Chapter 1: Meeting Him

Amidst the scorching summer, the cicadas chirped relentlessly between the trees, causing a headache-inducing racket.

Even more disruptive than the cicadas was the hysterical complaints echoing from the restroom stalls—

“I just spilled paint all over my skirt!”

“Can you believe it? I’m wearing a white skirt! And now it’s ruined with red paint. I can’t possibly go out like this!”

“No time to go back and change, the art sharing event is about to start.”

The girl hung up the phone in frustration, grabbed some tissue, and began dabbing at the stains on her white skirt.

As Lin Yiwei passed by, she glanced at the girl’s stained skirt.

A large patch of red paint had soaked into the fabric, although diluted by water, it still left an awkward impression.

Lin Yiwei averted her gaze, calmly washed her hands, and walked over to the wall-mounted dryer.

The restroom at Feige University rivalled the luxurious amenities of a five-star hotel, with a hint of sandalwood fragrance lingering in the air, and not a single water stain in sight on the countertops.

The girl twisted her body, trying to deal with the dirt on the side of her skirt, occasionally glancing at the Cartier diamond watch on her wrist, growing increasingly anxious.

Lin Yiwei turned around and said, “I can switch skirts with you.”

Chi Xiyu paused her dabbing and looked at Lin Yiwei.

With her fox-like eyes, translucent and aloof, devoid of makeup, she exuded a lazy, natural beauty.

Chi Xiyu didn’t have time to scrutinize her face; her gaze lingered on Lin Yiwei’s slender figure.

Both of them had similar body types, so Lin Yiwei should be able to fit into her skirt.

“Do you really want to switch with me?” Chi Xiyu asked, puzzled.

“The art sharing event is about to start, I can lend you mine as a backup.”

Indeed, time was running out. Chi Xiyu didn’t bother with pleasantries; the two girls exchanged skirts in the stalls.

Chi Xiyu looked good in Lin Yiwei’s chic school uniform skirt, while Lin Yiwei ended up in Chi Xiyu’s very disheveled white dress, damp and uncomfortable… utterly miserable.

But Lin Yiwei had no other choice. This was a rare opportunity; she had to seize it.

As they parted ways, Chi Xiyu looked at her proudly, raising an eyebrow, “What’s your name?”

“Lin Yiwei.”

“From the Art Academy?”

“Yes, a freshman this year.”

“I’m Chi Xiyu, also a freshman this year.”

Upon hearing Chi Xiyu’s name, most girls couldn’t help but be nervous and awkward in her presence.

Feige University, and indeed the entire elite social circle of Qinggang City, few girls didn’t want to befriend her.

Lin Yiwei just politely smiled.

“You helped me a lot today; I’ll repay this favor.” Chi Xiyu finished, clutching her handbag adorned with pink diamonds and walked away.

The smile on Lin Yiwei’s face grew deeper.

The embarrassing paint marks on her white skirt were scrubbed repeatedly until her fingers ached, finally managing to remove the color.

Stepping out of the restroom, she heard mocking laughter from behind, instinctively using her backpack to cover her rear.

The damp skirt sparked imaginative thoughts, especially in the minds of young boys whose heads were filled with little more than yellow waste.

Lin Yiwei quickened her pace, entering the auditorium for the presentation.

Fortunately, everyone’s attention was captivated by Chi Xiyu on stage, so no one noticed Lin Yiwei standing in the back row… with her soaked skirt.

Lin Yiwei gazed at the oil painting on the stage titled “Secret” depicting a springtime girl.

Her heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

The girl in the painting stood by the window, gazing at the setting sun, a cross necklace dangling subtly around her neck.

This “Secret” was created by Lin Yiwei’s brother, Lin Xiezhishou, who had been estranged from the family for years.

Now, it bore another person’s name: Chi Xiyu.

At this moment, Chi Xiyu sat gracefully at the center of the stage, explaining her “creative process” behind “Secret” like the Muse, Goddess of Art, to the audience.

“I believe everyone has their own secrets.”

Her chic school uniform skirt outlined her graceful curves, complemented by her fair complexion and taupe lipstick.

“The girl in this painting also has her secrets. She stands by the window, gazing at the distant scenery, perhaps yearning for someone in her heart.”

A teacher chuckled from the audience.After all, “Secret” had recently won the gold award at the International Art Festival.

But the interpretation by the artist… was beyond words.The classmates couldn’t discern any issues; they admired Chi Xiyu on stage.

Undoubtedly, among the freshmen at Feige Art Institute this year, she was the most dazzling, winning numerous awards both domestically and internationally, and being the jewel in the crown of the wealthy Chi family, her future was bright.

The side door of the auditorium opened, and several boys walked in, chatting and laughing loudly, completely disregarding the ongoing art sharing event being livestreamed.

