Bro, Your Hands Are So Warm

About five minutes after returning to the dorm.

Long Aotian, bare-chested, began drying his hair.

"Damn, if I had Lao Ao's physique, I'd never worry about finding a girlfriend," Xu Shuai said enviously.

He wasn’t the only one thinking this—Li Longlong and Huang Fei shared the same sentiment. Broad shoulders, a narrow waist, a well-built yet perfectly proportioned frame—even they, as guys, couldn’t find a single flaw.

"Sigh, comparison really is the thief of joy. When will I ever get to take a girl out to eat?" Li Longlong sighed, then glanced at Huang Fei. "Hey, have you finished the follow-up to your 'Ten Major Dating Theories' yet?"

"Almost there, almost there. Theories come from practice, after all. Once I successfully pursue Shen Mengjie, I’ll write it right away." Huang Fei couldn’t help but feel a little helpless.

Long Aotian barely lifted a finger, yet girls just flocked to him.

Meanwhile, he hadn’t even managed to exchange more than a few words with Shen Mengjie.

Long Aotian finished changing and looked at the three of them. "Actually, Ah Fei is right—all theories come from practice. Instead of theorizing in the dorm, you should try slowly getting to know girls."

"Lao Ao, it’s easy for you to say. You think everyone can be like you?" Xu Shuai couldn’t help but sound a little bitter. He had tried asking Wang Lijuan out, but she just wouldn’t agree.

Long Aotian chuckled and tossed his towel at Xu Shuai. "Nonsense. How long have you even known Wang Lijuan? Not even half a month, and you expect her to say yes?"

"Even in dating, you have to take things step by step—spend time together, build some mutual affection, and then maybe suggest going out to eat."

"But you? You barely know her and already want to take her out to dinner. No wonder Wang Lijuan turned you down."

Xu Shuai caught the towel and scoffed. "Oh, like you’re any better. You barely knew those girls either, yet you still ended up going out with them."

"How is that the same?" Huang Fei rolled his eyes. "If you could pull off a heroic rescue for Wang Lijuan, maybe she’d be the one asking you out."

He then turned back to Long Aotian. "But I do agree with Lao Ao. Instead of rotting in the dorm, we should use this time to actually interact with girls."

"Second rule of the Ten Major Dating Theories: Persistence is key. Make sure your crush remembers you. Take it slow—meals are eaten bite by bite, roads are walked step by step, and girls are won over gradually!"

Three minutes later, three figures stood beside Long Aotian, drying their hair.

......

"Gege."

From a distance, Lin Wanning stood on her tiptoes, waving. The smile on her usually cool, delicate face was something Long Aotian could never get tired of.

"Sorry, I’m late."

"I just got here too. Let’s go eat—you must be hungry."

The people around them stared in shock. They had just witnessed the transformation of an aloof snow lotus from the highest peak into a blooming flower.

Before the guy arrived, she was cold and untouchable.

After he showed up, she was beaming like a child.

"We’re here." Lin Wanning stepped out of the taxi and checked the address on her phone.

"This place is so far."

She shot Long Aotian a look. "Gege, you’re so lazy. Good food is worth the trip."

"Besides, there’s a discount today."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go." Not wanting to dampen her excitement, Long Aotian led her into the mall with a wave of his hand.

"Fourth floor," Lin Wanning said, glancing around.

When they reached the restaurant entrance, she suddenly grabbed Long Aotian’s arm before he could step inside. "Gege, I want bubble tea. Can you get me one?"

Long Aotian followed her pointing finger. "Sure."

As he walked away, Lin Wanning entered the restaurant.

She said something to the hostess, gesturing toward the bubble tea shop.

When Long Aotian returned with the drink, Lin Wanning met him halfway.

Under his puzzled gaze, she gently looped her arm through his.

The moment his arm pressed against something soft, Long Aotian stiffened, instinctively trying to pull away.

The friction sent a jolt through Lin Wanning, like an electric current spreading from an unmentionable place throughout her body.

Her heart skipped wildly, and a faint blush crept across her delicate face. She gave him a reproachful look, her voice turning soft and sweet. "Gege, stop moving, okay...?"

"Uh, yeah." Long Aotian had no idea what she was up to, but after a glance at the way his arm was pressing into her, he didn’t dare move again.

Lin Wanning guided him forward, then suddenly giggled—quietly, just for him. "Gege, relax. You’re walking like a robot."

"How am I supposed to relax?" The fabric of his clothes was thin, and he could feel not just the softness but the warmth radiating from it.

"Pretend I’m your girlfriend."

"Huh?"

Lin Wanning bit her lip lightly, then took his hand and placed it around her waist.

The heat from his large palm seeped through the thin fabric of her clothes, branding her slender waist.

It was the first time a guy had ever held her like this, and she couldn’t help but squirm slightly, the blush spreading to her neck. "Gege, your hand is so warm..."

Long Aotian’s fingers twitched.

The movement made Lin Wanning shiver. "Gege, don’t move—it tickles..."

They walked stiffly into the restaurant, past the hostess, and were led to table 18.

Once the server left, Lin Wanning exhaled shakily. Her eyes glimmered, and the beauty mark at the corner of her eye stood out like a blooming poppy against her flushed skin. "O-okay, we’re good."

She released his arm, and the pressure against her chest vanished. Only then did she realize how fast her heart was racing.

"Why?" Long Aotian was still confused. This had all been so sudden.

Lin Wanning, cheeks still pink, whispered sheepishly, "Couples get half off today."

The explanation made Long Aotian both amused and exasperated.

"Gege, stop laughing—they’ll notice."

For some reason, hearing him laugh made her face burn even hotter.

It was as if her little scheme had been completely exposed...

Embarrassed and a little guilty, she quickly stood up. "I’m going to the restroom. Gege, you start grilling the meat."

......