Still an undergrad?
So he’s just a college boy!
Mao Ruirui’s social circle was painfully simple.
Counting even the regular customers at her shop, the only male college student she knew was Lin Yu.
So.
Wasn’t Lin Yu’s question just a roundabout way of talking about himself?
Did Lin Yu actually like her?!
"Ruirui, answer my question."
Lin Yu’s persistent questioning felt like a siren blaring in her ears, fraying her nerves.
"Sure…"
As if possessed, Mao Ruirui blurted out what was on her mind.
The moment the words left her lips—
Oh no, oh no!
Now there’s no way to explain this away!
Would Lin Yu think her proactive help was just a ploy to chase after him?
She really hadn’t thought it through—she never meant for him to misinterpret her actions.
The next moment.
Lin Yu gently lifted her by the shoulders, helping her sit upright.
The second she left his embrace, a pang of loss shot through Mao Ruirui’s heart.
She was still scrambling for a way to explain her earlier response.
Could she just say, "I was joking"?
But what if…
Even if there was just a sliver of hope…
What if Lin Yu really did like her?
Saying "just kidding" might shatter any chance of that.
To Mao Ruirui’s surprise.
Lin Yu gazed into her eyes with deep affection and murmured:
"Ruirui, do I… meet the criteria? Even just as one of them?"
Mao Ruirui’s ears burned crimson.
There wasn’t another guy in her life who could even hold a candle to Lin Yu.
Not "one of them."
He was the only one.
So now…
What did Lin Yu mean?
Was this some kind of confession?
Not exactly, right?
Don’t couples usually confirm things with, "Will you be my girlfriend/boyfriend?"
Even so.
Mao Ruirui couldn’t bring herself to lie.
With a slight nod, she whispered:
"You do."
Who would’ve thought?
Even the bubbly, lively girl couldn’t escape the flustering torment of love.
Seeing the moment was ripe, Lin Yu completely dropped his earlier questioning tone.
In a firm, almost commanding voice, he said:
"Ruirui, close your eyes."
Mao Ruirui: "!!!"
Now? Close her eyes?
What was Lin Yu planning?
Could it be…?
Before her brain could catch up, her body had already obeyed.
The next second.
Her vision plunged into darkness as she shut her eyes.
With sight gone, she became hyper-aware of her own breathing.
"In… out…"
"In… huff…"
Her frantic nerves made it feel like nose-breathing alone wasn’t cutting it.
Without thinking, Mao Ruirui parted her lips slightly, gasping for the oxygen her overwhelmed brain desperately needed.
That subtle parting.
Drove Lin Yu wild!
Though he’d tried to let emotion guide his actions.
Honestly.
The Beast Taming Order was just too overpowered!
If this weren’t a public track but some private space between them.
Lin Yu couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t fully indulge the little devil on his shoulder.
Who could resist a girl who’s smitten, utterly compliant, hanging on your every word?
Lin Yu had already shown more restraint than most.
Watching Mao Ruirui’s breathing grow quicker.
Lin Yu cupped her face tenderly and leaned in, sealing their lips together.
The moment they touched.
Lin Yu realized.
It wasn’t his actions that were tender as water.
It was Mao Ruirui’s entire being—soft, pliant, melting.
He had to adjust, one hand cradling her cheek, the other supporting her back.
Otherwise.
Sister Ruirui might’ve dissolved into a puddle right there on the bleachers.
Damn…
Another wave of regret hit Lin Yu.
If he’d known it’d be like this, why bother with morning jogging?
Couldn’t they have gotten their cardio in a bedroom?
Below the bleachers.
Two janitors pushing trash carts—one with a cigarette dangling—noticed the young couple lost in each other.
They couldn’t resist ribbing:
Janitor A: "Gotta hand it to the youth—frisky as hell this early!"
Janitor B: "Tch, tch, goin’ at it like suckin’ on a lollipop!" (Exhales a lazy puff.)
Janitor A: "Hah! Bet they’ll switch spots soon—lyin’ down’s comfier."
Janitor B: "Switch my ass! Yesterday I scooped up three used ones in there! Kids these days pinch pennies hard!"
Janitor A: "Says the guy who rocked disco back in the day."
Janitor B speeds up his cart: "Yeah, with your mom!"
Janitor A (despite bad knees, gives chase): "I’ll wreck you, you little—!"
On the bleachers, Lin Yu: "…"
Turns out the elderly aren’t so different—still fighting to be each other’s dad.
[Ding!]
[Masterful move! The Saint’s tender affection leaves his dao companion flustered and smitten!]
[Reward: 50 spirit stones.]
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host! Your bond with the Beast Garden elder deepens, advancing to the 7th stage: "Threads of Love Entwined"!]
[Reward: 100 spirit stones.]
The kiss lingered, slow and deep.
Clueless, Mao Ruirui could only mimic what she’d seen on TV, moving her lips stiffly.
At first, she couldn’t sync with Lin Yu’s rhythm at all.
But halfway through, it dawned on her—no need to rush.
That’s when she lost herself completely.
So much so that.
When Lin Yu finally pulled away, Mao Ruirui was still dazed, craving more.
The second they separated.
She noticed Lin Yu’s flushed face, his eyes darting down, too shy to meet her gaze.
His reaction.
Oddly eased most of her own embarrassment.
But wait—he’d been the one to initiate…
Then it hit her.
College boys will be college boys—acting on impulse without thinking of the awkward aftermath.
So maybe…
Her behavior today had just been too irresistible for him to hold back… right?
The thought sent a secret thrill through her.
As for Lin Yu?
The blush?
Pure oxygen deprivation.
Try holding your breath that long—see if you don’t turn red!
To sell the post-kiss vibe.
He’d been deliberately breathless near the end.
If he’d acted too casual afterward.
She’d demand answers, wouldn’t she?
Why did you kiss me?
What does this mean?
Otherwise—
His carefully crafted persona would’ve crumbled!
Right now.
Shyness was the perfect cover. No further explanations needed.
Who’s he gotta answer to anyway?
If he had to justify every little thing, he’d never get anything done!
Just as planned.
The "flustered silence" worked.
Mao Ruirui was the one who broke it, offering her own closure…
…
(Second update today! Only 230 more "power by love" clicks till bonus chapters. Spend a moment watching an ad to support this humble author—tonight’s grind will be worth it!)
villain is the number one simp for the book's leading female protagonist, Shen Wan'er. As expected, he later becomes a tool for the main character to show off and slap faces, ultimately meeting a tragic end with his family ruined and his life in shambles. Fortunately, he awakens the [Universal Pure Love System], which allows him to earn points by performing acts of pure love. To change his fate, Gu Yan makes a decisive choice to seek warmth and companionship with the book's biggest villain—Cold Qingqiu. ........... My name is Leng Qingqiu. To find the murderer who killed my parents years ago, I deliberately blinded myself so that everyone would lower their guard around me. Just as I was secretly accumulating power and capital according to my initial plan, a man walked into my world. "Lengleng, Qingqing, Qiuqiu, which nickname do you prefer?" I don't like any of them. You'd better leave quickly! "Why aren't you saying anything? How about I call you my baby wife?" Leng Qingqiu thinks to herself, this man is truly annoying! (Stubborn pure love warrior + single female lead + true pure love + 1v1)
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
