Feng Yi, reunited with his phone, devoted himself to his relationship and studies. Just looking at Qiao Li's photo on his lockscreen and their chat history was enough to keep him smiling all day.

He had his worries, though. Before they officially became a couple, he'd wanted to brand himself as "Qiao Li's property." Now, he was insecure, constantly afraid of falling out of favor.

The most urgent item on his agenda was to grow up, and fast.

Every night, he diligently drank milk and went to bed by ten, hoping to gain some height. Then, he'd wake up at six and head to the sports field for an hour of strength training.

After a few days, Meng Shan, utterly perplexed, asked him why.

Feng Yi, cradling warm milk, sat curled up in his chair, taking small sips. His eyes shone bright. "Because I want to become a real, mature man."

Meng Shan looked at the "mature man" with a milk mustache and couldn't help but roll his eyes. They said love lowered your IQ and mental age, and Feng Yi, already young at heart, was now practically a toddler.

He changed the subject. "Do you know you're trending on the campus forum?"

Feng Yi looked at him, bewildered.

"Someone took your picture during military training and posted it. It blew up. Now they've dug up your name, department, and college entrance exam scores. Everyone's saying you're N University's Naoki Irie."

"...Oh. Why would they post my picture?"

Meng Shan stared at him, making sure he was serious, then sighed. "Feng Yi, do you ever look in the mirror? Or are you just oblivious to beauty?"

Feng Yi, finished with his milk, was washing his cup at the sink. He poked his head out. "Of course I understand beauty. My girlfriend is beautiful."

Meng Shan was speechless. "You... Ugh, never mind."

Feng Yi, however, wasn't done. He went over to Meng Shan's computer and scrolled through the forum comments. Stroking his chin, he mused, "So, my face attracts women?"

Meng Shan rolled his eyes, green with envy. "Get out of here."

"No, wait." Feng Yi suddenly grabbed Meng Shan, his expression serious. "What if I become ugly one day, and Qiao Li doesn't want me anymore?"

From then on, Feng Yi's nightly routine, besides drinking milk, included a skincare regimen.

His three roommates were all locals, so on weekends, Feng Yi had the dorm to himself. Finally, he could call Qiao Li.

They didn't have much in common, and conversations would often stall. Feng Yi would end up rambling about his school life, then worry he was boring her.

He'd stop talking, and silence would fall between them. Qiao Li was also at a loss. When she was with Zhou Zhe, they rarely called or texted. They'd set a date and time, then meet up. She didn't know how to handle Feng Yi's clinginess.

Seeing that it was getting late and Feng Yi had fallen silent, she said, "It's almost eleven. You should sleep."

His voice came through the phone, "Do you want to hang up?"

She didn't understand him. "...It's just that we don't have anything to talk about."