Shen Yusi had always lived casually and willfully since birth. She rarely blocked her family or friends from seeing her moments, as she saw no need.
After the tattoo picture was posted, it quickly garnered over a hundred likes. Comments kept popping up, all saying how beautiful it was.
Among them was one from Liang Xiao: [Boyfriend?]
He was asking if the ‘someone’ in the caption was her boyfriend.
Shen Yusi licked her teeth and replied: [No]
She continued to selectively reply to a few of her friends’ comments.
Scrolling down, she saw Xia Xifan’s: [Is it to cover that scar?]
Shen Yusi didn’t like to dwell on things. Xia Xifan had taken all the responsibility he needed to. There was no need to make him feel guilty.
Island: [Half the reason. I wanted one anyway.]
Fan X: [Very nice.]
Then another like notification popped up.
— Without Little Yang.
The same unchanging profile picture and ID.
Alright.
Shen Yusi put down her phone and waited quietly.
Three seconds later, the phone rang.
Shen Yusi picked up. “Hello, Dad.”
“You got a tattoo?”
“Yeah. There was a small scar on my ankle. It didn’t look good, so I wanted to cover it up.”
Shen Yanchu’s voice sounded a bit serious. “A scar? You were hurt? When?”
Shen Yusi answered vaguely, “I had a fall when school started. It was just a tiny scratch.”
Hearing this, Shen Yanchu’s voice softened. “Mm. Do you have enough money?”
“No.”
No matter how many times he asked this question, Shen Yusi always gave the same answer.
After all, who would complain about having too much money?
Shen Yanchu, as usual, was generous. “I’ll transfer some to you.”
“Okay.”
The silence stretched for almost a minute.
Just as Shen Yusi thought this routine check-in was over, Shen Yanchu spoke. “I have a work trip in Yunchang this weekend. I’ll come by your school to see you.”
“I’m having dinner with Auntie Shu on Saturday night. We can just do it together. I’ll let her know.”
“…Fine.”
Since his daughter was in Yunchang and relying on Yu Shushu’s care, Shen Yanchu had indeed been planning to visit.
Not long after hanging up, a seven-figure transfer appeared in her bank account.
Shen Yusi was still a little shocked by the long string of zeros.
So, this is what it’s like being in university.
At times like this, she would always immediately send a message: [Thanks, Dad]
While Shen Yusi occasionally envied the delicate care daughters received in ordinary families from their fathers, most of the time, she was grateful that she had a father who was good at making money, fast at transferring it, and didn’t bother her too much.
She seemed to have been born into a broken, single-parent family.
But in reality, Shen Yanchu had never missed a single important event in her life.
Because of her mother’s early death, she’d received even more love from her aunts, uncles, grandparents, and even her great-aunt and great-uncle, as well as her cousin.
So Shen Yusi never understood why other rich kids would say they didn’t need a lot of money but needed a lot of love.
Clearly, you could have both love and money at the same time.
In a great mood, Shen Yusi hummed a tune as she went to the bathroom to wash up, doing a face mask and hand mask while she was at it.
Her phone beeped.
Shen Yusi’s heart jumped. Did Lin Yingzhou message her?
She called out to Li Yu, who was passing by. “Dorm leader, I just got a message. Can you see who it is?”
Li Yu unlocked her phone and read it back. “Without Little Yang says ‘Go to bed early’.”
Shen Yusi didn’t like to put nicknames on people, so she kept her friends’ original IDs.
It wasn’t Lin Yingzhou.
Shen Yusi leaned back in her chair and nodded. “Oh, it’s my dad. Never mind. I’ll reply later.”
Li Yu let out a long “Ah.” “Your dad’s name is that?”
Shen Yusi was stunned for a second. “Oh, yeah. My mom’s name has the character ‘Yang’ in it.”
Xu Yiyi leaned in, impressed. “Wow, your parents are so sweet.”
Shen Yusi gave a dry laugh. “You think so?”
“I’m so jealous. My parents aren’t like that.”
