Bian Li almost jumped up from the bed. Without even putting on her shoes, she dashed over to the French window.
The curtains were draped vertically to the floor, tightly drawn to block everything outside. But now, she raised a hand and carefully opened a small gap. No matter how unbelievable it seemed, even she was shocked by He Yunxing’s audacious operation.
The tall figure standing outside the transparent French window was unmistakably him.
Seeing the light spill through the gap, He Yunxing raised an eyebrow. His gaze then landed on Bian Li’s upper face and her almond-shaped eyes, wide with surprise.
She didn’t hesitate for long. After a moment of stunned silence, she yanked open the curtains and slid the French window slightly ajar.
“I feel a lot of pressure when you’re like this…” Bian Li muttered, her eyes naturally lowering to the items at his feet—a whole box that took up considerable space.
He Yunxing bent slightly, easily lifting the entire box of soda. By the time Bian Li closed the door, he had already placed the box on her small desk—the one she often used for live streaming.
Leaning her back against the French window, Bian Li didn’t dare approach. It was late autumn, and winter was around the corner. The cold night air had left a layer of mist and chill on the French window film, making her shiver and waking her up slightly.
“Aren’t you cold?” she asked tentatively.
He Yunxing hadn’t spoken since entering. He wore very little—just a white sweater with a low collar, low enough for Bian Li to see his collarbone. Though his attire was a bit showy, there was no denying how good he looked.
Leaning lazily against her small desk, he toyed idly with the little doll she had placed there, fiddling with it from time to time. At her question, he finally spoke. His cold yet patient voice drifted over.
“Not cold.”
His gaze was direct. “Are you usually this careless?”
“Are you even human?” Bian Li blurted out before she could stop herself.
The moment she realized what she’d said, He Yunxing was already looking at her with amusement. Bian Li immediately covered her mouth, shrinking like a quail. “Ah, my mouth… I didn’t mean that!”
“But why did you come in from the balcony? Isn’t that dangerous?” she asked, though curiosity glinted in her eyes. If only she could pull off a stunt like that someday and scare him in return.
But knowing his attack power, she was afraid she’d be the one to suffer.
“There’s a perfectly fine gate outside. Why not just use that…”
He Yunxing lifted his eyelids halfway. “Too far. Too lazy.”
Bian Li was left speechless. Usually, she had the upper hand in conversations, but in front of He Yunxing, she lost every time.
She still had her pride, okay!
But once they started talking, she began to relax, the natural ease she usually felt around him gradually returning. “You’ve already brought me soda, so why should I stop you?”
You could say she was careless, but what else could she do? If she didn’t open the door for him, what if he howled outside in the middle of the night?
He Yunxing seemed satisfied with her answer, though the amusement in his eyes vanished almost immediately.
Bian Li stayed by the window, hesitating to come closer. She fiddled with her fingers, her gaze darting around nervously.
“Why are you hiding so far away?” He Yunxing nodded his chin at her. “Come here.”
Bian Li pursed her lips, reluctantly stepping closer. Her eyes landed on the unopened box, so she opened it and counted the bottles inside.
No more, no less—exactly 30 bottles.
She grabbed one can for herself and, after some thought, took out another, handing it to him. “You seem to like this a lot.”
“You don’t like it?” He Yunxing held the bottle in his palm, making no move to open it.
“I like it a lot, but it feels like everyone around me drinks this stuff. It’s not special anymore.”
This kind of fruit soda—peach flavor—was the best. Sweet, with a hint of soda water fizzing in the throat, bubbles popping in the mouth. It was refreshing and satisfying.
The key was the beautiful packaging. Different fruit flavors came with matching designs.
She hadn’t expected boys to be into it too. Not only had You Shu given her a can, but He Yunxing had snatched one away when he saw it.
While chatting, she noticed his lack of action and grabbed the can back from his hand. She twisted it open with a slight motion and handed it back.
“Here, it’s yours. You helped me last time; now it’s my turn to help you.” Bian Li smiled, her almond eyes curving.
At that moment, she felt she had won.
“What does this mean?” He Yunxing asked calmly but did not drink.
“It means reciprocity,” Bian Li replied, opening her can and taking a sip.
Her eyebrows furrowed slightly after the sip. “It tastes good.”
He Yunxing raised an eyebrow. Following her movements hesitantly, he took a sip.
The drink had a sweet peach fragrance.
It was too sweet for his liking, but he still drank it.
Bian Li’s eyes shone like stars as she watched him. “I got you a can of a new flavor. Is it delicious?”
Bian Li rarely tried new flavors. If something didn’t taste good, she wouldn’t touch it again in her life.
He unknowingly became her test subject, though she didn’t plan on ever revealing this secret.
“Do you like it?” she urged, seeing him remain silent.
Under her eager gaze, He Yunxing paused before replying with a calm, “Yeah.”
Bian Li nodded. “How did you carry such a big box in? Was it very strenuous?”
Taking several gulps of the drink, she stepped back a few paces and sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at him.
From his angle, he could see the little girl curled up there.
His gaze swept over the ends of her damp hair—she’d likely just showered.
Realizing this, He Yunxing’s throat dried slightly, and his voice carried a subtle thirst. “Fortunately, it wasn’t too heavy.”
Bian Li blinked, suddenly recalling something. “Why didn’t you pay attention to me when you saw me in the corridor today?”
He Yunxing lowered his gaze, placing the can of soda on the table. Without answering her, he countered, “Fatty Sister, don’t you think you ask too many questions?”
Bian Li unconsciously touched her face, embarrassed. Then, reflecting on his words, she felt the heat rise in her cheeks—not just from his remark but also from the way he said it.
