As autumn deepened, the chrysanthemums turned golden, and the students of Y University were about to enjoy their first short vacation.

The day before the vacation, Li Mingyu and Xie Yan started packing their bags with enthusiasm.

Xie Yan casually asked, “What are your plans for the National Day holiday?”

Li Mingyu and Xie Yan had already decided to travel within their province with some high school friends who were also attending Y University. It was a chance to strengthen their bonds and make up for some missed opportunities in high school, all while experiencing the freedom of college life.

Fang Jue was lying on a chair, engrossed in his phone, and he replied absentmindedly, “I’m not sure. I’ll see how my parents plan it.”

In truth, Fang Jue wasn’t entirely sure how to interact with his parents anymore.

Since arriving in this world, aside from the first two days when he was sick and stayed at home, he had been in Y City. When he had a fever, he was in a daze most of the time, so the feeling of being in this unfamiliar place hadn’t fully hit him. Now that he was clear-headed and facing his parents again, he felt somewhat uncertain.

After all, in his original world before he transmigrated into the book, his parents had been gone for several years.

Fang Jue absentmindedly tapped on his phone screen, scrolling through the so-called hot topics.

Li Mingyu responded with an “Oh,” then turned to Yan Yunli, asking, “What about you, Yunli?”

Yan Yunli seemed a bit preoccupied, and his state of mind now strangely resembled how he looked when they first met, lost in thought. It wasn’t just a blank expression; it was a melancholy that seemed to be unintentionally revealed.

It was as if everything happening around him didn’t really concern him.

Yan Yunli had grown accustomed to solitude in the past. He was particularly sensitive to these emotions now, having spent a significant time alone. 

Fang Jue, noticing Yan Yunli’s peculiar mood, approached him without a word and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring pat. He responded to Li Mingyu’s question for Yan Yunli, saying, “I should stay home.”

Yan Yunli’s mood was interrupted by Fang Jue’s touch, and he didn’t dwell on it further. He had noticed Fang Jue’s choice of words, though, and it made him think.

Hold on, the National Day holiday is a whole week long. This means that for these seven days, he won’t be able to spend time with Yunli! What if the male and female leads take advantage of this?

Yan Yunli had complete faith in Fang Jue spending the holiday at home, but he couldn’t be completely isolated, right? Going out to buy something or even for his morning jog was inevitable.

Although Yan Yunli didn’t want Fang Jue to see him in a gloomy mood, he didn’t expect Fang Jue’s mood to change so quickly. Suddenly, he felt like he was being closely watched.

Fang Jue narrowed his eyes slightly and leaned toward Yan Yunli, asking, “Promise me you won’t go out randomly?”

Yan Yunli was puzzled by Fang Jue’s request. He didn’t understand why Fang Jue was saying this. “Huh?”

Li Mingyu scoffed, “Fang Jue, why are you treating him like he’s in a romantic relationship? Are you secretly trying to develop a friendship into something more?”

Fang Jue, who had gotten used to his friend’s nonsense, replied casually, “You don’t understand. Our Yunli is such an innocent and pure college student. What if someone tries to deceive him when he goes out?”

Li Mingyu rolled his eyes and said, “He’s a freshman in college, not a first-grader in elementary school. You two are definitely more than just friends.”

Xie Yan chimed in from the sofa, “It’s not a big deal; you can just use your phone to keep tabs on him.”

Fang Jue actually considered that idea and looked at Yan Yunli, then nodded. “Good point.”

Congratulations! You’ve unlocked the achievement: “Fang Jue’s Approval.”

Fang Jue didn’t say much more, but his gaze at Yan Yunli made him feel a bit uneasy.

The next day, Fang Jue returned home to find a table full of delicious dishes prepared by his parents.

Upon entering, Fang Jue saw his mother busy in the kitchen and his father helping set the table. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia. He had forgotten the last time they had such an elaborate meal together.

Seeing him, his mother wiped her hands on her apron and helped him take off his backpack. His father was already carrying his luggage upstairs.

Fang Jue wanted to help, but his mother insisted he sit down and handed him a pair of chopsticks to taste the dishes.

After sampling a familiar taste, Fang Jue felt his eyes moisten slightly, but he blinked away the tears before they could fall. He smiled and nodded, taking another bite. “It’s delicious!”

