Can You Wear Gray Sweatpants?

"Could you two ladies stop following me?"

Shen Qingling had only walked a few steps before Ruan Mingyi and Ye Qiao caught up with him.

Shen Qingling was clearly in a bad mood, and Song Zhining, trailing far behind, did not dare approach him.

Ruan Mingyi could tell he was upset, so she smiled and said, "Sure. As long as you accept my friend request, I'll stop bothering you."

Shen Qingling took out his phone and accepted it right in front of her.

Ruan Mingyi knew when to stop pushing, so she relented. "Fine, I won't bother you anymore. I'm leaving now, but..."

"But what?"

"Today's meal doesn't count. You still owe me a meal."

"..."

"If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes."

Shen Qingling did not object, which counted as a reluctant agreement. Ruan Mingyi was delighted.

Before leaving, she turned back and patted Shen Qingling on the shoulder.

"And don't be sad over that woman who wasn't worth it. There are countless women in this world, and even more who like you."

"But you should consider me more. Other people talk about X-shaped legs and O-shaped legs, but with me, there are only M-shaped legs and V-shaped legs."

Ruan Mingyi had watched more porn than most people had eaten meals, so words like that came easily to her.

Others could spout poetry at the drop of a hat; she could spout filth.

Shen Qingling understood, but pretended not to, putting on a puzzled expression.

Ruan Mingyi's eyes curved as she smiled. "I don't mean anything by it. I'm just trying to comfort you. Don't be sad, okay? If you really can't get over it, call me on WeChat. I'm online anytime."

After saying that, she gave him a wink, playful and adorable. Shen Qingling rarely smiled, but he gave her one then, and Ruan Mingyi's heart instantly turned sweet.

"Ruan Mingyi's Heart-Throb Score increased by 5."

It seemed getting a smile out of Shen Qingling was a rare thing.

The more unapproachable someone was, the more thrilling it felt when they revealed a side of themselves that was usually hidden. That was exactly how Ruan Mingyi felt now.

Even if the men she had liked before smiled their faces off in front of her, she might not have been this excited.

So this was what a smile like melting ice meant. Ruan Mingyi understood now.

Ruan Mingyi stared dreamily at Shen Qingling's retreating back and muttered, "He's so handsome my legs won't close."

Ye Qiao advised her, "You should say less of that dirty stuff from now on. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were some wild player, yet you're still a little virgin. Aren't you afraid people will laugh at you?"

Ruan Mingyi stubbornly replied, "You don't get it. I'm too fierce; ordinary men can't handle me. It takes someone like Shen Qingling to have enough stamina."

"You haven't even tried him. How would you know?"

"I'm a good judge of people... Hey, I've got an idea."

Ruan Mingyi took out her phone and sent Shen Qingling a message.

Ruan Mingyi: Can you wear gray sweatpants next time we meet?

Shen Qingling: Why?

Ruan Mingyi: I think you'd look really handsome in gray.

I'm lying. It's actually because gray sweatpants show the outline.

But I'm not telling you, hehe.

She could even imagine what Shen Qingling's expression would be if she said that to him.

The young man would definitely frown, wanting to say something but stopping himself. He could not bring himself to say anything too harsh, yet he hated feeling offended like this, so he could only blush in secret.

Just thinking about it made him seem adorable.

Ruan Mingyi giggled foolishly.

Seeing her grinning like an idiot, Ye Qiao waved a hand in front of her face. "What are you smiling about?"

"Shen Qingling is so cute."

"...I really don't get you. What's cute about an iceberg? Sure, he's handsome, but other than that, I don't see anything special."

"You don't understand."

"Fine, fine, I don't understand again. But I'm telling you, don't get too obsessed with him. He isn't from the same world as us. Don't fall in too deep."

"Don't worry, sis. I really won't be fooled by a man this time. I'm only pretending to be utterly smitten with him. This is all part of my plan. Stop talking—I have my own pace."

Shen Qingling had no classes that afternoon, and he did not need to work a part-time job either. He planned to rest properly at home, then build rapport with his targets on WeChat.

As expected, the first message Shen Qingling received was from Ruan Mingyi.

Though he did not know what she meant by gray sweatpants, it definitely was not anything proper.

Shen Qingling did not reply to her.

Being too proactive would only make Ruan Mingyi's enthusiasm fade quickly. He needed to keep her at arm's length like this, neither warm nor cold, and let his every move tug her emotions around.

Not long after, Song Zhining sent him another message.

Song Zhining: Male god, do you have time to come to my house for dinner this weekend? (pitiful) (expectant)

Shen Qingling: Yes. I traded my weekend shift with someone else.

Shen Qingling deliberately told her he had switched shifts, and as expected, he heard the sound of her Heart-Throb Score rising.

"Song Zhining's Heart-Throb Score increased by 5."

Song Zhining jumped up on the spot when she saw the message.

"Yes! That's great!"

The girl held her phone, her little face flushed red.

Shen Qingling actually switched his weekend shift just to have dinner with me. He's way too sweet!

Song Zhining was overjoyed and immediately called home to arrange the weekend meal.

Shen Qingling estimated that Song Zhining's Heart-Throb Score would probably be maxed out by the weekend. The girl was too innocent and loved to overthink things, so winning her over was not difficult.

But Ruan Mingyi was different. Although she was proactive and passionate, her Heart-Throb Score did not rise quickly. He had to hit a particular nerve for it to increase.

So with Ruan Mingyi, he either had to give her a major shock or slowly simmer her like a frog in warm water.

As Shen Qingling considered how to win Ruan Mingyi over quickly, his phone rang again.

Chu Jiaojiao: I'm sorry.

Shen Qingling narrowed his eyes and gave a cold laugh. Apologizing now—had her conscience finally kicked in and made her feel guilty, or was she trying to put on another act to win his forgiveness?

Shen Qingling did not reply to her.

When Chu Jiaojiao returned to the dorm, everyone looked at her strangely. She knew she could not stay there any longer, so she planned to rent a place off campus. The money she had was enough, anyway.

She had no real feelings for those roommates. It had all been fake pleasantries and empty performances.

Chu Jiaojiao glanced at WeChat. That familiar profile picture had not lit up again.

Could Shen Qingling really never forgive her again?

She gripped her phone tightly and stared blankly at the profile picture, telling herself, "It's fine. Even without Shen Qingling, my life won't be affected."

She was a hypocritical, selfish person. All she wanted was to marry a rich man. Shen Qingling had never been within the range of her choices.

Chu Jiaojiao kept telling herself that the pain was only temporary. Money could smooth over all pain and all of the past, including her memories with Shen Qingling.

In the end, she gritted her teeth and deleted her chat with Shen Qingling. If she could not see it, she would not be sad, and she would not think of him.

She had to restrain herself and stop messaging Shen Qingling. He had seen through her already; he would never forgive her again.

But on the other side, Shen Qingling heard the system's announcement.

"Chu Jiaojiao's Heart-Throb Score increased by 10. Regret Score increased by 10."