You said you hated men, why are your eyes now full of love?

[Huh? Ruan Qingqing's dislike for men decreased by 3 points.]

Noticing the change in the Prajna Instrument, the system that was about to catch up on sleep rubbed its eyes. Its sleepy little head immediately became alert.

Ribbit!

Such good news before a nap?

[Host, well done! You're getting better at this friend thing. 👍🏻]

While returning the book, Ji Mu's fingers paused for a moment before placing the book back on the shelf.

To be honest, he didn't really understand why the disgust value suddenly dropped.

After thinking it over, he guessed that he must have done something heartwarming that increased their friendship value, which in turn decreased the target's negative perception of men.

To sum it up, it was indeed his merit.

Understanding this, Ji Mu shamelessly admitted it.

"Of course."

Who cares, making friends should be easy.

Got it!

…

The sun was setting in the west.

The orange halo colored the clouds like an oil painting splashed with ink.

By the time they left the library, it was almost 6 o'clock.

"Sorry, Classmate Ji Mu, for making you accompany me for so long today," Ruan Qingqing said apologetically.

Ji Mu nonchalantly put her hands in her pockets.

"It's nothing. The environment in the library is nice. I had a good nap. Actually, I should thank you."

Thank me? Thank me for what...

It took Ruan Qingqing a moment to realize what he meant.

A rush of heat rushed to her cheeks and she turned her head, looking around nervously.

"As long as you don't mind me taking the initiative."

"Don't be so modest. Without that pillow, I would have woken up with a sore neck and aching arms."

Ji Mu walked leisurely along the pavement.

"What do you think, kind and silly classmate?"

"Uh..."

Why did he call me a silly classmate again?

For a moment, the shy girl didn't know how to respond.

His usual lazy voice continued to ring in her ears.

"To thank you for your selfless contribution this time, I've decided to celebrate with a cheese burger."

Ruan Qingqing looked back.

The boy stood not far away, the streetlights casting a faint glow on his thin lips, adding an inexplicable allure that made it hard to look away.

"I hear there's a discount if we eat together. Would you do me the honor?"

Large, black-framed glasses covered most of his face.

The twilight sky had darkened to a deep gray, with only a faint light filtering through the scattered clouds, softly outlining the boy's features.

It was clearly an ordinary face.

Yet, like a moth drawn to a flicker of fire in the twilight, she couldn't find a way to refuse in her response.

By the time she regained her composure, she realized that she had already followed him into the shop.

Ruan Qingqing touched her cheeks, still warm from the lingering heat, and couldn't help but scorn her own lack of willpower.

If he wanted to kidnap her, it would probably be the easiest thing in the world.

She'd probably even call two cabs herself.

"Silly goose, there are several meal sets here. Which one do you want?"

"Any, any is fine."

She replied, adding quietly, "I'm not picky."

"Alright."

Ji Mu chose for a while and ordered two classic sets.

After paying, he took the number card and found a quiet corner to sit down.

"It's getting late. Let's head back after we finish this," he suggested, looking at the time on his phone.

"Okay."

It seemed that spending too much time reading in the library had made her eyes sore. The girl raised her left hand to rub them.

Ji Mu, "Are your eyes uncomfortable?"

"Yes... a bit."

Ruan Qingqing thought for a few seconds before answering hesitantly, "It's probably because my eyes haven't rested for too long."

She moved closer and lifted her delicate and beautiful face.

"Can you help me see if this area is a little swollen?"

She seemed unaware that her actions were much more forward than usual.

From Ji Mu's perspective, it was inevitable to catch a glimpse of the scenery under her collar.

One particular part of her body made a particularly striking visual impact.

The strap on the girl's right shoulder had slipped slightly due to inertia.

Two soft mounds pressed together, forming a shadowy cleavage, the pink lace edge faintly visible against the snow-white skin.@@novelbin@@

‘Delicate branches bearing heavy fruit’

These five words suddenly came to his mind.

"Yes, a little."

He looked away calmly, "Make sure you get plenty of rest when you get home."

Why does it seem that as their relationship improved, the target of the task became more and more indifferent to the differences between men and women?

Could this be a change brought about by the warming of their friendship?

Ji Mu was completely perplexed.

The series of expressions on the boy's face were all understood by Ruan Qingqing.

She remained silent, but an indescribable feeling of disappointment welled up in her heart.

Classmate Ji Mu, why is there no reaction at all...

