"Even childhood sweethearts might want to do something mischievous." Ji Jun gazed into Lin Yirou's eyes, "Don't take everything for granted. I've told you before, all men are..."
"You're not," Lin Yirou interrupted Ji Jun. .oΓg
Her ink-black hair spread across the white bedsheets, her milky skin flushed with an alluring rosy hue. Her clear, resolute brown eyes gazed at him, reflecting his own surprised and somewhat disheveled face.
"Honestly... listen to me properly!" Ji Jun flicked Lin Yirou's forehead, then sighed and got off her bed. He straightened his shirt and said impatiently, "How many times have I told you, don't just cover your stomach when you sleep, and don't let your feet get cold."
He pulled the blanket that Lin Yirou had carelessly draped over her stomach and tucked it in snugly, leaving only her head exposed.
Afterward, Ji Jun left Lin Yirou's room. Closing the door behind him, Ji Jun sighed.
The excuse of "childhood sweethearts" had been so convenient back then, and now he felt so utterly regretful.
Separated by a door, Lin Yirou, lying in bed, blushed. For a fleeting moment, she truly believed Ji Jun might do something mischievous.
But then...
Her hands, crossed over her abdomen, gently tugged at the securely wrapped blanket.
A smile couldn't help but form on Lin Yirou's lips as she recalled Ji Jun, always by her side when they were children.
As a child, Lin Yirou wasn't like other energetic children who preferred playing outside. She liked finding a quiet spot and falling asleep.
Because she lacked a sense of safety and self-protection back then, she often caught colds and was targeted by strange individuals.
She didn't know when it started, but after waking up, she would find a blanket, scarf, or jacket suddenly covering her stomach.
Afterward, she rarely caught colds. But who did these items belong to?
"Oh dear, whose clothes are these again?" The nth time she brought home clothes that had been placed over her while she slept, her mother couldn't help but exclaim, scrutinizing the garment.
Just then, a school ID fell out of the pocket. Her mother picked it up and said, "Isn't this from the child living in the villa behind us?"
"Huh?" Lin Yirou tilted her head, looking at her mother.
"It says Ji Jun," her mother pointed to the inscription on the school ID.
"Ji Jun?"
When her mother accompanied her to the Ji family's house to return the clothes, Ji Jun was being scolded.
"Honestly, your scarf is lost, the blankets at home are gone, you buy a jacket and then lose it, and now even your school uniform is gone. Even mountains of gold can't withstand you losing things like this. Why don't you just lose yourself!"
"Oh? Why is Mrs. Lin here?"
"My, isn't this Ji Jun's clothing? Did Rou Rou help pick it up? Rou Rou is such a good girl!"
"There must be some misunderstanding, hehe."
"Has Rou Rou's father returned recently?"
"About that..."
Amidst the adults' endless pleasantries, Lin Yirou's gaze fell upon the boy of similar age standing by the balcony.
Ji Jun.
After that, the careful protection became more overt.
According to Ji Jun, his mother had threatened to throw him into the trash if he dared to lose anything else.
This child was too expensive; the Ji family wouldn't keep him.
So Ji Jun stopped losing clothes, but he gained a perpetually sleepy child by his side.
Her somnolence gradually eased after she started junior high school. Even now, she slept more than the average person, though not as severely as in her childhood.
But Ji Jun's habit of protecting her continued until now.
Ji Jun had never changed.
It was she who, being too accustomed to his protection, became increasingly greedy.
She wanted to be protected for a lifetime.
Tucking half her face into the blanket, Lin Yirou revealed only her eyes. She squinted slightly, like a cunning cat plotting something.
She hadn't joined the reality show just to participate in the same dating program as Ji Jun.
The next day was the final day of filming.
This day was for the final heart-fluttering choice.
Xia Qingtian, hoping for a sweet moment, was filled with excitement.
As expected, guided by the staff, Tong Nian Zhe was the first to take the stage, making a bold confession.
"I have a bad temper, a difficult personality, I'm not mature, and I don't understand the atmosphere well. I have morning grumpiness. I used to think someone like me was destined to be alone forever."
"Until I met you. Perhaps you don't even remember when or how we first met."
"But I do, and I will never forget it in this lifetime."
"I have a bad temper and a difficult personality, but if you tell me to change, I will. I'm willing to change."
"I have morning grumpiness. Every morning when I open my eyes, I feel terrible. But if you are the one waking me, I will wake up smiling every day. I will love every morning that has you in it, and I look forward to seeing you the first thing when I open my eyes each day."
"If I hadn't met you, I would have accepted a lifetime of loneliness. But falling in love with you has made me look forward to a lifetime with just one person."
"I hope you can give me a chance to mature and become more steady with me."
"Mei Na, I like you! Please be my girlfriend!"
After finishing his confession, Tong Nian Zhe's usually cold and arrogant face turned bright red. His eyes, fixed on Ji Mei Na, were sparkling with intense focus.
Ji Mei Na, in the audience, blushed from her cheeks all the way to her earlobes. Tears welled in her eyes as she pursed her lips and nodded.
"Alright!" Xia Qingtian led the applause, cheering enthusiastically.
She could be single, but the couples she rooted for must get together!
After Ji Mei Na nodded, the show's production team presented them with matching couple watches, signifying their successful pairing.
"Are there any other guests who wish to make a heart-fluttering confession?"
"If not, we will proceed directly to the heart-fluttering connection."
The staff's electronic voice announced the upcoming segment.
Ji Jun glanced in Lin Yirou's direction.
In the next heart-fluttering connection, would they choose each other? And then what?
Would he continue to play the role of an ideal childhood sweetheart, just like before?
He clearly wanted more, and wanted to give more.
Just as Ji Jun stood there, lost and disheartened, Lin Yirou raised her hand, "I want to make a heart-fluttering confession."
Hearing Lin Yirou's words, Ji Jun froze, looking at her in disbelief.
Who was she going to confess to?
Invited onto the stage by the production staff, Lin Yirou pinched the edge of her pocket, appearing a bit nervous.
"A reminder, heart-fluttering confessions can only be made to the opposite gender. Xia Qingtian, that's a no-go!"
As soon as the staff's electronic voice spoke, Xia Qingtian, who had been excited, instantly deflated.
What did this have to do with her!
Everyone chuckled at this remark, even the staff members present were smirking.
With this small interlude, Lin Yirou clearly relaxed more.
She cleared her throat and then said, "Ji Jun, could I trouble you to come onto the stage?"