Afternoon, meow~

With a takeout meal in her hand, black slippers on her feet, and a lovely floral dress draping her figure, her long ebony hair cascaded freely, swaying gently in the breeze. Even under the noonday sun, her eyes shone with a brilliance reminiscent of starlight—radiant and mysterious.

This was Fang Yuan.

His hair was a little long, reminiscent of an artistic youth, yet not quite fitting the part. He wore a pale gray T-shirt, shorts that reached his knees, and an unremarkable pair of flip-flops. His eyes had a listless look, and his handsome face bore a faint, indifferent smile, as though he were simply drifting through life. No amount of good looks could conceal the laziness that clung to him.

This was Jiang Bei as Fang Yuan saw him now.

Looks alone earned little favor from her, so Fang Yuan turned away, eager to enjoy the much-praised lunch she had discovered on her food delivery app.

Meanwhile, Jiang Bei, who had just been surprised to see a young woman living across from him, offered a casual smile, made an offhand comment about Hu Yao being quite nice, then pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He continued on his way toward Yang Xue’s house.

Soon, Hu Yao found herself alone.

Slightly dazed, she glanced first at Fang Yuan, whose back was already disappearing into the villa’s garden, then at Jiang Bei, who she thought looked rather dashing with a cigarette hanging from his lips.

Hu Yao licked her lips thoughtfully.

As a tiger—a great cat—she was naturally sensitive to the emotions of those around her. After all, emotions have a scent. Happiness smells sweet, while unhappiness carries a foul odor.

She was certain that what she had just detected from Fang Yuan could only be described, in human terms, as dislike.

“So, is there something wrong with the script?”

“Aren’t they supposed to be a married couple of several million years?”

“Why would Fang Yuan feel dislike toward Jiang Bei at their very first meeting?”

Hu Yao didn’t understand.

She truly didn’t. Like a foolish child, she failed to realize that even between spouses, feelings like dislike could exist.

After all, no one is perfect.

……

Yang Xue, wearing a ponytail and an apron, had been busy in the kitchen for nearly an hour, preparing four dishes and a soup. Her skills were a bit rusty from not cooking in a while, so before calling Jiang Bei to eat, she tasted each dish herself.

The flavors were excellent.

Yang Xue was delighted with herself. “I’m such an outstanding woman—who knows which scoundrel will be lucky enough to marry me in the future!”

Jiang Bei walked into the kitchen, washed his hands, grabbed a bowl, and served himself some rice. The aroma of the food filled the air, whetting his appetite.

“Xiaoxue, you’ve been hiding your skills,” Jiang Bei praised.

Yang Xue beamed with pride. But before she could bask in her own glory, Jiang Bei’s next words arrived without warning.

“Just like the oil in your hair—you haven’t washed it in a while, have you?”

Yang Xue: “……”

She was sorely tempted to slap the bowl right out of Jiang Bei’s hand.

Eat? Eat what! An iron-willed bachelor like him didn’t deserve a meal—much less the delicious food she had worked so hard to prepare!

Yang Xue stifled her urge, shooting Jiang Bei a fierce glare. “There are people in this world who eat others’ food and then insult their looks. Such people ought to be dunked in a pig cage!”

Jiang Bei laughed. “Well said!”

Yang Xue: “o((⊙﹏⊙))o?????”

Yang Xue’s cooking was indeed excellent. Jiang Bei ate two full bowls, volunteered to wash up, cleaned the kitchen, and then strolled back to his own villa.

Tomorrow was the day for new student registration, which meant that from then on, things would get busy—there would be campus orientation and military training to contend with.

Jiang Bei set up a deck chair under the tree in his yard. The old tree’s thick crown blocked out some sunlight, offering a measure of coolness.

He began to play a game. In the online community Game Home, a new mobile game had been gaining popularity. He’d seen it the day before yesterday, downloaded it, and was already halfway through it.

A few more days, and he would finish it.

“Better clear it before military training starts,” Jiang Bei thought. After all, he couldn’t let down his reputation as the God of Gaming.

……

After finishing her lunch, Fang Yuan wiped her mouth and quickly left a review on her phone.

“Liar! Not tasty at all!”

Naturally, this restaurant was now blacklisted in her notebook—and it had to be—because this wasn’t just about bad food; it was a matter of deception.

She had been cheated out of her expectations and her appetite—unforgivable.

For a true foodie, and a demanding one at that, such a level of betrayal was utterly egregious.

Not until she’d showered and stood on her second-floor balcony did her foul mood finally begin to fade.

Peach Blossom Garden Villas was quiet.

At this hour in the afternoon, from her perch on the balcony, she saw no one moving about. The only thing visible was… Jiang Bei, sprawled inelegantly on a deck chair under the tree in the yard of the villa opposite, fast asleep.

Fang Yuan had excellent eyesight. She was certain that the “Mr. Jiang” the property manager had mentioned at noon was currently napping.

“Sleeping outside—how improper.”

“Is there no bed in the house?”

Gazing at Jiang Bei from afar, Fang Yuan unconsciously muttered to herself. She was surprised by her own reaction, uncertain why the mere sight of this strange young man filled her with inexplicable irritation.

She almost felt the urge to go over and give him a good beating.

How odd.

Fang Yuan shook her head lightly and turned her gaze away.

Just then, her attention was caught by Mao Xiaobai, perched on a high branch in the yard, tiny paws tucked in.

Even stranger.

“I don’t recall seeing a cat on that tree earlier.”

“And why is this cat crouching so high up?”

Fang Yuan looked at Mao Xiaobai.

Mao Xiaobai had been there for a while. She’d come of her own accord, driven by curiosity about the legendary Fang Yuan. She’d reverted to her white cat form, scampered up the tree, and sat motionless like a feline security camera.

Being stared at by Fang Yuan made Mao Xiaobai nervous and flustered.

She shouldn’t have felt this way, but after overhearing the great Wang Fu and the others, she had learned that Fang Yuan had a habit of keeping accounts…

“I’m just an ordinary little white cat—surely even if Fang Yuan keeps accounts, she can’t settle them with me.”

Mao Xiaobai tried to calm herself, then turned to look at Fang Yuan.

Fang Yuan was truly beautiful. Mao Xiaobai had been staring at her for a while now, and she couldn’t get enough.

“Meow~”

Mao Xiaobai called to Fang Yuan in a soft, gentle voice.

Fang Yuan heard her.

She smiled.

Her eyes, as dazzling as the stars, lit up with happiness.

Mao Xiaobai was momentarily entranced.

So was Jiang Bei, watching from his deck chair, bewildered.

“Are those eyes enhanced with special effects?” Jiang Bei wondered to himself.