18: Chapter 18: They just gave me the key like that?

The bell for the last elective class always sounded a few shades more pleasant than usual.

The torture that threatened to flatten one's backside had finally come to an end.

On the podium, the Old Professor was still slowly and methodically packing up his lesson plans, while the students below were already restless, acting like monkeys from Huaguoshan. The sound of zippers on backpacks rose and fell, merging into a symphony titled "Dismissal."

Huang Mao didn't rush to move.

He had just taken a peek at his phone under the desk.

On the social media app, the avatar for that girl, An Ran, had been flashing. The last message she sent was concise and to the point: "Wait for me at the school gate; if you dare to run off, I'll break your legs."

It was followed by a "violent threat" sticker.

Fine, whatever.

This was the privilege of being a childhood sweetheart; one could use free labor with complete justification.

Huang Mao sighed and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Leng Qingxuan sitting in the corner of the front row, slowly packing her things.

Her movements were very light, as if she were deliberately dawdling, waiting for the people around her to leave.

She was likely waiting for him to come over and discuss the "leave separately" arrangement.

After all, the girl seemed quite addicted to the "secret romance" act they had put on that morning, as if she were really filming some spy movie.

Huang Mao picked up his shoulder bag, walked over to her row in a few strides, and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, flicked his finger lightly.

Clink.

A bright silver key traced a low-profile arc through the air, landing precisely on the open notebook in front of Leng Qingxuan.

Leng Qingxuan was in the middle of putting a fountain pen into her pencil case and was startled by the sudden movement.

She looked up, her beautiful eyes filled with astonishment, watching Huang Mao, who was standing beside her, like a startled little deer.

"Go back first."

Huang Mao's voice was very low, audible only to the two of them. "I have to go to the school gate to pick up that troublesome girl; I might be late."

Leng Qingxuan froze.

She looked at the key lying quietly on the paper.

That was... the key to the villa's front door.

It even retained the warmth from Huang Mao's pocket. When she held it in her hand, that warmth traveled from her fingertips straight into her heart.

"For me?"

She opened her mouth, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum. "You just... gave it to me like that?"

Isn't this too fast?

They had known each other for barely more than 24 hours, all things considered!

To hand over the keys to one's home to a "stranger" they'd only known for a day—how big-hearted could this person be?

Wasn't he afraid she might be a habitual thief, ready to empty out the house while he was away?

Or perhaps one of those scams designed to swindle single men out of their trust?

"Just take it."

Huang Mao looked at her flustered expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Stop brainstorming over there."

"Look at what you're wearing—that's a seasonal limited edition, right? And look at that bag; it costs more than my 4090."

He shrugged, his tone carrying a bit of annoying teasing. "A young lady of your status, what could you possibly want from me? My half-eaten packs of instant noodles? Or my three-year-old rice cooker?"

"Besides, this is just a spare key."

Huang Mao waved his hand, looking completely indifferent. "I had a whole bunch made when I was renovating. I wouldn't even care if I lost it. Anyway, since we're living together, it's more convenient to give you one."

After saying that, he didn't wait for Leng Qingxuan to react and turned to walk toward the back door of the classroom.

"I'm off. Be careful on your way."

Until Huang Mao's figure disappeared at the doorway, Leng Qingxuan remained in the same posture, clutching the key, motionless.

A spare key?

More convenient?

No, that's not right.

This definitely wasn't as simple as just being for convenience.

In Leng Qingxuan's brain, which had been fed on 2D manga and romance novels, the meaning of this key had been infinitely magnified.

What was this?

This was him handing over his family assets!

This was him entrusting his entire life and livelihood to her!

All that talk about being afraid of trouble or it being a spare key—those were just excuses used by a tsundere male lead!

In those old-school Japanese manga, handing the house key to a girl was, for all intents and purposes, the prelude to a marriage proposal!

"Is this... that?"

Leng Qingxuan clenched the key tightly in her palm, so hard that her knuckles turned white.

A wedding house.

She remembered very clearly that when they were chatting last night, Huang Mao had said that the villa was bought by his parents to be used as a wedding house.