Although she understood that this also meant that he wasn't such a superficial person, she still felt a tinge of resentment.

"Hungry?"

Noticing her distracted expression, Ji Mu thought she wanted to eat something. "Just wait a little longer, the food will be ready in about two minutes."

The girl slowly sat back down.

With her petite and delicate figure, she truly looked like a little schoolgirl who had just finished school.

"Classmate Ji Mu, how much did you spend just now? Let's split the bill."

Ji Mu shrugged her shoulders and said half-jokingly, "It wasn't much. Since the Great Benefactor graced me with her company for a burger, how could I let you pay?"

"Then..."

Knowing his temperament to some extent, Ruan Qingqing didn't insist. "Next time, I'll treat you to a meal."

Ji Mu casually replied, "We'll talk about it next time."

"Classmate Ji Mu."

Ruan Qingqing puffed up her cheeks and stared at him, expressing her dissatisfaction.

"You can't always be like this."

Another ambiguous answer.

The next time they met, he would probably find some other reason to invite her to dinner.

She didn't want to owe him more and more, as the feeling of indebtedness and imbalance would accumulate deeper in her heart.

Ji Mu understood the meaning of her words.

She really does tend to overthink things...

He sighed inwardly.

"Silly goose, it's a good habit not to owe people favors, but aren't you forgetting something?"

The nonchalant expression on his face vanished.

"We are not merchants trading with each other, nor are we strangers who just met by chance."

"If it were someone else, then of course the law of equivalent exchange would apply. You have to pay the appropriate price for what you want."

Ruan Qingqing was slightly surprised.

He lowered his gaze slightly, and his voice was focused and serious, as if he was talking about something extremely important.

"But I also said that you're not just anyone."

"I'm feeding you because I want to, that's all."

His speech was not fast, each sentence kept at a level she could clearly hear.

Still, the words rang in her ears, leaving her at a loss, her breathing rhythm disturbed.

"I..."

"If you really care, when you make a lot of money in the future, you can pay me back for everything, okay?"

The hustle and bustle of passersby on the nearby street seemed distant, leaving only the boy's words echoing in her heart.

Her heartbeat slowed half a beat.

A sweet sensation flowed through her body, like honey that had been brewed for a long time, suddenly opened and sweet to the core, driving out any lingering resentment.

Her ears grew warm and she whispered, "This... isn't fair.

Each time, her heart was thrown into turmoil by his teasing.

She couldn't always be the only one passive; it wasn't fair.

"Hmm? What's not fair?"

With one hand resting on his knee, Ji Mu was unaware of the girl's bold yet playful thoughts.

After calming her heartbeat, Ruan Qingqing said awkwardly, "You always call me silly goose, but I still call you Classmate Ji Mu."

Ji Mu was taken aback.

"You're right, it's too formal."

He pondered for a moment, as if in deep thought.

"So, what do you want to call me?"

Ruan Qingqing's clasped fingers trembled slightly.

The boy's permission caused her heart, which had just calmed down, to race once again.

"Mu... Mu... Mu..."

She wanted to say that one word, but due to her shyness and nervousness, she stammered for a long time without being able to say it properly.

"Mu Mu?"

Ji Mu misunderstood her intention.

Following her lead, he replied, "Although it sounds a bit like a child's nickname, it's not unacceptable."

An urgent look flashed in Ruan Qingqing's eyes.

No, that's not it!

Just as she was about to explain, his self-talk drifted into her ears like a gentle breeze.

"No one has ever called me that before."

She swallowed, the words stopping at her lips.

No one... has ever called him that.

Her heart suddenly tightened, deeply moved.

Mu Mu...

Ruan Qingqing murmured softly.

Does that mean it's a name just for me?

A soft light flickered in her picturesque eyes as she softly murmured the two words.

"Mu Mu."

A second after she spoke, a light laugh came from above her head.

Ruan Qingqing's face turned red.

He heard it...

She raised her eyelids slightly and met his gaze.

The dappled light and shadows hid his features, but his clear voice reached her ears, "I'm here."

She covered her burning cheeks with her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment.

"...Mm."

Why does it feel like he's coaxing a child?

So unfair...

Editor’s note: I CAN’T HOLD IT IN ANYMORE. KYAAAA MU MU!!!! While I think this is very cute, I wish Mu Mu would stop leading her on! Stop being so nice to her and making her fall for you!!!