Sunday evening, Li Xinya sat cross-legged on her bed, diary open in front of her. She tapped her pen against her cheek.
"Okay, okay… Rule #2 was… edible. Barely. But he smiled, so it wasn't a total loss. Now, Rule #3 needs to be serious. Something elegant. Something every perfect girlfriend can do."
Her eyes lit up. She scribbled furiously:
Rule #3: Never let him see you angry. Always be calm and gentle!
She snapped the diary shut with satisfaction. "Yes! Grace under pressure. That's how I'll show him I'm the ideal girlfriend."
The Next Day – Classroom
Xinya was peacefully arranging her books when a classmate leaned over."Hey, is it true Chen Yuxuan is your boyfriend? Lucky you."
Her ears went hot. "U-uh, y-yeah…"
The girl sighed dramatically. "Wow. I wonder how long that'll last. He's too good for most people, you know?"
Xinya's eye twitched. Stay calm, Xinya. Rule #3! Rule #3!
But then she overheard another girl whisper, "I bet it's just a phase. He'll get bored."
Her pen snapped in half.
After School – At the Convenience Store
Xinya spotted Yuxuan standing by the drinks cooler, deciding between milk tea and soda. She marched up with a storm cloud practically over her head.
"Yuxuan!!" she barked, startling him so much he almost dropped the can.
"…Yes?" he asked cautiously.
She puffed her cheeks. "Some girls said you'll get bored of me! That I'm not good enough for you! Can you believe that?! The nerve!"
He blinked, then chuckled quietly. "Weren't you just telling me you wanted to be calm and graceful?"
Xinya froze. Oh no. Rule #3… FAILED.
She buried her face in her hands, groaning. "I'm the worst girlfriend ever. I can't even follow my own rules…"
But then she felt his hand gently pat the top of her head. She looked up, wide-eyed.
Yuxuan was smiling softly at her, his usual serious expression gone. "I don't care what they say. I chose you. That's enough."
Xinya's heart stuttered. His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, chasing away the sting of the gossip.
She quickly flipped open her diary and scribbled:
Rule #3: Never let him see you angry.(Crossed out)New Rule: Don't be afraid to show him the real you.
Her cheeks burned as she glanced at him. Maybe, just maybe, she was starting to learn how to love her boyfriend—her way.