creating the illusion of early winter as it whipped against his face. But holding his precious girl, Ye Ling suddenly felt much warmer.

Tucked into Ye Ling’s embrace, Ning Ruoxi also felt warm and cozy, a contented smile spreading across her face. Verbally, however, she remained as proud as ever, saying, "We’ve only been apart for a little while and you’re already saying you miss me. Who’d believe that!"

"But I really do. I’d miss you even if we were only apart for half an hour."

Ye Ling said, his expression completely earnest.

"Hee hee..."

Ning Ruoxi immediately broke into a blissful, silly giggle.

Many other students, also just let out from class and shivering in the cold wind, were planning to hurry back to their dorms. As they passed by the couple, however, they couldn’t help but feel they’d just taken a critical hit of ten thousand damage.

’Could you two please spare a thought for us single people?’

Evidently...

The answer was no.

"It’s pretty cold today. How about I take you for some hot pot later?"

Ye Ling said with a smile to Ning Ruoxi, who was still in his arms.

"Okay-dokie."

Ning Ruoxi nodded.

Eating hot pot with the person you love on a day like this was, without a doubt, a blissful experience!

...

Ye Ling brought Ning Ruoxi to Patek Square, where they simply picked a hot pot restaurant.

"Ruoruo, do you remember what happened on our first date?"

Ye Ling asked with a sudden, faint smile, as if recalling something.

"Of course I remember... That nice waitress got us a table first."

Ning Ruoxi replied with a gentle smile.

Suddenly, she found herself lost in a daze.

’So... I’ve known Ye Ling for this long already. It all feels like it happened just yesterday, still as clear as ever.’

"Stinker, I feel like time is passing so quickly."

Ning Ruoxi couldn’t help but sigh.

This was likely a feeling shared by everyone in a relationship: as long as you were with your special someone, even the longest time felt incredibly brief.

It made a lifetime feel just as fleeting... 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"Yeah, I feel that way too."

Ye Ling nodded, strongly agreeing with her sentiment.

"Wouldn’t it have been wonderful if we had met sooner? Ideally, as childhood sweethearts. We could have been together since we were little, and then grown old together..."

Ning Ruoxi said, resting her chin on her hands as she got lost in the fantasy.

"That does sound wonderful. But what I want to say is, I couldn’t be a part of your past, but I’ll be there for your entire future."

Ye Ling looked at Ning Ruoxi, his eyes filled with sincerity.

I’ll be there for your entire future.

「In that moment.」

Ning Ruoxi froze for a second, and then a smile bloomed on her face like a flower.

"Mr. Ye, from now on, please take good care of me."

...

After dinner, Ye Ling held Ning Ruoxi’s hand as they strolled casually around Patek Square.

The two wandered aimlessly, like a young high school couple, not buying anything in particular but simply enjoying their time together.

"Oh? That little dinosaur is so cute!"

Suddenly, Ning Ruoxi’s gaze was captured by a small green dinosaur in a nearby claw machine, and her eyes instantly lit up.

"You like it? How about I win it for you?"

Ye Ling followed her gaze and said with a smile.

"Maybe we should just skip it... We could just buy one online."

Ning Ruoxi mused for a moment, then gently shook her head.

The claw machines in the mall were definitely rigged; the claws were always super loose. If you were unlucky, you could spend tens, or even a hundred yuan, and still not manage to grab a single one.

With that kind of money, you could easily buy several of them online.

"If my girl likes it, then I have to win it. Besides, your man’s got some serious skills, you know."

But Ye Ling was insistent, pulling Ning Ruoxi by the hand as he walked over.

Seeing his determination, Ning Ruoxi could only give a resigned smile and let him lead the way, a hint of sweetness nevertheless blooming in her heart.

After all...

’He’s doing this for me!’