Chapter 682: The Gift from My Girlfriend

At 5:30 p. m., Zhulu Xuan.

Li Luo strolled all the way to Ying Chanxi's dorm building but didn't stop at the entrance; instead, he turned toward the back, near Ningshan.

It was the same spot where he and Xixi had met on the day of enrollment two days ago.

Only after arriving here did he send a message to Ying Chanxi.

Soon, Ying Chanxi's figure appeared around the corner, then sprinted straight toward him and threw herself into Li Luo's arms.

"You showered?" Li Luo sniffed the familiar fragrance in her hair—the scent of the shampoo she always used.

Ying Chanxi nodded lightly in his arms and whispered, "It was too hot during the day, I sweated all over, so I took a shower when I got back to the dorm."

"Do you have anything tonight?"

"Yeah." Ying Chanxi nodded. "There's also an orientation ceremony inside Zhu Academy—it starts at seven."

"That's about the same as ours." Li Luo smiled and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

After being kissed, Ying Chanxi closed her eyes and tiptoed up to meet him.

The height difference between Ying Chanxi and Li Luo was the largest among the three girls.

Normally, when Ying Chanxi stood straight, the top of her head barely reached Li Luo's chin.

So every time they kissed, she had to straighten her body, grip his neck tightly with both hands, and strain to tiptoe.

And even that wasn't enough—Li Luo also had to lower his head.

Though kissing was a bit of a hassle, Li Luo really enjoyed this feeling.

Holding her petite frame fully in his arms gave him an intense sense of possession.

If he pinned her against a wall and teased her further, that feeling intensified even more.

Conversely, Ying Chanxi also deeply enjoyed being completely enveloped and thoroughly teased by Li Luo, easily sinking into it.

The two of them lingered in affection downstairs for a long while.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads still pressed together as they both panted.

The belt and other items had been tossed on the ground; Li Luo finally let go of Ying Chanxi and picked them up: "Take these—the belt, give it to your roommate."

"Oh." Ying Chanxi obediently took them, then noticed Li Luo had also handed her a small bag: "What's in here?"

"I bought some candy and wind oil essence." Li Luo pointed to the Alpenliebe candies and wind oil essence inside. "I checked the military training schedule."

"We have to assemble on the field at six every morning for morning drills, and only get breakfast at 6:30."

"We're used to morning runs, but your roommate might not handle it well."

"If you feel dizzy from low blood sugar, suck on a candy and rub a bit of wind oil essence on your temples—it'll help."

"Oh, I see." Ying Chanxi nodded understandingly, touched by Li Luo's thoughtfulness, her heart warming instantly.

But after receiving Li Luo's gifts, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a bottle, shoving it into his hand.

"What's this?"

"Sunscreen." Ying Chanxi said. "Same brand I bought you in high school—apply it every morning and noon, don't slack off."

"Got it." Li Luo sighed and accepted the sunscreen she gave him.

They checked the time—it was already past six—so they stopped dawdling, each took the gifts the other had given, parted at the dorm entrance, and returned to their own rooms.

Li Luo walked back to his dorm and placed the sunscreen on the desk.

Wen Zexuan, sharp-eyed, immediately noticed and asked curiously: "Luo Ge, you bought sunscreen?"

"Didn't buy it." Li Luo said casually. "Girlfriend gave it to me—insists I use it."

"You're asking for a punch," Wen Zexuan laughed. "I don't mind, but one of my friends really can't stand hearing this."

As he spoke, Wen Zexuan winked at Cheng Xin.

Cheng Xin looked utterly unimpressed: "You two are being too much. Besides, Hao Ge doesn't have a girlfriend either."

"I don't care about that," Bai Haoran glanced at him. "The more you care, the easier you are to break."

Cheng Xin sighed deeply, then asked curiously: "So how's it going with Xuan Ge? Didn't you say you'd win her over in a few days and get her to bring you drinks during military training?"

"Just wait and see tomorrow," Wen Zexuan grinned smugly. "Don't get too jealous."

…

At 6:30 p. m., Li Luo and his three roommates set off on time for the College of Literature's administrative building, gathered with classmates in the classroom, then lined up to head to the rooftop auditorium for the departmental orientation ceremony.

