Yan Ningxi lowered her eyes in a seductive glance, and Ming You wished she could sprout wings and fly back. “Next time I’m home, you won’t hold back either. I’ll tell you—where’s the sexiness in that?”
She was at it again, letting her imagination run wild.
This time, she wasn’t just thinking about Yan Ningxi’s lips, but also her neck, her collarbone, and… so many other things.
A hint of shyness flashed in Yan Ningxi’s eyes, and the tips of her ears grew slightly hot. She pretended to be calm on the surface. “There are matches both days next weekend. Don’t rush back Sunday night nonstop again. Wait until this week is over before coming back. That way, you can free up more time, cook a few more dishes, and we can eat a couple more meals.”
The National Finals of the National College Hosting Competition were split into two rounds. Saturday was the top twenty into eight elimination round, and the championship match was Sunday afternoon at one.
“Got it. So if I don’t go home on weekends from now on, can I still video call you?”
“You can.” Yan Ningxi nodded and, after a brief moment of thought, told Ming You her weekend plans. “But next weekend, I have something going on too. My grad school advisor is turning sixty, and I’ve made plans with classmates to celebrate his birthday. We’ll all have dinner together, so video calling won’t be convenient. How about this—we’ll connect after ten at night.”
Ming You pouted, pretending to be hurt. “Guess that’s the way it has to be.” Then her tone shifted abruptly as she scraped her index finger over her nose tip. “Then Saturday night at ten next week, I’ll check in on time. If your classmates try to get you to drink and won’t let you leave, you tell them… tell them your little sister showed up, and if she doesn’t see you, she’ll throw a fit and cry nonstop.”
“Mm. Make sure you throw a good fit then.” Yan Ningxi was amused. “I see a bunch of unidentified flying insects under the light. Don’t stand there—head back to the dorm.”
“Sister Yan, I have something else I want to give you.”
“What is it?”
“Look!” Ming You raised her other hand. A golden rose appeared on screen, and she twirled it around. “Pretty? Little Pomelo original—one of a kind. No flower shop sells it.”
“Very pretty.” Yan Ningxi’s lips and eyes curved with smiles. “Does Hengchuan University have a lot of ginkgos too?”
“There’s a famous ginkgo avenue that’s gone viral online. I’ll take pictures for you tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Ming You waved reluctantly at the camera. “See you next week, Sister Yan.”
Yan Ningxi raised her hand too. “See you next week.”
After the video ended, Yan Ningxi clutched her chest, feeling her heartbeat, then patted her cheeks to cool down before going back to hanging laundry.
The balcony still had the outfits she and Ming You had worn yesterday. This morning, the base layer, jacket, and pants that Ming You had taken with her were ones they’d picked out together from the closet.
Gazing at Ming You’s clothes on the drying rack, Yan Ningxi felt like she wasn’t living alone anymore.
Qi Xuexin had once asked her to move into the new place with her, to keep each other company and chase away the boredom, but she had refused. She didn’t give Qi Xuexin any polite excuses about not wanting to trouble her or owe her favors. She simply said she wanted to live alone.
She had lived with her parents during her walking commute in middle and high school. She had roommates for four years of undergrad and three years of grad school. After starting work, she could finally live by herself.
For the past two years, she hadn’t felt lonely or empty at all. But after the video call with Ming You, she realized that the quiet house felt full on nights when Ming You was there.
Living with someone else wasn’t so bad.
Before bed, Yan Ningxi opened Moments and scrolled through. She saw that Ming You had posted a photo with text.
【The flower is lovely; the moon awaits perfection.】
The attached photo was the Apricot Leaf Rose that Ming You had “sent” her. The girl’s left thumb and index finger pinched the “stem,” snapped against the night sky with the flower and moon.
Clicking the profile picture, Moments showed only that one photo. Clicking further, there were no view restrictions, but the entire page still had just that single post. Ming You was like her in this—unless it was for work, she probably wouldn’t post anything, not even reposts.
Yan Ningxi went back to her own Moments. Under Ming You’s post, there was now a like and a comment from Qi Xuexin: 【Nice flower. Send one to your big sis.】
Ming You replied: 【This flower has an owner.】
…
With the “video call next Saturday” agreement in place, Ming You and Yan Ningxi’s contact was no longer limited to ten at night.
That week, she didn’t message Yan Ningxi at the exact same time every day, nor did every contact start from her side alone—because Yan Ningxi started messaging her proactively too.
The story progressed, the scripted feel faded, and their connection deepened.
On Saturday afternoon, Yan Ningxi flew to S City. She hadn’t told Luo Yongjun her flight info. But the attentive Luo Yongjun checked the flights between the two cities that day and, based on her phone being off during his call, estimated her arrival time.
In the bustling airport, Yan Ningxi pulled her small suitcase and had just exited arrivals when Luo Yongjun blocked her view. “Teacher Yan, surprised? Unexpected?”
Yan Ningxi’s expression remained neutral as she took a step back politely. “Senior Brother, you didn’t have to do this. I’ll take a cab—there’s navigation, so I won’t get lost.”
“I rented a car. It’s more convenient. Come on, I’ll take your bag.” Luo Yongjun reached out, but Yan Ningxi ignored his hand.
“No need, it’s not heavy.” She had only brought a change of clothes and minimal makeup.
Ming You’s elimination round results weren’t out yet, but she believed Ming You would advance for sure. Yan Ningxi’s original plan was to fly straight from S City to Hengyuan tomorrow morning, arriving just in time to watch at Hengchuan University.
She had bought tomorrow’s ticket but hadn’t told Ming You yet. Because she wanted to surprise her too.
