Wen Ruan, a cool and gentle ancient-book restoration enthusiast in the College of Liberal Arts at Mingde University, can't stand performative overwork. She prefers easygoing companionship and thoughtfulness in the little things. To her surprise, she becomes the object of four roommates' affections, all male students in Dorm 302, and each of them is bound to a very different reverse courtship System.
Jiang Yubai, the computer science department's study machine, is forced to stop grinding through practice problems and unlock the skill of “useless tenderness.” Lin Ye, a laid-back slacker, has to step outside his comfort zone and make an effort before he can earn more time to goof off. Chen Ye, a tech geek with social anxiety, must overcome himself and take on challenges that force him to become a social butterfly. The reverse Systems push the young men out of their comfort zones, leading to one hilarious and clumsy courtship spectacle after another on campus.
Only Ji Ran, a senior in Wen Ruan's department, has no System to help him. He simply stays quietly by her side, offering the warmth and sincerity that come naturally to him. On one side are the awkward, comical attempts at getting close to her, driven by the Systems' constant prodding. On the other is gentle companionship with no ulterior motive. As Wen Ruan navigates this unusual contest for her affection, she gradually learns to distinguish contrivance from sincerity, and her eventual choice becomes ever more intriguing. Meanwhile, the brothers in Dorm 302 also grow through their reverse courtship journey, searching for a balance between themselves and the lives they want to lead.
This coming-of-age story blends the bustle of campus life, comical System interactions, and sweet romantic moments built on small details. With its anti-overwork message and heartfelt, healing tone, it's lighthearted throughout, with no melodramatic twists, and follows young men and women as they grow together and offer one another warmth and companionship.
