“What are you looking at? Aren’t you going to eat? It’ll get cold soon, and it won’t taste as good.”
Shen An skillfully wielded his knife and fork, spearing a piece of meat and slipping it into his mouth. He chewed slowly. “By the way, next time we should try medium-rare. This eighty percent done is a bit too well-done.”
“Cut open a medium-rare steak, and you see just a hint of blood. The texture is perfect.”
“That said, I don’t know if this Western restaurant can pull it off. If we get the chance someday, I’ll make it for you myself.”
Wang Yuqiong lifted her tall glass and took a delicate sip of her drink, her eyes widening in surprise. “You know how to make Western food?”
“Of course. Don’t underestimate me—I can do both Chinese and Western cuisine.”
The corners of Shen An’s mouth curved up slightly. “And I’m not exaggerating when I say my skills could hold their own against the head chefs at some five-star hotels.”
“Then we definitely have to try it sometime.”
Wang Yuqiong let out a light laugh at his bold claims. “But I don’t like medium-rare. It looks all bloody and gross.”
“Got it. As long as you provide the ingredients, I can make it however you like.”
Shen An speared another piece and chewed steadily. “This place does a decent job overall, but the meat’s a bit tough.”
“Mm.”
Wang Yuqiong responded absentmindedly.
“Why haven’t you started eating yet? Don’t tell me you’re saving it for me?” Shen An pointed at her steak. “I could probably polish it off.”
“Get lost!”
Wang Yuqiong shot him a playful glare and picked up her knife and fork, slicing into it slowly.
Half an hour flew by in a rush. Shen An had already finished both set meals and was now nursing a Coke.
He let out a satisfied sigh.
Wang Yuqiong didn’t have much of an appetite. She’d only eaten two-thirds of her steak and couldn’t manage the rest.
The set meal steaks at this Western restaurant were generous in portion—and priced accordingly.
Compared to more affordable spots nearby, it didn’t draw big crowds. The place even felt a touch deserted.
But it would never go under.
There would always be people who came here to flaunt their refined taste.
The restaurant knew its audience well, so it kept prices high and leaned into the upscale vibe.
Wang Yuqiong set down her knife and fork and dabbed at her lips with a napkin. She glanced sideways and saw Shen An leaning back in his chair, eyes half-closed in utter contentment.
“I’ve got about a third left. Want it?”
She asked on purpose.
Shen An raised an eyebrow. “Even if I said yes, I bet you wouldn’t let me.”
“Of course I would.” Wang Yuqiong picked up her plate. “If you want it, I’m happy to give it to you.”
“Nah.” Shen An waved her off quickly. “No improper intimacy between men and women. We have to be careful about that sort of thing.”
Wang Yuqiong snorted. “Suddenly concerned about propriety now?”
“Got to be flexible.” Shen An tapped his temple with a teasing smile.
After resting for about ten more minutes, the pair—stuffed to the brim—got up to leave.
Shen An grabbed both suitcases without being asked, while Wang Yuqiong took the bill to pay.
They reached the bus stop right at nine o’clock.
“Hey, tomorrow’s classes are stacked, huh.”
Shen An searched for small talk while they waited.
Wang Yuqiong quietly fiddled with her phone. “Mm.”
Oh?
Shen An glanced at her sideways, thinking this girl was playing hard to get now?
Seeing that Wang Yuqiong wasn’t in the mood to chat, he didn’t push it. Instead, he gazed around, enjoying the evening breeze.
When the bus arrived, they boarded.
“North District first,” Wang Yuqiong said softly.
“Sure.”
Shen An nodded.
That had been his plan anyway—head back to the North District Apartment, drop off the books, then escort her to the East District.
The night wind whipped louder as the bus picked up speed.
Wang Yuqiong had gone unusually quiet. She wasn’t on her phone anymore. Instead, she turned toward the window, her gaze lost in the rushing scenery.
Clearly, she wasn’t admiring the view. She was lost in thought.
The wind tugged her long hair free again, the soft strands dancing playfully before brushing against her cheeks.
