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At that moment, Ye Ling’s tone was slightly teasing, and he even threw in that famous line from a success guru. In reality, however, he was speaking from the heart.

You could even say our very own Brother Ling was pulling out all the stops, sharing his most valuable, hard-earned wisdom.

Finding a balance in a relationship is crucial; to a large extent, it determines whether the relationship will last.

Many guys love to punch above their weight—a six, in terms of looks and ability, going after a nine. What’s even more fatal is that from the very start, they cement this fixed idea in their minds that the girl is a ’goddess’.

This leads them to constantly fawn over her. To put it bluntly, they become simps, putting themselves in a subordinate position and thinking it’s somehow touching or sweet.

Over time, they become increasingly passive, as if they’re just an accessory to the relationship...

It’s a terrifying thing.

"But..."

A conflicted look appeared on Yang Yu’s face.

"You just want to get her number, right? Show some spine."

Ye Ling shot the guy an exasperated glare.

"Fine, I’ll do it! I’m a grown man, what’s there to be afraid of?"

Yang Yu’s eyes widened, fired up by Ye Ling’s goading.

"Alright, let’s watch the show then."

Ye Ling chuckled mischievously.

He Jian and the other roommate at his side also cracked mischievous grins.

"Brother Ling, I’m getting the feeling you’re setting me up," Yang Yu said, his expression turning miserable.

"I’ll admit there’s a part of me that just wants to watch the show," Ye Ling said, his expression completely serious. "But if you really feel like she’s that far out of your league, then you’re better off not even trying."

"I’ll... think about it some more," Yang Yu muttered under his breath.

Ye Ling didn’t press the issue. He’d said his piece; the rest was up to Yang Yu.

After all,

it was Yang Yu trying to get a girl, not him.

Truth be told, Ye Ling wasn’t particularly familiar with the art of chasing girls. It seemed...

’He’d always been the one getting chased, hadn’t he?’

’If you asked him for tips on being pursued, he could write a book. But if you asked him how to pursue a girl, he wouldn’t have much to say.’

’Just listen to this guy. Does he even sound human??’

...

After getting their food, the four brothers from dorm 3222 found a table near the aisle and sat down.

Ye Ling scrolled through WeChat as he ate.

Ning Ruoxi had already replied to the message he’d sent her that morning.

’Ning Ruoxi: !!!’

’Ning Ruoxi: I just snapped it casually~’

’Ye Ling: I said I was very satisfied. No explanation needed.’

’Ning Ruoxi: Hmph! You big playboy, were you out flirting with other girls at school today?’

’Ye Ling: My Queen, I’ve been wrongly accused! Absolutely not!’

’Ning Ruoxi: Hmph! That’s more like it. I was just asking, really. Yueyue already gave me a full report!’

Ye Ling couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at Ning Ruoxi’s message.

’That girl Luo Yue actually snitched on me?’

Hmph!

’I’ll have to teach that little brat a lesson later!’

Meanwhile, Ning Ruoxi, completely unaware that she had just accidentally sold out her best friend, continued to message Ye Ling, phone in hand.

’Ning Ruoxi: Stinker, I found a cat cafe recently. Let’s go pet some cats tomorrow afternoon! I don’t have class tomorrow, so I can go practice at the dance club and wait for you to get out?’

’Ning Ruoxi: Kitties! The soft, chubby kind. I really want to pet them!’

’Ye Ling: Zhao Cai: I guess our love has faded, hasn’t it?’

Still, despite his message, Ye Ling was quite interested in going to the cat cafe. After all, what was that saying again?

’The grass is always greener on the other side?’

As for Zhao Cai... he petted the cat every day. He was already sick of it.

’Don’t ask any more questions.’

’Ask too many, and you’re a certified scumbag!’

"So, are you going to get her contact info or not? She’s almost done eating and about to leave."

Ye Ling suddenly put down his phone, glanced at Yang Yu, and said with a touch of exasperation.

’He’d been eating and chatting with Ning Ruoxi for nearly fifteen minutes. Why was this guy still just sitting here?’

"I think... we should take the long-term approach," Yang Yu said, opening his mouth only to let out a sigh.

It wasn’t that he had an inferiority complex or anything, but Lin Xue’s ’level’ might really have been a bit too high for him.

She wasn’t a top-tier beauty like Ning Ruoxi, but she was still quite pretty—a cute, girl-next-door type who stood out a little from the average girl.

’If she were in your class, she’d probably be one of the prettiest girls after the designated ’class beauty’, right?’

"Then let’s go."

Ye Ling shot the guy a look of disappointment. ’So everything I just said was a waste of breath?’

...

「Tuesday afternoon.」

After his classes ended, Ye Ling sent a message to Ning Ruoxi and headed straight for the School of Arts.

"Stinker!"

Ning Ruoxi had been waiting in front of the academic building ever since she got his message. The moment she saw him approaching, she waved excitedly.

"Let’s go. I’m taking you to pet some cats today."

Looking at the adorable girl in front of him, Ye Ling reached out and pulled her straight into his arms.

So soft.

Mmm.

’At this moment, our Brother Ling felt that maybe he didn’t need to go to the cat cafe to pet cats after all?’

’After all, he already had a little kitty in his arms!’

"There are so many people here! Don’t get fresh with me."

Ning Ruoxi’s pretty face flushed as she pushed Ye Ling away, rolling her eyes in annoyance.

"Sigh, so you’re already getting tired of me."

Ye Ling sighed dramatically, a look of mock sorrow on his face.

Unable to hold back, Ning Ruoxi burst out laughing and looped her arm through his:

"Alright, alright, let’s hurry to the cat cafe. If we’re late, we won’t get to pet any cats."

Feeling the softness against his arm, Ye Ling’s mind wavered for a moment, and he couldn’t help but recall the time he’d helped Ning Ruoxi blow-dry her hair at the hotel.

Actually.

’He really wanted to say something right now.’

’Going to a cat cafe to pet cats is completely redundant.’

’Pandas are cats too, you know? Just sayin’.’

It was around two-thirty in the afternoon.

Ye Ling and Ning Ruoxi arrived at a cat cafe.

The cafe had a rather artsy name, ’Fusheng Residence’. Tucked away deep in a small alley, its decor was delicate and exquisite, and the atmosphere was very quiet.

Cat cafes had become quite popular in recent years, likely because the number of "cat addicts" was ever-increasing. Where there’s demand, there’s a market.

Many couples chose cat cafes as a date spot. They could order a cup of coffee, pet some cats, and enjoy a wonderful afternoon together.

Ye Ling casually ordered two coffees and was about to find a place to sit when he turned around and realized Ning Ruoxi was gone.

’Where’d that girl run off to?’

Ye Ling scratched his head helplessly. Suddenly, his eyes darted to the side, and he was rendered speechless.

Ning Ruoxi was squatting on the floor, happily petting a big, chubby orange cat she held in her arms. She looked just like a little girl who’d been given her favorite toy.