"You men just can't take your eyes off pretty women."
"That's not me, how could I... Wait, Mengjie, wait for me!"
After the cultural class ended, Shen Mengjie left without even looking back.
Huang Fei called after her and shook his head helplessly.
"Did you piss her off again?" Li Longlong teased with a laugh.
"A woman's heart is as deep as the ocean—you'll get used to it," Xu Shuai patted his shoulder reassuringly.
Such things happened often between him and Wang Lijuan too.
Huang Fei sighed. Who could argue? Everything had been fine earlier...
Still, he hadn't forgotten his promise to Shen Mengjie. Turning to Long Aotian, he suggested, "Let’s hang out together sometime?"
"I'm fine with that," Long Aotian replied, glancing at Shen Mengjie’s retreating figure. "Shen Mengjie has a lot on her mind. Try to understand her slowly—relentless pursuit won’t work.""Your intentions are too obvious. Maybe start as friends first."
Shen Mengjie wasn’t some naive girl. On the contrary, she understood people well—specifically, the little schemes men harbored in their hearts...
Still, he remembered running into her when she came to the dorm looking for Huang Fei last Friday. That had to be a good sign, right?
"Yeah, I agree with Aotian," Xu Shuai chimed in.
When he and Wang Lijuan first started, they’d also approached things as friends. Only after finding common ground did their relationship slowly progress.
Huang Fei and Li Longlong, however, were exactly as Aotian had said—their intentions were too strong from the beginning.
Not that it was surprising. Huang Fei came from a wealthy family, a minor rich kid with resources.
Li Longlong was handsome, taller than even Aotian—advantages that worked in his favor.
Yet in the end, Li Longlong’s pursuit of Han Xiaojing ended before it even began.
As for Huang Fei, well, it wasn’t over, but it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing either.
"I know. Honestly, I’ve been trying to change lately, and Shen Mengjie has been talking to me more. But sometimes... it’s just... inexplicable. I don’t know if you guys get what I mean..."
Huang Fei sounded frustrated. There were moments when they got along perfectly fine, yet it always felt like there was some invisible barrier between them.
"Aotian warned you—chasing a girl like Shen Mengjie is exhausting. You didn’t listen..." Li Longlong checked his phone—a message from his senior. "See? This is why seniors are better. She’s asking if I’m done with class."
"What did you guys do for your dates and confessions?" Long Aotian suddenly asked Xu Shuai and Li Longlong.
The two blinked, then burst out laughing.
"Wow, something actually has Aotian stumped?" Jokes aside, they shared their experiences.
"With my senior, we’re still at the movie stage. I’m waiting for my next allowance so I can dress up, take her somewhere nice, maybe go shopping, and then make it official."
"Same here," Xu Shuai added.
"Remember when I took Lijuan out and we ran into you guys on the subway? After that, it was just movies, dinner, shopping, and then I confessed while we were walking in the park with bubble tea."
Xu Shuai’s smile was pure as he spoke. To him, this was the height of romance.
"Cliché. So cliché." Long Aotian shook his head. Dinner, shopping, movies—it was like a scripted dating routine. He wanted more for his little girl.
Besides, he’d already taken her to dinners and malls back in high school.
Now that he thought about it, he’d done everything couples do with her long before they were even a thing.
"Relax, Aotian. I might lack experience, but my theories are top-tier. I’ll help you plan the most romantic confession ever."
Back when he was single, Huang Fei had fantasized about how he’d spoil his future girlfriend.
This time, he’d repay Aotian’s help with the perfect plan.
Long Aotian didn’t refuse. More minds meant more ideas—he wasn’t afraid of failure, only imperfection.
In his heart, his little girl deserved nothing but the best. No reason needed—she was simply worth it.
He shook his head quickly, not daring to dwell on thoughts of her. The moment he did, he’d ache to see her, to hold her, to breathe in her sweet scent.
Otherwise, his heart would grow restless—this strange new feeling, like suddenly having an anchor in his life.
Her gentleness had made him greedy...
---
Meanwhile, at the gates of T University.
Xue Shaohua crossed his arms, eyes closed, exhaling deeply.
The moment he saw Hu Yuying this afternoon, he noticed the change in her.
Before, she’d radiated innocence. Now, she carried a soft, alluring charm—undeniable proof she’d been... well, cherished.
It left him bitter. If not for Ye Liangchen last time, he might’ve been the one listening to her, sharing those moments.
Suppressing his frustration, he flicked his hair confidently, making sure the earring on his left ear caught the light.
That earring had finally one-upped Ye Liangchen in style—and, crucially, caught Shen Mengjie’s attention.
Tonight, he’d come to T University hoping for a chance encounter with her.
Maybe then he could pour out his troubles and win her admiration.
After all, he’d been the one to catch her eye first...
"What are you doing here?"
Xue Shaohua frowned at the voice and turned.
Then froze.
Because Ye Liangchen now had earrings in both ears.
"Copying me?" Xue Shaohua demanded.
"Copying you? Please. I’ve wanted piercings forever—you just beat me to it!" Ye Liangchen flicked his hair back. "As if I’d need to copy you."
Hands in pockets, he strolled up to Xue Shaohua, face-to-face, before scoffing. "You’ve been stealing my swagger this whole time. Did I complain?"
"Also, remember this—Shen Mengjie is my key to defeating Long Aotian. She’s not someone you can touch... not now, not ever."