Their eyes met, and the sealed memories were like a box of precious jewels being opened. That brilliant period of past years instantly appeared before them, her thoughts drifting back to eight years ago, that summer filled with youthful spirit.
The scene from back then was like yesterday, vivid in her memory.
Eight years ago, late summer and early autumn, with the scorching sun overhead.
Under the harsh sunlight in the T University campus, two males and one female – new college students – huddled in the tree shade eating popsicles to cool down.
Seeing her blowing on her fist, Jiang Zhiqi quickly accompanied her with a smile, saying with a flattering expression, “Haha, of course not! You’re talented, elegant, graceful, and a master of both arts and martial skills. In high school, countless female classmates were crazy about you, receiving love letters every day. How could I possibly have an opinion?”
Although he was male, he knew her fist was tougher than his and didn’t want to get beaten.
“Talented, elegant, graceful?” Shi Xuan raised her eyebrow, looking at him kindly. “Are you complimenting me?” Even with her androgynous appearance and style, she hadn’t forgotten her gender.
Throwing the finished popsicle stick on the ground, Jiang Zhiqi said with a roguish laugh, “What else? Do you want me to say you’re delicate as a flower, graceful, gentle, and demure? I’d get goosebumps just saying those insincere words.”
“Ah! Why did you step on me?!” He frowned and stared, hugging his foot and letting out a miserable cry. Indeed, honest words are hard to hear, and women can’t stand the truth.
“Pick up the trash. I’ve told you countless times not to litter, but you never listen.”
He glared at her resentfully, “What’s the big deal? Throwing it down won’t kill anyone. If you disable my foot, you’ll have to support me for life.”
“Okay, I’ll feed you arsenic every day and help you reincarnate quickly.”
“Ah, truly the most venomous woman’s heart!” Reluctantly picking up the popsicle stick he’d thrown on the ground, Jiang Zhiqi tried to throw it into the trash can as coolly as she did, but missed. Under her mocking gaze, he had to walk over, pick it up, and throw it in the trash can irritably.
Shi Xuan ignored him, turning her gaze to Huang Yingzhang, who looked somewhat dejected.
“Ah Zhang, why did you suddenly fall in love at first sight?”
“I bet this kid is just horny and falling for someone,” Jiang Zhiqi sneered.
Huang Yingzhang’s delicate face immediately turned awkward. “Don’t talk nonsense.”
“Am I talking nonsense? There must be a reason for your sudden love at first sight. Quickly confess, who have you fallen for?” Jiang Zhiqi asked eagerly.
“No such thing,” he insisted stubbornly, refusing to admit it. Love at first sight is beautiful only when mutual; otherwise, it becomes a tragic one-sided love.
He was too embarrassed to tell his friends that he had indeed fallen in love at first sight with a girl who didn’t care about him at all, her eyes only seeing that noble prince.
Knowing Huang Yingzhang was always shy, Shi Xuan stopped Jiang Zhiqi from continuing to interrogate him.
“Little Jiang, stop teasing him. Ah Zhang isn’t like you, in heat all year round.”
Daring to say he was in heat all year, he retorted, “Hey, at least I’m better than you two, who’ve never even dated.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the tree trunk. Shi Xuan’s casual and cool demeanor was so attractive that he almost wanted to whistle. Half-seriously and half-teasingly, he said, “Hey, Shi Xuan, now that you’re in college, you should find a boyfriend and date. Maybe you’ll become more feminine, or people might start suspecting you’re a lesbian.”
Huang Yingzhang looked at her with a smile, “What kind of guy would be worthy of Shi Xuan?”
Jiang Zhiqi agreed, “That’s true. Few men could handle having a girlfriend more attractive than themselves.” Standing next to her handsome self, anyone without comparable looks would be instantly overshadowed.
“Shi Xuan, if you like a boy, would you take the initiative?” Huang Yingzhang asked curiously.
“If I truly liked someone, I would actively pursue him,” she replied. She wasn’t a shy person. Once she wanted something, she’d always actively pursue it.
She believed matters of the heart would be no different – if she liked someone, why not take the initiative?!
“Oh, right, that’s exactly the feeling. How did you know?” Jiang Zhiqi looked at her in surprise, but saw her walking towards Wang Zi, “Hey, Shi Xuan, what are you doing?”
She revealed a silly, infatuated smile and turned back to say: “Now I believe love at first sight really exists.”
After saying this, she walked directly over. After An Zhang helped an elderly person who had fallen due to mobility issues, she opened her mouth and said, “Hello, my name is Shi Xuan. Please go out with me.”
In the twenty years of An Zhang’s life, many girls had confessed their love to him. However, this was the first time a girl had made such a direct request upon their first meeting. He carefully observed her for a moment before confirming she was indeed a woman, not a man.
Meeting her bright eyes, the words he was about to use to refuse suddenly stopped at the tip of his tongue and were swallowed back. Looking at her determined little face, he asked with a lazy, smiling voice: “Why?”
“Because I’ve fallen in love with you at first sight. I like you.” Shi Xuan said frankly, without concealment, her eyes sparkling brilliantly.
She was somewhat surprised by her impulsive actions without thinking, but she had never been someone who would regret. Since she had finally met someone who made her heart flutter, there was no reason to let him slip away.
An Zhang’s elegant lips curved into a smile. “Many people like me. If everyone made such a request, I’m afraid 365 days a year wouldn’t be enough.” His gaze was focused and sincere, making people feel no trace of pride in his words.
“Uh…” Shi Xuan was stunned. Under his gaze, her cheeks were quietly dyed with two bright red blushes, and she felt her heartbeat becoming more intense. “Then what would make you willing to go out with me?”
Interesting. He had never met such an intriguing girl before. His smile deepened, and a hint of interest passed through his eyes as he countered: “What benefits would I get from dating you?”
“Benefits?” She was momentarily blank. “Well… I’ll treat you very well.”
“How exactly?” He demanded a more specific explanation.
How exactly? She was dumbfounded, staring blankly at his attractive and elegant face. She didn’t consider herself a looks-obsessed person who judged by appearance, but looking at this beautiful face, she couldn’t help swallowing saliva, her brain temporarily short-circuited with infatuation, and stammered:
“I’ll buy you breakfast every morning, give you beautiful flowers and chocolates on Valentine’s Day, lend you class notes, and accompany you shopping, watching movies, and playing video games on holidays.” These were all dating techniques she’d learned from her male friends.
“Just that?” Did she see herself as a man and him as a woman?
“What else do you want?” Staring at his beautifully shaped, moist lips, she suddenly had an impulse to kiss his mouth.
An Zhang laughed, discovering she was truly an interesting girl.
“Would you really do everything I say?” His warm gaze swept over her.
“Within my capabilities, I’m willing to do so.”
“Like that…” Staring at her, he seemed to be considering, resting his chin in his hand. After a while, his lazy voice slowly spoke, “Okay, seeing that you seem quite sincere, I’ll give you a chance. As long as you can move me, I’ll date you.”
Jiang Zhiqi and Huang Yingzhang, who had also come over, were shocked speechless, unable to believe this girl was their high school classmate of three years.
