Xia Yaojin lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to untangle her chaotic thoughts.
To be honest, whether in her past life or this one, the concept of “romance” had never crossed her mind.
In her previous life, from elementary school through university, her world consisted only of studying, competitions, and certificates. Love letters handed to her by classmates were tucked into textbooks to be used as bookmarks. When seniors she met through club activities invited her to the movies, she would say, “Sorry, I have to go to the library.”
Her friends teased her, calling her “asexual.” After serious reflection, she had nodded: “Perhaps. I think studying is much more interesting than dating.”
After transmigrating into the book, she thought she could continue this simple academic life. Wake up, morning run, attend class, hit the library, sleep a life as simple as a straight line.
Then, Zhu Yawen appeared.
There was that 50,000-yuan scholarship, the subtle gestures of care, that domineering protection in the cafeteria, and that comment about her carrying the “fragrance of books.”
Xia Yaojin rolled over and buried her face in her pillow.
She didn’t dislike Zhu Yawen in fact, she somewhat admired her. Having returned from a rebirth, Zhu Yawen was decisive, dumping the scumbag, reclaiming control of her family, and living a life that was both clear headed and powerful.
But admiration and “liking” someone were two different things.
As for love? She didn’t even know what that was supposed to feel like.
Her phone vibrated, the dormitory group chat was exploding again.
Zhou Xiaoyu: “JinJin! Quick, look at the forum! The ‘Wen Jin’ CP (Couple) Super Topic is live! It already has over 3,000 followers!”
Li Meng: “People are already writing fanfiction! I just saw one called The Daily Cohabitation of the Academic God and the School Belle. It’s so sweet!”
Wang Lu: “More than that! Someone is drawing a webcomic! The art style is gorgeous!”
Xia Yaojin clicked the link and saw the so-called CP Super Topic.
The pinned post was a meticulously drawn comic:
First frame: Zhu Yawen stealing glances at Xia Yaojin in the library.
Second frame: Zhu Yawen standing in front of Xia Yaojin to rebuke Gu Mingyuan in the cafeteria.
Third frame: The scene in the small garden where they “held hands” was artistically enhanced with pink bubbles and a rain of flower petals.
The comment section was a frenzy of excitement:
“Ahhh, I’m dying of sweetness!” “The way WenWen looks at JinJin is so deep!” “JinJin looks calm on the outside, but her heart must be racing!” “What kind of divine romance is this?!”
Xia Yaojin silently closed the page. Should she clarify? But what would be the use? It would only make the situation more sensational. Besides… Zhu Yawen didn’t seem to mind at all.
Thinking of Zhu Yawen, she remembered what she said during dinner: “After the assessment passes, I want to officially pursue you.”
Xia Yaojin covered her face. What should she do? She truly didn’t know how to respond.
A Shared Morning Run
Outside, the sound of light rain tapped against the window. Xia Yaojin stood up and walked to the glass. The silver threads of rain shimmered under the streetlights; the streets were empty.
Her gaze fell on her desk, piled high with competition materials, study notes, and that chibi keychain. The two little figures on the keychain were holding hands, smiling carefree.
Xia Yaojin picked up the keychain, stroking it gently. Perhaps letting things take their natural course was the best choice.
The next morning at 6:00 AM, Xia Yaojin went for her usual run. The post-rain air was fresh and damp, and the campus was quiet. As she approached the track, she saw an unexpected figure.
Zhu Yawen.
She was wearing athletic gear, her hair tied in a ponytail, doing stretches. Seeing Xia Yaojin, she smiled and waved.
“Morning,” Xia Yaojin walked over.
“Morning.” Zhu Yawen handed her a sports drink. “I came for a run too. Together?”
“Do you… usually run in the morning?”
“Since last week.” Zhu Yawen winked. “Health is important, isn’t it?”
Xia Yaojin nodded, and the two stepped onto the track together. It was a bit awkward at first, but once they started running, their rhythm synchronized. Zhu Yawen’s pace was well-controlled not too fast, not too slow, perfect for chatting.
“Do you always run at this time?” Zhu Yawen asked.
“Yeah, 6:00 to 6:30.”
“Then I’ll come at this time from now on,” Zhu Yawen said naturally.
Xia Yaojin glanced at her. “You don’t have to go out of your way…”
“It’s not out of my way,” Zhu Yawen interrupted. “I need the exercise, and running alone is boring. Running with you is just right.”
The explanation was airtight.
The Aftermath
After the run, they walked back to the dormitory area together. They encountered a few early rising students whose eyes lit up at the sight of them.
“WenWen! JinJin! Morning!” “You’re running together! That’s so lovely!”
Xia Yaojin remained silent, beginning to suspect the entire school had become “CP fans.”
“Morning,” Zhu Yawen replied naturally. “You guys are up early too.”
At the fork in the road, Xia Yaojin had to return to her dorm to change, while Zhu Yawen was headed toward the Arts Department.
“Then… I’ll head off first,” Xia Yaojin said.
