Zhu Yawen had a dream.
In the dream, she was back in that familiar corner of the library. Sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow across the desk.
Xia Yaojin wasn’t reading. Instead, she was looking at her sideways, a rare and distinct smile playing on her lips.
Then, Xia Yaojin leaned in and very softly kissed her lips.
It wasn’t a passionate, deep kiss, it was merely a touch like a butterfly landing on a petal, or a feather brushing the surface of water. It was so gentle it almost made one doubt if it had truly happened.
But Zhu Yawen felt the warmth of that kiss, along with the faint scent of ink and paper that always clung to Xia Yaojin.
In the dream, she wasn’t surprised or agitated. She simply accepted the kiss naturally and reached out to take Xia Yaojin’s hand.
Their fingers intertwined.
The sun was warm, the years were quiet and kind.
Zhu Yawen woke up at four in the morning.
Outside the window was a deep blue night sky, with a few stars still shining.
She lay in bed, not getting up immediately, but quietly savoring the dream. Her fingertips unconsciously brushed her own lips.
That kiss… felt too real.
It was so real she could almost recall the curve of Xia Yaojin’s trembling eyelashes and feel the warmth of her breath.
But she also knew clearly that it was just a dream.
In reality, Xia Yaojin might never proactively kiss her; she might not even ever understand the significance of a “kiss” within an intimate relationship.
Zhu Yawen sighed, sat up, and switched on the bedside lamp.
Mathematics notes and programming textbooks were spread across her desk, she was still working hard to keep up with Xia Yaojin’s world.
Her phone screen lit up with a notification from the forum.
She clicked it and saw the thread discussing the possibilities between her and Xia Yaojin. It had already grown to thousands of replies.
She scrolled through casually and found that even knowing Xia Yaojin might be an aromantic asexual, the “CP fans” (shippers) had not given up their fantasies.
On the contrary, they had begun creating various “hypothetical” fanfics.
[Trending Thread] “What if Jinjin Woke Up: A Collection of Daily Romance Fantasies for Wen Jin”
OP (Head of the CP Fanbase): Although we all know reality might be bone-dry, one must still have dreams! If one day a miracle happens and Jinjin really ends up with Wenwen, what would their life be like? Use your imagination and let’s enjoy some “sugar” in writing!
1st Floor (Foreign Languages Dept. Fanfic Writer): I’ll go first! 《Morning》 Xia Yaojin wakes up at 6:00 AM sharp and finds Zhu Yawen still asleep. She moves lightly to get out of bed for her morning run, but a half-awake Zhu Yawen pulls her wrist: “Five more minutes…” Xia Yaojin checks her watch and calculates seriously: “Five minutes is enough to run 800 meters, but considering the impact of your sleep quality on your efficiency for the day, it is permitted.” She lies back down and is pulled into Zhu Yawen’s arms. Five minutes later, Xia Yaojin sits up precisely: “Time is up.” Zhu Yawen smiles dizzily: “Jinjin, you’re so punctual.” “Time management is the foundation of efficiency,” Xia Yaojin says, though there is a faint smile at the corners of her mouth.
2nd Floor (Arts Dept. Artist): 《Afternoon》 Zhu Yawen is painting in the studio. Xia Yaojin is reading nearby. “Jinjin, is this light and shadow treatment correct?” Xia Yaojin looks up and pushes her glasses: “According to the angle of incidence, the shadow should be 15 degrees further to the left. Additionally, the color saturation could be lowered by 10% to better fit the emotional tone of this scene.” “So professional,” Zhu Yawen smiles while making the edits. “Then what is the ’emotional tone’ of this scene?” Xia Yaojin looks at the painting, then at Zhu Yawen, and says softly: “Tranquil happiness.” Zhu Yawen’s paintbrush pauses.
3rd Floor (Computer Science Dept. Programmer): 《Late Night》 Xia Yaojin is writing code, and Zhu Yawen has already urged her to go to bed for the third time. “This bug will be fixed in a moment,” Xia Yaojin says without looking up. “You’ve said that three times already,” Zhu Yawen says helplessly, pulling up a chair to sit beside her. “I’ll stay with you.” At 2:00 AM, the bug is finally resolved. Xia Yaojin breathes a sigh of relief, only to find Zhu Yawen asleep at the desk. She watches her quietly for a while, then leans over and very lightly kisses the top of her head. “Goodnight, Wenwen.” The voice is so soft only she can hear it.
4th Floor (Physics Dept. Student): 《Laboratory》 Xia Yaojin is doing an experiment. Zhu Yawen comes to deliver a meal. “There was a data error today, I have to redo it,” Xia Yaojin frowns. “Eat first. I’ll help you after you finish,” Zhu Yawen opens the lunchbox. “Do you know how?” “I don’t, but I can learn,” Zhu Yawen laughs. “You just have to teach me.” Later, people in the lab often see them working side by side, one explaining rigorously, the other listening intently. Someone asks: “Are you two dating or running a tutoring session?” Zhu Yawen replies: “Both.”
5th Floor (Math Dept. Student): 《Library》 Xia Yaojin is solving a difficult problem. Zhu Yawen is watching her. “Why are you always looking at me?” Xia Yaojin finally can’t help but ask. “Because you’re beautiful.” “That reason is insufficient. Based on probability, for every three minutes you look at me, you miss one page of reading time. In the long run, this is inefficient.” Zhu Yawen laughs: “But looking at you makes me happy. Happiness is emotional value, it can’t be measured solely by efficiency.” Xia Yaojin thinks for a moment and nods: “That makes sense. Then you may continue to look, but you must rest for one minute every ten minutes to avoid visual fatigue.”