Now, the key to that wedding house was in her hand.

Then what was she?

The lady of the house?

A fiancée?

Boom—

A wave of heat rushed from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head; Leng Qingxuan felt her face was hot enough to fry an egg.

She didn't even dare to check if there were other students around. She grabbed her school bag, lowered her head, and rushed out, her steps feeling as unsteady as if she were walking on cotton.

This was just too unreasonable!

There hadn't even been a confession, not even a date, and yet it had fast-forwarded directly to the "handing over the key" step?

And he hadn't even asked for her opinion at all!

But...

If she wasn't willing, why had she accepted it just now?

By accepting it, did that mean... she had agreed?

Leng Qingxuan walked along the tree-lined path on campus, feeling dizzy, her imagination running wild like a wild dog off its leash, impossible to pull back.

If she were the lady of the house...

Then what would she have to do tonight?

Did that mean she couldn't sleep in the guest room anymore?

Did she have to... fulfill certain obligations that only the lady of the house could fulfill?

Like dressing a bit more scantily to welcome him at the door?

Or maybe...

"Wuu..."

Leng Qingxuan let out a shameful moan, stumbled, and nearly tripped over her own feet, falling flat on her face.

She quickly steadied herself against a tree by the road and took a deep breath, trying to cool down her scorching brain.

You are so shameless, Leng Qingxuan!

How could you think of such things!

But...

She secretly opened her palm and looked at the shiny key, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl upward.

This feeling of being trusted, accepted, and even "exclusively possessed"...

Really, it wasn't bad at all.

...

Meanwhile.

Girls' dormitory building, Room 404.

The atmosphere here wasn't nearly as rosy and bubbly; it could even be described as a bit foul.

Several large woven bags were spread out on the floor, and the bed was piled high with a chaotic mess of clothes.

An Ran was huffing and puffing as she packed, a fine layer of sweat already beading on her forehead.

She shoved the last sports jacket into the suitcase that was about to burst, then threw her whole body weight onto it, trying to force the zipper shut.

"Yo, you're moving out?"

A sarcastic voice drifted down from the upper bunk.

It was one of her roommates, who usually did nothing but chase celebrities or giggle at her phone; she was currently wearing a face mask, her eyes filled with schadenfreude.

"In such a rush to move out—did you hook up with some rich guy?"

The girl patted her face and said in a tone that made people want to hit her, "Well, it makes sense. How could our crappy dorm possibly accommodate a big shot like you? The big beds outside must be more comfortable, right?"

An Ran's movements paused.

With her back to the girl, she took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the urge to throw the clothes hanger in her hand at the other person's face.

Don't get angry.

There was no point in getting angry at this kind of person.

Anyway, after today, she would be completely liberated from this sea of misery.

Thinking about how she would soon be moving into Huang Mao's big villa, seeing him every day, and being able to legitimately keep an eye on him so no other women could get close...

This bit of anger was nothing.

"Zip—"

An Ran exerted a sudden force and pulled the suitcase zipper to the end, making a crisp sound.

"That's right."

She stood up straight, hoisted the two incredibly heavy bags onto her shoulders, turned around, and flashed a brilliant smile at the girl.

"After all, even if some people wanted to hook up with a rich guy, he wouldn't be interested in a face with too much hyaluronic acid."

After saying that, ignoring the screams and curses coming from behind her, An Ran kicked open the dorm door and dragged her suitcase away.

So satisfying!

She had wanted to talk back like that for a long time!

Humming a little tune, An Ran dragged the suitcase, which was nearly half as tall as she was, down the stairs like a victorious general.

Although the suitcase was heavy as death and cut into her shoulders, causing pain, the feeling of satisfaction in her heart was indescribable.

She had just reached the main entrance at the bottom of the dormitory building.

"Oh, isn't this An Ran?"

A frivolous male voice suddenly rang out.

An Ran frowned. She didn't even need to look up; just by hearing that greasy tone, she knew who it was.

That terrible boyfriend of her other roommate.