“Okay,” Zhu Yawen nodded. “By the way, if you need help with the assessment, find me anytime.”
“Thanks.”
As Xia Yaojin turned to leave, Zhu Yawen suddenly called out, “Xia Yaojin.”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry too much about what others think,” Zhu Yawen said seriously. “Just be yourself. Whatever choice you make, I will respect it.”
Xia Yaojin froze for a moment, then nodded softly. “…Okay.”
Back at the dorm, her three roommates were huddled around a computer. They turned in unison the moment she entered.
“JinJin!” Zhou Xiaoyu’s eyes were sparkling. “You went running with Zhu Yawen?”
Xia Yaojin: “…How do you know?”
“Someone caught it on camera at the track!” Li Meng excitedly pulled up a photo. “Look! Running side by side! This looks like a scene from an idol drama!”
In the photo, set against the morning light, two figures ran together. It looked unrealistically beautiful.
“The forum is going crazy,” Wang Lu pointed at the screen. “The ‘Wen Jin’ Super Topic has surpassed 5,000 fans, and it’s the #1 trending topic on campus.”
Xia Yaojin sighed helplessly. She was starting to understand why celebrities needed bodyguards, this omnipresent attention was suffocating.
“JinJin,” Zhou Xiaoyu leaned in and whispered, “Honestly, what do you… actually feel about Zhu Yawen?”
The three roommates stared at her expectantly.
Xia Yaojin was silent for a moment. “…I don’t know.”
“What do you mean ‘don’t know’?”
“It means… I don’t dislike her, but I can’t say I like her either,” Xia Yaojin said truthfully. “I’ve never thought about dating. I don’t feel that way about anyone.”
“Does your heart race when you see her?” Li Meng asked.
“…No.”
“Do you want to be with her?”
“I don’t mind it, but I don’t actively seek it out.”
“Do you get jealous? Like, seeing her close to someone else?”
“No.”
The roommates looked at each other.
“So… you really don’t have feelings for her?” Zhou Xiaoyu asked.
Xia Yaojin nodded. “At least not right now.”
“Then Zhu Yawen’s side…”
“She said she’d respect my choice,” Xia Yaojin said. “So… I’ll just let nature take its course.”
The roommates exchanged glances, seeing the disappointment in each other’s eyes. Such a perfect “ship,” and it was a one way street?
But soon, Zhou Xiaoyu perked up again. “It’s okay! Feelings can be cultivated slowly! Just because you don’t like her now doesn’t mean you won’t later!”
Xia Yaojin gave up on explaining and went to shower.
In her morning Macroeconomics class, Xia Yaojin sat in the front row as usual. But today, the whispers from the back were unavoidable.
“…That’s her…” “…The one Zhu Yawen likes…” “…She’s a genius…”
The classroom only went quiet once the professor arrived.
During the break, Xia Yaojin went to the restroom and ran into Gu Mingyuan in the hallway. He looked much more haggard, with dark circles under his eyes. When he saw Xia Yaojin, his gaze turned dark and sullen, but he said nothing, walking straight past her.
Xia Yaojin could feel the palpable resentment in that look.
Gemini said
Upon returning to the classroom, she received a text from an unknown number: “Stay away from Zhu Yawen, or face the consequences.”
Xia Yaojin frowned and dialed the number back, but the phone was already switched off. She took a screenshot and sent it to Zhu Yawen.
Five minutes later, Zhu Yawen replied: “Understood. I’ll handle it.”
A minute after that, a second message arrived: “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”
Staring at those four words, Xia Yaojin felt an inexplicable sense of calm settle over her.
The “Bodyguard” Entourage
At lunch in the cafeteria, Xia Yaojin once again became the center of attention. This time, it wasn’t just one person, but a whole group. Chen Mo from Physics, Su Qing from Chemistry, Zhao Mingyu from Biology, Zhang Ming from Computer Science, Wang Zhe from Math, and Li Ting from Foreign Languages.
They carried their trays and naturally sat down around her.
“JinJin, the sweet and sour ribs are great today. I grabbed an extra serving for you,” Chen Mo said, handing over a food container.
“I made this fruit salad myself to help you get some vitamins,” Su Qing added, offering another box.
“I have yogurt…” “I have nuts…”
Looking at the mountain of food piled before her, Xia Yaojin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “What is all this…?”
“Refueling you!” Li Ting said matter-of-factly. “The assessment is coming up soon, you need to eat well.”
“Exactly! Health is the foundation of revolution!” Zhao Mingyu nodded vigorously.
A wave of warmth washed over Xia Yaojin. “Thank you, everyone.”
“Don’t mention it!” they chorused.
After finishing their meal, the group escorted Xia Yaojin to the library and it truly was an escort. With people in front, behind, and to her sides, the procession was so grand it looked like a head of state on tour.
Library Ambience
Zhu Yawen was waiting at the library entrance. Seeing Xia Yaojin surrounded by the crowd, she arched an eyebrow.
“Yawen!” Li Ting greeted her enthusiastically. “You’re here too!”
