Chapter 23: I Hope Your Crush Comes True

Shang Li’s breath caught suddenly. She looked directly into Lu Tinghe’s eyes, and for a moment, it felt like time had stopped.

Their gazes collided through the silent air, and a sour ache churned endlessly in her mind.

How lucky must a girl be to be the one Lu Tinghe has a crush on?

She… must be someone unattainable, out of reach.

Shang Li clutched tightly at the paper bag Lu Tinghe had given her, and said softly, “Oh… I hope your crush comes true.”

Lu Tinghe tilted his head with a faint smile, and in the moment his lashes lifted, it was as if starlight poured in. “I’ll take that as a blessing.”

…

In the end, Shang Li still insisted on not letting Lu Tinghe walk her there. A short while later, she boarded a bus heading toward the Western restaurant.

This side of Jing Wang Plaza belonged to a high-end residential district, elegant and quiet. Most people drove their own cars, so the bus stop near the entrance was nearly deserted.

As always, Shang Li chose a window seat in the back row. She opened the paper bag Lu Tinghe had given her.

Inside was a delicate bento box containing an Angus steak set—perfectly balanced with meat and vegetables, everything thoughtfully prepared. Just the sight of it could make one’s appetite stir.

But right now, she felt as though something soft and damp had clogged her chest, like a wad of cotton pressing down. Her whole body felt heavy, and she had no appetite at all.

Lu Tinghe… he really seemed incredibly attentive.

If he was this considerate to an ordinary high school classmate, she couldn’t even imagine how much he would done on his girlfriend.

For a moment, she found herself envying that girl.

Realizing her emotions were straying again, Shang Li took a deep breath, closed the bento box, and pulled a textbook from her bag to begin reviewing her lessons.

After swaying on the bus for nearly an hour, Shang Li finally arrived at the entrance of the restaurant where she worked part-time.

Although Lu Tinghe had said she could start at seven that day, Shang Li still hurried to arrive a little after six.

As she pushed open the restaurant door, she was surprised to see the owner, Huang Juexin, already there.

Huang Juexin was in his early forties, with numerous restaurant businesses under his name. In Jingbei’s culinary scene, he was considered a well-known figure.

As soon as he saw Shang Li come in, Huang Juexin immediately stubbed out his cigarette and stood up with a broad smile on his face.

“Shang Li, right? Didn’t I tell you to come at seven? Why are you here so early?”

This was Shang Li’s first time meeting Huang Juexin. She hadn’t expected the big boss himself to be so courteous, which made her feel a little embarrassed.

“Boss Huang, this is the time I usually start work anyway.”

Huang Juexin stood and rubbed his hands together. “Ah, I see, Shang Li. The manager made a mistake the other day and accidentally let you go. I’m here to apologize. Starting tomorrow, you’ll work here every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I’ll double your hourly wage—how does that sound?”

Shang Li’s lips parted slightly as she stammered, “Do… double the wage? Boss Huang, the hourly rate here is already very high. I really can’t accept that…”

“Come on, don’t be so modest.” Huang Juexin struck a seasoned businessman’s tone. “I already heard from the manager—of everyone here, your English is the best. Whenever there’s a foreign customer, you’re the one handling it. And I heard your French is good too, right?”

“Not that great…”

Many design-related books were in their original French editions. To access first-hand materials, Shang Li had begun teaching herself French in her first year of University—and had become quite fluent.

Huang Juexin patted her shoulder. “Then it’s settled. I’m heading out first. If anything comes up, just talk to the manager and have them contact me directly.”

“Alright. Thank you, Boss Huang.”

Watching Huang Juexin’s figure disappear, Shang Li felt a surge of suspicion.

It probably wasn’t a coincidence that she got her job back and Boss Huang was treating her with such respect. Most likely, it was Lu Tinghe’s doing.

But then… who was the one who had Boss Huang fire her in the first place?

…

The next day, at Jingdu University.

