Since he had already prepared the rice for the congee last night, Ye Ling had an easy morning. It wasn’t much trouble at all—he just brought the water to a boil, poured in the rice, and that was basically it.

Ye Ling fried two eggs, and with nothing else to do, he sat down on a stool and started scrolling through his phone.

DING DONG!

A new message notification suddenly popped up from the ’3222 Demon Lord of Chaos’ group, which had been silent for a long time.

[He Jian: It’s so damn cold, bros. You guys enjoy your sleep. I’m already in the classroom.]

[Yang Yu: HAHAHAHA, I don’t have morning classes! Didn’t expect that, did ya? This is awesome!]

[Yang Yefeng: To be honest, I don’t have class either. He Jian, you’ll have to take care of yourself.]

[He Jian: You guys are the worst!]

Ye Ling couldn’t help but smile as he read the messages. He immediately snapped a picture of his kitchen and sent it to the group.

[Ye Ling: Sigh, it’s rough. Had to get up early to make my girl some congee, so I couldn’t even keep cuddling her in bed.]

[He Jian: Holy crap, Brother Ling, you’re even worse than those two!]

[Yang Yu: It’s way too early for this. Stop shoving your relationship in our faces, I’m begging you!]

[Yang Yefeng: I’m stuffed. How about you guys?]

[Ye Ling: I’m being serious. It’s pretty miserable. I mean, in this weather, you’re supposed to be snuggled up in bed, holding your girlfriend’s soft body!]

As soon as the message was sent, the ’3222 Demon Lord of Chaos’ group fell silent once again.

Far away at Modu University, He Jian and the other two all put down their phones at the same time. Melancholy expressions appeared on their faces as they stared up at the ceiling.

He Jian was in a classroom, so he was sitting up, while Yang Yu and Yang Yefeng were lying down... But right now, all three were pondering the very same question.

Why didn’t they have girlfriends yet?

When Ye Ling saw the group suddenly go quiet, he pouted, feeling a bit bored. He tossed his phone aside and muttered under his breath, ’Looks like those guys are living it up, too busy to even chat. Not like me... I’m bored to death.’

If He Jian and the other two knew what Ye Ling was thinking, they would probably... come charging over to Tomson Riviera with kitchen cleavers, without a moment’s hesitation.

No, wait.

They’d probably go on Taobao and find one of those giant, thousand-meter-long machetes, swing it all the way from Modu University to Tomson Riviera, and then roar:

"Ye Ling, you damn traitor, prepare to die!"

...

As time went on, the lid of the rice cooker began to rattle gently, and white steam filled the kitchen.

Ye Ling stood up. Seeing that the congee was just about done, he ladled out a large bowl. He was about to bring it to Ning Ruoxi when he discovered she had woken up at some point and was now standing behind him, beaming.

"What are you doing up? I was just about to bring this to you."

Ye Ling looked at the girl and couldn’t help but smile.

"I woke up, silly. Stinky, thank you for making me congee so early in the morning. Mwah~ That’s your reward."

As she spoke, Ning Ruoxi leaned over and planted a kiss on Ye Ling’s cheek.

At that moment.

Ye Ling felt it was all worth it.

He might not have been able to sleep in until noon cuddling Ning Ruoxi, but getting a kiss from his girl first thing in the morning was its own special kind of bliss!

"Okay, you go sit down and have some congee to warm up. I’ll go fry a couple of eggs."

Ye Ling said, ruffling Ning Ruoxi’s hair with a blissful expression.

"Okay!"

Ning Ruoxi nodded and obediently took the bowl of congee from Ye Ling’s hands, carrying it to the table.

The greatest joys of the season had to be waking up naturally in the morning and... sitting down to breakfast with the one you love.

As Ning Ruoxi ate her congee, she kept stealing glances at the young man sitting across from her. The faint steam rising from the bowl seemed to make Ye Ling’s handsome features even more striking.

"Stinky, I think I had a dream," Ning Ruoxi said suddenly.

"What kind of dream?"

Ye Ling asked casually, sipping his own congee.

"I dreamed that I kicked off the covers in my sleep, and you got mad and spanked me."

Ning Ruoxi mumbled.

"Uh... about that."

Ye Ling froze when he heard that, then let out an awkward laugh. "Well, it was a dream, right? And dreams are the opposite of reality. Still, kicking off the covers is a bad habit."

"Hmph! If you ever dared to spank me, I guarantee you wouldn’t be allowed in my bed anymore."

"Cough, cough..."

Her words made Ye Ling choke on a mouthful of hot congee. A searing sensation spread through his throat, and the pain almost brought tears to his eyes.

"What’s wrong? Quick, drink some water!"

Seeing his distress, Ning Ruoxi quickly poured a glass of water and held it to Ye Ling’s lips.

After taking a gulp of water, Ye Ling finally let out a long breath.

"You’re a grown man, and you still choke while drinking. How embarrassing,"

Ning Ruoxi said with a pout, unable to stifle a small giggle.

"It’s all your fault..." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Ye Ling shot the girl a reproachful glare.

"My fault for what?"

Ning Ruoxi blinked, clearly not getting it.

"Nothing, it’s nothing."

Ye Ling gave a sheepish smile and went back to eating his congee.

’I can’t just tell her that wasn’t a dream and I really did spank her, can I?’

’If I did that,’ Ye Ling thought, ’...I probably really wouldn’t be allowed in her bed ever again.’

As he thought about it, Ye Ling couldn’t help but rub his fingers together.

’Hmm.’

’It felt pretty good, actually.’

...

「In the afternoon」

Ye Ling drove Ning Ruoxi to Modu University. Since they both had afternoon classes, it was only natural for them to go together.

"I’m off to class now. You be good, okay?"

Ning Ruoxi said with a grin, giving Ye Ling a quick hug.

"You’re leaving just like that?"

Seeing the girl about to turn away, Ye Ling frowned. "Aren’t you forgetting something?"

"Mwah~ There, now go pay attention in class. You got this!"

At his words, Ning Ruoxi stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light peck on the cheek.

"That’s more like it."

Ye Ling dipped his head slightly and returned the favor with a light kiss on her soft, red lips before nodding in satisfaction.

When he arrived in the classroom, Ye Ling saw Luo Yue staring at him with a reproachful look on her face.

"What’s wrong? Didn’t sleep well last night?"

Ye Ling could see the girl was in a bad mood, but he feigned ignorance and asked anyway.

"Hmph! Stinky Master, I’m not speaking to you!"

Luo Yue snorted lightly and turned her head away.

Ye Ling’s antics yesterday had force-fed her a massive dose of public affection.

As a single girl with no one to keep her bed warm in the winter, did she really have it easy?

Luo "Forever Alone" Yue pouted. She was very angry.

"Alright, alright, don’t be mad. I’m sorry, okay?"

Ye Ling said with a helpless sigh.

"That’s more like it." Hearing his apology, Luo Yue huffed and finally turned her head back around.