“Didn’t you always like sitting in the front row? Why are you in the third row now?”

Last semester, after Gu Chen published a paper in a finance journal under his professor’s guidance, his econometrics professor asked him to pick up a sample copy from the office. As they walked over together, the professor suddenly recalled something and asked, “And that girl sitting in front of you—I noticed you glance at her from time to time. Am I wrong?”

“Not from time to time.”

The office building wasn’t far from the Economics and Business Hall. On the way, Gu Chen greeted a few familiar professors before pushing open the glass door to the office.

“Really?”

Clearly unconvinced, the professor put down his teacup and tablet, chuckling as he unlocked the bookshelf. “I was young once too. I know how you kids think. Don’t worry, I’ll pretend I didn’t see anything. No need to be shy.”

“It’s not from time to time, and I’m not shy.”

Meeting his professor’s questioning gaze, Gu Chen took the stack of journals the professor handed him and added calmly, “Actually, I’ve been watching her the entire time.”

Worried the professor might not fully grasp his meaning, Gu Chen paused, then lowered his voice slightly and emphasized, “Actually, I wasn’t listening to you at all during class. I was watching her the whole time.”

“…”

The professor’s hand trembled.

#Is it really okay to be so confident in front of your own professor?#

Rolling his eyes, the professor adjusted his reading glasses and, with an exaggerated huff, shoved one of the journals into Gu Chen’s arms. “You can leave now.”

Gu Chen didn’t respond. He simply smiled, then thoughtfully helped return the rest of the journals to their place. Afterward, he grabbed a scrap piece of paper from the desk, picked up a pen, and began writing something.

One glance. Two glances. Three glances.

The professor was so busy sneaking peeks that his neck started to ache. Just as he was about to ask what Gu Chen was up to, the young man clicked the pen shut, folded the paper, and handed it over.

“114060, last seat in Class 1. Her name is Ji Ranyou. Professor, I’d appreciate it if you could look after her.”

They say the finance world is a small circle.

Because of long-term recruitment connections with West University, many finance professors had close ties with Gu Chen’s parents. As a respected authority in the field, this professor in particular shared a long-standing… joyful friendship with Gu Chen’s father, often bonding over rounds of Fight the Landlord during the holidays.

Having practically watched Gu Chen grow up, he treated him almost like his own son.

Seeing the request, the professor raised an eyebrow. “Your little girlfriend?”

Gu Chen shook his head. “No.”

“Oh?” So, is this someone you’re pursuing but haven’t won over yet?

The professor let out a long, knowing sigh before deciding to play hardball. “Well, if she’s not your girlfriend, then there’s no reason for me to treat her differently. If she fails, she fails. If she passes, she passes. It all depends on her own effort and luck—”

“It is necessary.”

Politely cutting off the professor’s teasing, Gu Chen’s deep, steady gaze softened at the edges, a trace of a smile unconsciously forming at the corners of his eyes.

“Because very soon, she will be.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

As Gu Chen stepped out of the office, he noticed a girl waiting by the door. She held a kraft paper file folder neatly in her arms, and the name “Cheng Sisi” on the cover naturally led him to associate her with a certain someone’s roommate.

After a brief pause, Gu Chen stopped in his tracks and gave her a slight nod. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Huh?” Cheng Sisi was momentarily stunned before quickly breaking into a bright smile. “Not at all, not at all! What a coincidence to run into my idol—so lucky, so happy! I’ll head in now, bye!”

“Mm.”

Gu Chen nodded again and walked past her with an air of calm detachment, as if carrying a breeze of moonlight and wind. He didn’t spare a glance, yet his departing figure left a trail of devastation.

Especially that cold and distant demeanour… Now that’s what a true Male God looks like!

The giddy feeling of being acknowledged lingered all the way through dinner. Even arguing with Tao Ye didn’t faze Cheng Sisi. Instead, she excitedly opened their dorm chat and spammed a string of spinning emojis.

