Besides, academics always tended to earn people’s respect.

After the video shot to the top of the hot search rankings, some people questioned whether the creator was leaking confidential information by posting a discussion video about mechas. However, a helpful netizen came forward to reply: "These are all well-known issues in the mecha manufacturing world. Many of the replies are just theoretical and currently unachievable with existing technology. They’re just providing a train of thought."

Regardless, the video went completely viral, taking Jiang Qiuqiu’s New Year’s Eve dinner along with it.

On the morning of New Year’s Day, Meimei sent Jiang Qiuqiu a congratulatory message.

"What a great start to the year!" It sounded lively and bustling on Meimei’s end. "Qiuqiu, I have a feeling this is going to be your year."

"How so?"

"Everything’s going to go smoothly for you from now on."

"I hope you’re right," Jiang Qiuqiu said with a laugh. "Sister Mingmei, Happy New Year."

"You too, Happy New Year." After the pleasantries, Meimei asked quietly, "Qiuqiu, are you spending the New Year alone? If you’re bored by yourself, do you want to come stay with me for a few days? I’m on Federation Star too, just not in the main city district—" Meimei remembered from a previous chat that Jiang Qiuqiu was still single. There might have been something going on with that guy from before, but they hadn’t made it official.

When Jiang Qiuqiu had filled out her top-creator contract, the fields for parents and siblings had all been left blank. Meimei figured there was a high chance Jiang Qiuqiu was spending the New Year alone. "Your New Year’s Eve dinner stream is done, so it’s a good time to get out for a bit."

Her editor’s concern came through clearly, even through the cold terminal.

But—

Jiang Qiuqiu glanced at Mo Si, who was sitting beside her, and replied, "Thanks, Sister Mingmei, but I’m not alone."

"..."

"Oh, oh, my bad." Now it was awkward. Meimei cleared her throat. "Well, you go have fun with your boyfriend then. I’m going to hang up, I have to go make lunch."

"Alright, bye, Sister Mingmei~"

She ended the call. Mo Si was just about to lean in closer when her communicator rang again.

She looked. It was Little President Qian.

"Hello, Little President Qian?"

"Qiuqiu!" Little President Qian’s voice was brimming with happiness. "Qiuqiu, your New Year’s Eve dinner was absolutely delicious!"

"What’s up? You sound so happy."

"I got the results I wanted!" After that New Year’s Eve dinner yesterday, the negotiations, which had been subtle, seemed to show signs of loosening up. And with this morning’s massive viral hit, "You’ve proven to everyone that on top of your promotional value, you have immense commercial value."

Every major event, you manage to get on the hot search rankings.

You’ve become a top-tier influencer as a food-zone streamer, your skills are impeccable... you’re basically a walking brand.

"You’re just amazing! The best decision I ever made was signing you!"

"You’re amazing too, Little President Qian." ’Although he’s still a little green,’ she thought, ’he’s made huge progress over this period.’

An exhale came from the other end of the line. "Yes. We’re both amazing."

"I haven’t even wished you a Happy New Year yet. Your line was busy just now. Was that Meimei calling you?"

"Yep. You two really are in sync, calling one after the other. It’s like you planned it."

The young man on the other end chuckled a little.

It was a soft laugh, tinged with a rare sort of happiness.

"Sister Mingmei even invited me to go stay at her place for a while," Jiang Qiuqiu said, laughing teasingly. "I don’t have the time, but if you do, Little President Qian, you could make the trip."

"...It wouldn’t be the same if I went instead of you." Little President Qian didn’t dare take that step just yet.

After all, he had nothing to his name; the only money he had came from someone else.

Besides... the reasons were complicated. Anyway: "Why don’t you have time? Are you busy with preparations for school to start?"

"Ah, no."

Because the call was dragging on, Mo Si had already taken Jiang Qiuqiu’s hand. The man’s hand was as fiery as he was. It was warm, like a little furnace.

Jiang Qiuqiu’s thoughts returned to the present. She said, "I have someone spending the New Year with me, so I don’t have time to travel."