In the car, Yan Ningxi propped her head and stared out the window, pretending to admire the scenery that wasn’t much to look at.
Originally, she didn’t dislike Luo Yongjun himself, nor his admiration and confession—after all, everyone had the right to like and pursue.
But Luo Yongjun was different from Xu Qiao.
Xu Qiao was a stranger with no real connection to her, so she could reject him outright without worrying about awkward future encounters or discomfort.
Luo Yongjun had helped her before. They shared a circle. Unless she cut off all contact with the professor and her grad school friends, she and he would always run into each other or need to interact.
Leave room for the future—easier to meet again.
“Nothing tomorrow? Let’s swing by the school?” Luo Yongjun wanted to create alone time.
“Something tomorrow. I bought a ticket—leaving in the morning.”
“So rushed? Where to?” His plan fell through, and disappointment was hard to hide.
“Meeting a friend.”
“Must be an important friend then. We’ll have to catch up next time.” The persistent Luo Yongjun tried to pivot to work topics to break through and ease the awkwardness in the car.
“You haven’t changed much these two years—still so concise with words. Teaching requires talking a lot every day. How do you manage?”
“Prepare the lesson plan, get the class ready, teach by the syllabus. In and out of class, students interact with the teacher too, asking questions actively. No need for me to make small talk.”
Luo Yongjun: “…”
Making small talk? That phrasing stung a bit.
This time, Yan Ningxi steeled herself. She had no romantic feelings for Luo Yongjun—none before, none in the future. No matter how much he fawned, even if he dug out his heart for her right then, she wouldn’t be moved.
…
Luo Yongjun dropped Yan Ningxi at the hotel for check-in. When she got upstairs, she found her room right next to his.
“A bunch of classmates are staying here too. Our rooms are close.” Luo Yongjun explained.
“Let me know when to head to the restaurant, Senior Brother.” Yan Ningxi closed the door.
She unpacked simply.
Checked her phone—four o’clock, still no message from Ming You.
Was she worried sick?
She had only said video calls would be at ten at night—no promise that good news would come sooner.
Just past five, Luo Yongjun called Yan Ningxi to head to the restaurant. “Dinner’s at six. I told everyone yesterday—we’re picking up Professor Zhang.”
Such deliberate moves made even Yan Ningxi’s lingering non-dislike for Luo Yongjun change. She followed him the whole way without comment, planning to speak little tonight, endure, and it would pass.
Professor Zhang saw his once-favorite “pair” coming to pick him up and joked, “Yongjun and Ningxi—you two are still as talented and beautiful, full of youthful vigor as back then.”
Luo Yongjun flattered, “Professor Zhang, you’re the one still sharp as ever, a model for the world, with students everywhere. All our careers and achievements today are thanks to your patient guidance and generous teaching.”
Yan Ningxi stood by the passenger door. “Professor Zhang, we can talk in the car.”
“I’ll sit in the back. A man’s passenger seat needs a pretty lady to make it proper. An old man like me fits the back—spacious, no crowding.”
Professor Zhang might be old, but age didn’t stop his gossip—after all, Luo Yongjun’s obvious intentions were known to the whole group.
…
Ming You didn’t contact Yan Ningxi all day.
As the dinner was about to start, Yan Ningxi, pulled into reminiscing by old classmates in the private room, couldn’t sit still. “Excuse me, you all chat. I need the restroom.”
Yan Ningxi took her phone to the hallway outside, breathed some fresh air, and messaged Ming You: 【Match over. Message me.】
Ming You and Gu Xirui had just finished dinner at the cafeteria when her phone chimed.
Ever since Yan Ningxi started reaching out proactively, Ming You had turned on WeChat notifications so she wouldn’t miss them.
Not sending the results wasn’t a strategy or teasing—it was her playing the good girl, not wanting to disturb Yan Ningxi during dinner. Having shared many meals with Yan Ningxi, her keen observation confirmed that no phones at the table was one of Yan Ningxi’s life principles.
【Ming You: Secured 8th, fought for 1st.】 A highly precise summary, not a wasted word.
【Yan Ningxi: Good. Stay in top form for the final battle.】
Gu Xirui heard the WeChat chime from Ming You’s phone and wondered aloud, “Miss Ming, your phone finally makes noise?”
Two years, and she’d never heard it once. So for urgent matters, she always called voice—her “privilege” with Ming You.
“Miss Gu, this is a phone, not a mute device.” Ming You’s witty remark made Gu Xirui’s eyes widen.
“That surprising?” Why did Gu Xirui look at her like she was a freak?
“Yes.” Gu Xirui nodded “frantically.”
“You’ll get used to it.”
“…” Actually, last month Gu Xirui had noticed a pinned friend on Ming You’s WeChat and wanted to ask but didn’t know how.
Before this semester, Ming You had frequented QQ, but after National Day, it was like she’d forgotten it—she rarely saw Ming You log in anymore.
With WeChat becoming Ming You’s new favorite on her phone, the changes were obvious to all.
She wasn’t as blunt in speech, not as cold. Unaware smiles increased, humor too.
In short, more “human.”
“Ahem, if,” Gu Xirui cleared her throat, “I mean if, hypothetically, you started dating, I’d be happy to share in your relationship joys or woes, analyze those ‘can’t see the forest for the trees’ moments. My lips are sealed.”
“???”
“Just casual talk—take it with a grain of salt.” Gu Xirui had no dating experience, not even crushes, and her thin skin made her embarrassed. “I’m off to the library.”
Watching her friend’s hasty retreat, Ming You stood there lost in thought. Moments later, she looked down and sent Yan Ningxi two more messages.