They made their way to the back row of the auditorium and casually took their seats.

One of them even threw a basketball against the wall, making a loud “clang” noise.

The audience murmured, some furrowed their brows, expressing disapproval with their eyes, but dared not speak up.

Feige University attracted the young heirs of major wealthy families in Qinggang City; they wielded power and influence, feeling at ease in any situation.

A tall boy whistled at Chi Xiyu.

Chi Xiyu recognized him, Deng Xiao, the second young master of the real estate Deng family, who had been pursuing her for a while.

She rolled her eyes and ignored him.

Finally, a teacher couldn’t tolerate it anymore, stood up to maintain discipline, asking them to quiet down.

But these second-generation wealthy kids didn’t obey; instead, they laughed and made even more noise.

Seeing the art sharing event on the verge of collapse, a slim figure walked into the auditorium.

He wore a white shirt, lazily leaned against the backrest, played with a lighter between his long fingers, silver-rimmed glasses glinting under the moonlight… looking sophisticated yet rebellious.

Everyone knew him.The richest man in Qinggang City, the son of the Xie family—Xie Bao.

At first, Deng Xiao was unruly and disregarded authority. But after Xie Bao came in, a deterrent gaze swept over him, and he suddenly became as quiet as a sealed cat, glued to his seat obediently.

Xie Bao sat among his friends, greeted the surrounding youths with a smile, while a few friends whispered jokes about him and Chi Xiyu.

Xie Bao didn’t mind, opening and closing his lighter.

His appearance was arrogant yet charming.

Seeing him, Chi Xiyu blushed on stage, her voice becoming much softer.

She deliberately emphasized that “Secret” was able to win the gold award at the International Art Festival, thanking her parents, friends who supported her, and…

Someone very special to her.Her eyes glanced towards Xie Bao, subtly.

Xie Bao smiled at her, then politely averted his gaze.

Casually tilting his head, he noticed the inconspicuous figure by the side door.

The floor-to-ceiling windows billowed with fluffy winds, their pure white curtains dancing in the breeze.

Lin Yiwei stood by the deserted corridor window, her hand clenched tightly around the cross necklace on her chest, feeling suffocated.

Her brother had been away from home for many years, cutting off all contact with her. Where had he gone?

And why was his painting signed with Chi Xiyu’s name?

As she pondered, footsteps approached from behind.

The white curtains fluttered with each gust of wind, and through the fluttering veil, Lin Yiwei saw the sharp, angular eyebrows of a young man.

Xie Bao.

Seeing him, Lin Yiwei’s heart skipped a beat. Subconsciously, she turned to run, but the boy suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her forcefully.

The girl was enveloped in his embrace.

His finger joints were distinct and elegant, with a tattoo on his wrist.

A thin black snake, its S-shaped body coiling.

“I thought I was mistaken, but it really is you.”

“Let me go.” The girl looked panicked, her voice low. “I don’t know you.”

“Don’t know me?” He leaned close to her ear, exhaling warm breath. “It hasn’t even been a month, and you’ve forgotten me?”

“…”

“At that time, I didn’t know you were Xie Bao!”

“And now?”

“After finding out, I deleted your number. I’m sorry, but I really didn’t want to provoke you.”

The boy scoffed lightly.

Footsteps approached from afar, and Xie Bao pulled her into the white curtains.

Students passed by back and forth, seeing two people behind the veil being intimate, but not knowing who they were… and no one bothered to look closer.In the university campus, young couples in love were everywhere, nothing out of the ordinary.

But Lin Yiwei felt a sense of alarm. If anyone at Feige Art Institute found out about her past relationship with Xie Bao…

All her carefully laid plans would be ruined.

Xie Bao leaned against her ear, his voice low and sexy. “Tonight, I’ll come to find you.”

“Not tonight, I’m on my period.”

“Lies.”

“It’s true, I just dirtied my skirt a moment ago, and I went to the restroom to clean it up.”

Xie Bao’s hand reached behind her, feeling through the thin fabric of her skirt.

Lin Yiwei felt his embrace tighten.

“Xie Bao, what happened that night was my fault, I shouldn’t have provoked you. But in this matter, both parties must be willing…”

After hearing this, Xie Bao finally eased up a bit.

A faint, cool smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he straightened out her disheveled collar, sizing her up.

She was too petite, almost like a skeleton compared to his broad shoulders and narrow waist, creating a strong contrast.

With a lazy, faintly cynical demeanor, there was a sense of world-weariness about her. But right in the center of her forehead, there was a beauty mark, adding an indescribable allure to her innocence.

Xie Bao didn’t want to force her, nor did he need to.

As he left, he took off his racing jacket and tossed it to her.