Chapter 18: Ruffling Her Little Bun

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Sunday. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, scattering broken shadows on the ground, while a gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. These days, Jo Zhen found herself in high spirits during classes, waiting eagerly for this day to arrive at last.

She pulled on a creamy blue knit sweater, charcoal-black jeans, and, standing before the mirror, tied her hair up in a bun before slinging a small bag over her shoulder and heading out.

Downstairs from her dormitory, a man stood clad in a black windbreaker, his features sharply cut, brow bones prominent, deep-set eyes exuding an unruly, defiant air. Qin Yichi curved his lips in a smile at her, shaking what he held in his hand as he spoke in a lazy, low voice:

“This is for you.”

Jo Zhen descended the steps, glancing curiously at what he’d brought.

In Qin Yichi’s hand was a pale blue hair tie, adorned with a lace butterfly bow and golden stars scattered across it like the night sky.

She halted, lifting her gaze to meet the darkness and depth of his eyes, a trace of confusion flickering in her own.

“For… me?”

Such a pretty, dreamlike hair tie looked oddly out of place in Qin Yichi’s hand.

He stepped in front of her, lowered his head to meet her eyes, his tone careless:

“It was a freebie with a purchase. I’m a grown man—what would I do with this?”

“Turn around, let me put it on for you?”

His low, magnetic voice drifted into her ears, seeping into her mind bit by bit.

Jo Zhen couldn’t resist at all. She nodded slightly, turning her back to him. “Okay.”

Qin Yichi stood behind her, gazing down, his Adam’s apple sliding up and down.

Today, she wore a creamy blue knit sweater, looking for all the world like a beautiful porcelain doll—so much so that he wanted to—

Steal her away, and hide her somewhere.

Her bun was tied up, playful and sweet.

Qin Yichi couldn’t help himself. He reached out, gently ruffling her bun as if petting her head, even giving it a squeeze.

Just like stroking a cat.

He’d wanted to do this for a long time.

Quickly pushing aside these thoughts, Qin Yichi fastened the hair tie around her bun, winding it twice.

Jo Zhen was nearly enclosed in Qin Yichi’s arms, the fresh scent of grass on the boy lingering at the tip of her nose, as if a thread of hormones seeped through her skin.

Her heart itched.

At last, the hair tie was in place. Jo Zhen wanted to see what she looked like with it on, but she couldn’t see the back of her own head.

Just then, as if reading her mind, Qin Yichi snapped a photo of her head, raised his phone, and showed it to her.

“Looks pretty good.”

Jo Zhen nodded obediently.

Her lonely black bun was suddenly surrounded by a cluster of brilliant starlight, adding vibrance and radiance.

Like a deep night sky sprinkled with starlight, as if the gods whispered to her: “See? You’re clearly a star from the heavens.”

Meanwhile, up on the sixth-floor balcony—

Chen Meixiang and Yun Yue were waiting until noon to head out of province for a charity performance.

At this very moment, Chen Meixiang was zooming in several times on her phone, observing the two people below and muttering to herself:

“This Qin Yichi isn’t simple. He handled that bun like he’s done it a hundred times! I suspect he’s been harboring ulterior motives for Jo Zhen for a long time!”

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Yun Yue narrowed her eyes. “Tsk… but this man might actually boost Jo Zhen’s career fortune.”

A flicker of doubt crossed Chen Meixiang’s gaze. After pondering a while, she said, “Then… maybe we should quietly root for them?”

The weather was perfect, autumn colors delightful. Sunshine gilded the earth, and the plane tree leaves shimmered emerald green, dancing lightly in the wind.

At the entrance to the amusement park, a dense crowd of adults and children waited in line to get in.

Niu Yifeng, Zhang Yu, and six or seven others were already waiting at the gate, their eyes lighting up when they spotted Jo Zhen.

A couple of them had never officially met her before, and now they craned their necks, exclaiming in admiration.

The girl’s face was exquisitely delicate, her skin fair as porcelain, especially those bright, fawn-like eyes—innocent and lively as jasmine, beautiful and spirited.

Like a dainty figurine crafted by the goddess herself.

Someone sighed, “Whoa, this is Chi’s childhood sweetheart? How come I’ve never heard of her before!”

“Why… why don’t I have such a pretty little childhood friend? Damn it, oh heavens, please grant me one!”

Niu Yifeng laughed heartily. “Jo, join our group! From now on, we’re all in this together!”

Jo Zhen greeted them politely, took out her phone, and added them as friends, getting pulled into a nine-person chat group.