“It’s okay. People just express love in different ways.”
And with that, the subject was dropped.
—
Shen Yusi’s cohort happened to hit a curriculum reform. All students in the Fine Arts College took foundation classes together, regardless of their major.
Classes like Sketching, Color Expression, Space and Form, and Chinese Art History.
Their respective major-specific classes wouldn’t start until their sophomore year. Shen Yusi had been admitted to Yun’s Fine Arts College with top marks in both her major and general studies. With her solid foundational skills, the current curriculum was no challenge for her.
Friday afternoon only had one class: Art History.
After class, her roommates went to the cafeteria together.
Shen Yusi didn’t join them. “I have to go to the Medical College. I won’t be eating with you guys.”
Her roommates assumed she was going to see Xie Sheng and didn’t ask any further.
And she was going to see Xie Sheng, but she just happened to pass by the classroom where Lin Yingzhou was having his class.
Her timing was perfect. At the intersection she was waiting at, students were walking past, holding psychology textbooks.
When she saw a familiar figure, Shen Yusi scurried over, neatly squeezing in between them. “Good morning, Seniors!”
Xu Huaichuan glanced sideways. “Good morning. We meet again.”
“You remember me, Senior?”
“We met yesterday. My memory isn’t that bad.”
Shen Yusi flashed a bright smile.
Lin Yingzhou only responded with a brief “Mm.” Ever since Shen Yusi appeared, his gaze had been unconsciously fixed on her ankle.
The plastic wrap was off. Considering the wound wasn’t fully healed, she was wearing a pair of black-and-white Mary Janes that exposed the top of her feet.
The snake pattern, tamed by the well-behaved shoes, seemed even more rebellious.
Lin Yingzhou was thinking about the dream he’d had the night before. He had held her ankle. The skin and flesh were so thin he could see the veins. It was so slender that a little force might break it.
And the feel…
Smooth and soft.
He could even smell the scent of roses on her.
Lin Yingzhou stared expressionlessly, then suddenly realized what he was doing. He quickly pulled his gaze away.
But Shen Yusi had already noticed his look.
She tilted her head to look at him. “Oh, Senior, you have dark circles! Didn’t you sleep well last night?”
Her voice, trailing at the end like a spider web soaked in water, brought back the suffocating feeling from his dream. Lin Yingzhou’s jaw tightened. The spine of his book was slightly deformed from his grip.
“I don’t.”
Shen Yusi found it strange. Why add the ‘I’?
Did adding the ‘I’ make the denial stronger?
She found it a little funny.
Xu Huaichuan stood to the side, watching them both thoughtfully.
As a friend, how could he not notice that Lin Yingzhou was distracted today?
The root of the problem seemed to have started yesterday, after that junior girl asked him to the cafeteria.
Xu Huaichuan soon had a bold idea.
Lin Yingzhou had never been in love before. The feeling of love was elusive and hard to pin down.
Shen Yusi seemed free-spirited and not the monogamous type. Maybe by the time Lin Yingzhou figured things out, she would have already lost interest in him.
Worried that his friend would regret it if he missed the boat, Xu Huaichuan felt he had to give him a little push.
He took the initiative to ask, “Junior, do you have any plans tonight? Yingzhou and I are going to a party with some friends. Do you want to come?”
Lin Yingzhou looked at him.
Shen Yusi also looked at Xu Huaichuan.
She didn’t understand why he was inviting her out of the blue, but she did want to go.
However, she had already made plans with Xie Sheng. And besides, she had only been planning to show her face today. She didn’t have any intentions of taking things further.
Shen Yusi smiled apologetically. “Sorry, I already made plans with my bestie. Maybe next time? I’ll treat you guys to a meal.”
Xu Huaichuan chuckled. “No worries. We’ll meet up some other time.”
Her face-time mission for today was complete. At the fork in the road, Shen Yusi waved and said, “See you later, Seniors!”
Watching her leave, Xu Huaichuan sighed. “Oh oh. We’ve been rejected.”