[Sisi the Big Radish]: I’ve thought about this long and hard, and I’ve decided to come clean… I ran into THE Male God at the office today, and guess what—he actually greeted me first!! HE was the one who started the conversation!!

[Sisi the Big Radish]: At first, I wondered if it was just because my makeup looked especially good today. But then I thought about it—I always look good, right?! So… was it because of Yuzu that he acknowledged me?!

[Sisi the Big Radish]: @DaiBi the big nanny, is there something going on between Yuzu and the campus idol?! Why aren’t you guys answering me?! Why?! WHY?!

The dorm chat, usually buzzing with activity, remained dead silent for a full thirty minutes.

Cheng Sisi was going crazy with curiosity, practically ready to storm back into the dorm—

[DaiBi the big nanny]: Sorry, I was just helping someone pick out clothes…

[DaiBi the big nanny]: Also… you’re only realizing this now?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

A woman’s intuition is never baseless.

Qin Dai thought about it carefully. If Gu Chen didn’t have some kind of interest in Yuzu, would someone of his intellect and pride really choose to partner up with an academic slacker? And not just once—but repeatedly scheduling study sessions?!

By that same logic…

If Yuzu wasn’t interested in the campus idol, then why would someone as lazy as her—who would rather sit than stand any day—suddenly start dabbing makeup on her face like a lovestruck girl?

Just before leaving, she had spent forever debating whether to go with a muted rosey beige or a bolder grapefruitred…

#Tsk, tsk, the smell of love is soo sour#

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

A beige button-up tucked into pure black wide-leg pants, topped with a knee-length camel wool coat—this was the latest trend for early autumn.

Dark eyes, bright lips, and a barely-there hint of taupe eyeshadow enhanced her already flawless features, making them look even more refined and delicate.

While most girls wouldn’t dare lift their heads without makeup, Ji Ranyou found herself in the opposite predicament—after applying it, she became hyper-aware of the lingering, frequent glances she received, triggering a mild bout of social anxiety.

Luckily, the Meow Meow Café was just downstairs, right next to the dorms—only a two-minute walk.

Maybe she had spent too much time there that afternoon, because as soon as she stepped inside, a chubby Scottish Fold recognized her from afar. The little furball immediately leaped down from the counter, latching onto her legs and kneading her stockings with its soft paws.

“Didn’t expect you to remember me, lazy cat.”

Ji Ranyou let out a ticklish giggle, only to meet the café owner’s amused gaze—”You put on makeup today?”—before blushing and quickly ordering an Alishan Milk Green Tea. She gave the fluffy cat a quick pat, promising to play with it later, and then lifted the partition’s glass curtain…

Gu Chen was already there.

His drink was still steaming, wisps of vapor curling up and softening the sharp lines of his features. Hearing the sound, he set down his tablet and turned his head.

Ji Ranyou glanced at the clock on the wall. She wasn’t late. A relieved sigh escaped her.

She smoothed her coat as she sat down across from him. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

One of Gu Chen’s fingers still rested lightly on the lock button of his tablet. His other hand, which had subconsciously reached up to hold the curtain for her.

Silently, he watched as she sat down, placed her bag aside, turned to face him, and parted her lips to speak…

Seconds passed.

Gu Chen slowly let go of the curtain, drawing it closed again. “As I should”

Even though it was the same time and place as before, even though the tangled uncertainties in her heart had been unravelled, the moment Ji Ranyou sat down, her heartbeat began to race.

Under his deep gaze, she clenched her fingers briefly before relaxing them and spoke softly, “We’ve known each other for quite some time now, but I don’t think I’ve ever properly introduced myself. I’m Ji Ranyou—Ji as in remembrance, Ran as in ephemeral, and You as in pomelo.”

The second the words left her mouth, Ji Ranyou wanted to bite her tongue off.

Why was she introducing herself so formally?! Was this an elementary school friendship handshake?! Would he find it cringeworthy?!

A thousand thoughts raced through her mind as she frantically considered how to salvage the situation.

Then, a warm voice drifted toward her.

She looked up—just in time to meet his smiling gaze.