Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

Downstairs, Luo Yun had already prepared a fruit platter, and a boring family drama was playing on the TV.

"Have you finished talking with your dad?"

Luo Yun handed over a slice of watermelon.

"Um."

Yan Xi took it, took a bite, and found it a little too sweet.

"You didn't argue, did you?"

"He wouldn't dare."

Yan Xi spoke as if it were perfectly reasonable.

Luo Yun smiled and patted her hand: "Okay, let's eat."

"Aunt Zhang made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs today."

The atmosphere at the dinner table was somewhat strange.

The huge round dining table was only occupied by three people.

Luo Yun kept serving food to Yan Xi and showing concern for her well-being.

Yan Zhen kept a straight face the whole time, eating in silence, the sound of his chopsticks clattering against the plate was particularly loud, as if he was sulking with someone.

"Eat more fish, it'll help your brain."

Luo Yun placed a piece of fish into Yan Xi's bowl, saying, "You've gotten so thin from all the student council work lately."

"Mom, I haven't lost weight."

"I can tell you've lost weight."

Luo Yun then turned to Yan Zhen, "Old Yan, don't you think so?"

Yan Zhen looked up from his rice bowl and snorted.

"I think his brain is greased; he's only doing things that lose money."

Luo Yun kicked him under the table and gave him a wink.

Yan Zhen reluctantly shut his mouth, but he shoveled rice into his mouth with even more force.

Yan Xi seemed not to hear, and slowly ate the ribs in her bowl.

She knew that the old man was still upset about what happened with Li Chen yesterday.

While she says she's annoyed, she's probably secretly plotting how to win over her "future son-in-law."

After finishing her meal, Yan Xi didn't stay any longer.

"I'm going back to school now; I have an early class tomorrow."

"So urgent?"

Luo Yun was a little reluctant, "Why don't you stay at home for one night?"

"No, it's too much trouble to travel back and forth."

Yan Zhen finally spoke, his voice stiff.

"Have someone deliver it to you."

"No need, I'll drive myself."

Yan Xi picked up her bag and car keys from the entryway. "Dad, Mom, I'm leaving."

Only after the car lights disappeared at the gate of the yard did Yan Zhen put down the newspaper in his hand and sigh.

"What kind of mess is this?"

"That's great!"

Luo Yun was clearing away the dishes, in a good mood. "Our iron tree has finally blossomed."

"I think this is like letting a wolf into the house!"

Yan Zhen slapped his thigh. "That kid's all talk and no action; he's clearly not someone to be trifled with!"

"Alright, weren't you quite impressed with their skills yesterday?"

Luo Yun exposed him, "He even gave me two big lobsters."

"That's...that's because he's so thin, we wanted to give him some nourishing food!"

Yan Zhen forced an explanation.

"Yes, yes, you're the most generous."

Luo Yun smiled and shook her head, "Anyway, as long as my daughter likes it, that's fine."

Yan Zhen didn't speak again, but just looked at the dark night outside the window with a complicated expression.

……

The next day, Li Chen was woken up by his biological clock.

It was 5:30, and the sky was still not fully light.

He quietly finished washing up and left the dormitory building.

A gust of cold wind made me feel refreshed.

He ran to the playground and started warming up.

After running two laps, a familiar figure emerged from the morning mist.

Yan Xi was wearing a light gray tracksuit today, her long hair was tied back, she had no makeup on, and she was carrying a paper bag in her hand.

"Good morning." She walked to Li Chen's side, her breathing steady.

"morning."

Li Chen slowed his pace to walk beside her. "Didn't you say you'd be back today?"

"Why so early?"

"I miss you, is that not allowed?"

Yan Xi turned her head to look at him, a hint of amusement on her lips.

Li Chen's heart skipped a beat.

This woman started flirting first thing in the morning.

"Great, that's perfect."

He coughed lightly to cover up his lapse in composure.

The two stopped talking and started running around the playground.

As dawn broke, the shadows of the two stretched out and intertwined.

After finishing his run, Li Chen prepared to go to the cafeteria as usual.

"etc."

Yan Xi called out to him.

She handed me the paper bag.

"For you."

"What?"

Li Chen took it and felt that it was a square box inside.

"Gift."

Yan Xi's words were concise and to the point.

Li Chen opened the paper bag and took out the box inside.

The box was a deep blue velvet box with a logo that he couldn't understand but felt looked very high-end.

He opened the box.

A watch lay quietly inside the velvet lining.

The blue dial gleamed with a deep luster in the morning light, like a condensed starry sky.

The stainless steel bracelet and case feature a simple yet powerful design.

Li Chen wasn't an expert on watches, but he could tell that this thing was quite valuable.

He took out his watch and turned it over.

Vacheron Constantin.

To roam the world.

Although I don't know them, just hearing their name makes me think they're awesome.

"This... is too expensive."

Li Chen put the watch back in the box and handed it back to Yan Xi.

Although he accepted Yan Xi's (his girlfriend) treats, they were all small amounts of money for meals and clothes.

He cannot accept a gift of this caliber.

"Not expensive."

Yan Xi didn't take it, but crossed her arms and looked at him. "It was a gift from someone else to my dad, but he didn't like it, so I'm giving it to you."

This was exactly the same explanation Yan Zhen had taught her last night.

Li Chen looked at her.

In the morning light, her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness, carrying an undeniable strength and a hint of hidden expectation.

Li Chen sighed inwardly.

This isn't a reward; it's clearly a "meeting gift" from my future father-in-law.

It's a test, but also a recognition.

If he were to refuse again, it would seem too pretentious and would disappoint the father and daughter's awkward good intentions.

"Alright."

Li Chen stopped refusing and reopened the box. "Then I won't be polite."

He doesn't actually have the habit of wearing a watch; he always feels that having something on his wrist is inconvenient.

He awkwardly tried to put the watch on his left wrist, and failed to fasten the clasp after several attempts.

"Fool."

Yan Xi couldn't stand it anymore, so she stepped forward and took his hand.

She lowered her head, her long eyelashes casting a shadow on her eyelids.

Her fingers were slightly cool and carried a faint fragrance as she gently brushed against his wrist.

Li Chen's body stiffened.

He could clearly feel the temperature of her fingertips and the warm breath she exhaled onto the back of his hand.

"Click".

The watch clasp is closed.

Yan Xi looked up and helped him adjust the tightness of the watch strap.

"good."

She examined it closely, then nodded in satisfaction. "It suits you well."

Li Chen looked at the heavy watch on his wrist, then at Yan Xi who was so close to him.

He suddenly felt that the watch didn't seem so heavy anymore.

"Senior."

"Um?"

"Thanks."

I'm not thanking the watch, I'm thanking her.

Yan Xi paused for a moment, then smiled.

"Let's go, boyfriend."

She naturally took his arm. "Let me treat you to breakfast to celebrate your first 'gift'."