Chapter 23

The next day, Tara was jolted awake by the alarm she had set.

She squinted at the time.

It was only seven o'clock.

Today was one of the few days Killian had to attend his major's core classes—the kind where attendance was mandatory.

She remembered that she had specifically set this alarm back then just to catch him at the right time and place.

With that thought, she fought through her grogginess and immediately sent Killian a WeChat message: [Killian, have you left for class yet?]

A moment later, Killian replied: [Downstairs, just about to leave.]

Seeing this, Tara panicked: [Wait! Don't leave yet! Wait seven minutes for me, I'll go with you!]

After sending the message, she immediately began to get ready at lightning speed.

Seven minutes later, downstairs at the Galaxy Building.

Killian stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning lazily against the car door. Before long, he saw a slender, petite figure running toward him, panting for breath.

Today she had changed into a pale pink sundress, looking exceptionally youthful and vibrant. As she ran, the layers of her pink-and-white hemline fluttered like a cluster of Begonia flowers in full, brilliant bloom.

"S-sorry."

Tara reached him with a final burst of effort, her breath uneven. "Kept you waiting, Killian. Let's go."

Killian gazed at her silently. Her large eyes were naturally bright and watery; now, simply from running too fast, a delicate rosy flush had crept into the corners of her eyes.

Her peach-pink lips were slightly parted due to her rapid breathing. The warm breath misted over her full Cupid’s bow, making her look particularly pitiable and lovely.

Yet, she was only slightly tired from a short run.

Even a flower grown in a greenhouse since childhood likely couldn't match a third of her delicate fragility.

"It's fine. Let's go." He withdrew his gaze and gentlemanly opened the passenger door for her.

It only took ten minutes for the car to reach the university.

It was still quite early before the 8:00 AM class started.

"Killian, did you eat breakfast?"

On the way to the classroom, Tara suddenly spoke up.

"I don't have the habit of eating breakfast," Killian said. He stole a glance at her from the corner of his eye, his gaze involuntarily landing on her dainty waist.

It looked so slender that it seemed one could easily snap it with just two hands.

She was truly a bit too thin.

Withdrawing his gaze, he said calmly and without changing his expression, "Come on, I'll go with you to buy breakfast."

"Huh?" Tara looked at him in surprise.

He looked back. "Not going?"

"Going, going, going!" Tara's eyes curved happily.

She hesitated for two seconds before summoning her courage to carefully hook her finger around his well-defined pinky.

Cassie had said that couples love to walk hand-in-hand.

Since she and Killian were still in the simulated romance phase, she had to take this opportunity to make it a natural habit for him.

At her sudden gesture, Killian’s pace faltered. He turned his head to look at her.

Tara looked back at him nervously.

Just when she was so tense she was about to retreat...

"Let's go."

He spoke softly, then unexpectedly took her loosely hooked hand and tucked it entirely into his broad, firm palm.

Feeling the warmth from his large hand, Tara’s expression froze for a second. Then, her ears turned a faint shade of red from joy.

It was working; it was really working.

It seemed that once Killian entered "romance mode," he was exceptionally gentler than usual.

And this was only a simulation.

If it was like this, then in the future, if she asked him to eat well, rest regularly, and smoke and drink less, would he possibly listen to her too?

The more Tara thought about it, the happier she became, and she even started humming a song under her breath.

Killian stared ahead calmly, but his peripheral vision caught every one of her small movements.

Is just holding hands really enough to make someone this happy?

"That’s all you’re eating?"

Coming out of the cafeteria, Killian looked at the purple potato cake and soy milk in Tara's hand, his dark brows slightly furrowed in inquiry.

Tara carried her breakfast and replied, "This is enough to be full."

And truthfully, she couldn't even finish it.

The food in Cafeteria No. 1 was known for being substantial; the portion of a single purple potato cake and a cup of soy milk was enormous. Every time Tara ate, she always had half left over.

But this time...

"Not eating?" He looked back at her and asked.

"I am," Tara gave him a gentle smile. "But I’m used to sitting down in the classroom before I eat."

Hearing this, Killian gave a quiet "Mhm" and didn't speak further.

"Hey, isn't that si— Tara?"

At the corner of the cafeteria, Ben stared at the girl's slender back, his eyes widening slightly. "She... why is she with that pretty boy Killian..."

He suddenly stopped as a thought occurred to him, then looked at the man beside him whose face was as dark as a pot's bottom. He asked cautiously, "Pan, what's going on here?"

"Did you two break up?"

Pan didn't say a word. He just remembered something, and his eyes filled with a poisonous resentment as he stared fixedly at the tall figure beside Tara.

Fifteen minutes later, in the Advanced Mathematics classroom for Computer Science Class 1.

With only five minutes left before class, Sam was originally slumped on his desk catching up on sleep, but he was suddenly slapped awake by his friend beside him.

"Holy crap, Sam! Look!"

Sam lifted his head grooggily and was caught off guard by the sight of Killian and Tara walking toward him, hand-in-hand.

He froze for a second.

The next second...

"Holy crap!"

"You... you two!" His sleepiness vanished instantly. He pointed at Killian and then at Tara, stuttering in total shock.

But after a moment, he suddenly realized something and relaxed, giving a cheeky grin. He called out loudly to Tara, "Hello, Sister-in-law!"

Hearing this, Tara's expression stiffened. she looked at Killian nervously.

They were only simulating; would he get angry?

Fortunately, he didn't seem to.

"Get in, don't block the way."

Killian reached out and heartlessly herded Sam and his friend further into the row, letting Tara sit in the middle seat.

"Hey, hello there, Sister-in-law~"

The moment Tara sat down and looked up, she met the eyes of the other friend who was winking at her.

He whispered to her, "Sister-in-law, you actually landed Brother Killian. That’s impressive!"

Hearing this, Tara's cheeks burned. She lowered her head shyly and then nervously looked back at Killian.

This time, would he get angry or explain their relationship?

"Breakfast is getting cold. Aren't you eating?"

It was an unexpected reaction.

The scene of him being angry or displeased that she had imagined never happened. He was being incredibly cooperative.

Tara's lips curved into a happy arc. "Eating now."

As she spoke, she used an extra transparent plastic bag she had picked up earlier to divide the purple potato cake in half and handed it to him.

Seeing this, Killian’s brows knitted slightly. "I don't—"

"It’s too much." Tara interrupted him, her expression troubled. "I don't want to waste it. Killian, help me out, okay?"

"You can't even finish this little bit?" Killian looked at her, truly unable to understand.

How was this "a little bit"?

This purple potato cake was as big as her face!

Tara didn't say a word, just stared at him fixedly. Her big, watery eyes didn't blink once, looking quite stubborn.

Killian watched her silently for two seconds.

After a moment, as if admitting defeat, he helplessly reached out and took the half of the purple potato cake she offered.

Seeing this, Tara felt a surge of joy.

One "stomach-care tip" a day: start with a regular breakfast.

If he’s well, she’s well too!