Chapter 5

The class schedule wasn’t hard to get hold of, and Tang Tianman quickly figured out Zheng Xiyu’s whereabouts.

It just so happened that there was nothing after this class ended, so Tang Tianman timed it perfectly and sent a message.

– You there?

-Cute little bunny sayhi.gif

-Got something to trouble you with~~~

She waited confidently for Zheng Xiyu’s reply, to the point that the badminton specialization class students had all dispersed, and she didn’t even send Senior Brother to intercept anyone.

“What? No luck?” Senior Brother watched the last person leave, smiling as he asked Tang Tianman. “Or do you think I’m up for it?”

Tang Tianman flipped her phone back and forth: “Senior Brother, you’re very handsome, but something unexpected came up today.”

“Got it.” This senior was straightforward and didn’t say more, standing up to head out. “Then call me if you need me later.”

“Deal.” Ruan Ruan quickly said, “Thanks, Senior Brother.”

“You two still staying here?” Senior Brother asked.

Ruan Ruan looked at Tang Tianman, who blinked and said: “Until the administrator kicks us out.”

Senior Brother smiled, waved, and left.

The vast gymnasium suddenly held only Tang Tianman and Ruan Ruan.

“She hasn’t replied yet?” Ruan Ruan also peeked at Tang Tianman’s phone. “Maybe she’s on the way? Or didn’t bring her phone? You’re planning to shoot here, right? Call her—maybe she didn’t see the message.”

“Mm.” Tang Tianman stood and walked aside, dialing a voice call on WeChat.

“Whoa.” Ruan Ruan laughed behind her. “Keeping secrets from me, huh.”

Tang Tianman ignored her, staring at Zheng Xiyu’s WeChat profile picture on the screen.

It was a little kitten, weak and chirpy-looking.

The ringtone went on and on until it auto-disconnected.

“She really didn’t bring her phone.” Ruan Ruan walked up to her. “You really set on her?”

“What do you think?” Tang Tianman tilted her head to look at her.

“I vote for Zheng the junior.” Ruan Ruan pointed at the sky. “I’m obsessed with her face. If I could look like her… tsk tsk tsk.”

Tang Tianman pinched her cheek: “Lose some weight properly, and you’d be even prettier than her once you’re slim.”

“You always sweet-talk me. Still waiting?”

“Let’s head out first.” Tang Tianman saw someone entering. “There’ll be a ton of people coming in soon.”

“Then let’s grab food.”

“Dieting.”

“Start tomorrow. Today, Canteen 4—the tomato fish at that corner spot is amazing!”

The Literature Academy and Sports College were separated by just a road, with Canteen 4 on the Sports College side.

If Zheng Xiyu replied, they could meet up quickly for the shoot, and Tang Tianman thought that sounded good.

So the two really went for tomato fish. Tang Tianman took a bite of fish and checked her phone—this had been half an hour, and Zheng Xiyu still hadn’t replied.

“Forgot one possibility.” Ruan Ruan was devouring her rice soaked in soup. “Maybe she’s training.”

Tang Tianman nodded, holding her chopsticks and zoning out for a bit before suddenly saying: “You think she’s doing it on purpose?”

“Purposely what?” Ruan Ruan looked up at her.

“Purposely ignoring my messages. Even though I explained everything last night, maybe she didn’t believe me, thinks I really like her, so she’s dodging me on purpose?”

“Sis, let me tell you.” Ruan Ruan set down her chopsticks solemnly. “If you told me right now that you like me, even this steel-straight girl would get a little heart-fluttery. No way she’d dodge you—whoever does just has no taste.”

Tang Tianman: “I don’t like you.”

“Then I’m relieved.” Ruan Ruan went back to chowing down.

Three minutes later, Tang Tianman: “Did she see the school forum post?”

“That midday gossip about you? Wasn’t it deleted already?”

“But plenty of people saw it. Maybe she’s avoiding suspicion and doesn’t dare meet me.”

“My little auntie…” Ruan Ruan exclaimed.

“Who’s your auntie?”

“Tall Zheng, Tall Zheng is my auntie. Auntie, hurry up and reply to our Big Baby—she’s been missing you half the day, feels like three years apart…”

Tang Tianman snatched the big chunk of fish Ruan Ruan’s chopsticks had just touched.

They finished eating, but Zheng Xiyu still hadn’t replied to Tang Tianman.

Back at the dorm, Zheng Xiyu still hadn’t replied.

Tang Tianman was writing her paper in utter despair, slamming the table repeatedly.

Until Li Tong returned from the library and asked what this foul mood was about today—then Tang Tianman’s phone finally buzzed.

Incoming call: unknown number.

Location: N City, starting with special characters—a value-packed SIM from the telecom company partnered with N University.

Tang Tianman picked up: “Hello.”

“What do you need? I was training earlier.”

Tang Tianman kicked a chair and went to the balcony, even closing the balcony door.

Li Tong stared at her back, scratching her head in curiosity.

Night had fallen deep. Dormitory Building 9 faced the back mountain, pitch black with no light, only a half-moon visible above.

Tang Tianman asked knowingly: “Who is this?”

A pause, then obediently: “Zheng Xiyu.”

“How’d you get my number?” Tang Tianman pressed on purpose.

“Your WeChat ID.”

“I messaged you on WeChat—you could’ve just replied there, no need to call.”

