Cheng Ying wondered why guiding someone could turn his ears red; perhaps the man just needed to use the restroom, and she shouldn't let him suffer that discomfort. "Um, is it much farther? I can manage on my own."

Cheng Ying never made things difficult for handsome men. She considered herself quite sensible.

The handsome man turned back to look at Cheng Ying, his eyes curving into crescents—true peach blossom eyes. "Not far now, we're almost there. Are you in a rush, miss? Oh, by the way, I don't even know your name yet."

Cheng Ying thought, This guy is genuinely nice. He has such a good relationship with Chi Wu. Even while holding it in, he’s considerate of my feelings. Then she thought, With those charming eyes, you really don't need to flirt anymore, sister already has someone.

Cheng Ying pursed her lips and remained silent. As a girl from the countryside, she displayed a full measure of shyness, defensiveness, and apprehension.

The handsome man beside her immediately realized he had been too forward. He perceived the young woman as reserved and perhaps took him for a rogue. "Don't be afraid, miss, I’m not a bad person. I'm truly a good friend of your Brother Wu. I’ll call him right now!"

Cheng Ying turned her head away. As if! You share a dorm room with Chi Wu; do you think I'd tell you my name? If Chi Wu finds out later, won't he be angry with me for hanging out with you?

Seeing Cheng Ying’s expression signal a loss of trust, the handsome man shouted toward the long, block-style dormitory building ahead, "Chi Wu! Your girl is here to see you! Push open your window and give us a look!"

Cheng Ying jumped at the loud shout. The guy’s voice was certainly clear, but she still craned her neck, following the handsome man's gaze to look up.

The old dormitory block instantly revealed not just one window being pushed open, but many. They snapped open in unison.

Cheng Ying couldn't help but chuckle. How much free time do these people have?

Then came the chorus from above: "Aiyo, it’s Wu Zi’s girl!" Voices overlapped and rose. It wasn't just people from one dorm room leaning out to look down—no, it was more accurate to say that more than one head was sticking out of a single window.

Cheng Ying wasn't sure whether to thank this handsome man or kick him a couple of times for causing such a ruckus.

The handsome man lowered his head to explain to Cheng Ying, "See? I'm not a bad guy, right? Your brother just didn't hear me. If he had, he definitely would have opened the window."

Cheng Ying wanted to say, I never said you were a bad guy; you’re just a complete idiot.

Cheng Ying and the handsome man maintained a safe distance of at least a meter between them. Unfortunately, to the onlookers upstairs, the scene was of a handsome man looking down attentively at a beautiful woman looking up, making that distance utterly negligible.

Chi Wu pushed open his window and saw the scene. The excitement he felt at seeing his wife vanished instantly. "Gang Zi, you bastard! Get away from her! That’s my wife!"

That declaration, shouted to the floor above, caused even more windows to open.

"Look at Wu Zi's girl! Look at Wu Zi's wife!" This was huge news. Many students dated in college, but very few could call their partner their wife. It was novel, like watching a giant panda.

Cheng Ying’s face flushed deeply. Did it have to be this conspicuous? I’m still a student! So many people were staring out the windows at her. She felt her skin wasn't thick enough for this, especially with the title of Chi Wu's wife. This unlucky kid, did you really have to make such a scene?

The handsome man beside her immediately backed off by more than half, looking at Cheng Ying with an expression of disbelief and betrayal. "You’re Chi Wu’s wife?"

Cheng Ying felt awkward whether to say no or yes. She just offered the handsome man the same gentle smile she’d given before. Sister never said anything, so don't give me that betrayed look; I’m even more innocent than you are. Truly.

"Oh!" The handsome man clutched his chest. "So heartbreaking! Why does all the best cabbage get eaten by pigs?"

Cheng Ying's face darkened. She was genuinely displeased at being publicly compared to cabbage, regardless of how good the metaphor sounded. After all, she was, fundamentally, a head of cabbage.

The handsome man's enthusiasm waned. "See? I know Wu Zi. You can follow me now."

As Cheng Ying picked up her bag, preparing to head upstairs, a gust of wind—Chi Wu—was suddenly right in front of her.

Cheng Ying thought, The third floor. Even the elevator isn't this fast. What's the hurry, are you being chased by a ghost?

The handsome man blinked. The beauty wasn't so gentle after all.

Chi Wu was ecstatic, completely ignoring his wife’s cold glare and sharp words, interpreting them as pure concern directed at him. "Ying Zi, what brought you here? Why didn't you call ahead? I should have come down to meet you!" As he spoke, he took the bag from his wife's hands; his wife was too delicate to carry heavy things.

Cheng Ying: "I came to pick you up, why bother with all the fuss? It’s too much trouble. So, can you go back in the next couple of days?"

Chi Wu: "Yeah, in the next couple of days. I missed too many classes, so I'm leaving two days later."

From the moment Cheng Ying spoke, the handsome man had mentally categorized her as a country bumpkin. A woman who wasn't his 'miss' rarely earned much praise from this handsome guy, especially one who spoke so roughly.

Chi Wu: "Why did you bring things? How far did you come? Just leave them in the car, and I’ll get them."

Cheng Ying: "It's not much. It’s my first time here, so I brought something for you all to eat."

By then, the three of them had arrived at Chi Wu’s dorm. It was a six-person room, messy, though it was evident it had just been tidied up hastily.

Cheng Ying followed Chi Wu inside and spoke with measured restraint, "Hello everyone, I am Cheng Ying." She was very polite.