The overall procedure was nearly identical to the daytime ceremony—just swapped the choir segment for poetry recitations.

Li Luo, as the student representative for this year's freshmen, went onstage to deliver a speech.

When he returned to his seat, he saw two WeChat groups had already posted videos of his speech.

【Study Group】

【Xu Yinghuan】: Quick, quick—fresh out of the oven! Li Luo gave a speech!

【Yan Zhusheng】: He spoke really well.

【Ying Chanxi】: Xu Yinghuan just posted it—how'd you finish watching already?

【Yan Zhusheng】: No need to watch—I knew it was good.

【Qiao Xinyan】: Oh, I forgot to film it—Xixi also gave a speech just now.

【Ying Chanxi】: There's nothing worth filming about stuff like this.

【Xu Youyu】: True—for Xixi, it's already routine.

【Ying Chanxi】: That's not what I meant…

Meanwhile.

【Bihai Lanting Fan Club】

【Xu Youyu】: (video)

【Xu Youyu】: Li Luo gave a speech today too—he's the student rep. Lin Yi, check it out @Lin Xiuhong

【Lin Xiuhong】: Not bad.

【Cui Suling】: Li Luo is pretty impressive too.

【Yuan Wanqing】: Is this the school's opening ceremony?

【Xu Youyu】: Yes, he just got offstage.

【Yuan Wanqing】: I remember the Music College wanted Yan Zhusheng to speak too, but she refused.

【Lin Xiuhong】: Yan Zhusheng's personality really is like that—if she doesn't want to speak, then fine, it's no big deal.

【Li Luo】: If I hadn't given the speech, you definitely wouldn't be saying that.

【Lin Xiuhong】: Oh? Back already?

【Li Luo】: Did you watch it? I even thanked you for it @Lin Xiuhong

【Lin Xiuhong】: Not yet, I'll check now.

After some casual chatting in the group, Li Luo had already returned to Xu Youyu's side, secretly pulling her into his arms and whispering: "Taking secret videos? See what I'll do to you when we get home."

"Didn't you also film Xixi during the day?" Xu Youyu huffed. "You allow officials to set fires but forbid commoners to light lamps?"

"What, not allowed?" Li Luo chuckled. "Wait till tonight—you'll see whether you beg for mercy or not."

"I won't," Xu Youyu retorted firmly. "You'll be lucky if you can even get up tomorrow morning."

The two nibbled at each other's ears in the back row seats, and time passed quickly.

When the opening ceremony officially ended and everyone began to disperse, Li Luo quietly told his roommates: "I have something to take care of at home—I won't be sleeping in the dorm tonight. I'll be back in the morning."

"Huh?" Cheng Xin blinked in surprise, then watched Li Luo wave at them and walk off holding Xu Youyu's hand. "Why go home the day before military training?"

"Do you really need to ask?" Wen Zexuan glanced at him and chuckled. "Look who he's walking off with."

"A senior? So what?" Cheng Xin scratched his head. "Isn't he going home?"

"You actually believe that?" Wen Zexuan clicked his tongue. "You seem a bit slow. What else could he possibly be doing, going out with his girlfriend late at night and not coming back to the dorm?"

"What?!" Cheng Xin's face filled with shock. "Are they already like that? This is too fast!"

"Never mind that they've known each other since high school," Wen Zexuan sighed, rubbing his temple. "What makes you think it's fast for college students to do this?"

"But Li Luo's only a freshman… and we've only just started school," Cheng Xin muttered, his lips twitching as his worldview felt shaken.

"Didn't anything like this happen at your high school?" Bai Haoran asked, puzzled. "Even if you never ate pork, you've seen pigs run."

"I didn't know," Cheng Xin said innocently. "I only focused on studying—I never paid attention to gossip."

"You're really innocent," Wen Zexuan sighed, pulling Cheng Xin's shoulder close. "Open your eyes to the world—there'll be plenty more things to shock you later."

…

While the roommates chatted, Li Luo and Xu Youyu had already walked out of the administrative building and hurried toward the school gate.

As soon as they stepped outside, Xu Youyu saw Li Luo's Audi A6 parked at the entrance.

