In her past life, Qin Jiao could never quite figure out Shen Yi’s temper. She never knew when he was happy or when he was angry.

His triggers were incredibly complex.

The slightest misstep could set him off, unleashing a veritable tsunami or an earth-shattering quake.

Take now, for instance. She had no idea why Shen Yi was angry again.

’Forget it. If he wants to be angry, let him.’

After saying goodbye to Grandpa Du, Qin Jiao turned and headed home. She needed to pack her things for the start of school tomorrow and also process her withdrawal from the dorm. Her dad had bought her a third-hand, or maybe even fourth-hand, Forever bicycle, which actually rode quite well.

Shen Yi sat on the steps beneath the grapevine. The grapes had mostly been picked, leaving only a few stubborn bunches of green ones, unlikely to ripen this year, hanging from the vine.

Grandpa Du turned to look at his usually quiet grandson, then glanced in the direction Qin Jiao had gone. He spoke gently, "You don’t want her to treat you with such distance, do you?"

Shen Yi’s gaze flickered.

Mr. Du continued with a smile, "That girl has a mind of her own. You see, when I give her things, she feels indebted and brings me steamed buns. With people like her, you might feel they’re being overly polite at first. But it’s in this give-and-take that your relationship will naturally grow closer."

The sunlight was too harsh. Shen Yi lowered his gaze, and looking at his shadow on the ground, he murmured, "She won’t want to get closer to me."

’For two lifetimes, she’s detested me.’

’No matter what I do, she’ll never be willing to get close to me.’

Just then, a hand reached over and blocked the harsh sunlight. Mr. Du’s voice was as gentle as ever. "How will you know it’s impossible if you don’t even try? That girl is a good person; she knows right from wrong. If you show her goodwill, she’ll understand. She’s like a little animal, maintaining a basic level of vigilance with everyone. It might have to do with the environment she grew up in. Once you’ve truly passed her test, she’ll treat you with her whole heart and consider you a true friend."

Shen Yi hummed.

’But I don’t want to just be friends with her.’

’I finally figured out in this life what I couldn’t in the last, but now I have no idea what to do about it.’

’Maybe I should just do what I did last life, and make her my wif—’

"I don’t know why, but there’s something so familiar and kind about her face. Xiao Yi, if you like her, you must treat her well. She’s a smart girl, and a kind one, too."

Shen Yi’s dark thoughts came to a screeching halt. He snapped his head up, staring at his grandfather in astonishment.

He instantly broke out in a cold sweat.

’Even though Qin Jiao is deliberately keeping her distance from me now, we still see each other. And every time we meet, she still greets me politely.’

’If I act like I did in our last life, I’ll only push her further and further away!’

Shen Yi quickly composed himself. "I will treat her well," he said, his voice firm.

**

September first, the first day of school, was a bright and sunny day.

Students were trickling back in twos and threes. In reality, the boarding students had already returned a day or two earlier.

Although Lin Nian had been back in town for a while, she had only just returned to the dorm today. She was glowing, her smile brimming with confidence.

This was because she had completely captured Chen Feng, the male lead of this book—body and soul. The male lead was destined for greatness, and all she had to do was keep a firm grip on him.

However, Lin Nian’s eyes fell on Qin Jiao’s bunk, only to find that her belongings were gone.

Not only that, but all of Qin Jiao’s belongings in the dorm room had vanished.

Lin Nian grabbed a roommate and asked, "Did Qin Jiao switch rooms?"