Chapter Twenty: Time's Up, Time to Go Back

"This won't do!"

Su Rouxue instantly arched her willow brows, her expression turning serious as she closed the door and continued, "If there's a dorm inspection tonight and you're found, you'll be marked for a minor violation."

Though she was only a part-time female professor at Yuncheng University, she had been teaching for several years and was well aware of the school's basic rules.

Truthfully, she wished even more than Xia Shu that he could stay tonight, but she didn't want their reunion to lead to breaking school regulations.

If anything happened and they were discovered, she would certainly feel guilty.

Sensing Su Rouxue's firm stance, Xia Shu raised his brows slightly. Their eyes met, and eventually his resolve softened. He sighed and pulled Su Rouxue tightly into his arms, running a hand through her silky hair as he said, "Alright, I'll head back later tonight."

"Mhm, don't overthink it. You'll need to slowly get used to university life these next few years! In a few days, it'll be Mid-Autumn Festival and you'll have a break. After military training, there's the National Day holiday—during official holidays, you won't need to make up excuses or think up ways to avoid dorm inspections."

"You don't have classes every day, either. If we plan our schedules well, we'll still be able to spend plenty of time together," she continued. "And besides..."

Su Rouxue lifted her gaze, meeting Xia Shu's deep, alluring eyes. Her smile returned as she pinched his cheeks playfully, saying, "It's good to keep a little distance when dating. If we're glued together every day and you start feeling indifferent toward me, what then? Sister doesn't have much youth left—I hope you can be a bit more mature."

"Hehe, got it, got it. I'll listen to everything you say," Xia Shu replied, his mood settling. The earlier restlessness faded.

At his age, in the throes of young love, every moment alone with his beloved made his hormones surge. But thinking it over, he'd been too eager just now, and worried if his behavior might have damaged his image in Su Rouxue's heart.

"Let's cook dinner together," Su Rouxue suggested with a smile. "We'll eat, relax for a while, and then you can head back to school. Tomorrow you'll be free all day—you can come see me after you wake up."

"Alright!"

The two moved harmoniously into the kitchen.

Cooking together as a couple felt different from when Xia Shu had cooked for Su Rouxue alone. Su Rouxue handled washing and chopping the vegetables, while Xia Shu took charge of the stir-frying.

As they prepared dinner, Su Rouxue used her phone to capture every beautiful moment.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of delicious food.

At the dining table, Xia Shu savored the dishes he had made, remarking, "Home-cooked meals are the best. The cafeteria food at school is just so-so."

"Hehe, it's not too bad. Your year has it better—the food at Yuncheng University was much worse a couple years ago! After last year's renovation and a new batch of chefs, it's already much tastier," said Su Rouxue, laughing.

"I haven't seen you around campus this week."

"That's normal. After classes, I basically head straight home or meet up with friends—I don't spend much time on campus. You've been busy with military training every day, so our schedules haven't lined up."

"Watching the couples at school eat together in the cafeteria every day makes me so envious."

"If... if our relationship stays steady, you can apply for off-campus housing later and just stay at my place," Su Rouxue smiled, wishing she herself could be a student again.

Given her current role, spending too much time with Xia Shu on campus was sure to attract gossip. Especially since Xia Shu had become somewhat famous this week due to a freshman interview; any girl near him would likely end up featured in trending videos online.

"Really?" Xia Shu's eyes sparkled at her words.

Su Rouxue nodded.

"Haha, alright! So next semester I can apply?"

"That's too soon—at least a year! If, after a year, you seem reliable and keep up your enthusiasm for me, I'll let you move in."

"Mmm... that's fine. I'll definitely stick to it."

"But if you end up living at my place long-term, I'll have to calculate rent and utilities."

"Uh... what?"

"Just kidding! Eat your meal, we can talk about it later," Su Rouxue laughed at his startled expression.

They moved on to other topics, all perfectly normal. Xia Shu was surprised that Su Rouxue never mentioned his sudden rise to fame during the meal.

He'd thought she might comment on it or ask about girls bothering him lately, but she didn't bring it up at all.

This left Xia Shu a bit puzzled, but since she didn't ask, he certainly wouldn't bring it up himself.

After dinner, Xia Shu took the initiative to clear the dishes and tidy the kitchen.

Su Rouxue sat gracefully on the sofa in the living room, savoring a sketchbook.

When the kitchen was clean, Xia Shu joined her.

"Time flies—it's already eight-thirty," he said, glancing at his phone and sighing softly.

"Freshman curfew is ten, right?"

"Yes."

"Then in about half an hour, you'll need to head back to school."

"Mmm..."

Xia Shu nodded, unconsciously taking Su Rouxue's hand.

At that moment, Su Rouxue gazed at him with tender eyes.

His look was passionate, those captivating eyes fixed on her. Su Rouxue knew her younger boyfriend was hinting at something.

They smiled at each other, closed their eyes, savoring the lingering sweetness—every gesture and touch was perfectly in sync...

The moonlight was just right.

Sweat trickled down Xia Shu's cheek.

He finally felt much better, no longer restless as he'd been at Su Rouxue's door.

"It's time—you should head back," Su Rouxue said, cupping Xia Shu's face and looking at him fondly. Her tone held a trace of reluctance, but she knew if she didn't say it herself, Xia Shu would dawdle and refuse to leave tonight...