After Rebirth and Done Chasing, I Choose the Gentle and Rich Goddess Over the Scheming Campus Belle - Chapter 27:

Chapter 27: Cousin’s Envy

The bright room was filled with a sweet atmosphere! He Li kept leaning close to Miao Xiaoyu’s ear, whispering things that made her cover her mouth and laugh shyly again and again.

Wu Gang beside them was already used to it. After enduring more than half a month of their relentless displays of affection, his heart had turned to stone. He sat there like a meditating monk, typing on the keyboard without paying any attention to them.

But when he happened to glance outside the window… he seemed to catch sight of someone peeking in.

“Brother He, I think someone’s spying on us out there!” Wu Gang turned his head and said. He Li paused for a moment. Spying? Who could it be? Could it be Liu Yuyan?

Very possible. That woman wasn’t right in the head. Now that she knew where the studio was, she might actually show up.

But He Li couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. He said, “Ignore her, let’s just do our thing!” Wu Gang nodded.

Miao Xiaoyu grew curious when she saw them muttering to each other. “What’s going on?” she stopped painting and tilted her head to ask.

He Li shook his head, “Nothing, just someone peeking in.” He added, “Just ignore her.” Then he shifted his attention back to the screen, continuing to write code.

However, Miao Xiaoyu seemed to recall something and glanced stealthily out the window. She saw a familiar figure…

“My cousin? What’s she doing here?” She frowned. “Didn’t I tell her not to go out recklessly? Why would she show up now? Oh right, she did say before that she wanted to meet He Li to help judge if he was reliable…”

Miao Xiaoyu felt both embarrassed and anxious. She was a little worried that Yu Jianxin might mess things up for her. But she couldn’t constantly monitor Yu Jianxin to stop her.

Thinking it through, she could only quietly scoot closer to He Li. “Um… He Li, I have something to tell you.”

Her face was slightly flushed, and her voice soft. He Li turned a little, eyes still on the bouncing text on the screen, ears perked up.

Miao Xiaoyu gently said, “I didn’t tell you before, but my distant cousin came to visit me a couple of days ago. I think… I think she may have misunderstood the relationship between us.”

“If she comes looking for you and says something unpleasant, please don’t take it to heart.”

Hearing that, He Li stopped typing and turned to look at her. “What are you thinking?” He Li smiled at her. “Do I seem like someone who gets angry so easily?”

“Don’t worry. No matter what she says, I won’t mind.”

Then He Li leaned in closer and gently teased, “Would you say this counts as us meeting each other’s family?”

His words carried a subtle meaning. Miao Xiaoyu froze for a second, then quickly lowered her head. Her fair little ears turned bright red. “What are you saying…” she muttered softly, but her face bloomed with a smile like a flower.

Seeing her adorable expression, He Li couldn’t help but reach out and pat her head. Miao Xiaoyu, still shy, felt both flustered and delighted.

“He Li touched my head? Hehe~ This… this is the first time he’s done that.”

“Liu Yuyan never got this treatment, right?”

“Yeah, Liu Yuyan never even let him touch her.”

“Hehe, then I’m the first one…”

The more she thought about it, the happier she felt.

At that moment, He Li withdrew his hand and said, “Actually, I’m curious what your cousin wants. If she really comes to test me on your behalf, I definitely won’t disappoint her.”

With that, He Li turned back to his work.

Hearing this, Miao Xiaoyu felt sweet inside. She had caught the deeper meaning in his words! He wouldn’t disappoint her cousin. That meant he’d make sure her cousin acknowledged him as her future cousin-in-law and put her mind at ease.

Didn’t that mean he was indirectly admitting he had feelings for her?

As she thought about it, Miao Xiaoyu stared at He Li’s side profile, her beautiful eyes growing even softer.

They say men look their best when they’re focused. But He Li was already so handsome to begin with…

Now that he was working seriously, Miao Xiaoyu was completely entranced.

She rested her chin on her hand, leaned against the desk, and quietly watched him.

Outside, Yu Jianxin watched with growing envy.

He Li and Miao Xiaoyu whispering sweet nothings looked just like those couples in dramas sharing love talk. Especially when Miao Xiaoyu showed that bashful and lovable expression…

Yu Jianxin had acted in plenty of dramas. Many had romantic scenes. But those were all fake, done for the camera.

She’d never felt anything watching those.

But now, seeing He Li and Miao Xiaoyu’s genuine romance, she had to admit their warm and sweet interaction made her, a single woman in her twenties, extremely jealous.

Even though she had plenty of admirers around her.

Yu Jianxin knew clearly that most of them were just lusting after her looks or interested in her status and resources.

She would never go for people like that.

Especially after seeing the kind of love He Li and Miao Xiaoyu had…

She felt that if her future romance wasn’t this sweet, then it meant she’d picked the wrong person!

“A sincere and sweet love…”

“I wonder when I’ll ever have that,” Yu Jianxin murmured.

Shaking her head, stuffed full of dog food, Yu Jianxin worried that if she kept peeking, she might just die of jealousy. She reluctantly took one last look at the two inside before deciding to leave for now.

As for talking to He Li, she’d have to find a chance when Miao Xiaoyu wasn’t around.

…

For the next two days, He Li stayed busy.

Because the test version of Plants vs. Zombies was almost ready.

Even though it only had a few levels due to time constraints, tower defense games like this were easy to expand later with more stages and new characters, so He Li was rushing to get a test version done to see if there were any major issues.

If it passed the test, he could pour in more funds and develop the official version.

Relying on experience and memory from his previous life, by Friday afternoon…

The test version was basically finished.

As long as he did some final setup tomorrow, he could package it and install it for a trial run.

As for today? He had promised to watch a movie with Miao Xiaoyu.

She had shown up early to wait for him, carrying a small handbag and looking overjoyed.

Watching a movie with the person she liked used to be something she could only dream about. But now, it had come true. The He Li she loved was finally seeing her and willing to accompany her.

Just thinking about that made Miao Xiaoyu feel like she was walking on air.

He Li looked at her cheerful expression, eyes full of affection.

This little girl was too easy to please! Just watching a movie together made her this happy.

“By the way, isn’t your mom’s birthday in a few days?” While walking, Miao Xiaoyu suddenly asked.

He Li came back to his senses and nodded, “Yeah.”

“Then can I go celebrate her birthday too?” Miao Xiaoyu tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, asking shyly.

He Li smiled and nodded, “Of course you can. If you come, my mom will be really happy.”

“But even if you hadn’t mentioned it, I was already planning to invite you.”

“How about this…” he paused, “Once the test is done in a few days, come with me to pick out a gift for my mom. She really likes you, so I’m sure she’ll love whatever you choose.”

“Okay!” Miao Xiaoyu nodded quickly.

Being able to pick a gift for He Li’s mom made her a bit excited. It meant the He family truly wanted to accept her.

But she was also a bit troubled.

What should she choose as a gift?

She knew He Li well, but not his mother.

She wasn’t even sure what his mom liked…

What if she picked something inappropriate?

For a moment, Miao Xiaoyu felt both happy and worried, furrowing her delicate brows.

Maybe she got too lost in thought and didn’t watch her step.

She suddenly lost her footing and nearly fell.

Luckily, He Li reacted quickly and caught her in time…

That soft, fragrant body fell into his arms, and He Li’s thoughts went wild.

Miao Xiaoyu snapped out of it, her heart racing wildly…