Lin Yingzhou looked up. “Are you that upset?”
“I’m fine. What about you?”
Lin Yingzhou didn’t answer and walked into the classroom first.
Xu Huaichuan hissed. He was trying to play matchmaker, but it looked like the clueless guy had mistaken him for a rival.
Shen Yusi texted Xie Sheng as she walked: [Where are you?]
Sheng Sheng: [At the gym]
Island: [What are you doing there? Have you started exercising?]
Sheng Sheng: [Watching some hot guys play basketball. You’re out of class this early?]
Island: [Yeah]
Sheng Sheng: [Then come find me quick]
Before she even entered the gymnasium, Shen Yusi could hear the noise.
When she entered the venue, the deafening murmur of the crowd mixed with the sharp screech of sneakers on the floor.
The circular stands were packed. The game on the court was in full swing.
Shen Yusi crouched low and weaved through the seats for a while before finally finding Xie Sheng.
She shoved a milk tea into Xie Sheng’s hands and was startled by the cheers around her.
“What’s this event? Such a big deal.”
Xie Sheng took a sip of her tea. “The intercollegiate basketball tournament.”
“No wonder.” Shen Yusi’s eyes swept over the passionate boys on the court. “I was wondering why you were here of all places. Checking out the eye candy, huh?”
The view from the front row was great. Amidst the sound of the whistle, a figure neatly intercepted the ball.
The athlete skillfully broke through the defense. As he jumped, his sneakers made a short screech on the floor. For a split second in the air, his hair flew, and the orange arc of the basketball was drawn.
Shen Yusi let out a hiss. “That… number 17?”
“It’s him.” Xie Sheng bit her straw.
The scoreboard flashed, adding points. Shen Yusi rested her chin on her hand. “He is pretty handsome, huh.”
“Oh, is he?” Xie Sheng dragged the word out slowly. “Who was it who said she didn’t have any feelings for him?”
“Thinking he’s handsome and having feelings for him are two different things, okay?” Shen Yusi chewed on a boba, her voice muffled. “Besides, he’s the culprit who made me get hurt on the first day of school. What feelings could I have had?”
Xie Sheng said slowly, “But I think he has feelings for you.”
Under normal circumstances, bumping into someone, apologizing, taking them to the hospital, giving them the medical fees and compensation. That should be the end of it.
Who does things like Xia Xifan? Bringing her meals every day, accompanying her to checkups, and messaging her all the time on WeChat.
It was obvious, wasn’t it?
Shen Yusi’s bad first impression of Xia Xifan had been like a piece of frosted glass between them. But now Xie Sheng had pushed it aside, and things started to become clear.
Shen Yusi was thoughtful, recalling details she hadn’t noticed before.
Yes, Xia Xifan’s compensation to her had been a bit over the top.
“When he comes off the court for a break, you could go bring him some water. Wouldn’t he be pleasantly surprised?”
Shen Yusi glanced at the sideline. A few groups of girls were reapplying their lipstick, looking ready to pounce.
She shook her head. “No, thanks.”
The whole ‘giving water’ thing was weird. A bunch of girls huddling together, holding up bottles of water of various brands, waiting for a guy to choose.
It felt like being chosen by the Emperor.
If she weren’t chosen, she’d think, ‘Seriously? How dare you not accept my water?’
But if she were chosen, she’d think, ‘Seriously, who do you think you are to pick me? What makes you so special?’
It was a lose-lose situation, so Shen Yusi just decided not to go.
Usually, when she watched others play basketball, she would just leave the water at their seat.
If they wanted it, they could come get it.
Right now, the game had entered its most intense phase. The close score flashed on the electronic screen.
“Get back on defense!”
As the cheers erupted, Xia Xifan was already in the air. The moment he caught the pass, a teammate blocked for him.
His leap-shot stance was like a fully drawn bowstring. The hem of his jersey flipped up, revealing his toned waistline. The roar of the crowd from the stands was almost enough to lift the glass dome.