Shen An watched her from the side. In that moment, Wang Yuqiong embodied a contradictory beauty—serene yet disheveled, like a silent forest at midnight: vast and dark, alive with unseen chirps, inspiring awe for its expanse and dread for its depths.
They arrived at the North District Apartment and got off.
The streets were nearly empty, save for the rhythmic scrape of suitcase wheels on the pavement.
Shen An didn’t interrupt her reverie. He walked in silence, keeping pace calmly.
“Shen An.”
Wang Yuqiong suddenly snapped out of it, her voice breaking the quiet.
“Yeah?”
“I remember you live in Building D, Room 1301, right?” she asked.
“How’d you know that?” Shen An chuckled lightly.
“I told you before—I checked your file.”
“So you’ve had your eye on me from the start?” Shen An smiled meaningfully.
Wang Yuqiong didn’t deny it. Instead, she owned up freely. “No choice. There are only three guys in our class, and you’re the standout. Paying extra attention to you is only natural.”
She winked playfully. “After all, I’m just an ordinary girl. Sometimes I can’t help being a little shallow.”
“You’re pretty stunning yourself,” Shen An said in a low voice. “I was honestly caught off guard at our first class meeting.”
“Pfft.” Wang Yuqiong giggled. “Dazzled by my beauty?”
“Yeah.”
Shen An was straightforward. “The moment you walked in, my eyes were on you.”
“After all, I’m just an ordinary guy.”
Wang Yuqiong stopped short. Her bright eyes sparkled like stars, reflecting Shen An’s image.
“Hm?”
“Really? I got the feeling you didn’t have me on your radar.”
Wang Yuqiong tucked a strand of long hair behind her ear. “You wouldn’t be saying nice things just to cheer me up, would you?”
“That’s the clever part of observation.”
Shen An’s voice softened. “I watch you without making it obvious, so you don’t notice.”
“Oh? Got a lot of practice? How many girls have you eyed up like that?”
“Not too many, not too few. Just one.”
The corners of Shen An’s mouth quirked up. “Just you.”
The breeze swept across their cheeks, brushing their hearts as well.
Wang Yuqiong tilted her head up to look at him. She stared for a long moment before saying, “Are you trying to embarrass me again?”
Her gaze held a warning flicker, mingled with a hint of tangled grievance.
He always dashed her hopes, but just when she stopped expecting anything, he’d tease her out of nowhere.
“I’m serious.”
Shen An raised his hand and gently stroked her long hair in an intimate gesture. “You’re just that special. One of a kind.”
Wang Yuqiong narrowed her eyes, savoring his touch, forgiving his boldness, and hoping he meant every word.
“Then why didn’t you vote for me?”
“I explained already.” Shen An sighed. “Don’t be so petty.”
“Why can’t I be petty?” Wang Yuqiong pouted. “Girls are petty. I’m no exception.”
“Fine, fine. Next time you run, I’ll vote for you.”
Shen An’s tone was gentle. “I’ll give you all my votes. Happy now?”
“Then why were you so aloof with me at first?” Wang Yuqiong pressed on, as if determined to air every little grievance at once.
“I wasn’t.” Shen An’s eyes darted away.
“You were.” Wang Yuqiong stepped closer. “I could tell.”
“Uh…” Shen An couldn’t dodge it anymore and had to lay his cards on the table. “At first, I thought you were a lot like me.”
“You’re good at hyping yourself up, seizing opportunities, and actively shaping situations to your advantage.”
“But I don’t really like people like that.”
Shen An gazed into her beautiful eyes, his voice soft. “You seem nice to everyone, but really, you’re just average to all of them.”
“So my first impression of you wasn’t great.”
Wang Yuqiong pursed her lips. “I’ve heard that one before.”
Shen An shook his head slightly. “Thing is, I’m exactly like that.”
“I welcome everyone, act friendly, but always keep a careful distance.”
Wang Yuqiong shook her head too. “I’ve heard that about you too.”