“Mm,” Zhu Yawen nodded, her eyes landing on Xia Yaojin. “I came to drop off some review materials.” She handed over a file folder. “These are past assessment questions compiled by Professor Chen from the Physics department, along with some of his personal annotations.”
Xia Yaojin took it. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Zhu Yawen smiled. “And all of you…?”
“We’re forming a support squad for JinJin!” Zhou Xiaoyu said excitedly. “Yawen, do you want to join?”
Zhu Yawen looked at the group, former top students from various departments who had now become Xia Yaojin’s loyal supporters. She laughed. “Of course. Count me in.”
“Yay!” the group cheered.
Looking at her passionate classmates, Xia Yaojin felt a surge of warmth. Perhaps life after transmigrating wasn’t as bad as she had imagined. At the very least, there were people here who genuinely cared for her.
Inside the library, Xia Yaojin began to study in earnest. The others found their own spots and read quietly. Zhu Yawen sat directly across from Xia Yaojin, occasionally glancing up at her before returning to her own work, she had brought a laptop and seemed to be handling business emails.
The evening sun spilled through the windows, casting warm patches of light across the desk. Having finished a set of physics problems, Xia Yaojin looked up to stretch her neck and caught Zhu Yawen’s gaze.
Zhu Yawen smiled and mouthed: “Rest if you’re tired.”
Xia Yaojin shook her head and went back to her books, but the corners of her mouth curled up ever so slightly.
An Investment in the Future
As evening approached, Xia Yaojin received a bank notification. It wasn’t the scholarship, but a transfer 50,000 yuan. The memo read: “Competition prize advance. Good luck on the assessment.”
Stunned, Xia Yaojin looked at Zhu Yawen. Zhu Yawen was closing her laptop; meeting her gaze, she gave a slight nod.
“Why?” Xia Yaojin mouthed.
Zhu Yawen smiled and wrote on a sticky note: “Investing in the future.”
Xia Yaojin stared at the four words with complex emotions. She wasn’t a fool, what Zhu Yawen was doing far exceeded the boundaries of ordinary friendship. But she didn’t know how to respond. Perhaps, as Zhu Yawen said, she should just let nature take its course.
By the time they left the library, it was dark. The group said their goodbyes and headed to their respective dorms. Zhu Yawen and Xia Yaojin walked behind.
“I’ll walk you back,” Zhu Yawen said.
“No need, it’s very close.”
“I’ll walk you anyway. It’s dark,” Zhu Yawen insisted.
They walked side by side under the streetlights, their shadows stretching long behind them.
“Xia Yaojin,” Zhu Yawen spoke suddenly. “You don’t need to feel pressured.”
“What?”
“I’m not doing these things to get something in return,” Zhu Yawen said seriously. “I just want to be good to you. It’s that simple. You don’t have to think about how to respond, and you don’t need to feel indebted.” She stopped and looked at her. “Just be yourself. Whatever you ultimately choose, I will respect it.”
Xia Yaojin looked at her, the lamplight shimmering in Zhu Yawen’s eyes. “Zhu Yawen,” she whispered, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Zhu Yawen laughed. “Come on, I’ll see you to your door.”
At the base of the dormitory, just as Xia Yaojin was about to enter, Zhu Yawen called out again. “By the way, I’ll be there to cheer for you on the day of the assessment.”
“…Okay.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
Xia Yaojin turned to go upstairs. At the corner of the staircase, she glanced back. Zhu Yawen was still standing under the streetlight, looking up toward Xia Yaojin’s window. Their eyes met across the distance. Zhu Yawen smiled and waved. Xia Yaojin waved back, then hurried upstairs.
The Final Stretch
Back in the dorm, her roommates had prepared late night snacks.
“JinJin! Come quick! The ‘Wen Jin’ CP Support Club is livestreaming tonight!” Zhou Xiaoyu shouted.
Xia Yaojin walked over and saw a group of girls on the screen decorating a room. The walls were covered with photos of her and Zhu Yawen, and the tables were filled with handmade support items. The streamer, a girl with glasses, said excitedly: “These are the assessment gifts we’re sending to JinJin and WenWen! A study gift pack for each, containing stationery, reference books, and cards we wrote by hand!”
The live chat was scrolling wildly:
“Go go go!” “Wen Jin forever!” “Academic God CP is the best!”
Looking at those unfamiliar faces and sincere blessings, Xia Yaojin felt a glow in her heart. Maybe she really shouldn’t overthink it. Let nature take its course, and just be herself.
Outside, the night grew deeper. But the hype for the “Wen Jin” CP was only continuing to heat up.
Xia Yaojin lay in bed and closed her eyes. She had to pass that assessment in three days. Not just for herself, but for all the people supporting her. Including… the one who said she would wait for her.
The rain started again, a gentle patter like a soft lullaby. Xia Yaojin drifted off to sleep. In her dream, there were no competitions or assessments only a tranquil sea of books. And there she was, swimming freely within it.