The handsome man who followed them thought to himself, This woman is quite the actress. The group of men didn't know how to address her—should they say 'Miss,' 'Sister-in-law,' or 'Sister-brother-in-law?' This was all thanks to Chi Wu’s loud announcement earlier.

Cheng Ying smiled. "I seem to have arrived at an inconvenient time; did I interrupt a fight?"

Four or five boys quickly raised their hands. "No, no, welcome, welcome!"

Then, one person stepped forward. "Cheng Ying, is that right? Welcome. Wu Zi talks about you often."

Cheng Ying didn't really believe that statement. That wasn't Chi Wu's personality; they were both the type to keep good things to themselves and not boast about them. However, she was grateful that someone was trying to lighten the mood and initiate things nicely. "Is that so? This is something my grandmother asked me to bring for everyone—local specialties. Please don't find them lacking. Wu Zi has a bad temper; I’m grateful to all of you for taking care of him this past year."

Hearing this made the student called Gang Zi, who had followed them up, feel irritated. Wu Zi's wife is quite capable. Even though she comes from the countryside, she knows exactly what to say to whom. When I asked what her name was earlier, she didn't say a word. He glanced sideways at Cheng Ying, thinking this woman was fake.

Chi Wu: "Why are you being so polite with them?" He then took the items from Cheng Ying’s hands and tossed them to the hungry guys. Most students in their dorm were completely out of food supplies; having something to eat right now was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. "Eat up!"

Cheng Ying smiled, taking two steps forward, and retrieved a small mesh bag from the person who had just received the items. This isn't for everyone. I need to keep this.

The others immediately started joking, "Aiyo, this one is just for Wu Zi?"

Chi Wu didn't blush. "It should be just for me anyway." He then looked at Cheng Ying, unable to contain his smugness—his wife had traveled a thousand miles to see him.

Cheng Ying thought, What are you so smug about?

Gang Zi, standing nearby, said, "Miss came a long way. You should sit down and rest first."

Chi Wu was displeased but first made his wife sit on his own bed. "You, stay farther away! This is my wife!"

This declaration, repeated again, made it impossible for the dorm mates not to know that Chi Wu had a wife.

Gang Zi: "Stop saying 'my wife, my wife.' Is the girl happy about it?" He assumed this was just Chi Wu boasting about a girlfriend he was pursuing.

Chi Wu: "Why not? Why wouldn't she be happy? Ying Zi, this guy is always flirting with girls; he’s a blight on our dorm!"

Cheng Ying understood male friendship; they were 'bad friends.' Besides, everyone had an immature phase where they needed to show off. Cheng Ying could tolerate it, especially when it came to forgiving someone like Chi Wu.

Gang Zi decided not to argue with Chi Wu on that point. "I'll give Cheng Ying face."

Chi Wu was annoyed. "She’s my sister-in-law!"

Cheng Ying remained quietly on the sidelines, afraid Chi Wu’s temper might flare up.

Silence implied consent. Most people present assumed that these two indeed had some form of marital bond.

The dorm fell quiet. "She’s really your sister-in-law?" This came from Gang Zi.

Chi Wu: "Is there any doubt? Didn't I tell you guys? I have a wife."

A person nearby, halfway through biting an apple, exclaimed, "Aiyo, who took that seriously? Wu Zi, you're amazing. If I get a girlfriend, it causes a stir, but you actually have a wife! Sister-in-law, right?"

Cheng Ying felt obligated to reply so Chi Wu wouldn't lose face. "Just call me Cheng Ying." This implied it was okay to call her Sister-in-law too.

The entire dorm erupted. "When did this happen? Wu Zi, you're impressive! No wonder you were never interested in anyone else!"

Just as they were about to say more, someone pulled the speaker back.

Cheng Ying shook her head; it seemed Chi Wu was quite popular at school. But he was also quite proud; could the person he cultivated himself be wrong?

Chi Wu: "Don't be envious. We grew up together."

Gang Zi felt a pang of jealousy listening to this. A wife from the countryside, what’s there to be proud of? He figured Chi Wu must have given her money to send her back home to get clothes and perhaps some makeup, though her shoes clearly didn't match. A complete country bumpkin.

The others crowded around, eager to join in. "Sister-in-law, what did you bring for our Brother Wu? Let us see!"

Cheng Ying felt awkward; it was better to keep a low profile. She knew there were people who envied wealth, and she used to be among them. "Nothing much."

Gang Zi was annoyed. He glanced at the small mesh bag containing what looked like crumpled newspapers. It’s not some handmade craft, is it? His heart darkened slightly. "Sister-in-law, show us! Did you make shoes for Brother Wu?"

As he said this, his eyes fixed on Cheng Ying's feet. What a mean thing to say.

Basically, everyone was looking at the dashing Chi Wu, imagining him wearing shoes with thick soles.

Cheng Ying genuinely broke into a smile then—a condescending smile aimed at a bunch of little kids.

Chi Wu had no opinion on what his wife brought him. For him, there was no possibility of being laughed at; anything she gave could be cherished as treasure. "What's there to see? It’s all mine. Aren't you getting food already?"

Gang Zi whispered into Chi Wu’s ear, "Did Sister-in-law make you a dudou (a traditional bodice/undergarment)?"

Chi Wu didn't respond. Getting angry at these guys in front of his wife would prove he couldn't handle this group of worthless scoundrels, and Chi Wu felt that would be humiliating. He pretended not to hear, thinking, Just wait, (kid), I’ll deal with you later.

Cheng Ying understood Chi Wu profoundly, sometimes even better than he understood himself. Seeing his expression, there was no mistaking what was happening. RS