During the final period of their Visual Arts class, Shang Li was diligently taking notes. Beside her, Tan Weiwei was fidgeting with her phone, clearly distracted and restless.

Shang Li pushed her notebook toward her best friend. “Professor Zeng said this topic is really important. It’ll be on the midterm.”

Tan Weiwei kept her head down, clearly uninterested.

“Li Li… it’s been two days since Chu Yan messaged me.”

Even during their cold war, Chu Yan had never missed a day—he always messaged her, rain or shine. But these past two days, Tan Weiwei hadn’t received so much as a punctuation mark from him.

Shang Li furrowed her delicate brows and said gently, trying to ease into the topic, “Honestly, I think you shouldn’t keep dragging this out. You should talk to Senior Chu face to face and clear things up.”

Tan Weiwei suddenly looked up and stared at Shang Li’s beautiful face for a moment, as if something had just clicked. Her eyes lit up with realization. “Li Li… do you know something?”

Shang Li bit her soft lips, then decided she had to say it. “It’s not that I know something… I just happened to see something that day.”

Tan Weiwei grabbed her best friend’s arm tightly. “So what did you see?”

Shang Li hesitated for a few seconds, then lowered her voice. “That day I went to draw Sister Siyu’s pet at her place. She lives in Hongxing City, and as I was leaving, I happened to be in the residential neighborhood…”

She had only spoken halfway when the class bell rang.

She paused, then continued, “I saw Senior Chu…”

“You saw Chu Yan? What was Chu Yan doing there?”

“He…”

“Shang Li.”

She was suddenly interrupted by Professor Zeng from the lectern. The words that had just reached her lips stuck in her throat.

She quickly stood up. “Yes, Professor Zeng?”

“Come over here, I need to speak with you.”

Shang Li nodded, then leaned down toward Tan Weiwei and said, “Weiwei, wait for me. I have something to tell you. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay.”

As Shang Li walked up to the lectern with small steps, most of the students had already left the classroom.

“Professor Zeng, you’re looking for me?”

Professor Zeng was the head of the Design School and had a prestigious reputation at Jingdu University. He had been in contact with Shang Li since her freshman year and had always genuinely admired her for being a smart and diligent student.

“Shang Li, do you know about Jinglu Department Store? A large new department store is about to open in the city center. I recently took on their design project, and I’d like to invite you to join my team.”

Shang Li blinked in surprise. “Huh? Me? But I’m studying visual design, not interior design. Plus, your team is made up of graduate students, and I’ve only just started my third year…”

“Jinglu Department Store isn’t just any ordinary store. It’s a mall that perfectly combines art appreciation, cultural experiences, and a shopping environment,” Professor Zeng explained as he handed Shang Li a craft paper folder. “This is the design proposal. Take a look. I have faith in you.”

Since the professor had said so, Shang Li couldn’t refuse any longer.

Suddenly being entrusted with such a big responsibility, her heart was filled with both shock and excitement.

Joining the design team… oh no, does this mean she should replace her old computer, the one that kept freezing, with the latest model?

Thinking about the little money left in her bank account, Shang Li immediately felt a headache coming on.

She lowered her head and slowly walked out of the classroom. Her steps felt heavier, and a faint trace of sadness clouded her otherwise delicate features.

Just then, Tan Weiwei, who had been waiting by the door, suddenly reached out and grabbed her arm tightly.

Tan Weiwei was holding her phone, looking slightly off. “Li Li, I just received an anonymous message.”

Shang Li suddenly remembered their conversation hadn’t been finished earlier, so she asked, “What message?”

Tan Weiwei held up her phone in front of her. The message read: 【Futing Hotel, Room 505. 】

Shang Li blinked. “???”

Futing Hotel was a mid-range business hotel located near Jingdu University, often frequented by university students looking for a place to stay overnight.

Shang Li immediately grabbed Tan Weiwei’s hand. “Weiwei, no matter who sent this message, you must not go.”