Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love

She could see Zhong Hailan in the yard, killing a chicken.

The August weather was sweltering, and she was already drenched in sweat. Yet, there wasn’t a hint of impatience on her face.

Am I being too unreasonable? Just because I wanted to eat it, I’m making Auntie cook for me in this heat, Lin Xi suddenly thought.

She was just about to go downstairs and tell Zhong Hailan not to bother when Xue Yang’s father, Xue Yuanqing, returned.

Seeing Zhong Hailan in the yard, he frowned. "There’s air conditioning in the kitchen. Why are you out here? It’s so hot."

"It’s fine. The yard is spacious and convenient; the kitchen feels too cramped. I’ll be done in a minute, and I can just change my clothes after. Just don’t speak so loudly, or Xiao Xi will hear you. She’ll definitely feel bad about it."

Zhong Hailan had deliberately chosen a corner of the yard that was hard to see from upstairs, precisely so Lin Xi wouldn’t find out and feel guilty.

"I bought the mantis shrimp," Xue Yuanqing said. "I had to go to several markets to find good quality ones. Next time your son wants some, remember to tell me earlier. If you go late, all the good stuff is gone."

Xue Yuanqing was very particular about his food. If something didn’t meet his standards, he would rather visit several more places than settle for less. He believed that ingredients, much like life itself, should never be a compromise. To do so would be to lose their true meaning and fail to bring out their best qualities.

"It’s getting late. Hurry up and prepare lunch," Zhong Hailan urged.

"Alright." Xue Yuanqing deftly went to prepare the meal.

Although the two of them bickered, they worked together seamlessly.

This is probably what life should be like. Simple, but full of happiness, Lin Xi mused.

After cleaning the chicken, Zhong Hailan quickly went inside, and the yard fell quiet. But Lin Xi knew that beneath its calm exterior, the vibrancy of life was simmering—the cozy atmosphere of a bustling home.

Taking several deep breaths, she stretched her body and immersed herself in her work again. At that moment, her creativity erupted like a geyser. Her hands moved swiftly, as if she could draw forever. In just two short hours, she finished the first Chapter of the manga.

The manga would be promoted through regular updates. After finishing the first Chapter, Lin Xi sent it to her editor for review.

The editor was amazed at Lin Xi’s creative talent. "Dear, are you a professional manga artist?"

"Nope," Lin Xi replied truthfully.

"Oh, I almost forgot, you just graduated from high school! Dear, your art is fantastic. If possible, please try to speed up your update schedule. This manga will definitely be a hit. I guarantee it with my professional eye."

"I’ll try my best."

"Great!"

The decision was in Lin Xi’s hands, so the editor didn’t press the matter.

After uploading the first Chapter, Lin Xi tidied up a bit and went downstairs.

"Auntie, Xue Yang said he won’t be back for lunch."

"Okay. Then it’ll just be us."

The lunch was a sumptuous spread. Zhong Hailan placed a large drumstick in Lin Xi’s bowl.

"Xiao Xi, have a drumstick. Freshly cooked ones are the most tender and juicy."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie."

After they finished lunch and washed the dishes, Xue Yuanqing sidled up to Zhong Hailan, chuckling.

"Honey, uh... I made plans with my buddies yesterday to go out for dinner tonight."

"Going out is fine, but don’t come back too late. When your friends get together, there’s no telling how late you’ll all stay out. Also, you’re driving, so no drinking."

"Don’t worry," Xue Yuanqing said proudly. "That’s why I’m driving, so I have an excuse not to drink."

"You think I can’t see through your little schemes?"

"Relax, we’re just getting dinner. We’ll probably head back right after we eat."

Zhong Hailan gave him a playful glare. "Go on, then."

"Honey, I’ll bring back some of their signature dishes for you all! I’m off now."

Brimming with excitement, Xue Yuanqing grabbed his car keys and walked out, already making a call on his phone.

"A grown man still acting like a child."

With that, Zhong Hailan turned to preparing for the housewarming, calling and inviting people one by one.

Lin Xi watched her work, tirelessly repeating the same opening line over and over. A thought struck her, and she pulled out her phone to message Si Wen.

"Si Wen, Xue Yang’s family is having a housewarming for their new place next week."

Si Wen replied promptly, "Got it. I’ll make sure to send over a big gift."

Lin Xi quickly typed back, "That’s not what I mean. I was going to ask you what I should get for the housewarming. All my money is with Xue Yang. If I want to buy a gift... I’ll have to get the card from him."

Seeing the message, Si Wen wanted to crack open Lin Xi’s head to see what on earth was going on in there.

"You? Isn’t that *your* home too? Why would you give a gift for your own housewarming? That makes no sense!"

Lin Xi’s face flushed slightly. "Well... we’re not married yet, are we? Since we’re not married, it seems reasonable to give something."

Si Wen replied, "I’m going to ask Xue Yang when you two are getting married."

Lin Xi’s face instantly turned beet red. "Si Wen, if you keep this up, I’m not going to talk to you anymore!"

"I’m just asking, not pressuring you to get married. What are you so nervous about?"

"Si Wen, stop it!"

Zhong Hailan finished her call and noticed Lin Xi’s flushed face. She quickly touched Lin Xi’s forehead. "Why is your face so red? Do you have a fever?"

"Auntie, I don’t have a fever."

"Is it too hot? I’ll turn the air conditioning down a bit."

"Auntie, no, that’s okay! I’m not hot. I’m fine," Lin Xi said hurriedly.

"As long as you’re okay. If you feel unwell, you must tell me."

Lin Xi nodded, then lowered her head to continue texting Si Wen. "This is all your fault! Now Auntie thinks I have a fever."

"You’re blushing."

"..."

"Alright, alright, I’ll stop teasing you. If you really want to give something, it’s not impossible."

"Then what would be a good gift?"

"I visited last time, and their new house is already fully furnished. It isn’t lacking anything specific. But it’s still missing one thing."

Lin Xi eagerly asked, "What’s missing?"

"Your things, of course! You’re the lady of the house. Instead of spending your time overthinking things, you should take this opportunity to buy some of your personal items and put them in the house. Let everyone know that Xue Yang is taken and that they shouldn’t get any funny ideas."

Si Wen’s reminder made Lin Xi realize it was true. There was hardly anything of hers in their new house.

"But... won’t that be too obvious?"

"It should be obvious! Let people know that you’re not to be trifled with and that they should keep their distance from Xue Yang. Got it?"

"I get it."

Putting down her phone, Lin Xi began to ponder the matter.

「Meanwhile.」

Xue Yang had been busy at the car dealership all morning. For lunch, he went out with a few managers from the shop. When he returned to his office, he found a bottle of what looked like a local specialty on his desk.