The classroom buzzed with chatter as the final bell rang. Students rushed out, laughing, calling each other's names, the sound of sneakers squeaking against the tiled floor.
Li Xinya sat frozen at her desk, clutching her phone like it was a lifeline. Her cheeks burned red, and her heart thumped so loudly she swore the entire class could hear it.
On the screen was a single message.Chen Yuxuan: "Want to walk home together?"
She nearly dropped the phone.
Chen Yuxuan—the top boy in school, the one every girl whispered about, the one who seemed so untouchably perfect—was her boyfriend now. They had only been official for two weeks, yet every time she saw his name, she felt like fainting.
"Xinyaaa," Mei Ruo, her best friend, leaned over with a sly grin. "Don't tell me you're already overthinking again."
"I-I'm not!" Xinya squeaked, shoving her phone into her bag. "I just… I don't want to mess anything up. He's too perfect, and I'm just…"
"A disaster?" Mei Ruo finished, laughing. "Relax. If he picked you, it means he actually likes disasters."
Xinya groaned, burying her face in her hands.
Outside the school gate.
Chen Yuxuan stood waiting under the shade of a tree, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed as if he belonged on the cover of some fashion magazine. His neat uniform, tall frame, and calm expression drew glances from passing students.
Xinya approached cautiously, smoothing her skirt for the fifth time. She muttered under her breath:"Rule #1 of being the perfect girlfriend: Always act graceful and ladylike."
"Hey," Yuxuan greeted, his voice low but warm.
"H-hello," she said, forcing a smile as she clasped her hands together delicately, trying to appear "graceful."
The problem? Her shoelace was untied.
She stepped forward, immediately tripped over it, and with a squeak, stumbled straight into Yuxuan's chest.
The world froze.
Xinya's face went crimson as she quickly pulled away, waving her hands frantically."I-I meant to do that! It was—uh—part of my… gracefulness training!"
For the first time that day, Yuxuan chuckled. Not a cold laugh, not a mocking one, but a soft sound that made her heart flip.
"You don't have to try so hard, you know," he said. He bent down, tied her shoelace in one swift motion, then stood again. "Just be yourself."
Xinya blinked at him, stunned.
As they started walking together, she quickly pulled out her small pink notebook and scribbled inside while he wasn't looking.
Rule #1: Always act graceful and ladylike.(Crossed out)
*New Rule: Don't fall… unless it's for him.
She hugged the notebook to her chest and smiled shyly. Maybe this "How to Love Your Boyfriend" project wasn't going to be as easy as she thought.