Lin Ting’s fingers hovered over the screen for a long while before she finally opened the long-dormant chat with 111.
She started politely: 【Long time no see. Are you still in the U.S.?】
After sending the message, she switched to another app, her heart involuntarily picking up pace.
Soon, a WeChat notification popped up.
111: 【What do you think?】
Lin Ting frowned slightly—looks like he really was still there.
She typed the question that had been lingering in her mind: 【Do you know Lu Hesheng?】
111: 【Lu Hesheng? Who’s that? Don’t know him.】
Lin Ting felt a twinge of disappointment. So there really was no connection between the two.
Just as she was about to say goodbye, extinguishing this unrealistic fantasy once and for all…
111 replied again: 【Oh, I remember now.】
【Seems to be quite famous in the overseas study circle.】
【Handsome, rich, smart, loyal, accomplished—he’s probably back in the country now.】
What?
Lin Ting stared at the glowing list of praises, suspecting 111 might secretly be a casual fan of Lu Hesheng.
Before she could reply, another message came: 【So… do you like him?】
Flustered, Lin Ting typed: 【Just asking casually.】
He seemed uninterested, simply responding: “Oh.”
Impulsively, she asked: 【By the way, you said you were going to pursue the girl you like in real life… did you succeed?】
111: 【Not yet.】
“Not yet”?
Those three words lingered in Lin Ting’s mind, stirring faint ripples in her heart.
After several days of rain and chilly weather, the sun finally came out.
Lin Ting met Qin Liangyan at a café near Jing University for a study session.
The atmosphere was perfect—everywhere, people were focused on studying or working, giving off a strong sense of energy.
With the recommendation-based graduate application season winding down, Lin Ting had contacted a few overseas study agencies and started preparing her materials.
Qin Liangyan, after finishing her required presentation slides, kept stealing glances at Lin Ting’s focused profile.
Noticing the heat of her gaze, Lin Ting looked up: “What’s wrong, Yanyan? Is there something on my face?”
Qin Liangyan let out an inexplicable sigh: “Tingbao, don’t you feel like time flies?”
“I feel like my memories are still stuck in freshman year, when we first met in the classroom, awkwardly introducing ourselves.”
“In the blink of an eye, we’re about to move on to the next stage of our lives.”
Lin Ting cupped her face in her hands, blinking earnestly: “Don’t worry! No matter where I go, I’ll always, always think of you.”
Qin Liangyan couldn’t handle her cuteness. Pretending to be annoyed, she waved her hand and changed the topic:
“Alright, enough of the sappy stuff. By the way… do you still have any contact with that Lu Hesheng?”
At the mention of his name, Lin Ting’s expression suddenly drooped again.
Seeing her hesitation, Qin Liangyan’s curiosity peaked: “Come on, spill it! I want the details. No fudging!”
Lin Ting finally shared the question that had been lingering:
“Here’s the thing—I have a friend who had a crush in high school.”
Qin Liangyan made an “oh~” sound in encouragement.
Lin Ting braced herself and continued: “Years later, she met the same person again in college. By chance, they ran into each other several times and hung out.”
“But he’s sometimes cold, sometimes teasing, and always likes to toy with girls.”
“That’s basically it.”
She lifted her eyes, confused, and looked at Qin Liangyan: “What do you think—what does he mean by all this?”
Qin Liangyan pinched her cheek and said sharply:
“What else could it mean? Lu Hesheng obviously likes you!”
“Guys don’t waste time on someone they’re not interested in. Period.”
Knowing Lin Ting had basically zero dating experience, she warned:
“But listen, Tingting, you have to be careful. Most likely, people like him are just playing around.”
“So either you stay away, or stay fully aware—otherwise, you’ll be the one who ends up hurt.”
Lin Ting nodded thoughtfully: “I see…”
So she wasn’t just imagining things…
So Lu Hesheng… actually did have some feelings for her, right?
At least, in the regretful, insecure years of her youth, she wasn’t performing a solo, unrequited act.
For Lin Ting, that was already enough to be grateful for.
After dinner at the café, they returned to campus. Night was gradually falling.
Not far away, the gymnasium was brightly lit, bustling with people.
Even though Lin Ting tried not to listen to outside happenings, she had been keeping tabs on student council messages in WeChat groups. Jing University was hosting the college basketball league.
Tonight, one of the players happened to be Qin Liangyan’s boyfriend.
Qin Liangyan had already secured tickets through internal connections. The two bought milk tea and eagerly sat in the front row.
It was Jing University vs. Hua University.
Probably because everyone loved a showdown between strong teams, the stands were nearly full.
While the match was still in warm-up, Lin Ting looked down at messages from the overseas study agency.
At that moment, a few student council members wearing work badges passed by, carrying large bags.
Their eyes landed on the two familiar faces in the front row.
They enthusiastically handed Lin Ting and Qin Liangyan cheering sticks, water bottles, and banners.
Lin Ting took them, glancing at the text.
She wondered if she was seeing things—but printed in bold were the three characters: “Lu Hesheng”.
At the same time, Qin Liangyan nudged her to watch the court.
The Jing University basketball team ran onto the court in uniform.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
There he was—Lu Hesheng, wearing jersey number 13. His bangs swept back, revealing sharp, clear features. The man looked spirited and confident.
His exposed limbs showed every muscular line, radiating power.
Completely different from his usual cold, casual demeanor, he looked aggressively handsome.
Lin Ting took a long sip of the iced milk tea in her hand.
Hmm… so hot.