Lin Qinghe looked at You Rong's determined expression and sighed inwardly.
At this point, there was no other way. She had to find Lin Yi to help speed up You Rong's project so they could be together sooner.
Lin Qinghe nodded, "Mm, I believe you."
You Rong's heart warmed, and he tightened his grip on her hand. "...I won't disappoint you."
Looking at You Rong's face so close, Lin Qinghe felt a flicker of slyness in her eyes. She circled his neck with her left arm, pulled him close, and planted a kiss on his lips.
You Rong's pupils constricted, and his face instantly turned red. Lin Qinghe smiled and raised her eyebrows, "I can't be your girlfriend yet, but exercising some of your girlfriend's privileges in advance, is that okay?"
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his sharp jawline moving as his throat pulsed. His gaze flickered as he looked at Lin Qinghe.
To Lin Qinghe's surprise, You Rong cupped her chin, lowered his head, and kissed her.
After a passionate kiss, Lin Qinghe was out of breath, her face flushed. He said in a low voice, "I can also exercise my rights as a boyfriend in advance..."
Lin Qinghe: "..."
This wasn't right! Didn't he get shy easily?
How did he suddenly become so open and so good at flirting!!!
-----
A week later, Lin Qinghe and You Rong had mostly recovered from their injuries and returned to Nanda University.
You Rong worried that Lin Qinghe had no foundation in computer science and that it might negatively affect her studies, possibly leading to her failing and not graduating. He suggested she transfer back to the music department. Despite Lin Qinghe's pleas and her desire to be with him, he insisted she transfer back.
Lin Qinghe reluctantly agreed and went to accompany You Rong to classes whenever she had free time.
They resumed their routine of studying in the library at noon.
As soon as they sat down, Yun Churan arrived, her smile bright. "Senior You, I heard you accidentally fell into the water and got injured. I was quite worried. Seeing you here in class, I assume you're fine now. That's wonderful!"
You Rong gave a faint, indifferent nod in response.
Lin Qinghe's heart skipped a beat.
She eyed Yun Churan warily and said with a fake smile, "Junior, you seem to have quite a lot of free time. It's midday, aren't you going back to your dorm to rest?"
The implication was: You're an eyesore, be a little self-aware and leave.
"I don't have a habit of napping. I use my midday break to study in the library. Exams are coming up soon, I need to cram a little." Yun Churan looked at You Rong and casually asked, "By the way, Senior You, you said last time that if I had any questions, I could ask you. Does that still stand?"
Lin Qinghe gritted her teeth.
Was she pretending to be naive, or did she genuinely not understand the meaning behind her words?
As You Rong was about to answer, Lin Qinghe tugged his clothes discreetly. He turned to look at her, and she gave him a warning look, essentially asking him to refuse Yun Churan.
Whether You Rong received her message or not, he retracted his gaze, pondered for a moment, and said, "Junior, I'm sorry, but I take back what I said earlier. I can't tutor you, nor can I answer any of your questions. If you need help, I can recommend a few high-achieving seniors to tutor you."
Yun Churan was taken aback. "Senior You, why is that?"
You Rong held Lin Qinghe's hand openly and looked at her with doting eyes. "I'm afraid my future girlfriend will be jealous."
Lin Qinghe, who had just wanted to assert her claim, became shy when You Rong so boldly acknowledged their relationship. She turned her face away, not daring to meet his gaze.
Yun Churan's expression was somewhat complex. "But... Senior You, I heard before that you and Senior Lin had..."
You Rong interrupted her. "You said you heard. Most of what we hear is rumors."
Feeling rebuffed, Yun Churan didn't press further. She smiled, "Okay, I understand. I wish Senior You and Senior Lin well."
Lin Qinghe raised her eyebrows and generously replied, "Thank you, junior. I wish you find a partner soon too."
After a few pleasantries, Yun Churan made an excuse about having an appointment with friends and left.
Once Yun Churan was gone, You Rong turned to Lin Qinghe and asked with a slight raise of his eyebrows, "How was it? Future girlfriend, are you satisfied with my performance just now?"
Lin Qinghe pouted. "Hmph, so-so... Why did you promise to help her with her questions before..."
You Rong's eyes flickered. "I promised to help her with her questions? How did you know?"
Lin Qinghe hadn't intended to say anything, but she had let it slip. She decided not to hide it.
She saw it as an opportunity to perhaps increase their progress.
Lin Qinghe stated righteously, "I was hiding behind the bookshelf that day, eavesdropping. I heard your entire conversation with her, every word!"
You Rong's heart felt as if it had been struck by something. "So... you went to the summer camp because you knew I was going?"
"That's right! I was afraid you'd be flirting with other girls, so I decided to go. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone."
The corners of You Rong's lips curved upwards. "Then do you know why I went?"
"Why? Wasn't it because you agreed to go with Yun Churan?" Lin Qinghe didn't realize how sour her tone was.
You Rong ruffled Lin Qinghe's dark, glossy hair. "I agreed to participate in the summer camp with the thought that you might go."
"You..." Lin Qinghe met You Rong's deep, dark eyes, as if she had fallen into them, her heart skipping a beat. "Hmph! That's more like it!"
You Rong gazed at Lin Qinghe tenderly. "Hiding and eavesdropping on my conversations with others, how many more things are you keeping from me? Hmm?"
Lin Qinghe wasn't being coy. She confessed everything she had done: "There's a lot. I was the one who kept putting food in your desk drawer every day! And working part-time at the bar, I rushed to do the work so you wouldn't have to work so hard. I also secretly visited your grandmother at the hospital because I was worried about you...
"Hmm? I knew about the latter two. Putting food in my desk drawer every day, I didn't guess that was you. Were the notes written by you?"
"Yes, because you didn't eat it at first and thought it was from someone else. So I had to leave a note saying it was for you. And I was afraid you'd know it was me and throw it away, so I didn't dare to sign my name."
You Rong's gaze darkened, and he unexpectedly blurted out, "I might have to exercise my rights as a future boyfriend once more."
Lin Qinghe, not understanding, asked, "Hmm? What do you mean... Mm-hmm..." In the next second, You Rong cupped the back of her head and kissed her.
As Lin Qinghe was lost in You Rong's kiss, she heard the system's prompt: "Progress increased by 2%, total progress is 88%."