“Does ‘Fatty Sister’ sound good? You should call me ‘Junior’ instead,” she protested.
He Yunxing raised an eyebrow, his tone leisurely but always provoking. “Does ‘Fatty Brother’ sound good?”
Bian Li hesitated, guilty, before attempting a retort. At that moment, the door across the hall opened, and the sound of slippers shuffling toward the kitchen broke the silence.
Bian Li froze until the footsteps receded. Only then did her tension ease slightly.
But it reminded her: He Yunxing had been in her room for too long, and she hadn’t locked the door. If Ruan Xiangyi from across the hall walked in… she might have to dig a hole to bury herself.
“Senior, the moonlight is nice tonight. Why don’t you go back to your room to enjoy it?” she suggested, trying to drive him out.
Straightening up, He Yunxing chuckled. “Sorry, it’s raining tonight.”
His tall, imposing figure seemed even more intimidating as he stood. Bian Li, sitting on the edge of the bed, was noticeably shorter, the disparity in height making her feel oppressed.
She stood abruptly, reaching out to push him. “Okay, okay. Please leave.”
He didn’t budge, allowing her to push him without moving an inch.
“Hey! It’s late at night. A man and a woman alone—aren’t you worried others will think too much?” She raised her voice slightly.
“Then tell me, who’s thinking too much?” He countered.
To Bian Li, he resembled a stubborn puppy—annoying yet inexplicably endearing.
“Fine, I’m the one overthinking, okay?” She huffed, her voice unconsciously louder.
“Fei Fei, what are you doing? Why are you so loud?” Ruan Xiangyi’s voice came from the hallway.
Bian Li and He Yunxing exchanged glances—the former panicked, the latter calm.
“I told you to leave, but you wouldn’t… Now look…” she whispered furiously, only audible to him.
“Do you really want me to leave?” he asked, mimicking her low tone.
Was that even a question?
Bian Li nodded without hesitation.
The next second, she watched in disbelief as He Yunxing strolled to the door.
He turned back briefly, patted her head with a faint smile, then left through the balcony. “I’m leaving.”
“Fatty? Are you there?” Ruan Xiangyi called out again, pushing open the door. She entered to find Bian Li standing in a daze by the bed.
“Are you stupid? Why are you just standing there? I called you, but you didn’t respond,” Ruan Xiangyi scolded as she walked in.
Bian Li snapped out of her thoughts. “Uh… Oh… I was playing on my phone and didn’t hear you.”
Ruan Xiangyi looked at the phone on the bedside table. “From so far away? Playing on your phone?”
Bian Li scratched her head awkwardly. “Remote monitoring?”
Ignoring her, Ruan Xiangyi was chilled by the cold wind coming from the open balcony door. She walked over, muttering, “Are you dumb? It’s freezing. If you want to catch a cold, just say so. I’ll throw you in the pool tomorrow.”
Bian Li stayed silent, listening to Ruan Xiangyi’s grumbling until she finally left.
Her gaze landed on the soda can He Yunxing had drunk from, still sitting on her desk.
Picking up her phone, she sent a message.
[You left your drink here. Aren’t you coming to get it?]
Moments later, his reply came.
[If you want, you can drink it.]
Before she could respond, another message popped up.
[I don’t mind.]
Bian Li stared at his words, her heart beating erratically. She threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the quilt.
Her emotions felt strange—a magical kind of tingling, pulling at her heart yet causing no pain.
For a fleeting moment, doubts surfaced, but she pushed them aside.
Deep down, she couldn’t help but feel that He Yunxing treated her… differently.
——
After finishing the stage for the new album, Gemini’s next schedule included running endless variety shows.
The company also began gradually letting them take on some idol drama roles. Ying Xuelai was sent for an audition, and the process went smoothly. She landed the role of the third female lead and wouldn’t be returning to the dormitory anytime soon.
Bian Li and Ruan Xiangyi made appearances on popular variety shows. Although they were still busy, it was far better than the chaotic schedule during their new album promotions.
At least now, they could squeeze out a few days of free time.
Bian Li’s long-awaited eating show was also back on the agenda. Since her last live broadcast, she hadn’t managed her account at all due to her packed schedule.
Now that the comeback period was over, she planned to make her eating show gain more traction.
With nothing much to do in the dormitory, Bian Li decided to head to the famous dessert shop in the city. She had been planning a dessert-themed eating show for a while but kept delaying it out of sheer laziness.
Today, though, it was simply because she was craving something sweet. After the grueling weight-loss period, she allowed herself a phase of indulgence. With no immediate worries, she was determined to treat herself.
The dessert shop wasn’t far—just a ten-minute ride on her electric scooter.
When Bian Li reached the underground garage, she immediately spotted her electric scooter parked in a corner.
She suddenly remembered the last time it ran out of power—it was He Yunxing who helped her bring it back. But since they hadn’t returned together afterward, she completely forgot about it.
Walking over, Bian Li patted the scooter, then turned the key, holding onto a sliver of hope. Unsurprisingly, it was still dead.
Behind her, she heard the rustling sound of footsteps approaching, followed by the muffled thud of a car door closing.
Still pondering how to charge the scooter on the spot, she was startled by the car horn that suddenly blared three times in a deliberate, rhythmic pattern.
Each honk was loud, stretched, and annoyingly persistent.
Covering her ears in irritation, Bian Li turned around, only to see He Yunxing leaning slightly out of his car window. His sharp gaze locked onto her with precision, as if it were a rope pulling her in.
“Get in the car,” he said, voice calm but leaving no room for negotiation.
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