After tying the score, Xia Xifan casually wiped the sweat from his jaw. His slightly childish canine tooth looked oddly wild at that moment.
A flurry of shutter clicks exploded from the stands. Several girls in floral dresses gathered around the railing, their phones held high, screaming.
Shen Yusi was shocked by the scene. “Okay, he’s that popular?”
Even her cousin wouldn’t have caused such a stir.
Girls’ affection was usually subtle. But these ones looked like they were about to storm the court.
And that synchronized phone action?
Was this a fan club meeting?
“He’s an Olympic gold medalist. What did you think?”
Shen Yusi turned her head. “…Huh?”
Xie Sheng was also stunned. “You… didn’t know?”
Shen Yusi looked bewildered. “No one told me.”
“The double gold medalist in shooting who burst onto the scene at the Olympics a couple of years ago. Didn’t you see the trending topics?”
Shen Yusi, suspicious, opened Baidu and searched for Xia Xifan’s name.
Sure enough, he was linked to the double shooting champion.
A Baidu page popped up with an old photo of Xia Xifan. On the podium, a gold medal was pressing against a red sash.
The lights in the venue dimmed by two notches. A vague memory surfaced of watching TV a couple of years ago and seeing a shooting athlete break a record. She had glanced at it briefly, thinking only that modern athletes were quite good-looking.
She rarely committed people or things she wasn’t interested in to memory, and promptly forgot about it. Now it turns out that athlete was Xia Xifan.
As the boy on the court overlapped with the image in her memory, a strange feeling spread through Shen Yusi’s heart.
Xie Sheng was amused by her reaction. “Otherwise, why would that video of you two be so popular? Your face wasn’t even in it. All the hype came from him.”
Shen Yusi hadn’t been in the mood to pay attention to that. She hit Xie Sheng. “Why didn’t you tell me!”
“I thought you knew! Turns out you’re living on 2G internet.” Xie Sheng dodged her.
She leaned in again and asked, “You took that shooting elective for PE, didn’t you? I remember you boasting to me about how you didn’t have to exercise in PE class anymore. But you’ve been to two shooting classes. You mean to tell me you weren’t at all curious about the shooting team training on the side?”
“…I… why would I be curious about them?”
Shen Yusi had poor eyesight. Her shooting grades were average. In class, she was too busy thinking about how to improve her accuracy and shooting a really cool video for her moments to care about the shooting team.
“But come to think of it, I did see a group of people in team uniforms training in the shooting range.”
It was just that the shooting team’s training area was separate from theirs. They couldn’t go over there, but people from that side could come over to their side. From far away, she couldn’t see their faces.
Xie Sheng patted her shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s not too late for you to know now.”
Shen Yusi sighed. That day at school orientation, she had looked at him with prejudice, calling him a typical jock. And the guy was the Mount Everest of the sports world.
Another commotion started inside the court. Some girls were rushing over with bottles of water.
Xia Xifan refused them all and returned to the rest area to rest. He drank some water, then took out his phone to check his messages.
Shen Yusi felt a spark of inspiration. She sent him the photo she had just taken.
A sudden stiffness appeared in Xia Xifan’s back as he sat on the bench. He stared at his phone for a few seconds, then looked up toward the stands.
The gym was too big. It was packed with people. He couldn’t find her.
He looked back at his phone and asked: [You came?]
[Where are you? I can’t see you.]
Shen Yusi looked back at her seat number: [Section B, Row 4, middle]
Xia Xifan looked up again, his eyes scanning the area. Finally, he locked onto the figure with the red hair.
He stood up and waved enthusiastically at Shen Yusi.
“Ahhhh!!!”
“Is he waving at us?!”
“Yeah, he is! He’s definitely waving this way!”
Xie Sheng sensed something was off. She leaned over and asked, “Did you message him?”
“Yeah.”
Shen Yusi showed her the chat.
Just then, Xia Xifan’s message popped up: [Did you see me waving at you?]