"Why is your car here?" Xu Youyu asked, puzzled, as Li Luo pulled her to the car. After opening the door and getting in, she realized Butler Liu was sitting in the driver's seat.

"Let's go," Li Luo smiled. "Back to Bihai Lanting."

"Yes," Butler Liu replied, staring straight ahead as he started the car and soon delivered Li Luo and Xu Youyu back to Bihai Lanting.

They attended the opening ceremony at seven p. m., which ended at nine. By nine-twenty, they were already home.

But only around nine-forty.

Xu Youyu was completely limp on the living room sofa, begging for mercy.

"No… I can't… let me rest… I'm exhausted."

Li Luo held her close, smiling as he looked at her: "Who was it just now, so confident they wouldn't beg for mercy?"

"I'm not begging," Xu Youyu mumbled into his chest. "It's just a temporary truce."

"What if I refuse?"

"Then carry me to the bedroom. The sofa's impossible," Xu Youyu rubbed her lower back. "I'm too tired, and this sofa's too soft—my back still aches even lying down."

"Fine," Li Luo said. He hadn't finished yet—he immediately scooped her up and carried her toward the bedroom.

As they passed the bedroom doors of Yan Zhusheng and Ying Chanxi, Xu Youyu suddenly smirked: "We could go to Xixi's or Zhusheng's room instead."

"You're getting bolder," Li Luo shot her a look, then carried her all the way to his own bedroom, tossed her onto the bed, and leaned down over her.

…

Ten p. m.

Xu Youyu lay utterly limp on Li Luo's bed, wriggling out of his arms and pleading: "Wait… wait… just rest a little longer!"

"Why rest again?"

"I—I still have something to do."

"What?"

"Important stuff!" Xu Youyu grabbed her phone from beside her, opened their class group chat, and announced: "During military training, each company will have a political work team responsible for writing, photography, and publicity. Some time during the day will be spent working with the team. If you're interested, message me to sign up."

Li Luo saw she'd already sent it, then pretended to open her QQ and sent her a message.

"Look," Xu Youyu wiggled her hips, showing him the phone.

Li Luo lay on her back, pulled out his own phone, and watched as Xu Youyu posted the announcement.

【Xu Youyu】: During military training, each company will have a political work team responsible for writing, photography, and publicity. Some time during the day will be spent working with the team. If you're interested, message me to sign up.

Li Luo watched her send it, then feigned opening her QQ to send her a message.

【Li Luo】: Senior, can I join the political work team?

Xu Youyu saw the private message, kicked him playfully with her foot, then replied with a smile.

【Xu Youyu】: Sure. What's your special skill, junior?

【Li Luo】: My special skill is the same as yours—we both write Online Novels.

【Xu Youyu】: What are you talking about?! I've never written an Online Novel.

【Li Luo】: Is that so?

【Li Luo】: Senior, stop lying—I know everything. Aren't both Literary Era and Gu Dao Changqing your works?

【Xu Youyu】: Where did you hear that?

【Li Luo】: Want to know? Then let me join the Political Work Team, and I'll tell you.

【Xu Youyu】: No, you're threatening me?

【Li Luo】: How is that a threat?

【Li Luo】: I'll just share these two especially good Online Novels with classmates when I'm exhausted from military training.

【Xu Youyu】: You… this is absolutely unacceptable!

【Li Luo】: Why not? Didn't you say you don't write Online Novels?

【Xu Youyu】: Fine, you've got me.

【Xu Youyu】: I'll allow you to join the Political Work Team, but you must promise not to tell anyone I write Online Novels.

【Li Luo】: Just joining the Political Work Team, and you expect me to keep this secret?

【Li Luo】: I feel that's still not enough.

【Xu Youyu】: Then what do you want?

【Li Luo】: That depends on your sincerity—see what else you're willing to give up.

【Xu Youyu】: Just say what you want outright. Don't beat around the bush.

【Li Luo】: Then I won't say it outright—I'll just do it.

【Xu Youyu】: Huh?

【Xu Youyu】: Wait! I think we can still discuss other conditions!

【Li Luo】: I don't think it's necessary.