They stayed at the library until a little past one.

Only then did the five of them remember they hadn't eaten lunch — though maybe it was the coffee that morning, because even Xu Ye wasn't hungry.

Zhang Ruowei was buying them a big dinner that night, so after talking it over they decided to just head back and grab something at the school cafeteria.

Back at the cafeteria, Xu Ye got an order of pork chop rice. He'd barely finished when Chen Qingqing moved all the meat out of her own bowl into his, smiling. "I can't finish it. No sense wasting it."

Xu Ye sighed. "I'm starting to think you see me as a pig."

"You are one."

Chen Qingqing laughed until her eyes narrowed into little crescent moons. These days, just being around Xu Ye put her in a good mood.

They weren't even doing anything, really. Talking. Holding hands. And every so often getting up to… no good.

But that feeling of having somebody beside her was wonderful to Chen Qingqing. If it were up to her, she'd spend every day with that idiot Xu Ye.

As for Zhang Ruowei's advice about controlling the pace of a relationship, that had gone out the window a long time ago.

Around then, Qin Zhiwei was already on the subway.

Remembering they'd be at a hotel nearby that night, he picked up his phone and messaged Xu Ye. "Want me to book the hotel on my way?"

Xu Ye replied fast. "No need. If you're booking, book yourself a single."

Qin Zhiwei: "You're going back to school tonight?"

Xu Ye: "I'm in a double with my girlfriend tonight."

Qin Zhiwei: "You are not of this species."

Xu Ye: "Right, one thing I need you to do."

Qin Zhiwei: "Go ahead."

Xu Ye laid out the plan for the evening. Qin Zhiwei read it and came right back with: "Holy shit, you two are the worst."

… Midafternoon.

Zhao Ming started getting ready. He put on a suit first, looked in the mirror and decided it was too formal, so…