Chao Youye didn't show any extra expression throughout the whole process, except after Su Wanqing left. She lowered her eyes to look at Mu Xinrong, who was standing beside her like an invisible hedgehog. A hint of understanding and... joy flashed across the depths of her purple eyes.
He raised his hand and ruffled Mu Xinrong's hair naturally. "We're just discussing a model parameter."
"Oh." Mu Xinrong responded sullenly, the sour feeling still not completely gone. He stared at Chao Youye's beautifully shaped jawline and muttered softly, "She's so close..."
Chao Youye's hand paused. He tilted his head slightly, looking at Mu Xinrong's slightly puffed cheeks and eyes filled with obvious jealousy. The smile in his eyes could no longer be hidden, and it spread like broken stars.
He leaned over, close to Mu Xinrong's ear, his warm breath brushing against the sensitive earlobe, his voice as low as the strings of a cello, with a hint of playfulness, yet extremely serious:
"Jealous?"
Mu Xinrong's ears suddenly turned red like cooked shrimps.
He suddenly looked up and met Chao Youye's smiling, teasing purple eyes, feeling embarrassed and angry: "Who...who is jealous! I'm not!"
His denial was swift and unconvincing.
Chao Youye chuckled softly, a slight vibration in his chest. He stopped teasing her and reached out to gently pinch Mu Xinrong's red earlobe, his gesture soothing.
"Next time," he paused, his voice returning to its usual coldness, yet every word was clear, "I'll be careful to keep my distance."
This promise was more effective than any explanation. The little knot in Mu Xinrong's heart was instantly smoothed out, replaced by the sweetness of being indulged.
He groaned, reluctantly accepting it, but the "territorial consciousness" and possessiveness that were aroused in him began to burn like a small flame that was ignited.
If Cheng Yi only made Mu Xinrong a little jealous, then the next one completely ignited his A-level instinct to protect his food (crossed out) and husband.
Fang Yi, a second-year graduate student in the Department of Physics, is a key player on the school basketball team. He is sunny, handsome, and cheerful, and is a prominent figure on campus.
He didn't know when he started to develop a strong interest in Chao Youye, the "ice beauty".
Different from Cheng Yi's implicitness and academic appreciation, Fang Yi's pursuit is more direct and passionate, even with a bit of aggressiveness like stealing on the basketball court.
He would "happen" to pass by when Chao Youye was debugging equipment alone in the lab, and with a hearty smile, invite him: "Junior Chao, you've been busy all afternoon, would you like to go to the cafeteria together? I know there's a new stir-fry place in the third cafeteria, and the food is delicious!"
Outside the academic lecture hall, he would stop Chao Youye, who had just finished her presentation, and hand her a bottle of sports drink: "That was a fantastic talk! Do you want some water to moisten your throat?"
He would even send Chao Youye some insignificant greetings and jokes on WeChat (he got the contact information from somewhere), even though Chao Youye's replies were always concise, no more than three words, or he would even ignore them outright.
Chao Youye's attitude towards this was always cold and distant. She rejected it decisively and did not leave any room for ambiguity.
But this did not seem to dampen Fang Yi's enthusiasm at all. He was like a vibrant and tireless little sun, tirelessly trying to melt the iceberg.
That afternoon, Mu Xinrong and Chao Youye made an appointment to go to the library together.
Mu Xinrong was delayed for ten minutes because of some urgent matters in the club. When he hurried to the flower bed under the main building of the Physics Department, he saw Chao Youye Qingjun standing there waiting from afar.
The golden glow of the setting sun shone on him, outlining a perfect silhouette.
However, what made Mu Xinrong squint his eyes instantly and raise alarm bells in his heart was that there was an annoying tall figure standing next to Chao Youye - Fang Yi!
Fang Yi was saying something excitedly, his body leaning forward slightly, very close to Chao Youye, almost breaking the safe distance.
He even tried to put his hand on Chao Youye's shoulder, but Chao Youye, although frowning slightly, leaned back slightly in obvious resistance.
But as if out of politeness (or simply being too lazy to talk nonsense), he didn't have an attack immediately, but the coldness all over his body became even worse.
Mu Xinrong's anger suddenly flared up! "Fang Yi, you think I'm dead?! You dare touch my people?!"
An unprecedented surge of anger and possessiveness rushed straight to his head. Mu Xinrong could even feel his blood boiling and his adrenaline soaring.
He was no longer the little rabbit who was shaking with nervousness on the rooftop. At this moment, he was like a lion cub whose territory had been invaded, with his mane standing up, his eyes sharp, and his aura full of vigor.
He took a deep breath, adjusted his expression, and instantly put on his face a smile that was brighter than the sun but without any warmth.
He quickened his pace, almost running over, his voice clear and bright, with a presence that could not be ignored:
"Chao Youye——!!!"
This call was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly breaking the (one-sided) stalemate between the two.
Chao Youye and Fang Yi turned their heads to look over at the same time.
The moment Chao Youye saw Mu Xinrong, his tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed, and the oppressive coldness around him melted away as if encountering the warm sun. There was even a hint of relief and...expectation in the depths of his purple eyes?
He calmly took a small step to the side, completely distancing himself from Fang Yi.
When Fang Yi saw Mu Xinrong suddenly appear, and especially when he saw Chao Youye's expression change that could be described as "ice and snow melting", the smile on his face froze for a moment, and a trace of imperceptible gloom and dissatisfaction flashed in his eyes.
He had heard that Chao Youye had such a "little follower" by his side, but he didn't expect that the influence would be so great.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