It was said he was some kind of second-generation rich kid who hung out with street thugs, drove a crappy modified car around school all day to show off, and dyed his hair like a parrot.

She looked up, and sure enough.

The man was hugging her roommate and standing at the entrance smoking.

Seeing An Ran come out, the man's gaze changed instantly.

That kind of sticky, hooked gaze scanned her body without restraint.

From the lines of her thighs, tightened by exertion, to her collar soaked slightly by sweat, and then to that face that was bright and moving even without makeup.

"Why are you carrying so much stuff? Moving house?"

The man blew a smoke ring and reached out, acting familiar. "Come, come, let me help you carry it. With those thin arms and legs, it'd be a pity if you got tired."

An Ran dodged to the side, directly avoiding that lecherous hand trying to touch her.

She didn't even give him a glance, pulled her suitcase, and walked straight past him, actually speeding up her pace.

How unlucky.

She hadn't checked the calendar before leaving; she actually ran into this kind of trash.

"Tch, acting all high and mighty."

From behind came the roommate's disdainful snicker. "I think she probably got kept by someone outside and moved out because she was afraid we'd find out."

"Tsk tsk, what a pity."

The man's voice carried undisguised obscenity. "It's good she moved out, saves me from having her dangling in front of me, visible but untouchable. But then again, those legs are really top-notch. If I could get them up on my shoulders..."

"What nonsense are you spouting! You're annoying!"

"Hehe, I'm being serious. Those who do sports must have a lot of stamina; it would definitely be exciting to play with..."

The subsequent filth became increasingly unbearable to listen to.

An Ran gritted her teeth, her fingers gripping the handle turning white from the force.

Disgusting.

Too disgusting.

This was the reason why she had to escape from here.

In an environment like this quagmire, staying even one more second would make one suffocate.

She quickened her pace, almost running while dragging the suitcase, wanting to leave those dirty sounds behind.

Until...

Under the big banyan tree at the school gate.

That familiar figure was leaning against the railing, holding his phone, scrolling through it with a look of boredom.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled over him, casting a warm golden edge on the guy who usually looked like he had no sense of propriety.

The moment she saw this scene.

The grievances, anger, and disgust in An Ran's heart melted away instantly, like snow under the blazing sun.

"Hey!"

She called out, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness that even she hadn't realized.

Huang Mao looked up and saw An Ran, who was dragging big bags and small bags, looking like a refugee fleeing disaster, and couldn't help but laugh.

"Whoa."

He put away his phone and walked over. "Are you moving house, or are you planning to embezzle funds and flee abroad to avoid debt?"

"Less nonsense!"

An Ran threw the heaviest bag from her shoulder onto the ground and glared at him angrily. "Hurry and help! It's killing me, you know!"

"At your command, young lady."

Huang Mao shook his head; although he was complaining, his movements weren't slow at all.

He reached out and picked up the heaviest bag on the ground, tested its weight, and raised an eyebrow slightly. "Did you stuff all the dumbbells from the dorm into this?"

Then, he naturally took the other large bag from An Ran's hand.

In the end, he only left her with the suitcase that had wheels and was the easiest to pull.

"Let's go."

Huang Mao slung the two big bags over his shoulders, looking surprisingly relaxed. "Going home."

Two simple words.

Going home.

An Ran froze for a moment.

She looked at Huang Mao's back, and her eyes suddenly felt a bit sore.

Not the kind of soreness that makes you want to cry.

But rather a kind of... feeling of stability, of finally having found a place to land.

No sarcastic roommates.

No disgusting harassment.

Only this man who had grown up with her, and although his mouth was sharp, would always leave the lightest things for her.

"Why are you dazing off? Keep up."

Huang Mao turned his head, saw her still standing there dazed, and urged her.

"Coming!"

An Ran sniffled, and a vibrant, energetic smile bloomed on her face again.

She pulled the suitcase, quickened her pace to catch up, and even boldly reached out to tug at the corner of Huang Mao's clothes.

Although there was still a "big problem" waiting at home that had to be solved.

But so what?

Anyway, I've already entered the game.

In this game about the future, who wins and who loses is still not set in stone.