Feng Siruo’s profile icon repeated bounced on Jiang Zhou’s phone.
“When are you coming to ‘deal with me,’ huh?”
Jiang Zhou glanced at her messages and couldn’t help but smile.
Earlier today, while negotiating business at the Normal University, he had chatted with her.
They had joked that he would “deal with her” tonight.
But things got busy, and he’d completely forgotten.
What surprised him, though, was that she messaged him first.
Is she really that eager to be “dealt with”?
Feng Siruo was timid by nature and terrified of being teased by Jiang Zhou.
That left only one explanation, she missed him a little.
“Come to the second cafeteria. Eat with me.”
Feng Siruo replied instantly, “Okay.”
“Ten minutes. Be late and suffer the consequences.”
Jiang Zhou put his phone away, went into the cafeteria, and ordered a meal.
It was dinner time, so the place was bustling.
Some students were just eating, quickly finishing and clearing their trays.
Others were gathered at tables playing cards or games like Werewolf.
Not long after, Feng Siruo arrived.
She wore a black hoodie today, her skin as fair as freshly fallen snow.
It looked like she had light makeup on too — her lips were rosy and dewy.
The old Feng Siruo never would’ve dared go out with makeup.
She was afraid of getting hit on, or worse, chased after.
But now, she wasn’t afraid anymore because Jiang Zhou was the only one chasing her.
And all the other guys were scared of getting burned by him.
She nodded and sat down beside him.
Then she pulled two milk candies out of her pocket and placed them on the table.
Same as always, White Rabbit milk candy.
Only this time, she brought two.
“How many of these did you buy? You still have more?”
Feng Siruo held up a finger. “One bag.”
“How many are in a bag?”
She raised both of her delicate hands. “A hundred. I’ve got 86 left.”
“So you’re saying I still have to eat candy from you 43 more times?”
“Can’t you change up the flavor a bit?”
Feng Siruo scrunched her cute little nose. “Nope. Not until you finish these.”
Jiang Zhou sighed and continued eating, ignoring her.
This girl fed him candy so often his teeth were starting to hurt.
And it was always the same flavor. Who could take that?
Worst of all, it used to be one piece per day.
Now, she’d upgraded to two.
“Hmm?” she answered innocently.
Jiang Zhou put down his chopsticks. “Do you have a thing for chubby guys? Trying to fatten one up yourself?”
“Then why do you keep feeding me two candies every day?”
Feng Siruo suddenly pulled out her phone, tapped a few times, and handed it to him.
Jiang Zhou glanced at the screen.
It was a snapshot of a page from a book: “Sweet foods can stimulate the brain’s release of dopamine and endorphins. These substances regulate mood and promote feelings of happiness.”
Just then, Ding Yue appeared with a tray in her hands.
Jiang Zhou didn’t know if this woman was a fortune teller or something.
Every time he was with Feng Siruo, she managed to show up.
Last time, she even disguised herself as a shrub.
A true elite-level third wheel.
Ding Yue sat down and gave him a sharp look.
“She said she’s bad at comforting people. So she gives you candy every day because the book says sugar makes people happy.”
Jiang Zhou looked up at her. “Really? Do I look that unhappy lately?”
“You’ve been walking around with your eyebrows scrunched into a ‘川’ shape these days.
You think Feng Siruo didn’t notice?”
Jiang Zhou thought for a moment.
It was true. He’d been swamped lately, expanding the business.
Always tired, always stressed.
And thinking back, it was around that time that the candy quantity doubled.
From one piece to two.
She knew she wasn’t good with words, didn’t know how to comfort him.
So she gave what she could — candy.
Because the book said it would make him feel better.
And if he still didn’t smile, she’d just give more.
Before, it was one a day.
Don’t blame her for not being good at talking.
She gave you sugar, what more do you want?
That realization made Jiang Zhou’s heart clench.
Suddenly, he remembered something from his past life.
In the second semester of sophomore year, Yuan Youqin passed away in a car accident.
Feng Siruo had come running, panicked, stuffing handfuls of candy into his pockets.
She cried as she unwrapped them and shoved them into his mouth.
At the time, he told her, “Stop messing around. I’m not in the mood. If you want candy, eat it yourself.”
Now, thinking back, he finally understood.
“I don’t need candy. Just seeing you makes me happy. So… you need to let me see you every day,” Jiang Zhou looked at her and said it softly.
Feng Siruo’s face turned crimson.
She immediately lowered her head in flustered silence.
“Ugh, I’m gonna be sick. Can you two consider us lonely singles for once?”
Ding Yue groaned and picked up her tray to leave, going to another table where she wouldn’t have to witness this.
Jiang Zhou turned back to Feng Siruo. “So, how do you want me to deal with you today? Tell me.”
“Why not? Didn’t you ask me earlier when I was going to deal with you?”
Feng Siruo looked down. “I was just joking…”
Jiang Zhou remained calm. “You missed me, didn’t you?”
“Better be careful. People who lie get long noses.”
Feng Siruo immediately reached up to touch her nose.
Lying doesn’t make your nose grow!
Jiang Zhou chuckled, his gaze softening without him realizing it.