Not long after Peng Xue left Jiangcheng, Mei Fang and Xia Yuan proactively contacted her cousin Yanzi to learn about their band’s situation. They offered to help promote them through C-Site.

Yanzi came across as very easygoing on the phone. Even after learning Xia Yuan was the famous online singer “Yuanbao,” she didn’t seem particularly surprised. She gladly accepted Mei Fang’s offer of assistance. Regarding Peng Xue’s future, she was clear:

“Xuexue mainly just didn’t want to stay with her family. I brought her along to help her relax. Unlike us veterans in the band scene, she still has many opportunities ahead of her. She should gain more experience before striking out on her own. Rest assured, no matter how the band does this year, I’ll send her back by year’s end.”

Having been through hardships herself, Yanzi naturally didn’t want Peng Xue to repeat her mistakes. But she also understood the pressures Peng Xue faced at home better than Xia Yuan and Mei Fang did.

Yanzi’s thoughts aligned perfectly with Xia Yuan and Mei Fang’s, and both sides were pleased to find common ground.

If Peng Xue really couldn’t stand being with her family, Xia Yuan already planned to help arrange nearby housing so they could look out for each other.

When Lin Youxi asked why Xia Yuan didn’t just invite Peng Xue to live with them directly, Xia Yuan blushed and vaguely claimed she was worried Youxi and Xuexue might not get along.

Though she’d had some suspicions before—and Mei Fang had hinted at it since middle school—hearing Peng Xue openly admit she liked Mei Fang was entirely different.

Xia Yuan occasionally wondered if Peng Xue’s rush to prove herself might also have something to do with A-Fang.

But honestly, with someone as outstanding as A-Fang, it’d be strange if girls around him didn’t have crushes on him.

Thinking this, Xia Yuan sighed in relief. She knew she could be a bit scatterbrained, but thankfully, she had Youxi to help keep an eye on A-Fang. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure she could handle him alone…

After this incident, Xia Yuan became even clingier toward Mei Fang.

She even stuck to him during showers.

Compared to the whirlwind of the previous year, life in the second semester of their sophomore year was relatively calm.

Xia Yuan remained a prominent campus idol, occasionally giving interviews to school media and performing at events. She was a star student beloved by teachers.

After winning the NOIP first prize, Lin Youxi maintained her top academic performance and often gave speeches as an exemplary student representative.

Mei Fang’s grades remained stable. Due to the niche nature of game development, he rarely appeared on stage, only occasionally mentioned in school publications.

Balancing studies and life wasn’t easy. After school at 10 p.m., they still had to prepare meals, clean, and do laundry.

But they took turns with chores, each eager to help and care for the others. Though small squabbles arose, there were no major conflicts.

The gentle spring breeze in Jiangcheng was always fleeting. Almost as soon as the cherry blossoms scattered, the cicadas began chirping.

As the weather grew hotter, Jiangcheng Shiyi High switched to white short-sleeved uniforms.

This was when youthful, vibrant girls easily caught boys’ attention—but Xia Yuan now faced a new concern.

Staring at her reflection, she couldn’t shake the feeling something was off.

“Don’t you think… I’ve gained weight recently?”

“We have a scale. Just weigh yourself,” Mei Fang suggested as he changed out of his pajamas. “You bought it last winter—or was it the year before?—when you planned to jog every morning to lose weight. That lasted about three days.”

“Well, someone said I looked fine and didn’t need to diet!”

“You do look fine…”

As Mei Fang changed, a drowsy Lin Youxi draped herself over his bare shoulders.

Replenishing her “Super A-Fang Energy,” she rubbed her eyes and smiled at Xia Yuan. “But Yuan has gotten noticeably squishier.”

“W-what?! That obvious?!”

Xia Yuan panicked. Lin Youxi opened her eyes fully and added:

“Yep. Lately, whenever I wake up, A-Fang’s always cuddling you—never me.”

“Th-that’s because—”

“Because Yuan’s softer, right? I get it.”

Lin Youxi leaned into Mei Fang’s ear, turning it bright red.

He didn’t deny it, just leaned back against her. “Want to sleep in the middle tonight? I’ll hold you instead.”

“Hmm…”

Lin Youxi poked his cheek. “Don’t force yourself if you don’t like hugging me. That’s no fun.”

“I do like—”

“Stop flirting in front of me!”

Xia Yuan puffed her cheeks. “My weight is the real issue here! Have I really gotten that much chubbier?”

Mei Fang shook his head. “Not at all! You’re just… plumper now. Super comfy to squeeze.”

“That means I’m fat!”

“A little weight doesn’t matter. I wish I could gain some. Look—”

As Lin Youxi started unbuttoning her pajamas, Xia Yuan yelped, “No! Youxi! No lewdness this early!”

“You’ve seen it all before. Why so shy?”

Lin Youxi pinched Mei Fang’s shoulder, then whispered, “Yuan’s adorable, right?”

Mei Fang patted her hand. “You’re adorable too.”

