Chapter 33: He Truly Is Thoughtful

Even someone like Ye Mo has her own troubles.

At this moment, she is particularly vexed about how to ask Lin Jie to take a photo with her…

Ever since the idea crossed her mind, Ye Mo had rehearsed the request in her head countless times. Yet, no matter how she planned to say it, something always felt off. And when their eyes met in that fleeting moment, the words simply failed her.

As they left the restaurant, Ye Mo couldn't help but press her lips together in silent frustration. She felt as though she wasn't herself, unable to comprehend why such a trivial matter had her blushing.

Walking ahead, Lin Jie too was battling his own discomfort. Once again, it was Ye Mo who had paid for the meal… Even though the dinner had cost more than four thousand yuan, it was something he could've managed with some effort.

Yet here they were again—him, the one benefitting from her generosity, like some freeloader tagging along for a free meal.

"Next time… next time, I'll treat you to dinner," Lin Jie mumbled, almost guiltily, not daring to meet her eyes.

"Alright," Ye Mo, snapped from her thoughts, ran a hand through her hair and said with a smile, "After all, we still have plenty of time while we're learning to drive. There'll be more opportunities to dine together."

"True. Once we pass the first test, let's go celebrate," Lin Jie suggested.

Ye Mo chuckled softly and remarked, "What's there to celebrate about passing the first test?"

Then, with a touch of arrogance, she added, "It's just a simple test. I don't even need to practice the questions—I could pass with my eyes closed."

Lin Jie shot her a doubtful glance, certain that she was tempting fate.

"Well, of course. You're a university student," he said.

"Haha, and you're soon to be one yourself."

At the mention of university, a thought seemed to cross Ye Mo's mind. She suddenly turned to Lin Jie and asked, "Which university are you planning to attend?"

Which university?

Lin Jie already had an answer in mind, but instead, he replied with a question of his own, "And which university do you attend, sister?"

"Why?" Ye Mo leaned in close, her eyebrows arching mischievously as she smiled, her expression both alluring and playful. "You want to attend the same university as me?"

Staring at her captivating face, now so near, Lin Jie found himself growing calm. With a smile, he responded, "Yes, I'd love to be at the same university as you."

A glimmer of surprise flickered in Ye Mo's eyes. She had expected Lin Jie to avert his gaze in embarrassment like he usually did, but this newfound composure intrigued her.

She stopped walking, gently tugging Lin Jie to a halt as well.

Lin Jie smiled at her, his face displaying an unusual calmness that had been absent for a long time. He softly asked, "Hmm?"

Ye Mo's curiosity deepened, and she leaned in even closer… She wasn't wearing heels, just simple canvas shoes, as she blinked her large, expressive eyes at him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. So that whole shy, innocent act—was it all just a façade?"

Lin Jie innocently shook his head.

That shy, innocent boy was indeed the real Lin Jie—the one who, three years ago, would blush simply by locking eyes with the person he liked.

And this Lin Jie, who now appeared composed and unflappable in the face of anything, had transformed into this version of himself all for Su Jia Mu.

"Are you really aiming for my university?" Ye Mo asked, her disbelief clear.

Lin Jie's gaze faltered slightly as he replied, "Yes, I'll try to get into the same university as you so I can follow you around and freeload on meals."

"Well, then let me tell you—I'm at Kyoto University. Think you can make it?" she teased.

"I'll be there. I love big cities. Don't worry, I'll put Kyoto University as my top choice on exam day," Lin Jie said with a smile.

"Are you some sort of academic genius? You think you can just get in with ease?"

"No, I'm not. I probably won't make it."

"Then why bother?"

Lin Jie turned to her and said, "For you, I'll give it a shot. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky."

Ye Mo burst into laughter, looking at him as though he were a fool.

Lin Jie laughed too, meeting her gaze with the same amused expression, as though they were both sharing in some private joke.

There was no way Lin Jie could ever make it to Kyoto University.

His grades were good, but not good enough to dismiss one of the nation's top universities as a mere formality. He couldn't get in.

Still, he believed Ye Mo when she said she was attending Kyoto University. After all, it wasn't too far-fetched for someone of her caliber to be known as the "Queen of Kyoto" among those who admired her.

"Well, then I'll be eagerly waiting for the day your exam results come in, so I can watch you apply to Kyoto University in person," Ye Mo teased.

The smile on Lin Jie's face stiffened slightly. After a moment of silence, he muttered, "There's no need for that, is there?"

Ye Mo widened her eyes in mock hurt, putting on a pitiful and skeptical expression. "Why not? Don't want me to see? Or maybe you're not serious about wanting to attend the same university as me? Was everything you just said a lie?"

Lin Jie: "..."

"So, you were lying after all." Ye Mo declared with a knowing grin.

Lin Jie had no response.

"Alright, alright, I was just teasing you," Ye Mo finally said, unable to suppress her laughter. Glancing around, she added, "Want to go somewhere for fun?"

"Where to?" Lin Jie asked.

"Maybe a bar or some karaoke."

"Why always a bar…" Lin Jie trailed off, realizing how his comment might be taken the wrong way. With a smile, he quickly added, "Do you really like bars?"

Ye Mo shot him a glance, reading his thoughts. With a shrug, she said, "There's not much else to do at night, is there? Just drinking and singing. Besides, you seemed to enjoy yourself at the bar last time, so I thought I'd ask if you wanted to go."

"As for me, after the first time, I didn't really feel like going back."

She was telling the truth. The excitement of a first bar visit was fleeting, and for someone like Ye Mo, bars—whether clubs or lounges—held little appeal.

Lin Jie didn't comment on his own feelings, simply shaking his head. "Not tonight."

"How about some shopping, then?"

"I'll take you home."

Lin Jie's reply was so swift, it caught Ye Mo off guard. She furrowed her brows slightly in surprise.

The girl hadn't said she was ready to call it a night, but the boy was already eager to send her home…

Ye Mo's gaze cooled, her playful smile vanishing. Her naturally cold features now emitted a sharp, distant aura, warning others not to come too close.

"You must be tired," Lin Jie said, his voice unsure. "You told me you were up late last night working on that video editing project." In the shadow of the high-rise buildings, their dark silhouettes now falling over them, he couldn't quite make out her expression. He continued, "I'm really sorry for making you treat me to dinner and then dragging you out when you were already so exhausted… I'd love to keep walking with you, but you're right—we still have plenty of time. Let me take you home this time, and I promise, next time it'll be on me, and I'll make sure you have a great time."

Ye Mo was momentarily stunned, her previously cold demeanor softening instantly.