Chapter 10 – “Beautiful.”

The National Day holiday arrived in a blink.

Everyone in the dormitory planned to go home, leaving only Xia Zhicha behind for a few days.

She still went to work at the milk tea shop. Since holiday wages were higher and there were fewer customers due to the campus break, the workload was actually lighter.

Coincidentally, the tutoring job she took on had asked her to schedule a couple more sessions, so everything balanced out without much stress.

Classes at Beijing University resumed on the 7th, and on the evening of the 5th, after finishing her last tutoring session, Xia Zhicha returned to the dorm and found the door slightly ajar.

Her heart skipped a beat. She froze, wondering if she had forgotten to close it properly when she left, when suddenly, Jiang Lili’s face popped out from behind the door.

“Came back early. Surprise?” Jiang Lili beamed, tilting her head playfully.

Seeing her, Xia Zhicha let out a long breath of relief. “You scared me… Why are you back so early?”

The 6th was the official return date, and Jiang Lili had even mentioned earlier she might come back late that day.

“Well, I had plans, so I changed my ticket.”

Xia Zhicha closed the door behind her. Jiang Lili was already crouched beside her wide-open suitcase, unpacking. “Gao Yuyang asked me to go to that new amusement park in the east part of the city tomorrow. Wanna come?”

“Ah…” Xia Zhicha blinked.

She had heard about the new amusement park—lately quite popular online. Supposedly the biggest resort park in the country, it had broken attendance records on its first day.

After a quiet moment, she replied, “I think I’ll skip it…”

Anyone with eyes could see there was something going on between Gao Yuyang and Jiang Lili lately. Xia Zhicha didn’t want to third-wheel them—plus, the tickets weren’t cheap.

“Oh come on, join us! It’s more fun with more people. Gao Yuyang is scared of heights—no one will ride the roller coasters with me…”

Jiang Lili noticed her hesitation and pouted, clinging to her. “It’s not just the three of us, Fu Chiyu is coming too. His family invested in the park, so we’re just mooching tickets off him. Just treat it as a fun day out, to relax a bit, please?”

Fu Chiyu.

A flicker passed through Xia Zhicha’s eyes.

Since that day, she hadn’t seen him again.

People are greedy like that—once, all she wanted was to see him again. But after they finally reunited, she found herself wishing for more.

“…Okay,” she said softly.

Xia Zhicha hid her emotions well. Jiang Lili didn’t notice the fleeting change in her expression and cheered, “Great! I’ll let Gao Yuyang and the others know!”

Xia Zhicha nodded, stood up, and went to the balcony to collect her laundry.

The campus was quiet during the holidays. Outside their dorm was a small grove of trees; the leaves rustled against the windows in the evening breeze.

The soft glow of the streetlights filtered through the trees, casting a gentle light on this late summer, early autumn night.

In the cleaned glass, the reflection of a bare-faced girl quietly appeared.

Xia Zhicha stood there for a while holding her dry clothes. Suddenly, she called out, “Lili.”

“What’s up?” Jiang Lili quickly looked up.

“…Could you do my makeup tomorrow?”

“You’re finally letting me do your makeup?” Jiang Lili gasped as if hearing something unbelievable. Then her face broke into a wide grin. “Sure! Leave it to me tomorrow!”

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Jiang Lili had often complained that Xia Zhicha never dressed up. Now that she was finally given the chance, she was thrilled. The next morning, she dragged Xia Zhicha out of bed and sat her down at the desk.

“When did you get this dress? It suits you so well!” Jiang Lili exclaimed as she applied makeup, studying the dress. “I told you—you’re way too pretty to wear those old plain clothes all the time. This is so much better!”

The eyeliner was still sliding across her eyelids, so Xia Zhicha didn’t dare move her expression—she just smiled faintly.

She was wearing the dress Fu Chiyu had given her.

Xia Zhicha had naturally good features, so she didn’t need much makeup. Jiang Lili kept complimenting her the whole time. In the end, she gave her a soft, everyday look and used a curling wand to give her bangs and side hair a gentle wave.

“Oh my god, you look like a real-life doll—”

Even on the subway, Jiang Lili kept admiring her handiwork. She even took out her phone to snap several photos proudly. “Next time you need a makeover, you have to let me handle it again, okay?”

The amusement park was on the opposite side of the city from Beijing University. The subway ride to the final stop took quite a while.

When the two arrived at the park gate, Gao Yuyang and Fu Chiyu were already waiting there.

They were both tall and stood out clearly in the crowd—easy to spot at a glance.

“Why are you guys here so early?” Jiang Lili checked the time and quickened her steps. She lightly slapped Gao Yuyang’s arm. “We still have half an hour before the meet-up. How long have you been waiting?”

“Thought you might come early,” Gao Yuyang smiled. “Don’t you usually like being early?”

Jiang Lili rolled her eyes at him. “So thoughtful, huh?”

Xia Zhicha followed a few steps behind. Jiang Lili turned back, grinned mischievously, and pulled her forward. “Look at Zhizhi today—doesn’t she look gorgeous?”

Caught off guard, Xia Zhicha stumbled a step forward and looked up—only to find Fu Chiyu standing just two steps away.

He was wearing a plain black t-shirt, a metallic necklace glinting coldly under the light, giving him a slightly rebellious vibe. His gaze swept across the dress she wore—subtle, appreciative—his brow lifting just slightly.

Like he was admiring her.

Xia Zhicha felt heat rush to her cheeks and instinctively took two small steps back.

She felt like she understood what that look meant.

This dress was like a small secret, just between the two of them.

“Don’t be shy, Zhizhi. You’re gorgeous—you should be proud!” Jiang Lili laughed and put an arm around her shoulders, speaking freely.

“Everyone agrees you look amazing, right? Even Fu Chiyu, who’s seen all kinds of girls and is notoriously picky?”

Mentioned by name, Fu Chiyu casually withdrew his gaze and gave a vague grunt in reply.

Not satisfied with that, Jiang Lili pressed him again. “Come on, say it. Doesn’t our Zhizhi look beautiful?”

Listening to the back-and-forth, Xia Zhicha stood stiffly, her back unconsciously straightening.

She wasn’t sure what she was expecting.

Fu Chiyu lowered his eyes again and looked her over quietly.

Below the blue hem of the dress, her legs were straight and slender, almost dazzlingly pale.

He suddenly chuckled and said lightly, voice floating through the air:

“Beautiful.”