Shen An couldn’t resist ruffling her silky hair again. “Pretty contradictory, right? Truth is, I lied to you last time.”
“You’re not like that. I know now. You’re different from me—that’s why we can be friends.”
“People don’t like their own shadows. The shadow knows it, too, so it never stands with the person.”
His unwitting self-mockery tugged at Wang Yuqiong’s heartstrings.
She couldn’t help but take his hand, stroking the back of it as she shook her head. “I get it.”
“People don’t like their shadows, but they can’t escape them, right?”
Shen An blinked, then smiled warmly. “What’s with the sudden sentimentality?”
Wang Yuqiong pouted. “You started it.”
She let go and looked down. “See? This is nice, isn’t it?”
“You talk openly, I talk openly. Why push me to be your shadow?”
“I never pushed you.” Shen An shook his head quickly.
“Whatever~” Wang Yuqiong wrinkled her exquisite nose, then broke into a smile as she murmured, “If you don’t like the old me, then that’s perfect.”
“Huh?”
Shen An hadn’t caught her words clearly.
“Huh what? Hurry up and go, or you’ll end up turning back again!”
Wang Yuqiong urged him.
“Alright, alright.”
Shen An could tell her mood was a bit off, so he didn’t want to tease her any further.
When they reached the entrance to Building D, Shen An said softly, “Wait here for me. I’ll be down in a flash.”
Wang Yuqiong nodded slightly. But as soon as Shen An took a step forward, she suddenly grabbed his hand. “Shen An.”
“Yeah?”
“What’s wrong? You’re not scared of the dark, are you? Don’t worry, it’s safe around here.”
“No.” Wang Yuqiong’s voice was gentle. “I’ll go up with you.”
Shen An: ???
“Uh… I can handle it on my own.”
“Wouldn’t it be better with two of us? I’ve never seen the North District Apartment before. I’ve only heard it’s really nice. This is the perfect chance for me to check it out.” Wang Yuqiong put on a pitiful look.
“Well…”
Shen An hesitated at once.
“Let’s go up together, okay?” Wang Yuqiong clung tightly to his arm. “Is there something you don’t want me to see?”
“Of course not!” Shen An denied it quickly.
“Then what’s the big deal? Like you said, we’re good bros. Isn’t it normal for bros to check out each other’s dorms?”
A sly curve tugged at Wang Yuqiong’s lips.
This was the plan she’d come up with after her moment of reflection just now.
Zhao Qingyu was right—Shen An wasn’t as simple as she’d thought. She’d been underestimating him all along.
After all, no one who lived in the North District Apartment was ordinary!
Setting aside any academic placements, the very fact that he lived there begged deeper questions.
She’d looked into Shen An’s background more than once. It was all perfectly ordinary—nothing special at all, aside from his gaokao scores.
But the more she thought about it now, the more suspicious it seemed.
Too ordinary…
It was almost like someone had deliberately covered something up!
That was why Wang Yuqiong wanted to go up and see for herself.
According to her original plan, that deliberate pause and question earlier had been meant to sell a moment of vulnerability. It would make her suggestion to visit his apartment feel less pushy and lower his defenses.
She hadn’t expected her ploy to backfire. Her show of weakness hadn’t swayed Shen An—instead, she’d been the one swayed by his teasing all over again.
So even though she sounded so smooth right now, her heart was a little uneasy.
Shen An’s place in her heart had grown heavier. She cared more now, which made her even more afraid of rejection—or worse, making him dislike her.
But if she let this chance slip, she worried it would put him on guard. Getting information next time would be even harder.
So…
Even if he hesitated, she had to see the plan through!
“Fine then.”
Shen An thought it over for a moment, looking reluctant, but he still agreed to Wang Yuqiong’s request.
“I wanted to talk to you about something anyway.”
See!
Wang Yuqiong’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of worry crossing them. “Talk about what?”
“Nothing. You’ll find out once we’re upstairs.”
Shen An said softly.
“Okay…”
Wang Yuqiong’s heart sank as her thoughts raced toward the worst possibilities.
What on earth…
