"What were you two talking about? I couldn't follow any of it."

Chen Qingqing blinked, her face full of confusion.

Xu Ye laughed out loud. "Of course you couldn't. So — where are we going next?"

"Anywhere's fine."

"Every time I ask you, it's either 'whatever' or 'anywhere's fine.' Could you have an opinion of your own for once?"

Chen Qingqing had never been a girl with strong opinions. She wasn't good at making decisions. Before, she had stayed home all day and hadn't needed to make many, and after she met Xu Ye there was somebody making them for her.

But needled like that, she blurted out, "Back to the hotel, then."

Xu Ye nodded and agreed. "Fine. The hotel it is. I'm sure you won't get up to anything."

"???"

Chen Qingqing stared at him, disbelieving, and came back fast. "But I don't trust you!"

She got the next part out in a rush. "I've changed my mind. I want to go back to the dorm."

"You already made your decision. No changing it now."

"Stop the car. I'm getting out."

"I told you before — once you're aboard my pirate ship, don't imagine you're getting off."

"Whoever kisses me later is a mangy dog."

"Woof woof woof~"

"Ha. Get away from me."

…

Happy times are always short.

The two days of the weekend went by fast.

Once the second half of September arrived, an autumn rain came with it and the temperature in Shanghai dropped another few degrees. Most people had added a jacket over their short sleeves.

Zhang Ruowei had two classes that morning, and when she got back to the dorm at midday she felt the chill and dug a knit top out of the closet.

Her outfit that day was simple: a pink knit top with washed-blue jeans, and two cartoon barrettes in her hair. It fit the part of a female university student very well.

At close to one o'clock, Zhang Ruowei sent Zhao Ming a message. "Busy?"

Zhao Ming had not long been back from lunch and was about to lie…