In the dim rest room, Zhao Qingyu tossed and turned on the sofa bed, unable to find any trace of sleepiness no matter how hard she tried.
This rare chance for a midday nap had devolved into torment from her swirling thoughts.
Unable to sleep after all, she reluctantly opened her eyes and casually picked up the phone from the bedside table, tapping the screen to life.
The interface was empty, save for the wallpaper.
Oh, and a few boring app ads.
She opened her inbox. There were only the messages she had sent him—no replies at all.
She stared at it for a long time before slowly murmuring from her lips, “Does this guy not even play with his phone during class?”
What she really wanted to ask was: Why isn’t he replying?
Ah~
Was he really being this petty…? Even if he was mad, he could at least send a message back, right?
A chill frosted over Zhao Qingyu’s striking features. She set the phone down, rolled over, and pulled the blanket over herself.
Whatever. Reply if he wants to!
But with her mind still fixated on it, how could she possibly sleep soundly?
Meanwhile, on the main athletic field under the blazing sun, even the basketball court stood deserted and quiet. Only the testing area bustled with a crowd.
Having finished the sit-and-reach, height, and weight measurements, Shen Lianyao had completed all her assigned tests for this PE class.
The remaining events—standing long jump and running—would wait for next week’s session.
Now, all that was left was Shen An’s pull-ups.
She glanced back at him and said softly, “Go on and test. I’ll record for you.”
As she spoke, her small hand pointed toward the nearby pull-up testing station. This PE class wasn’t just for English Class One; students from other majors joined in too.
So even though English Class had few boys, pooling from other departments still gathered about a dozen guys.
Shen An was holding his phone, jotting down data as he muttered, “So you’re 1.67 meters. Pretty tall.”
A black line appeared on Shen Lianyao’s forehead. She said helplessly, “What’s the point of you remembering that?”
“There’s a point. At least now I know exactly how tall you are.”
Shen An smiled faintly.
Shen Lianyao scoffed coldly, “Our height difference isn’t even the ideal one. You should stop daydreaming about it.”
“Oh?” Shen An feigned surprise. “So you heard every word, huh?”
Shen Lianyao’s expression froze. She bluffed, “You were talking so loud. I’m not deaf. You think I wanted to listen?”
“Fine, fine. Record for me then—I’m heading over.”
Shen An turned and walked toward the pull-up station.
Shen Lianyao rolled her eyes at him and followed silently.
Over at the pull-ups, Yang Bin and Li Yun had only this event left too. They were lining up with the other boys.
Spotting Shen An, Yang Bin immediately slung an arm around his shoulder. “You haven’t done this one yet?”
“Nope. I was recording for her just now, so I only did the basics.”
Shen An jerked a thumb back at Shen Lianyao. Yang Bin glanced over—and met her blank, piercing stare.
Hiss…
Yang Bin’s heart skipped. He whispered hurriedly, “Wh-what? How’d you end up grouped with her?”
“What else? I can’t exactly go solo.” Shen An sighed. “Our class only has fifty-eight people. You two paired up, so she’s all I’ve got left. Two orphans.”
Uh…
Yang Bin thought about it. Yeah, that checked out.
From what he knew, Shen Lianyao and Shen An were the only ones in class not living in the dorms. They weren’t in the East District or West District—they were over in the North District apartments.
In other words, they had no roommates. They lived alone.
Yang Bin shot Shen An a wistful look and sighed. “Must be nice.”
“Nice how?”
“Peach blossom luck like that…” Yang Bin could only muster envy; words failed him.
Sure, English Class One had plenty of pretty girls—top-tier overall quality.
But pretty was relative; there were levels.
So the class beauties, the undisputed class flowers? Wang Yuqiong and Shen Lianyao. No one else even came close.
They were in the top tier looks-wise; everyone else ranked below.
Shen An laughed at that and shot back, “How about next time I pair with Li Yun? I’ll give you a shot with her—what do you say?”
Yang Bin’s face lit up. Was there really such a good deal?
He was about to nod eagerly when Shen Lianyao’s cool voice cut in from behind. “Can you guys stop chit-chatting? Finish the test first. The people ahead of you are done.”
Yang Bin swallowed the “yes” that had nearly escaped his throat, pretending nothing happened.
Shen An shrugged and ambled forward leisurely.
Yang Bin turned back with an awkward smile at Shen Lianyao.
But the grin came off a bit dopey.
Shen Lianyao, puzzled, arched a brow. The chill in her gaze nearly froze Yang Bin solid.
Hiss…
Yang Bin hurried to catch up. After some thought, he decided to pass.
Shen Lianyao was gorgeous, sure—but like a stone. An icy one.