The group name was: [Together We’re a Lump of Crap, Apart We’re Scattered Droppings]

Jo Zhen: “…”

What a… distinctive group name.

Seeing the look on Jo Zhen’s face, Qin Yichi immediately opened his phone. When he saw the group name, his expression darkened.

No idea which brat came up with that.

With a swipe of his finger, he changed the group name to “Study Hard and Advance Every Day.”

The moment the boys saw the new name, their spirits wilted.

Come on! The old name was so much fun!

While they queued, one guy hesitated for a long time before finally sidling up to Qin Yichi, hand cupped around his mouth. “Bro, could you do me a favor?”

Qin Yichi put away his phone, shot him a sidelong glance, and quirked his lips. “No need to be polite. We’re brothers—whatever you need, I’ll help.”

The guy coughed, then whispered, “So, about your childhood friend—could you introduce…”

Before he could finish, Qin Yichi cut in abruptly, the smile vanishing from his lips, a trace of warning in his eyes.

“No. Don’t even think about it.”

What?

Didn’t you just say you’d help with anything? I thought we were brothers!

The guy grew anxious, his tone earnest. “I’m not that kind of guy! I have zero dating experience, but I don’t smoke, drink, or fight. I’d be loyal and devoted—wouldn’t mind kisses, hugs, or even lifting her up—”

In the next instant, Qin Yichi grabbed a tuft of his hair, eyes glinting with mischief.

“Then fight me. Win, and I’ll agree.”

At those words, the guy’s legs went weak. “Bro… on second thought, never mind.”

Niu Yifeng, who’d been eavesdropping, nearly burst out laughing, clapping a hand over his mouth.

Serves you right! Trying to steal from Qin? Not a chance!

Stepping into the amusement park felt like entering a vibrant, fairy-tale world. Gothic castles rose among flowers and jewels.

Jo Zhen marveled at every sight, gasping in wonder from time to time.

It was bigger and more beautiful than she’d imagined—so different from anything she’d seen in videos.

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Qin Yichi walked beside her, keeping just a fist’s distance, and asked in a low voice,

“What do you want to play?”

Jo Zhen looked around, her eyes shining, voice sweet and cheerful. “I’m fine with anything. I’ll follow whatever you guys want to do.”

Qin Yichi tilted his head at her. “What do you want to do most? We’ll follow your lead.”

Jo Zhen froze, hesitated a moment, then pointed to the nearest attraction.

“Then… bumper cars? Is that okay?”

Qin Yichi nodded. “Sure.”

The rest of the boys weren’t picky at all. As long as they were together, even hanging out in a bathroom would be fun.

They queued up, full of excitement, and soon all ten had squeezed into bumper cars.

Jo Zhen picked a pale yellow car first, carefully buckling her seatbelt, heart pounding with anticipation and her eyes sparkling.

With a “ding,” the game began!

Chaos erupted as the boys shouted like they were charging into battle.

“Niu, I’m going to wreck you!”

“Heh, you? I could flick you away with my pinky!”

“Zhang, let’s team up and get him! Go, go, go!”

“Hey! Aren’t we on the same team? Why are you ramming me? Fine! So that’s how you want to play, huh?”

The group went wild, the colorful cars darting every which way, friend and foe indiscernible, crashing into everyone like mad dogs.

Jo Zhen gripped the steering wheel, carefully studying the pedals for gas and brake, driving timidly.

Suddenly, with a jolt and a loud “bang,” someone rammed her from behind!

“Uh…” Caught off guard, Jo Zhen lurched forward, a soft gasp escaping her lips.

Bewildered, she turned to confront the culprit.

Qin Yichi was right behind her, sitting in a red car, burning as fiercely as a flame.

He waved in greeting, his black fringe cool and eyes unblinking, his whole demeanor rebellious and wild, exuding a hint of wicked charm.

Jo Zhen drew a deep breath, puffing out her cheeks and flooring the accelerator.

He was obviously targeting her! Outrageous!

Determined not to lose, Jo Zhen twisted the wheel, trying to ram him back.

But just as she turned halfway, another “bang”—she jolted to the right.

Qin Yichi had bumped her from the side, a gentle nudge this time.

Compared to the earlier hard hit, this one felt more like… a tease.

When she didn’t react, he reversed a little, then, in a show of blatant mischief, nudged her gently again.

It wasn’t so much a bump as a tender brush.

So affectionate, so close~

Jo Zhen’s face tightened as she looked up at him, her sweet, soft voice tinged with grievance and a hint of pleading.

“Qin Yichi… c-could you stop bumping into me?”