Why did the system take my request to take photos with a cosplayer seriously?

Thinking about it that way, this silly fox is actually quite awkward.

He clearly hated the Lin family to the core, yet he couldn't let go of the comfortable life they provided, leading to self-loathing and further psychological obsession.

Lin Man added, "More importantly, my mother told me that I must go."

"Your mother? When did you last see her?"

"It was her birthday after Qingming Festival, so I went to see her."

Why didn't you tell me?

"Back then, they hadn't been with you for very long and didn't know your temperament, so they didn't dare to tell you everything."

Lin Man pouted, her tone guilty.

Ding Heng's fingers stopped in her hair: "From now on, just say what you need to say, don't hesitate."

Lin Man lifted her face from Ding Heng's palm, a bright light appearing in her foxy eyes: "Yes! Thank you, boss."

Ding Heng continued to stroke her soft, long hair: "Also, it's your uncle's birthday. Do you need me to go with you?"

Lin Man froze, then looked up at him.

"Boss, you..."

"What, you're not welcome?"

"No... thank you, boss!"

She didn't say anything more, buried her face in Ding Heng's palm, closed her eyes, her breathing gradually became steady, and she fell into a deep sleep with her head on the man's lap.

The system interface quietly appeared in Ding Heng's mind.

Crown of Thorns: Lin Man

[Current Status: A Princess Defiled by Worldly Affairs]

[Penalty Value: 48%]

Atonement Value: 1%

[Refuge Value: 6%]

…………

A five-day holiday is neither too long nor too short.

It was long enough to leave tan lines on everyone, yet short enough that before you knew it, you were already back in the classroom.

May 6th, the first day of school after the holiday.

The professor stood on the podium reading from the PowerPoint presentation, his tone so calm it was like a lullaby. The audience below was drowsy, still recovering from their holiday.

Ding Heng sat in the third-to-last row, silently replying to Hua Qing's messages.

As usual, Ding Heng, Liu Chiwang, Qian Pu, and Chen Mo sat in a row.

The difference is that now, Ding Heng stands between Liu Chiwang and Qian Pu.

Before going to Hainan Island, the two had a fairly good relationship, although they occasionally bickered.

When Qian Pu boasts, Liu Chiwang chimes in; when Liu Chiwang insults someone, Qian Pu laughs and retorts.

But after returning from Hainan Island, everything was different.

The fact that the student council's team-building activity was canceled became a thorn in the side between the two.

Liu Chiwang didn't mention it again, but his attitude said it all.

Qian Pu did try to smooth things over, taking the initiative to talk to Liu Chiwang in the dormitory, asking him if he wanted to play games together or go to the cafeteria together.

Liu Chiwang's answers were always "No need," "Never mind," or "Go by yourself," as polite as if he were talking to a stranger.

Ding Heng was caught in the middle, neither taking sides nor offering any advice.

He could understand Liu Chiwang's annoyance.

The trip involved about ten people, and Qian Pu had made all the promises—hotels, vehicles, local tour guides—but when they arrived at the destination, none of them were delivered. Anyone would be furious in that situation.

But while he understood, he didn't intend to sever ties with Qian Pu because of it.

During your four years of university, you'll see each other all the time, so there's no need to make things too awkward.

"Brother Ding."

Since Liu Chiwang ignored him, Qian Pu simply approached Ding Heng and spoke to him with a smile and a solicitous tone.

Ding Heng had just finished chatting with Hua Qing and looked up at him.

After returning from Hainan Island, Ding Heng began to be regarded as a rich second-generation heir, and Qian Pu's address changed from "Old Ding" to "Brother Ding".

Ding Heng neither offered an explanation nor maintained the situation.

He had a premonition of this ever since the day he arranged a car for Wenjing.

Ding Heng asked in a flat tone, "What?"

Qian Pu asked curiously, "Brother Ding, is your villa on Hainan Island located on the mountainside of Baiyang Bay?"

"Have you been there?"

“I’ve never been there, but my cousin mentioned it once. A villa in that area costs at least tens of millions. I was thinking, Brother Ding, if you have a house there, that’s really impressive.”

"No, it's rented."

Ding Heng remained unmoved by Qian Pu's flattery: "It's just a friend's acquaintance with the landlord, a friendly price."

"That's pretty impressive."

Qian Pu chuckled twice: "Why didn't you invite me to your BBQ the other day? It only takes me half an hour to drive there, and I could have brought you some fruit."

Ding Heng replied in his usual tone, "Hi, I was going to call you, but didn't you say you had something to do at home?"

"Yes, yes, something did happen that day."

Qian Pu chuckled twice: "Next time you go to Hainan Island, Brother Ding, you must call me. I'll make sure everything is arranged properly for you."

Ding Heng smiled and replied dismissively, "Okay, I'll definitely do it next time."

Liu Chiwang sat on the other side of Ding Heng, and sneered when he heard this, without glancing at Qian Pu once from beginning to end.

After class, Ding Heng went to find Wen Jing as usual.

The little white rabbit's round face showed little smile, and a faint sadness lingered between its brows and eyes.

Ding Heng habitually reached out and asked, "Who upset my little Jingjing?"

Wenjing let Ding Heng rub and squeeze her, and said in a muffled voice, "It's about Xiaoshu."

Ding Heng released her hand: "What? Her grades have slipped again?"

"We haven't retreated."

Wenjing sighed, "She's stuck between 180 and 200, unable to go up or down. You know how fast she improved when she first transferred schools? I thought she could break into the top 100, but she hasn't made any progress since."

Seeing her worried expression, Ding Heng couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Is it really that bad? She's only been a few years since she transferred schools, and you're already expecting her to soar to great heights?"

"I'm not expecting her to skyrocket to fame, but she should at least make some progress..."

Wenjing pursed her lips, then suddenly mustered her courage.

"Ding Heng, I want to ask you for a favor."

"what's up?"

"that is……"

Wenjing tentatively asked, "I'd like to rent a place for Xiaoshu to commute to school..."

Ding Heng joked, "What, you want to accompany her to university? Aren't you going to go to university yourself?"

Wenjing choked.

After a long pause, she spoke again: "I... I was just thinking about it casually."

Ding Heng softened his tone: "Don't put too much pressure on Xiao Shu, she knows better than you do."

Wenjing nodded obediently, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly.

The two walked a little further, and Wenjing took out her phone to check the message. Zhao Yanxi had sent her a message.

Wenjing relayed, "Ding Heng, Yan hope asked if we're going to a hotel tonight?"

Ding Heng countered, "Do you want to go?"

"Hmm... If you really can't take it, it's okay to rest for a couple of days."

Her tone was gentle and incredibly sincere.

In her opinion, she had gone on too wild a few days on Hainan Island; even an ox would need a couple of days of rest.

Ding Heng stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Wen Jing.

The little white rabbit's eyes were clear and innocent; she was genuinely thinking of him, without a trace of teasing or joking.

But when Ding Heng heard this, he felt incredibly annoyed.

no!?

How dare you question your man's ability?!

"It's fine if we don't go to the hotel."

Ding Heng said in a nonchalant tone, "Come back to the villa with me."

Wenjing was taken aback: "Why go back to the villa?"

"Sister Jiang took the day off today, and Baima is home alone. I'm worried about leaving her alone overnight."

Am I alone?

"Yes."

"what?"

Wenjing's eyes widened.

The thought of what might happen tonight made me very anxious.