During the meal, his parents asked about his university life, concerned that he might be having a hard time adjusting.

As Fang Jue shared his experiences, he naturally mentioned Yan Yunli. His parents noticed his happy demeanor when talking about his friend, and his mother smiled, saying, “It looks like our little Jue has made some good friends.”

Fang Jue was about to discuss inviting Yunli to their home for a visit when his father mentioned their plans for the National Day holiday. “A friend invited us to join them on a trip during the first few days of the holiday. They suggested that both our families spend the National Day together. We haven’t confirmed yet, waiting for your input.”

Fang Jue had no particular plans, and even if he did, he wouldn’t let his parents accompany him. So, he readily agreed.

The one-week vacation passed quickly, and Fang Jue successfully reconnected with the warmth of his family. He no longer felt out of place.

During these days, he hadn’t forgotten his “surveillance.”

Every day, he would chat with Yunli, sharing his daily life, and then transition into asking about Yunli’s daily activities. He would subtly inquire if Yunli had made any new acquaintances.

He firmly believed that Yunli wouldn’t lie about such trivial matters. In Yunli’s eyes, these were just normal conversations between friends, asking about what they were doing and if anything interesting had happened.

As the short vacation was coming to an end, Fang Jue’s mother prepared a pile of snacks for him to take back to his roommates.

Fang Jue tried to convince her to reduce the amount, and she reluctantly agreed after cutting the portions in half.

On this day, when Fang Jue was away, Yunli had just returned from his morning run. He noticed Fang Jue’s message.

【Fang Jue: Roommate, my luggage is so heavy~】

【Fang Jue: Guess what’s inside

【My mom gave me some local specialties for you guys!】

Yunli replied, “You’ve worked hard,” and then had another question.

【Yunli: Do you want some sweets? There’s a nice shop near my place.】

The shop wasn’t large, but it had unique and delicious treats. Yunli didn’t eat many sweets himself, so he couldn’t compare, but according to his sister, there was no place else that could replicate the flavors.

Fang Jue quickly replied.

【Fang Jue: Sure, bring me some cookies or something. It’ll be more convenient for you to bring them to school.】

【Fang Jue: You’re such a kind roommate~】

After reading Fang Jue’s response, Yunli went to the shop to pick up some treats. He also noticed a cake that seemed familiar.

Upon asking the shopkeeper, he confirmed that it was the same cake his sister had fallen in love with, but it had been discontinued. Today was the last day they had it in stock.

He sent a message to his sister, inquiring about her location, and she replied with the name of a café. She even sent him a photo.

Seeing her response, Yunli realized it wasn’t too far away. He decided to buy the cake and bring it to her since she would be at the café for a while.

These past few days, with Aunt Wen on vacation, Yunli had been cooking for himself. It happened that he also planned to go shopping and decided to bring the cake for Yanyan along.

Judging from Yanyan’s tone, she would probably be staying at the café for a while.

When he was about to arrive, he sent a message to Yanyan.

Yanyan didn’t reply, but when he reached the café, she was already waiting at the entrance.

Upon seeing him, Yanyan began to nervously fidget and glanced multiple times toward the café’s interior, seemingly worried that he hadn’t noticed. Yunli followed her gaze and noticed a casually dressed young man sitting at a table with several books piled up.

Yanyan’s anxious demeanor confirmed Yunli’s suspicions, so he offered, “Shall I help you take it inside?”

Yanyan quickly stopped him, “No need, no need, big brother, you’re busy, I can do it myself, hahaha…”

Seeing her flustered state, Yunli decided not to tease her further and gave her a reassuring smile, saying, “Study well.”

After saying that, Yunli went straight to the supermarket, completely unaware of what had just transpired on the slowly passing bus, much to Fang Jue’s astonishment.

At this moment, Fang Jue still maintained his position, leaning against the window.

Who would have guessed that he had casually glanced out the window just moments ago and unexpectedly witnessed Yunli in a heated exchange with a girl? Not long ago, they were discussing bringing cookies, and the next second, they were on the street delivering a cake.

Following the plot of the novel, there was no doubt that the girl he had seen just now was likely the female lead.

Despite all his precautions, Fang Jue had been caught off guard and deceived during his short vacation!