“……Okay.”
6th Floor (Medical Student): 《Illness》
Xia Yaojin has a fever, it’s the first time she’s been sick in years.
Zhu Yawen takes time off to care for her, measuring her temperature, feeding her medicine, and brewing porridge.
“You shouldn’t waste your time here,” Xia Yaojin’s voice is raspy. “Your art exhibition submission is due next week.”
“You’re more important than the exhibition.” Zhu Yawen applies a cool towel to her forehead.
Xia Yaojin remains silent for a long time before saying: “According to statistical data, humans are prone to emotional dependency when ill. What I am saying now might not be objective.”
“Then don’t say it,” Zhu Yawen holds her hand. “Wait until you’re better to talk.”
After recovering, Xia Yaojin says: “I’ve checked the literature. Although emotional dependency originates from special circumstances, it can develop into stable attachment. So…”
She pauses: “You can continue holding my hand, if you are willing.”
7th Floor (All CP Fans): Ahhh, these fantasies are too beautiful! I don’t care! In my heart, they are already together!
Zhu Yawen watched these words, her eyes stinging slightly.
These fantasies were wonderful, so wonderful they almost made her believe that such a future was possible. But reason told her that the real Xia Yaojin might never perform such romantic gestures.
She put down her phone and walked to the window.
The horizon was already turning a pale “fish belly” white; a new day was about to begin. Her phone vibrated with a message from Xia Yaojin, she always woke up early.
“Good morning. Today we will discuss that Fourier transform problem you asked about yesterday. I have organized some materials.”
Zhu Yawen looked at this “Xia Yaojin style” morning greeting and smiled.
Perhaps reality would never be as romantic as dreams or fantasies. But the real Xia Yaojin would organize materials just to teach her the Fourier transform. The real Xia Yaojin would remember every single question she had ever asked. The real Xia Yaojin would allow her to step into her world and share the knowledge and thoughts she cherished most.
Wasn’t this its own kind of deep affection?
Zhu Yawen replied: “Good morning. Thank you. See you in the library in a bit.”
She washed up and changed. Before heading out, she took one last look at herself in the mirror. Her eyes held expectation, tenderness, and a trace of relief. She was no longer obsessed with whether she could “attain love.” She only cherished whether she could “provide companionship.”
And Xia Yaojin had given her permission to stay by her side. That was enough.
In the library, Xia Yaojin was already there as expected.
Several books and printed materials were spread out before her. Seeing Zhu Yawen arrive, she pointed to the seat next to her: “Sit. I’ll start from the basics.”
For the next hour, Xia Yaojin patiently explained the principles and applications of the Fourier transform. She was very meticulous, even drawing diagrams and writing out the derivations. Zhu Yawen listened intently. Though it was still a bit difficult, she could feel herself gradually understanding this once alien world.
When the explanation ended, Xia Yaojin asked: “Do you understand?”
“Mostly,” Zhu Yawen said honestly. “I might need a bit more time to digest it.”
“Mhm. Ask me if there’s anything you don’t get.” Xia Yaojin nodded, then took a small box out of her bag. “This is for you.”
Zhu Yawen was stunned: “What is this?”
“Hand cream,” Xia Yaojin said. “You frequently come into contact with pigments when painting; some chemical components are irritating to the skin. I formulated this in the lab, the ingredients are safer.”
Zhu Yawen took the box and opened it. Inside was a pale green paste emitting a faint, herbal scent.
“You… made this specifically for me?”
“Yes,” Xia Yaojin nodded. “I tested the formula along the way. The effect should be better than what’s commercially available.”
She spoke casually, as if it were just a routine experiment. But Zhu Yawen knew that behind Xia Yaojin’s “along the way” were hours of literature review, formula design, and lab testing. This tube of hand cream condensed Xia Yaojin’s version of care not romantic, but practical, never speaking of love, but full of intention.
“Thank you,” Zhu Yawen whispered, clutching the box tightly.
Xia Yaojin checked the time: “I should go to class. Continue looking over the materials and note down any questions.”
She stood up to leave, then turned back after a few steps: “By the way, are you sure you’re coming to watch the competition this weekend?”
“I’m sure.”
“Okay. I’ll save a seat for you then.” Xia Yaojin paused. “In the front row, so you can see clearly.”
With that, she turned and left.
Zhu Yawen sat in her place, looking at the hand cream in her hand and then at the back of Xia Yaojin as she walked away. Suddenly, she laughed.
Reality might not be as romantic as a dream. But the real Xia Yaojin would save a front row seat for her. She would make a tube of hand cream specifically for her. She would patiently teach her complex mathematics.
To her, these moments were the entire meaning of love.
She opened the hand cream and gently rubbed it onto the back of her hand. The herbal fragrance wafted out like spring, like a new birth. Like the beginning of everything beautiful.
On the forum, the CP fans were still heatedly discussing various fantasy scenarios. But Zhu Yawen knew she didn’t need fantasies. What she possessed was reality, real companionship, real care, and a real, slow, but steady approach.
That was enough.
Outside the window, the sunlight was just right.
On this new day, she and her genius scholar were still writing their own story in their own way. There was no world shaking confession, no romantic or passionate kiss.
But there was the library sunlight, the patient explanations, a special tube of hand cream, and a front row seat. These tiny, real points of light connected into a gentle sea of stars.
They illuminated Zhu Yawen’s entire world.
And perhaps, they were quietly changing Xia Yaojin’s universe as well.
Who knows? The future is long.
And for them, there are infinite possibilities.