You said you hated men, why are your eyes now full of love? #Chapter 62 - Friendship Phase - Read You said you hated men, why are your eyes now full of love? Chapter 62 - Friendship Phase Online - All Page

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

Chapter 62 - Friendship Phase

Evening.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, and the outline of the distant mountains grew faint. The sky had lost its pure blue hue, taking on the appearance of an ink-washed oil painting under the touch of twilight.

Ruan Qingqing's lips curved up faintly.

Faced with the boy's warm, firm chest, her once-proud self-control had already become a joke. The lingering scent of soap, like him, dismantled her rational defenses effortlessly and made her heart itch with longing.

Whether it was his soft words when comforting her emotions or the unique and affectionate nickname he gave her… everything about him stirred her already restless heart, each gesture dripping with temptation.

If this continued, she wasn't sure she could keep her feelings hidden.

She knew the boy treated her so well purely out of friendship. In his beautiful dark brown eyes, there wasn't even a trace of romantic feeling.

If she broke the illusion too soon, there was a good chance their close relationship wouldn't survive. So, for now, she'd endure it just a little longer.

To achieve her goal, she had to take it slow.

Suppressing her calculations and thoughts, she lowered her head again. Like a spoiled house pet, she nuzzled and clung, taking every opportunity to indulge in the long-awaited hug.

After all, now that she finally had it, she had to make the most of it.

It took another ten minutes before she reluctantly let go.

"Had enough?" Ji Mu teased from above.

Ruan Qingqing's cheeks were warm. Her voice came out soft and slightly sticky, "...It's okay."

Of course not. Not nearly enough...

Ji Mu didn't hear her unspoken complaint. But even if he had, there was no way he'd let her hug him again.

"You must be hungry after a whole day of exams." He glanced at the time. "Come on, let's grab something good to eat."

"N-no need."

In truth, she was starving.

After such intense focus all day, her energy was running low. But knowing Ji Mu would probably insist on paying, she decided to lie just a little.

"I'm not really that hungry."

Even if he was always helping her willingly, without asking for anything in return, she didn't want to... spend his money.

Ji Mu narrowed his eyes, giving her a once-over.

"Lunch was probably rushed. You must've barely eaten before cramming for the next test. Are you really sure you're not hungry?"

Ruan Qingqing nodded slightly, her voice delicate. "I ate a lot this morning before I left. I'm just right now."

When had she gotten so good at lying with a straight face?

She used to blush like mad just telling a small fib. Time really could change a person.

"Alright," Ji Mu replied, seemingly buying it.

But before she could relax, he added, "Well, I'm hungry. Come with me."

Her fingers twitched.

The boy was already walking off with that usual lazy air. Without looking back, he called out, "Follow me."

The warm glow of the streetlamp lit her features with a soft golden hue, mirroring the warmth blooming in her chest.

"...Okay."

So, he did notice after all~

…

The food street was less than two kilometers from Yulan High School. When students grew tired of the school's usual snack stalls, they would walk here for a better meal.

Neon lights in all colors blended with the rich aroma of food in the air. Delivery riders zipped by on scooters, weaving through the crowd. Families strolled, children in tow, savoring rare moments of leisure in a fast-paced city.

In the middle of the bustle, Ruan Qingqing stood quietly, lost in thought, as she watched the steady flow of people.

Years had passed in the blink of an eye, with daily life mostly revolving around work and school, a straight line from one to the other.

It seemed like a long time... since she had just walked around.

As thoughts swirled in her head, a warm meat bun suddenly appeared in her hand.

"The vendor accidentally added cilantro."

Ji Mu held up the one he had just bought. "I can't eat the one you're holding."

The warmth from the bun seeped through the wrapper into her palm. Even with her slow reflexes, Ruan Qingqing instantly understood what he was doing.

Still, she asked anyway, "Why didn't you just ask for a new one?"

"Already bought it. Would be a waste to toss it," Ji Mu replied seriously.

As if that excuse wasn't quite enough, he added, "So I'll trouble our kind-hearted goose to take care of it."

His casual tone made him sound completely unserious.

Ruan Qingqing's lips curved slightly. Intrigued now, she replied in a gentle tone, "And what if this kind-hearted goose doesn't want to help~?"

"Come on, it's really good."

He grinned and started pitching it like a street vendor. "Just one bite."

His playful tone and naturally pleasant voice made the offer sound far too tempting.

Ruan Qingqing's ears grew warm. She pretended to grumble, "Only this once."

She brushed her hair back, revealing the pale curve of her neck. Just as she was about to take a bite, Ji Mu chimed in again,

"It has beef and mushroom sauce inside; the taste is amazing."

Her fingers tightened around the bun.

Her shoulders tensed.

The reaction was immediate and visible.

But... she didn't hesitate long. She took a bite.

Strangely, the usual dizziness and nausea didn't come.

Just as confusion set in, she heard his voice:

"Just kidding, it's filled with Gongcha sauce."

She looked up to see him with a teasing expression on his face.

"I know you can't eat mushrooms, so I told the vendor."

"Mu Mu, you..."

She couldn't eat any mushroom-based food.

When she was young, she accidentally tasted some and immediately broke out in rashes all over her body and nearly fainted. Her mom had to rush her to the hospital to get her stomach pumped.

But… how did he know?

"I remember you told me a while ago," Ji Mu said, mouth full as he took another bite. "I got it right, didn't I?"

Ruan Qingqing's lashes fluttered. "...Yeah."

She'd only mentioned it in passing, so vaguely she barely remembered herself.

Most people would forget something so minor over time.

Even her mother sometimes forgot and accidentally cooked mushrooms.

She'd assumed Ji Mu had long forgotten.

But...

"Eat it while it's hot, or the texture will go bad," Ji Mu, who ate voraciously, added between bites. "Don't worry, there's really no mushroom sauce in it, I promise."

Ruan Qingqing's fox-like eyes glimmered with warmth.

"Okay~"

He remembered everything, down to the smallest detail.

...

[Not bad, not bad.]

[The deep friendship is perfectly manifested.]

Floating in the air, the system watched their interaction, beaming with satisfaction... and a bit of despair.

The bond was great, sure, but that cursed negative favorability score still wouldn't budge.

It was driving the system insane.

Meanwhile, in the system room…

The display showed the latest changes.

Target: Ruan Qingqing