"You have someone with you..." Little President Qian paused, then it suddenly dawned on him. "Qiuqiu, are you in a relationship?"

"I am."

The line went silent for a moment. Then Qian Xingxing transformed into a nagging machine.

"You’re in a relationship? Is it with the person I met before?"

"Qiuqiu, you’re still young. You need to be careful when you’re in a relationship. You must have saved up some money from streaming these past six months. I mean... he’s probably not with you for your Star Coins, but you still need to be cautious."

"Don’t flash your wealth around, understand? If he asks about your contract percentage, you have to be very careful about how you answer."

"You’re still young, you have to protect yourself."

Mo Si didn’t react much to anything Qian Xingxing said, until he got to the last part: "Also, you’re young, and if this is your first relationship, you should try not to get too attached."

"You’ll be starting school soon. You know there’s a natural gap that forms between students and people out in the working world. You need to learn to control your emotions so you won’t be too heartbroken later on."

Heartbroken. And why would she be heartbroken? Obviously, because they would have broken up.

As the other man’s earnest voice came through the communicator, Mo Si’s face darkened. He leaned forward, seemingly wanting to see just who was jinxing his relationship on its second day, but Qiuqiu dodged aside and shook her head. "I know, I know. Thanks, Little President Qian."

"Mm... well, I won’t say any more. Bye, Qiuqiu."

"Bye, Little President Qian! Happy New Year to you too!"

Only then was the call disconnected.

Only then did Mo Si speak up. "Who was that chatterbox?"

"That’s my boss. He doesn’t mean any harm, he was just telling me to be careful." Jiang Qiuqiu really hadn’t expected... well, that Mo Si would turn into this overnight.

Just last night, when she had kissed him, his cheeks had flushed crimson, his gaze hesitant, and his face a mask of shyness.

Even though they had confessed their feelings for each other yesterday, she had assumed that today, Mo Si would just gloss over it, act shy, and pretend nothing had happened. She’d expected they would maintain that phase of ’you don’t say it, I don’t say it, but we both know, yet we’re still acting all awkward about it.’

And yet—

First thing in the morning, the doorbell rang.

Jiang Qiuqiu went to open the door, her eyes still heavy with sleep. Mo Si was already standing there, neatly dressed. The moment he saw her, an astonishing joy erupted in his eyes.

"Qiuqiu." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

He stood at the door, his demeanor completely different from the day before—natural and cheerful. "Did I disturb you?"

"No, I just woke up."

"I only rang the doorbell after I saw the light was on." He finished that sentence, then quickly added, "I didn’t mean to come this early. You usually sleep in a little longer, but I was desperate to know something."

"Huh?"

"Qiuqiu, are we in a relationship now?" Fine snowflakes fell on his black hair. The sky had yet to fully brighten, and the streetlight by the door cast a gentle glow on his face. He spoke softly, his words like a lover’s whisper.

Some of Jiang Qiuqiu’s sleepiness vanished.

’We’ve already kissed. We’ve already had the whole ’I like you, me too’ exchange, and now you’re asking if we’re in a relationship?’

Jiang Qiuqiu didn’t say a word. She just crooked a finger, threw herself at Mo Si, and kissed him again.

But the Mo Si of today wasn’t shy. After being ambushed, his eyes sparkled, and he looked exceptionally excited.

Just like right now—

"Don’t be angry," Jiang Qiuqiu said. "He didn’t mean any harm."

"Alright, maybe he didn’t mean any harm, but I’m still angry," Mo Si grumbled.

"It’s only our first day together, and he’s already saying we’re going to break up! And telling you not to get too emotionally invested!"

Jiang Qiuqiu was speechless.

A hint of theatrics suddenly filled the air.

Jiang Qiuqiu tutted to herself and played along. "Then what will it take to make you happy again?"

’Here it comes,’ she thought. ’His expression is changing!’

Mo Si made a small sound. Tall and well-built as he was, instead of wanting to pick a fight when he was angry, he just used the softest voice imaginable to say, "A kiss."

Was there anything a kiss couldn’t solve?