Chapter 70: Doubting I

Overnight passed.

Xu Qingzhou woke at 8 a.m.; the other three were still snoring. He took a shower, changed into clean clothes, and left.

Song Yao wore light makeup, a white T-shirt, denim shorts, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, paired with white sneakers—her pale, slender legs sparked endless imagination.

Xu Qingzhou stared, transfixed, finally understanding why some said Song Yao was Jingda’s most beautiful campus flower—without exception.

This must be what they call perfect bone and skin structure.

Especially those legs—devastatingly attractive.

Song Yao caught Xu Qingzhou’s momentary lapse, a faint smile tugging at her lips, a touch of pride—after all, she’d spent over an hour on her makeup. “How’s it look?”

“Ninety.” Xu Qingzhou rated.

“Great!”

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“Can I just go back to the dorm?” Xu Qingzhou sighed.

Xu Qingzhou was speechless—this was exactly the kind of thing his mom would say.

Around four p.m., they took a taxi to Xidan Joy City.

Xu Qingzhou carried two large bags filled with clothes—he and Song Yao’s purchases: three shirts, two pairs of pants. He’d tried on dozens of outfits and was numb from it all.

“Huh? Why are you clenching your fists? You’re not thinking of hitting me, are you? Honestly, I’ve always thought going out for a walk isn’t bad—work and rest balanced.”

They walked five minutes to Zhongguancun subway station.

“Who told you to annoy me every day?” Song Yao snorted.

They took photos and posted them in their small group, triggering a flood of knife emojis from Guo Ziyang and Ding Jiahui, who were still in military training.

Song Yao was annoyed—taking her shopping felt like dragging him to his death. Besides, she wasn’t just doing it for herself. She glared at Xu Qingzhou: “Autumn’s coming to Beijing in two days. Mom said you brought too few clothes, so she told me to take you shopping.”

Xu Qingzhou silently realized they’d finally gotten to the point. For some reason, being crushed in a crowd all day felt more exhausting than running a full day’s experiment.

Seeing customers, the salesgirl didn’t miss the chance: “Miss, your skin is so fair—this color suits you perfectly.”

“Yeah, fought a few.” Song Yao nodded.

Song Yao turned, squinted at Xu Qingzhou, and smiled sweetly: “Sure, but you’ll probably have to crawl back.”

Song Yao was furious. “Only ninety?”

The only difference: this place blended alleyways with bourgeois charm, offering more depth than newly built ancient towns.

On the 1st, Wang Xiaping asked for Song Yao’s contact info. Of course, Song Yao’s parents also had his number.

Though this area is touted as a fully preserved Yuan Dynasty courtyard neighborhood with a checkerboard layout, commercialization has made it nearly indistinguishable from other tourist streets.

“Mom said I should supervise you so you don’t keep buying all those dark, drab clothes. You’re in college now—you’ve got to dress like a proper person.” Song Yao walked briskly.

Xu Qingzhou gave a thumbs-up. For a body like Song Yao’s, even a burlap sack would look good.

Song Yao was energetic, dragging Xu Qingzhou around buying snacks.

They had no plans to visit the Great Wall or the Forbidden City—Xu Qingzhou had lived here for over a decade in his past life and was sick of them; Song Yao had already toured Beijing before and wasn’t interested in the famous sights.

Song Yao nodded in satisfaction.

“Go to the nearest mall,” Song Yao said.

On the subway, Xu Qingzhou sighed: “Look at you—you’re supposed to be the cold, aloof goddess, yet all you talk about is beating people up.”

Xu Qingzhou was startled. “Did my mom call you?” Song Yao slapped breakfast into his hand. “Choke on it!”

Exhausted after a day of high spirits, Song Yao finally showed fatigue. She yawned, and barely onto the subway, looked pitifully at Xu Qingzhou: “Xu Qingzhou, can I borrow your shoulder?”

At eight, they boarded the subway back to campus.

“This is too thick to wear now,” Xu Qingzhou frowned. Well, really, he just thought it was garish—the plaid shirt looked better.

“Pay up,” Xu Qingzhou extended his hand.

“Yes, yes, yes!” The salesgirl reacted quickly, beaming: “Your boyfriend is so handsome—he looks perfect in this! Many couples buy matching outfits!”

This was their fifth store. Song Yao finally found a beige knit coat she liked.

After getting Xu Qingzhou’s approval, Song Yao turned to the salesgirl and pointed at him: “Do you have this in his size?”

Xu Qingzhou silently thought he needed to exercise—otherwise, he’d be in trouble later: he couldn’t argue his way out, and he couldn’t fight his way out either. Nandian Gulang was in Dongcheng District, not far from Jingda, and the zoo lay along the way—convenient.

They had lunch here.

On the subject of shopping, Song Yao was even more motivated than before, dragging Xu Qingzhou from one clothing store to another.

Song Yao looked at Xu Qingzhou.

“The other ten points? I’m afraid you’ll get arrogant.” Xu Qingzhou dropped his gentlemanly gaze and noticed the breakfast in her hand.

*Slap*—his hand was swatted away, then his shoulder sank as the girl leaned against him.

Seeing the salesgirl assume they were a couple, Song Yao felt an odd surge of pleasure—but kept her expression cold, so Xu Qingzhou wouldn’t think she was chasing him: “Get him a size XXX.”

Since they were already out, Xu Qingzhou didn’t ruin the mood. He played the good companion: took photos, carried bags—most importantly, being with Song Yao wasn’t boring at all.

Xu Qingzhou felt sour. He’d been at Jingda for over ten days; his mom had called him once—mostly he called her. “My mom’s ridiculous—I’m in college now, can’t I buy my own clothes?”

!.

He used to love wearing black in high school—black T-shirts, black pants—he still had a pile at home, which he’d disdainfully left behind.

Xu Qingzhou finished his bun. “Where are we buying?”

“Not thick. Here, once autumn hits, mornings and evenings get chilly—October’s even colder. Now’s the perfect time to buy.”

After touring the zoo in the morning, they took Line 4 to Daxing, then switched to Line 6 to Nandian Gulang.

Xu Qingzhou didn’t move. “You’ve eaten already?”

As they spoke, they exited the south gate and headed toward the nearby Zhongguancun station.

Song Yao had planned everything: “We’ll go to the Beijing Zoo in the morning, then Nandian Gulang in the afternoon, then Xidan Joy City in the evening to shop for clothes, and head back to campus.”

His paper was still half done. One day would finish it—this lingering discomfort was unbearable. He sighed sincerely: “Honestly, why not go shopping with your roommates? Why drag me along?”

“I’ve eaten. Do you think everyone sleeps until nine like you?”

They were close—he could smell Song Yao’s faint, sweet scent. Looking over, she had closed her eyes, dozing; her long lashes cast shadows on her fair face.

For no reason, something inside his chest loosened slightly.

This strange feeling made him shift uncomfortably.

“Don’t move,” Song Yao hugged his arm, scolding him for disturbing her rest.

(End of Chapter)