By the time he woke up, the sky outside was already dim.

Chen Yuan hadn't woken up naturally. Judging by how sleepy he still felt, he could have easily gone back to sleep. Perhaps it was because he hadn't slept well the night before; he could barely open his eyes.

But the sleepiness was worth it, because from now on, he could see Ningning every time he woke up.

Listening to the WHIR of the hairdryer outside the bedroom, he didn't find it noisy. Instead, he felt exceptionally content.

Rubbing his eyes, Chen Yuan slipped on his slippers and walked out.

Outside the door.

In front of the bathroom mirror, Jiangg Ning was diligently drying her hair. She worked through her soft tresses from root to tip, seeming to follow an extremely detailed procedure.

In just a few moments, her once-damp hair became dark, soft, and lustrous—so fluffy it looked like a cloud was tucked inside.

Ningning didn't hear the door open, so Chen Yuan tiptoed over stealthily.

When his reflection appeared in the mirror, warmth suddenly flooded Jiangg Ning's focused face. Her eyes widened slightly, and she instinctively turned her head.

"You're awake?"

She turned back around and continued drying.

"Let me help you."

He took the hairdryer from the compliant Jiangg Ning's hands, lifted her hair with his fingers, and aimed the warm air at the ends.

"Why did you suddenly wash your hair? Didn't you already take a shower before our nap?" Chen Yuan asked, puzzled.

"..." Jiangg Ning was silent for a moment, then a strange expression crossed her face. Her nose wrinkled slightly. "Well... it's hard to say."

"What is it? What's so hard to say?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"It just is, okay?" Jiangg Ning turned her head away, likely a little embarrassed.

Of course, she couldn't just come out and say it was all that brat Chen Yuan's fault!

She hadn't noticed when she showered earlier, but after waking up from her nap, she'd suddenly found something strange in the hair on her left side. She was utterly horrified at that moment...

So she'd rushed to wash her hair.

'Thank goodness she had a habit of checking the mirror several times before leaving. If she'd gone out like that, how could a poised and proper young woman like her ever show her face in public again?'

Still, she couldn't completely blame Chen Yuan.

They were young, after all. Some things were just uncontrollable. Besides, these kinds of heart-pounding, blush-inducing, embarrassing slip-ups were bound to happen when a couple was dating.

Chen Yuan looked at Jiangg Ning's expression but couldn't for the life of him figure it out. He suspected that even if they were to argue in the future, Jiangg Ning would never bring it up. She wasn't the type of woman to rehash old grievances and shout, "I can't even be bothered to mention that thing you did!"

"All done."

"Okay, thank you, sweetie," Jiangg Ning said, setting the hairdryer aside. She had already changed into what was known as a "wicked stepmother" dress and put on a pair of sparkling earrings, giving off the distinct vibe of a sophisticated older woman. "You go get changed, too. We're going out."

"Where are we going?"

"To pick something up. And I'll introduce you to a good friend of mine while we're at it."

"For real?"

The moment he heard this, Chen Yuan's eyes lit up. He was already walking toward the bedroom but immediately twisted his head back around.

This was undoubtedly an excellent sign.

'Jiangg Ning was actually taking the initiative to introduce him to people in her life! Did this mean their relationship was entering a new stage?'

'Was their secret romance about to go public?'

This sudden shift left Chen Yuan feeling pleasantly overwhelmed.

Besides, their relationship wasn't so chaste anymore. As their feelings for each other deepened, perhaps there would be more... intimate daily routines in their future.

"Would I lie about that? Now hurry up and get changed. I'll put on my shoes and wait for you."

"Won't you be cold going out in that?"

Chen Yuan's gaze fell on Jiangg Ning's "wicked stepmother" dress. The sliver of her exposed ankle against the jet-black hem was a lovely sight, to be sure, but the outfit seemed a bit thin.

Outside, it was still winter, and the nights were chilly, with the north wind howling.

"Thanks for the concern," Jiangg Ning said, winking at him. "In that case, I'll put on a thick coat. I'll do what my sweetie says, how about that?"

That tone, as if she were coaxing a child, made Chen Yuan's face flush slightly.

He hurried into the bedroom to change.

'He had to admit, being spoken to in that coddling tone felt incredible.'

'Ning is just too cute... sob...'

Chen Yuan was a total sucker for it.

However, Ningning's secret weapon was fundamentally different from Jiangg Yao's.

'Good thing Yaoyao couldn't hear this, or she'd roll her eyes so hard they'd pop out. She would definitely mimic her in a sarcastic, high-pitched voice, "I'll do what my sweetie says, how about thaaat~~~," just to get a jab in at Ning.'

'Jiangg Ning never used that cutesy voice with *her*!'

'With her, it was always, "Yaoyao." Or, "Jiangg Yao?" And even, "Jiangg Yao, you get over here right now!" How come when it came to Chen Yuan, it was like her throat was stuffed with sugar?'

'Her voice just got eight times sweeter, did it?'

...

The two left together, holding hands in the elevator.

You nudge me, I nudge you.

Shoulders bumping, eyes meeting.

So sweet it was deadly.

Thankfully, they acted more or less normal after leaving the elevator. Jiangg Ning walked ahead with Chen Yuan following close behind, and they got into the car.

"What's the address?"

"I'll set the GPS for you. It's pretty far from here. The suit I bought for you last time was from her shop. The owner's an old friend of mine."

"A guy or a girl?"

"A girl, of course."

"So what should I call her when we get there...?"

"Just call her Lan."

「Not long after.」

Jiangg Ning got out of the car. She was once again strolling down this street. The last time she was here, it was much colder; it had been the dead of winter.

The street was as deserted as she remembered. The only sign of life was an occasional elementary schooler riding past on a bike, bell ringing. The dead leaves on the red checkered flagstones had also been swept clean.

She had to admit, life's twists and turns were strange indeed.

The last time she'd come here to order a suit for Chen Yuan, she had been heartbroken. Back then, she'd been struggling to keep from crying, feeling as pathetic as a drowned chipmunk.

But now, things were different. Not only was Jiangg Ning beaming, but she was also sweetly linking pinkies with Chen Yuan.

Pushing open the glass door.

The two of them went inside together.

The woman at the front desk heard the chime of the door and looked up. She was still half-hidden behind a pile of clutter.

"You're here?"

Chen Yuan glanced over and saw that the shop's owner was a particularly delicate-looking girl. She seemed quiet and gentle, with a distinctively high forehead and her hair tied back.

"This is..." Lan hurried over, utterly astonished. She stood there, looking Chen Yuan up and down. "And who's this? Ningning, this is the first time I've ever seen you bring a man here."

"Let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend."

Jiangg Ning gave a very demure smile, but anyone could see the irrepressible pride she felt inside.

She had longed for a day like this—a day she could introduce the partner she was so proud of to others.

"Huh???"

Lan was utterly stunned, and the appraising look in her eyes as she studied Chen Yuan intensified.

"If you hadn't said he was your boyfriend... I would've thought he was some young male celebrity you'd brought back."

Getting praised out of the blue, Chen Yuan struggled to keep from grinning and just gave a polite smile.

In reality, he was grinning from ear to ear.

Being called handsome was one thing, but being called handsome as Ningning's boyfriend... that was a smile he could barely contain.

"Yes, he is indeed my... little celebrity."

Jiangg Ning smiled at him, her gaze so gentle it could melt your heart.