“Worried it was urgent.”

“It’s not urgent anymore.”

A beep—Zheng Xiyu hung up.

Tang Tianman was incredulous, her hand with the phone not even leaving her ear yet.

Her mind exploded like a convention, mainly two factions: one yelling, She hung up on me! She hung up without even saying goodbye!

The other, more rational: Tang Tianman, you drama queen! Why are you acting like this today! Is this how you ask for a favor?!

The rational side won. Tang Tianman swallowed and prepared to apologize.

Phone just to her eyes, screen lit up.

You have 1 new WeChat message.

Another shake: 2 new WeChat messages.

Beep beep beep: 5 new WeChat messages.

Tang Tianman craned her neck, eyes wide, and gently swiped the screen open.

Messages from Weak Chirpy Little Kitten Zheng Xiyu:

-Sorry.

-Really was training.

-No phones allowed during training.

-Pic for proof.

The last was a photo of the training ground—bright lights, but blurry shot.

Just a casual snap: here’s where I am.

“Tch.” Tang Tianman stared at the photo, spotting a blurry silhouette.

Zheng Xiyu’s silhouette.

Fine, I’m not unreasonable. While typing on her phone to explain the favor, Tang Tianman thought: Forgiven.

Just sent, Zheng Xiyu replied:

-No problem.

Tang Tianman: ???

-Where to shoot?

Zheng Xiyu followed up immediately.

Tang Tianman: !!!

Her head buzzed warmly, body buzzing with excitement.

Zheng Xiyu’s photo still on screen—Tang Tianman quickly realized this spot was no worse than the gymnasium.

Fingers flew across the screen, replying just as fast.

-Right there where you train—okay?

-Okay.

-You still there now?

-Still here.

-How to get there?

-[Location sharing]

After waiting all afternoon, it resolved just like that, suddenly and swiftly.

Tang Tianman turned back to the dorm to pack. Li Tong saw her whirlwind and, fearing a repeat of the morning fiasco, asked: “Where you off to? Don’t forget stuff!”

“Photo shoot.” Tang Tianman replied.

“Camera lens battery memory card!” Li Tong yelled. “And the reflector light tripod stabilizer oh crap I’ve been with you a year and somehow know everything!”

Tang Tianman patted her bag: “Got ’em, no need for all that. You’re amazing—been with you a year and still can’t half-press the shutter.”

“Wang Yuyan still can’t do kung fu either.” Li Tong trailed her butt, asking: “Who’re you shooting?”

“Zheng Xiyu.” Tang Tianman slung her bag on and opened the dorm door.

“Her again? Need a little assistant? One who can do everything except half-press the shutter!” Li Tong clung to the door, shouting.

Tang Tianman waved cheerfully: “Nah! I’m good solo!”

The training hall was nearby, just out the south gate, across a street, down to the basement.

Tang Tianman had at most been to the school’s sports gymnasium before—never this place. Descending the narrow stairs, excitement bubbled uncontrollably.

Round a corner, push the door—volleyball smacking the wall.

Dull, but solid and powerful.

Just like the vibe Zheng Xiyu gave.

Tang Tianman crossed the hallway, another door—view opened up.

Expansive training court, soft plastic floor, lights on just one corner, illuminating a standard volleyball court in crisp detail.

Zheng Xiyu stood at the light’s edge, practicing digs against the wall.

She looked stunning.

Tang Tianman swiftly unzipped her bag’s side pocket, pulled out the camera.

Aimed at Zheng Xiyu, rapid shutter clicks—click click click. No need to review; she knew the shots were gorgeous.

Zheng Xiyu caught the ball and turned to look.

Tang Tianman’s eyes never left the viewfinder, zooming in to see bright eyes.

The light in them, and the tiny sweat beads on her forehead catching light—shimmering like stars in the dark night.

She set down the camera and called out to Zheng Xiyu, “No stars tonight.”

Zheng Xiyu walked over to her, spinning the ball absently in her hands. “The day after tomorrow’s supposed to be clear. We should be able to see them then.”

Tang Tianman smiled but let the comment pass. She glanced around at their surroundings. “Just you here by yourself?”

“Yeah, the others all headed back.” Zheng Xiyu nodded. “We can stick around until eleven.”

“Won’t take that long.” Tang Tianman waved the camera in her hand. “The lighting here’s perfect. As long as you do what I say, we’ll be done in no time.”

“Mm.” Zheng Xiyu curved her lips in a slight smile. “I’ll be good.”

Tang Tianman couldn’t quite get used to seeing such a tall girl—who towered over her, forcing her to crane her neck just to make eye contact—being so utterly compliant.

She waved her hand, gesturing toward the center of the lit-up court. “No one’s tossing you the ball. Does that mean you can’t spike?”

“I can.” Zheng Xiyu tossed the ball high into the air. “Just like a serve.”

Without warning, she leaped and slammed it down in a ferocious spike.

The volleyball crashed against the gym floor, the sound echoing fiercely through the empty venue.

Tang Tianman jumped in fright.

“Sorry.” Zheng Xiyu glanced at her.

That look over her shoulder… Tang Tianman suddenly realized Zheng Xiyu might not be quite as much of a pushover as she’d seemed.

She lifted the camera, double-checking on instinct. “Do what I say, okay?”

“Mm.” Zheng Xiyu moved into position. “Whatever you say goes.”