After Rebirth and Done Chasing, I Choose the Gentle and Rich Goddess Over the Scheming Campus Belle - Chapter 31:

Chapter 31: Miao Xiaoyu’s Dark Circles

“Ah! My brain got eaten again!” Wu Gang’s pained voice came from the room.

He Li glanced at his phone screen. “You’re already giving up after just ten levels?”

Wu Gang refused to admit defeat, “Who said I’m giving up? It’s your game design that has a problem. I’ve tried over twenty times and still can’t pass this stage. There are way too many armed zombies later on!”

“Too many?” He Li pointed at Miao Xiaoyu. “Xiaoyu’s already reached level twenty-something and doesn’t find it hard at all!” Hearing this, Wu Gang widened his eyes and looked at Miao Xiaoyu’s screen.

He saw her fingers moving swiftly as she bought and sold plants, wiping out the screen full of zombies with ease. That reaction speed and strategic thinking…

Wu Gang was instantly crushed. He really couldn’t understand how a sweet girl like Miao Xiaoyu could be this good at gaming. Pretty, smart, wealthy—and now even skilled at games. Wu Gang suddenly felt a little envious of He Li. Where could one find a girlfriend like this?

Shaking his head, Wu Gang picked up his phone. “Forget it. I’ll play some more at home and look for bugs while I’m at it.”

“Alright!” He Li nodded. After Wu Gang left, he noted down the issues Wu Gang and Miao Xiaoyu discovered during the playtest so he could adjust them later. Then he sat down next to Miao Xiaoyu.

This girl was totally immersed in the game. Her beautiful eyes were glued to the screen, fully focused. He Li started to worry a bit.

“Don’t tell me she stayed up all night playing?”

He recalled how he’d played this same game in his past life… hadn’t he lost track of time while playing too?

Thinking of that, he waited until Miao Xiaoyu cleared her current level, then reached out and tapped pause. Only then did she snap out of it and awkwardly ask, “What is it?”

“What do you mean ‘what’? Aren’t you going home?” He Li pointed at the time—it was almost six o’clock.

“It’s that late already?” Miao Xiaoyu quickly stood up.

He Li flicked her forehead lightly, “Don’t get so carried away next time!”

“Hehe, got it!” Miao Xiaoyu giggled adorably.

However, the next morning…

He Li was stunned when he saw Miao Xiaoyu slumped over the desk. The usually energetic girl was now lying there listlessly, staring at her phone. As he leaned closer, he noticed dark circles under her eyes.

Seeing her tired little face, He Li’s heart ached. He sat down beside her and took her phone away.

“Tell me, what time did you stop playing last night?”

He rarely spoke sternly, but now he did. Miao Xiaoyu panicked and quickly sat upright. “Not… not that late… just… just seven…”

“Seven?” He Li frowned, “That’s an all-nighter! Why don’t you take better care of yourself?” His tone was serious.

Miao Xiaoyu felt warmth in her heart. She whispered, “I just wanted to help you find more bugs so we can finish the game sooner.” Her soft voice carried a hint of grievance.

Hearing that, He Li’s heart immediately softened.

“You didn’t even have breakfast, did you?”

“Mmm…” Miao Xiaoyu answered like a child caught doing something wrong. She responded quietly, lowering her head and burying it in her chest.

He Li gently patted her head, “Don’t do this again. Fixing bugs isn’t urgent. We can take our time. I don’t want you sacrificing your health over something like this.”

Then he leaned in close to her ear, “I’m starting to think you’re doing this on purpose. Are you trying to wear yourself out so I’ll take care of you?”

His teasing tone made Miao Xiaoyu blush furiously. She immediately shook her head like a drum, flustered, “No, I’m not. Don’t say that… I didn’t mean it that way!”

She denied it with her words, but her heart thought otherwise: “I just want you to take care of me forever. I didn’t mean to get sick!” But that line she kept to herself.

He Li just smiled, “If not, then behave.”

Miao Xiaoyu nodded shyly.

He Li picked up her little bag. “Let’s go. I’ll walk you home so you can rest. I’m just fixing bugs today anyway, not much to do. Come back to help me after you’re rested.”

“Okay!” Miao Xiaoyu obediently followed him.

As they walked, she suddenly asked, “Did you bet with my cousin that the game would earn 5 million in two months?”

“You asked her about that?” He Li replied with a question of his own.

Miao Xiaoyu nodded. Last night, she had called Yu Jianxin again, hoping to find out more about what was said between her and He Li. Unable to resist her persistent pestering, Yu Jianxin had basically spilled everything.

From her reaction, He Li more or less figured out why Miao Xiaoyu had suddenly gotten so motivated.

Sure enough, Miao Xiaoyu continued, “Five million is no small amount. I want to help you fix the bugs as much as I can.”

Her gentle voice made He Li feel both touched and concerned.

“Silly girl, you don’t have to push yourself so hard. If you get sick, won’t that slow us down even more? I still need your help for lots of future design work!”

As he spoke, Miao Xiaoyu’s heart melted.

Being needed by someone she liked made her feel genuinely happy.

“I understand. I’ll be more careful from now on.” She smiled sweetly, then added proudly, “Last night I found several bugs, big and small. I documented them all and sent the file to your inbox.”

“Great, great!” He Li affectionately patted her head. “With you working this hard, how should I reward you?”

He asked gently. Miao Xiaoyu’s eyes lit up at once.

She suddenly thought of a hundred different things. Maybe a kiss, a hug, getting lifted up high? Or spending an entire day together?

She thought of so many things but felt too embarrassed to say them out loud. After a long struggle, she finally said with restrained joy, “I haven’t decided yet. Can I save it for later?”

“Alright, tell me once you’ve made up your mind.”

He Li didn’t mind and just nodded casually.

As they chatted, the two of them made their way downstairs.

Having stayed up all night without breakfast, Miao Xiaoyu now felt both sleepy and hungry. Her steps were unsteady, and she looked like she could fall asleep at any moment.

But not wanting He Li to worry, she held herself together and quietly followed him.

Still, He Li had lived two lives. He’d stayed up late before for work. He knew exactly what kind of state she was in.

“Come here.” He suddenly crouched down when they reached the bottom of the stairs.

Miao Xiaoyu was stunned, as if she hadn’t processed what was happening.

He Li looked back at her and smiled, “What are you spacing out for? Hop on, Miss Miao Xiaoyu, our star employee!”

“Hehe~” Miao Xiaoyu beamed with delight.

She quickly stepped forward and, a little bashfully and nervously, leaned onto He Li’s back. His broad shoulders were warm and full of security, making her feel especially at ease.

In that moment, Miao Xiaoyu felt incredibly happy. She was practically cheering inside, thrilled she had stayed up all night. Otherwise, there was no way He Li would be carrying her like this.

“Hehehe, what a great deal. No loss, only gains!”

She mumbled to herself and yawned.

Maybe because it was so comfortable, her drowsiness—which she had been trying to hold back—finally overwhelmed her. She snuggled her face against He Li’s back…

And then, with a sweet smile, she fell asleep.

He Li turned to glance at her sleeping face, smiled gently, and carried her home…