The air - conditioner engine hummed, and warm air blew towards her.
Aria immediately felt the warm and cozy feeling. The cool air she brought in from the outside was dispelled, and she felt comfortable all over.
She subconsciously looked into the room, searching for the person she was looking for.
Ryder wasn't wearing shoes. He was in a loose black hoodie, sitting cross - legged on the sofa, his body lazily leaning against the back of the sofa.
His hand was loosely clenched into a fist, with his index finger bent, and the knuckle half - pressed against his left forehead. He was looking down, also holding a mobile phone.
After hearing Finn Alvarez's teasing voice, he lifted his eyelids, glanced lazily in this direction.
His gaze paused slightly, then he casually turned off the phone and tossed it aside. When he looked up again, a smile had already appeared in his eyes, and he waved to Aria.
"Come here, girlfriend."
Aria obediently walked over.
He couldn't wait to get up, not putting on his shoes either. He stepped on the floor, hugged the little girl's waist without any hesitation, and pressed close to her affectionately. He drawled and asked in a low voice, "Did you miss me?"
Finn Alvarez: "..."
Ryan Bennett: "..."
Oliver Kim: "..."
The three of them were shocked. They simultaneously remembered the fear of being dominated by Ryder's so - called "girlfriend" in the past two days.
On the night of the Winter Solstice, this guy brought back a cake. It was like the sun rising from the west. He rarely took the initiative to share it with them, and they were so touched.
But when they opened their mouths to ask, something went wrong.
Ryder: "Oh, it's my birthday today. My girlfriend made this cake herself and asked me to bring it back and share it with you."
"..."
The few of them ate the cake in silence.
Ryder asked softly, "Is it delicious?"
The cake was sweet, and the three of them nodded. "It's delicious. Happy birthday, and thank you, Aria."
He smiled. "You're welcome." He pulled out a chair and sat down, then suddenly asked with concern, "Have you all had dinner?"
They hadn't eaten.
It was extremely cold in winter. The three of them had no classes and had been huddled in their beds playing games all afternoon. They were just about to roll a dice, and whoever got the lowest number would have to go out and buy food.
"I guessed you hadn't."
Oliver Kim was unlucky and rolled a one. He reluctantly sat on the edge of the bed to put on his shoes.
Ryder glanced at him a couple of times and said casually, "It's getting colder today. It's quite cold outside. Put on more clothes when you go out, so you don't catch a cold."
Oliver Kim put on his shoes, wrapped himself in a cotton - padded jacket, and was so touched that he pretended to wipe away tears. "What? Did I hear you right? Fourth brother is caring about me? Does having a birthday make a person's heart softer?"
Finn Alvarez sneered, and Ryan Bennett didn't say anything, just quietly eating the cake.
Ryder was silent for two seconds, then suddenly asked, "Do you have a scarf?"
Oliver Kim: "?"
Ryder: "My girlfriend knitted a scarf with my name embroidered on it for me. It's warm and beautiful. Do you want to see it?"
Oliver Kim: "..."
Ryder took off the scarf, shook it out, folded it carefully, and then looked at the other two who were craning their necks to look over. He said considerately, "Do you two also want to see it?"
Finn Alvarez and Ryan Bennett: "..."
The next morning.
When they woke up and were about to go to class, they had to lock the door.
The few of them couldn't help but look at the bunch of keys that Ryder was dangling back and forth with his fingers.
This guy's keys had always been clean, with just a key ring. There were no messy things on it. Suddenly, there were some jangling things, which were extremely eye - catching.
Especially since he was idly shaking them around.
Ryder: "Is it nice?"
"It's a token of love from my girlfriend."
The three of them: "..."
He added, "Oh, sorry, I forgot again. You guys don't have girlfriends. I'll ask my girlfriend to introduce one to you later."
The three of them: "......"
Finn Alvarez gritted his teeth. Finally, he couldn't stand this guy and kicked him angrily. "Damn it, you have no shame at all, do you? When did Aria become your girlfriend?"
Ryan Bennett was so angry that he laughed. "No, weren't you still chasing her?"
Oliver Kim: "The whole school knows that the famous Senior Kens has a crush and is crazy about chasing a little girl, and the key is that you haven't caught up yet."
After saying that, he sneered.
Ryder raised his eyebrows without changing his expression, as if suddenly realizing something. "Haven't I told you yet? Maybe I forgot. She agreed to be my girlfriend last night."
"Girlfriend. You guys don't have one."
In just two days, this simple and happy boys' dormitory was hit hard and fell into a strange kind of sadness. The Instagram group name changed from "Go Up the Mountain to Beat Tigers" to "A Dog and Three Dogs".
Then -
"Heart - stealer" changed the group name to "Ryder Kensington is a Dog"
"Ryder Kensington" changed the group name to "Ryder Kensington with a Girlfriend and Three Single Dogs"
"Ryan" changed the group name to "Even a Dog Would Say It's Speechless When Seeing Ryder Kensington"
"Ryder Kensington" changed the group name to "Ryder Kensington Has a Girlfriend and You Don't"
"Heng" changed the group name to "Leave the Group If You Get a Partner"
...
"Ryder Kensington" changed the group name to "Ryder Kensington♡Aria Winslow and Three Unlucky Single Dogs"
The four of them fought with their phones in their beds until 3:30 in the morning. Finally, they were too sleepy to keep their eyes open. The battle ended with Ryder's victory and the three of them losing reluctantly. They would continue the next day.
In this war without gunpowder, no man was willing to admit defeat.
At this moment, seeing the "girlfriend" who was always on someone's lips, the three of them surprisingly felt an odd sense of peace.
Aria blushed and distributed the Christmas apples to the three of them, leaving the most beautiful one for Ryder. She couldn't help but look at Ryan Bennett.
Then she secretly glanced at Finn Alvarez, who, although better - dressed than Ryan Bennett, still had a somewhat messy appearance.
Curiosity flashed in her almond - shaped eyes.
What on earth were they doing just now?
Ryder also glanced over, then hugged Aria and sat her down next to him. He picked up the Christmas apple and took a look. "Did you make this yourself?"
Aria nodded. "Yeah."
"You wrapped it pretty nicely." Ryder praised her, pinching Aria's fingers and playing with them. Then he changed the subject. "Next time, just give it to me. They don't like apples and don't know how to appreciate them."
Aria: "... Really?"
There were really few people who didn't like apples.
She felt that Ryder was being self - serving, but she had no proof.
The three of them: "..."
Not really.
Aria didn't stay at the student affairs office for long. Sydney sent a message urging her to go back quickly.
She had heard from some senior that Ryder would be at the carnival tonight and insisted on doing makeup and dressing Aria up to make her look beautiful.
To give those little goblins who were secretly eyeing her boyfriend a warning.
Aria found it both funny and annoying.
Ryder listlessly followed her out, and they lingered at the stairway for a while before he reluctantly let her go.
After she walked away, the door "slammed" shut. Ryder kicked each of them. The people in the office, who had been energetic for only a few minutes, became listless again.
Ryan Bennett smiled. "Get up, get up. Keep practicing. Time is running out. I haven't collected enough behind - the - scenes footage yet."
Finn Alvarez leaned against the door, crossing his arms over his chest. He glanced at Ryder, laughing in anger. "Ryder, look at yourself. Do you think it's appropriate? You have to involve your brothers to please your girlfriend?"
"What's inappropriate?"
Ryder tugged at the corner of his lips, his tone leisurely and light. "We're good brothers. Shouldn't we be willing to do anything for each other?"
Thanks a lot.
Oliver Kim: "I must have done some great evil in my last life to have a roommate like Ryder in this life."