I stared up at Asher, horrified. His expression was cold and indifferent, his gaze clear and icy. With his chiseled features and rebellious attitude, he looked like someone you shouldn’t mess with. His lips were pursed.

I didn’t hear him speak, so why did I hear his voice?

Confused, I strained to listen again.

The next second, the voice rang out once more:

Oh, she looked at me. All that effort dressing up this afternoon was worth it. Am I handsome? Please notice me. Her open mouth looks so adorably clueless—so cute. I’m blushing.

Even though I don’t have a lighter, you can still light up my heart.

I tentatively suggested, “How about I buy you a set of the same bedding?”

Asher’s cold demeanor suddenly cracked, and he seemed excited.

“No, no, no... that won’t work. My Peppa Pig bedding is a collector’s edition. I’ve had it for years and have sentimental feelings for it. Even if you buy another one, it won’t be the same.”

Hehe, three pieces for 100 dollars at the school gate. This isn’t a scam; it’s a way to find love. Wisdom fruit on the wisdom tree, you and me under the wisdom tree.

Lena, I’m begging you. Be my girlfriend.

Hearing those, I couldn’t help but thinking: Stop it! No need for that.

Hearing this, I finally understood. It seems like I can hear Asher’s inner thoughts. And he seems to be hitting on me.

That came out of nowhere.

“If you really mean it, apologize and take me to dinner.”

Asher looked ahead, casually strolling with his hands in his pockets. But his thoughts were a different story.

I’m so clever. She invites me to dinner, then I invite her. She invites me again, and I’ll invite her again. Eventually, we’ll end up eating together. Asher, you are going to have a girlfriend yet.

I agreed without thinking.

“What about your bedsheets?” I asked.

As soon as I spoke, he started walking with a slightly awkward gait, his ears turning red under the dim streetlight.

“It’s... it’s fine. I’ll wash it later.”

Ah, Lena cares about me. I’ll go to vendor’ stall at the school gate and buy ten or eight sets of bedding. The vendor wasn’t lying; pink bedding really does bring good luck in love.

I was stunned, thinking: the vendor was scamming you; you know.

We walked together and arrived at the Exotic Fruit Blend shop near the girl’s dorm. I felt the tension in the air ease, and he took a deep breath.

“Lena, I’ll treat you to Exotic Fruit Blend.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to—”

Before I could refuse, Asher had already ordered from the vendor.

I spent the whole afternoon browsing Lena’s WhatsApp space. I’ve figured out her favorites. She loves Tropical Mango Passion with Sapphire Pearls, Coconut Jelly, and Taro Puffs.

When I give it to her, she’ll definitely be touched and think that we have a special connection. It’s destiny.

Good for Asher.

We’re fated to be together; the bedsheet brings us together.

I have to admit, the Tropical Mango Passion was really sweet.

At the turn for the female dormitory, I said goodbye to Asher. His excited, handsome face fell into a pitiful expression.

“Are you leaving already?”

Damn curfew. You think you’re so great, making me lose my chance with her.

He took a step closer.

“Okay, I’ll take you in.”

I laughed and pointed at the dormitory guard at the door, teasing him. “Aren’t you worried she’ll kick you out for being a creep?”

Asher watched me leave with a scowl, but I could still hear his voice in his heart behind me.

I want to be with her.

I don’t want to say goodbye. I want to spend more time with her, even longer.

I really don’t want to see you go!

I heard the voice in his heart.

It felt like he had two sides of characters.

I just got back to the dorm when I got a message from Asher: “Want to go to Smoked Barbecue Platter tomorrow at noon?”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Sure,” I replied.

Looking out the window, I saw him bouncing around with excitement, practically cheering himself on. Even though I couldn’t hear him, I could practically feel his enthusiasm.

My roommates were all on edge, worried that the school bully might be trouble. Besides the bizarre fact that I could hear Asher’s thoughts, I told them everything honestly. I wanted them to see that he wasn’t as scary as the rumors suggested; he was actually pretty interesting and kind of charming.

Tessa, like the detective, circled me, scrutinizing every detail and pushing her glasses up. “Lena, look at you blushing. Do you have a crush for that Asher? You’re in trouble—you’re falling for him!”

Flushing, I tried to protest, “No... I haven’t...”

But they weren’t convinced. They started piecing together information I hadn’t even noticed.

“I remember Asher was into someone. Who was it again?” Tessa asked.

“It’s Isla, the beauty from the Civil Engineering Department. Last month, Asher got into a fight with a guy from her department and broke his bones.”

“Yeah, that was all over the campus forum,” Ava added. “You’ve got to be careful, or you’ll end up in a mess like that. Don’t become a love-struck fool.”

Ava pulled up the campus forum on her phone. The headline read: #School Bully’s Love Feud Almost Breaks Bones.

She patted my shoulder sympathetically. “Wise people don’t fall in love, but they do get rich.”

I tried to play it cool. “Let’s stay single together. Whoever gets out of singlehood first loses.”

But for some reason, my heart felt heavy.

That night, I had the weirdest dream. Asher was making a giant pancake, slathering it in sauce, adding a big onion, and then rolling me up in it. He said, “Lena, I’m going to roll you into the barbecue and eat you in one bite.”

I was terrified and tried to climb out along the onion, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t escape.

The next day after class, I went to the Smoked Barbecue Platter restaurant as planned. To my surprise, Asher was already there, waiting.

His hair was perfectly styled, with his bangs neatly floating on his forehead. The thick eyebrows that had been all over the place yesterday were now trimmed and calm, giving him a more controlled look.

Wow, I’m so nervous. How can a college student not go crazy? Do I look good today? I put in extra effort to look nice, just like she likes.

Why isn’t Lena here yet? I’ve been waiting for more than 20 years, so what’s a little longer? But I almost forgot the Smoked Barbecue Platter etiquette I stayed up late to learn. I’m so nervous.

Hearing his inner thoughts made me smile. Asher snapped out of his daze and noticed me.

“Lena... you’re here. You look tired. Did you stay up late?”

He was genuinely concerned.

“Haha, no, I just didn’t sleep well.”

I didn’t mention that I’d dreamt about him chasing me and that I couldn’t escape, even if I had wings.

To avoid embarrassment, I buried my head and kept flipping the skewers. But Asher stopped me.

“Lena! Don’t worry about it. Let us men handle the smoky chores.”