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

"Because I wanted to watch it a little longer."

Li Chen's voice was very soft, with a slight hoarseness from just waking up, yet it was like a feather gently scratching Yan Xi's heart.

"When you're asleep, you're very peaceful and beautiful."

Yan Xi glared at him lightly, but her cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly.

When did this guy become so eloquent?

She threw back the covers, sat up, and her long, smooth, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, reaching all the way to her waist.

"Turn around," Yan Xi said in a commanding tone.

"Huh?" Li Chen asked, somewhat puzzled.

"I need to change my clothes."

Li Chen chuckled softly, obediently turned around, and faced away from her.

The rustling sound of fabric rubbing against each other came from behind, like a kitten sharpening its claws, making one's heart itch.

A few minutes later, Yan Xi's voice rang out again.

"alright."

Li Chen turned around, his breath catching in his throat.

Yan Xi had changed into a simple white dress and stood in the morning light, her skin so white it seemed to glow.

She wore no makeup, her natural face was more captivating than anyone with heavy makeup.

Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, lacking some of her usual elegance.

Yan Xi walked to the dressing table and sat down. She picked up a comb, looked at herself in the mirror, and then looked at Li Chen standing behind her. A sly smile appeared on her lips.

"come over."

Li Chen did as instructed and walked over.

"what?"

Yan Xi shoved the comb into his hand, her tone carrying a hint of domineering self-righteousness.

"Help me comb my hair."

Li Chen was stunned.

"I?"

"Otherwise what?" Yan Xi raised an eyebrow, her eyes in the mirror carrying a hint of mockery. "Is there a third person here?"

She did it on purpose.

She wanted to see how this man, who was proficient in programming, fighting, and basketball, would fumble and act clumsily when faced with delicate tasks like those involving girls.

Li Chen looked at the comb in his hand, then at Yan Xi's expectant eyes in the mirror, and instantly understood her intention.

Instead of panicking, he smiled.

"OK."

He took the comb and gently ran his fingers through Yan Xi's hair; the touch was smooth and cool, like the finest silk.

His movements were very gentle, from root to tip of hair, over and over again, patiently and attentively.

Yan Xi's expression, which had been prepared to laugh at her, gradually froze.

The man in the mirror looked serious, his movements incredibly practiced, as if he had done it a thousand times.

The comb brushed through the long hair without pulling or stopping, instead creating a strange sense of rhythm.

"What kind of hairstyle do you want?" Li Chen's voice came from above.

Yan Xi snapped out of her daze and asked, somewhat absentmindedly.

"You can even braid your hair?"

"I know a little," Li Chen said modestly.

Yan Xi bit her lip; she refused to believe it.

"Then let's do the most difficult one."

"it is good."

Li Chen did not hesitate at all.

His long, slender fingers flew through her hair, separating, weaving, and entwining it with movements so fast they were dazzling.

Yan Xi could only see in the mirror that her long hair, in his hands, seemed to come alive, being sculpted into an extremely complex and exquisite form that she had never seen before.

It's a braid similar to a fishtail braid, but with added waterfall-like layers on both sides. Finally, it's secured at the end with a thin elastic band and decorated with a small butterfly hair clip.

The entire process was smooth and seamless.

When Li Chen lowered his hand, Yan Xi looked at herself in the mirror and was completely stunned.

The girl in the mirror has an exquisite and elegant hairstyle that perfectly accentuates her graceful neckline, making her look like a princess who has stepped out of a classical oil painting.

How...how is this possible?

She turned her head sharply, staring intently at Li Chen, her eyes filled with scrutiny and suspicion.

"Confess!"

"Um?"

"Did you learn this skill from some ex-girlfriend?" Yan Xi's voice carried a hint of bitterness that she herself didn't realize.

Seeing her looking like a kitten whose candy had been stolen and her fur standing on end, Li Chen couldn't help but laugh.

"puff."

"You're still laughing!" Yan Xi was even angrier.

"I don't have an ex-girlfriend." Li Chen's smile faded, and he explained seriously, "Didn't I tell you? I've never been in a relationship."

"Then how do you explain this skill?" Yan Xi clearly didn't believe it.

Li Chen sighed helplessly and reached out to rub her head.

"I've always been good with my hands since I was a child. Have you forgotten my knife skills and carving?"

"I practiced tying hair on my mom a lot when I was little."

He paused, recalling the past, his eyes softening.

"My mom told me to practice hard so I could do my girlfriend's hair and make her look beautiful."

Yan Xi was stunned.

Looking into Li Chen's gentle eyes and listening to him recount his past, the slight pang of sadness in her heart was instantly replaced by a warm current.

It turned out to be the case.

She pursed her lips, still stubborn.

"Who knows if what you're saying is true or false?"

Li Chen found it extremely cute to see her pretending to be fierce even though she had already calmed down.

He reached out his finger and gently brushed the tip of her nose.

"Of course it's true."

"Let's go, my princess," he said with a smile, "it's time to take you to breakfast."

Yan Xi snorted and stood up, but as she turned around, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

The two checked out of the hotel and left.

The morning sun shines on me, warm and comforting.

Li Chen naturally took Yan Xi's hand, their fingers intertwined.

Yan Xi did not struggle and let him lead her.

Last night's intimacy brought the two of them closer, and many things fell into place naturally.

"What do you want to eat?" Li Chen asked.

"Whatever." Yan Xi looked at the road ahead.

"Then let's go to that Cantonese dim sum restaurant I mentioned last time."

"Um."

Li Chen drove Zhao Zixuan's Porsche, which was still not returned, and arrived at a teahouse with quaint decor, familiar with the place.

It was the peak time for morning tea, and the shop was bustling with people.

The waiter led the two to a booth by the window.

Li Chen picked up the menu and ordered without even asking Yan Xi.

"One serving of shrimp dumplings, one serving of crab roe siu mai, one serving of chicken feet in black bean sauce, one serving of honeycomb tripe, a bowl of congee with preserved egg and lean pork, and two cups of iced lemon tea. No scallions in the congee, please."

After the waiter made a note, he looked at Yan Xi.

"Beautiful lady, is there anything else you'd like to order?"

Yan Xi shook her head.

That's all.

After the waiter left, Yan Xi looked at Li Chen with a hint of inquiry in her eyes.

How did you know I don't eat scallions?

"I noticed it," Li Chen said matter-of-factly. "Last time we ate hot pot, there wasn't a single scallion in your bowl."

Yan Xi's heart stirred slightly.

Details she herself had never noticed, he remembered.

This feeling of being cared for subtly is unfamiliar, yet... it's very reassuring.