Thursday afternoon.
On the podium, a middle-aged teacher sporting a pompadour droned on from the textbook.
Below, the students cradled their phones, each lost in their own worlds, occasionally whispering to the friends or roommates beside them.
It was probably because this wasn’t a major class that the teacher couldn’t be bothered to police what the students were doing.
At least when he took roll call, everyone was present—that was plenty of face for him.
Playing on phones was no big deal, especially not in a non-major class. Let them be.
As long as they weren’t in the front row flashing their screens right in his face or making noise to disrupt the class, he couldn’t care less.
It was all about keeping up appearances, mutual understanding, and mutual respect.
They were college students now. Those who wanted to learn would pay attention; forcing the rest was pointless.
Mo Xiangwen let out a yawn, feeling himself on the verge of nodding off.
He glanced sideways at Yan Nuoya beside him. She was propping her chin with her pen, eyes fixed ahead, her delicate brows slightly furrowed in what looked like earnest concentration.
Because they’d switched to the back row, she was sitting ramrod straight to see the projection screen clearly, her lithe curves on full display.
Well, even up front, she always sat prim and proper anyway.
She must have a real fondness for these cultural classes, he thought.
At first, he’d been influenced by her and tried to focus on the lecture.
But it hadn’t lasted long before drowsiness crept in.
He was clearly better suited to goal-oriented listening—at least professional classes didn’t make him this sleepy.
“What’s wrong?” Her soft question pulled him from his thoughts.
He collected himself and realized Yan Nuoya’s familiar face was right up in his.
To avoid disturbing others as much as possible, she’d leaned over slightly.
Her bright, captivating eyes were nearly close enough to touch, making him instinctively avert his gaze.
Only then did he notice how near they were—he could even catch the faint, fresh scent of her body wash.
“I was just thinking, it’s not a major class, but you’re still listening so seriously.”
No need to beat around the bush about something so minor, so he said it straight out.
“Mm, it is class, after all.” Yan Nuoya nodded lightly. “Besides, I’m a bit interested in what the teacher’s covering.”
Mo Xiangwen nodded in agreement, steeling himself to push through and keep listening.
But instead of turning back to the lecture, Yan Nuoya stayed put, staring at him motionless.
Her face, usually impassive or smiling, now showed rare traces of hesitation.
With a moment’s thought, he figured out what was troubling her.
Sure enough, she was like him in some ways, but not entirely.
Yan Nuoya was rational, sure, but she had plenty of emotional side too—and she was kinder than him.
Suddenly, he realized his initial approach had been off.
Even if hormones inevitably stirred some impulses in him, he’d seen too many cautionary tales to not guard against risks.
At his core, he was no longer just some ordinary college kid.
“If you want to help, then help.” Mo Xiangwen murmured softly. “I just needed a reason, that’s all. It’s not like I really didn’t want to.”
Yan Nuoya visibly relaxed at his words.
She hadn’t planned to bring it up again and had considered just taking on the counselor’s request herself. After all, that’s mainly what the counselor needed—her.
But as the counselor had said, she knew she wasn’t great at or fond of dealing with people.
If she handled the request alone, it would probably end up as a case of good intentions paving the road to disaster.
She’d been about to say it was fine if he didn’t want to, but that felt redundant.
Hesitating a little, Yan Nuoya asked, “Then… consider it me owing you a favor?”
Seeing her so conflicted and unsure was a rare sight. Mo Xiangwen couldn’t help but chuckle softly. But with class in session, he didn’t dare laugh too loudly and draw attention, leaving him stifling it uncomfortably.
It wasn’t until an embarrassed-into-anger Yan Nuoya glowered and jabbed his side hard with her finger that he finally settled down.
“What would I do with a favor from you?” Mo Xiangwen shook his head, still fighting a grin. “It’s just a little help. Don’t sweat it.”
After class, the two headed to the office once more.
Most teachers were still in lectures, so only a sparse three or five were working there.
Fortunately, their counselor Fu Qianping was in.
Her expression was its usual weary one, but it brightened the instant she saw them.
“You’re here. So, what’d you decide?”
Yan Nuoya said, “Yes, Teacher. We’ve decided to take on the task.”
Even though she’d guessed as much from their arrival, Fu Qianping let out a relieved breath at the answer she wanted.
“Thank goodness you agreed. Otherwise, I wouldn’t know how to talk Shishi out of it.” Fu Qianping grumbled. “No idea where she dug up this so-called ‘friend’ who says he can get her into the school.”
“Never mind if he’s good or bad—I can’t just hand my Shishi over to some stranger with no background.”
“The worst part is, she trusts him completely. I don’t get where she gets that kind of faith in a total unknown.”
For some reason, Mo Xiangwen felt like he’d taken an arrow to the knee.
Yan Nuoya said, “Sounds like he’s an H University student too. If so, why not have her introduce you to this friend?”
“I absolutely have to meet him.” Fu Qianping sighed, a touch of worry in her voice. “Otherwise, one day my daughter’s swept off by some creep, and I’m still in the dark.”
Mo Xiangwen hesitated before asking, “So, what’s the plan? Meet the guy at the school gate?”
Fu Qianping shook her head, her tone sharp. “No. I’m telling Shishi to have him come straight to the office. Let’s see if he dares.”
He started seriously weighing his options for self-preservation—maybe he should circle back and ask Bai Bai if her mom worked at H University.
“Oh, right—I forgot to tell you her name. Look at my memory.”
“Her name’s Bai Shishi, ‘Shi’ from the Classic of Poetry. She’s as cute as her name suggests.” Fu Qianping’s smile and tone were equally tender. “Bai Shishi’s a good kid. I’m sure you’ll like her.”
Mo Xiangwen froze on the spot, suddenly gripped by the impulse to flake on both sides.