Grouping with her promised no good fruits.
Yang Bin didn’t think he had what it took to handle her. Just eye contact felt pressurizing.
He leaned to Shen An’s ear, a mix of dejection and complication in his tone. “Yeah, she’s all yours.”
Turns out, cashing in on peach blossom luck required the right credentials.
Shen An patted his shoulder with a sigh. “Now you get the pressure your bro’s under, huh?”
Yang Bin nodded vigorously in agreement, then patted Shen An’s shoulder back.
Bro, tough break.
In that instant, the two struck the perfect pose of fellow sufferers.
Pull-ups weren’t easy to test.
For guys—especially modern male college students glued to their phones—this was pure agony.
The passing mark was ten or eleven; full score nineteen or twenty. Seemed fewer than girls’ sit-ups, but way tougher.
Pull-ups demanded all-around pulling strength, unlike sit-ups that mostly taxed the abs.
Take Yang Bin: He might hit full marks on girls’ sit-ups.
But pull-ups? Heart there, strength not. He’d jump up, hang, struggle—and barely eke out four or five before dropping.
When he came down, his hands were red-hot, skin nearly rubbed raw.
Next was Li Yun. His score wasn’t much better—worse, even. Three reps.
Now these two were the true fellow sufferers.
Neither dared glance at Shen Lianyao after, fearing the silent mockery curling her lips.
They mumbled a quick greeting to Shen An—”Catch you later for some ball”—and bolted.
Nor were they alone.
Maybe because girls were watching.
The other majors’ guys finished without banter, then scattered too.
None of the dozen passed.
Either thrashing like they were hanged, or gasping post-drop like they’d run 400-meter loops. Utterly embarrassing.
One by one they fled, until only Shen An stood there, isolated, with Shen Lianyao coldly observing beside him.
He seemed totally chill, casually twisting his waist and rubbing his wrists, in no rush.
Seeing the area clear out with no one around, Shen Lianyao felt a mischievous spark. She said, “What’re you dawdling for? Get up there.”
Shen An glanced back at her with a smile, saying nothing.
Shen Lianyao curved her lips faintly too—but her words dripped sarcasm. “Should I step away for a bit?”
The implication was clear: She figured he couldn’t do many.
Shen An drawled leisurely, “Thanks to you, everyone’s cleared out.”
Shen Lianyao arched a brow. “How’s that on me? They’re just weak.”
She sat casually somewhere, posture prim. “I didn’t say a word. Don’t dump this on me.”
Shen An chuckled lightly. “Not dumping—praising you. Your charm’s lethal; wherever you go, no men can survive.”
Guys cared about face.
Among dudes, flubs were fine—laugh them off together.
But with a girl around? Instinct kicked in to show off.
If she was stunning? That macho urge skyrocketed.
Basketball court proved it daily.
No girls: Leisurely wellness ball, like old folks strolling. Extra step was loss.
Girls present: NBA-level intensity.
Of course, court veterans were immune to the siren call—played their way.
So those dozen guys were just thin-skinned, green at embarrassing themselves before girls.
Shen Lianyao caught the sarcasm. Propping her chin, eyes playful: “And you?”
“Me?”
Shen An spoke flatly. “I’ve always been bold, the type to do what others wouldn’t dare.”
He lifted his head, gazing at the blazing sun overhead. “I’m telling you, if technology didn’t hold me back, I’d pluck that sun right out of the sky.”
Shen Lianyao pursed her lips. “Quit bragging and get to testing.”
“Why the rush?” Shen An turned back with a grin. “I wanted to spend a little more time with you.”
Shen Lianyao shot to her feet.
Shen An shrugged. “I know you hate hearing that kind of talk, and you don’t want to stick around me. But liking someone? That’s not wrong.”
“Even if my methods are low and my words shameful, my feelings for you are real.”
Shen Lianyao: . . . .
She crossed her arms and said coolly, “You really know how to broaden my horizons.”
“Tch. Call this your preventive shot,” he added. “So if you ever run into another smooth-talker like me, don’t buy a word of it.”
Shen An chuckled lightly. Then he leaped up suddenly, gripping the bar with steady hands.
One, two, three.
With his enhanced physique, thirty pull-ups in a minute was child’s play.
He finished with ease—exactly thirty, full marks, no more, no less.
He dropped down, turned, and brushed past Shen Lianyao. “There. You’re free.”
His words still hung in the air as he strode away without a backward glance.
All that remained was Shen Lianyao, standing there with a complicated expression.
She couldn’t help twisting her head to watch him—watch his retreating back as he reached the basketball court and greeted the others.
This guy . . .
Shen Lianyao pursed her small lips, an inexplicable irritation bubbling up inside her.