“Stop teaming up to flirt with me! It feels so forced. I hate it.”

“I’m just being hon—mmph—mmph—”

Lin Youxi playfully muffled his protests with kisses.

Ignoring their antics, Xia Yuan finally found the scale and stepped on—only to nearly faint at the number.

“I’ve gained five whole pounds since last year!”

“Five pounds is normal. Fluctuations happen,” Mei Fang said, pulling on a shirt and jeans before checking the scale.

“Let me see how much you—”

“No peeking!”

Xia Yuan jumped off, fists clenched with determination. “I’m joining a gym! I’ll ask Yunyun for her trainer’s contact!”

“That gym’s too far. Just getting there would count as a workout. And I don’t like the idea of strangers hitting on you.”

Mei Fang patted her shoulder. “Just exercise at home. Youxi and I will supervise.”

“Will home workouts even work?”

Xia Yuan mumbled, “I’m afraid you and Youxi won’t have the heart to push me hard, and I’ll just end up plump again…”

“Not necessarily.”

Lin Youxi, already dressed, took Xia Yuan’s hand seriously. “If you want to lose weight, A-Fang and I will support you fully. He’ll plan the workouts; I’ll handle the diet.”

Mei Fang nodded. “I’ll ask Guo Yun for fitness tips—she’s experienced. I’ll join you too. Could use some exercise myself.”

“What’s wrong, A-Fang? Can’t keep up? I haven’t even gone all out yet~”

Lin Youxi deliberately steered the conversation into risqué territory, flustering Mei Fang.

“For health! This is purely for fitness! Get your mind out of the gutter!”

“Mm-hmm~”

Seeing her childhood friends so committed, Xia Yuan felt motivated.

“Then let’s start next week!”

“Why next week?”

“Because… I need to finish all the fried chicken, fries, and burgers I can’t eat during the diet first!”

“You call that a diet?!”

Mei Fang pinched Xia Yuan’s cheeks mercilessly.

---

Modern weight loss focuses less on exercise and more on calorie control—burn more than you consume. Hence the saying: “30% exercise, 70% diet.”

(Though with strict enough dieting, you could theoretically lose weight with zero exercise. Depends on your willpower.)

“Guo Yun says effective weight loss starts with less oil, fewer carbs, more protein. Here’s the revised meal plan.”

Ever the pragmatist, Lin Youxi unveiled the new menu the next day. As the household chef, diet design fell to her.

Breakfast: Half a sweet corn cob, one boiled egg, unsweetened soy milk
Lunch: Buckwheat noodles (100g) with cucumber shreds, chicken breast, broccoli, vinaigrette
Dinner: 200g black pepper steak, corn cup

Xia Yuan blinked. “This doesn’t look that bad. I thought diet food was all grass and salad.”

“Because you’d hate that. So would I.” Lin Youxi tapped the plan. “Breakfast and dinner at home. I’ll pack lunch—store it in the clubroom fridge. Summer heat spoils food fast.”

“I’ll drop it off mornings,” Mei Fang offered.

“As for workouts, Guo Yun recommends one hour of strength training plus 30 minutes cardio daily for muscle gain and fat loss.”

“What’s strength training? Like… dumbbells?”

“Part of it. I’ll order home equipment. Guo Yun will coach us this weekend.” He turned to Lin Youxi. “Wait—you never said if you’re joining.”

“I’ll pass.” She smiled. “Designing varied menus will take time. Can’t have Yuan getting bored.”

“Never! I’d never get tired of your cooking!” Xia Yuan beamed. “I believe in Youxi’s skills!”

---

While awaiting equipment, Mei Fang started morning jogs with Xia Yuan. In her sportswear, she looked determined.

Two laps around the complex later, Xia Yuan faltered.

“I… can’t… Go ahead…”

“No. We finish together.”

Mei Fang slowed his pace. “This is just flat ground. Hills will be worse.”

“I can do it! Just… ugh… fine!”

Panting, Xia Yuan matched his stride. Eventually, she found her rhythm—and breath to chat.

“A-Fang… do you think I’m a spoiled rich girl?”

“Still hung up on Peng Xue’s words?”

“A little.”

She wiped sweat. “I am luckier than most. But I’ve endured hardships too. I’m not that fragile.”

“Of course you have. Physics exams. Songwriting. Auditions. Standing up for others.”

Mei Fang smiled. “Maybe trivial to some, but your resilience then? That’s why I admire you.”

“Right?! So I can handle more! Compared to Xiaoyu and Xuexue, my life’s been easy. But I understand them. As for us three…”

She slowed again. “Our road is long. I won’t drag you and Youxi down. I can’t always rely on you.”

“Why so serious all of a—”

Mei Fang narrowed his eyes. “…Yuan. Are you stalling?”

“Wha— No! This is a pledge!”

“Pledge after four laps. No breaks. Weren’t you a tough Young Lady?”

“Ugh! Fine!”

Gritting her teeth, Xia Yuan finished the run.