Yu Qian wore an off-white dress with her shoulder-length hair cascading down her back. She held a few books in her hands and strolled aimlessly along the campus path.

A faint smile played at the corners of her lips, making her look particularly innocent and romantic. However, the moment she spotted the scumbag appearing within a hundred meters ahead, her smile widened slightly.

This outfit was something she had deliberately copied from Wang Jiajia. That scumbag had a particular fondness for girls who dressed pure and innocent.

Almost there! Yu Qian tightened her grip on the books, suppressing the urge to rush forward and give him a hard kick.

As she brushed past Zhang Yifan, she ‘accidentally’ twisted her ankle and then ‘accidentally’ hurled the books in her hands toward him with force.

“Hiss—” Zhang Yifan sucked in a breath as the corner of a book struck his face, sending a sharp pain through him.

“I’m so sorry! Are you okay?” Yu Qian looked at him with a panicked expression, her face full of guilt.

Zhang Yifan had been about to lose his temper, but when he got a clear look at Yu Qian’s face, his anger disappeared instantly. Instead, he flashed a warm smile and said in a gentle tone, “I’m fine, but what about you? Is your ankle okay? Do you need me to take you to the infirmary?”

Heh. Seeing the scumbag take the bait, Yu Qian let out a cold chuckle in her heart. On the surface, however, she showed a shy smile and said, “I’m fine, really sorry about that.”

As Yu Qian crouched down to pick up her books, Zhang Yifan also squatted beside her, not only helping her gather them but even taking out a tissue to carefully wipe them clean.

Even before they finished picking up the books, Zhang Yifan had already started making conversation, “Which department are you in?”

Yu Qian replied, “Philosophy.”

“Philosophy?” Zhang Yifan’s eyes lit up. “No wonder you have such a unique aura. You give off this calm, serene vibe that makes people naturally drawn to you.”

Yu Qian: “……” Hold it in. Don’t puke.

Feigning shyness, she lowered her head and remained silent.

Zhang Yifan pressed on. “Can we add each other on WeChat? Just looking at you makes my heart race. Would I have the honor of becoming your friend?”

With a gentle smile, he gazed at Yu Qian as if he had truly fallen for her at first sight.

Yu Qian could barely hold it in, but she wasn’t about to give up halfway. She quickly pulled out her phone, added the scumbag, and completed the scene she had set up.

Zhang Yifan’s WeChat name was simply ‘Yifan’. After he left, Yu Qian maliciously renamed his contact to ‘Scumbag Struck by Lightning.’

In the following days, Yu Qian finally understood how Wang Jiajia had fallen for him.

She had just returned to her dormitory when Zhang Yifan sent her a message, 【Your ankle got twisted today. Remember to apply a warm towel, or it might swell up at night. [Be good.jpg]】

The next morning, just as Yu Qian woke up, he sent her a photo of the sky. 【The sky is especially beautiful today. I couldn’t help but want to share it with you. But the morning air is chilly, so remember to wear an extra layer when you go out.】

At noon, she received another message, 【[Picture] Our department’s lectures are so boring. I really want to know what your classes are like. I bet you look beautiful when you’re listening to a lecture.】

One after another, his messages could basically be compiled into a ‘Scumbag Handbook.’

Yu Qian sneered as she watched him perform. A week later, she received another message from him, 【Yu Qian, can I ask you out for dinner? I have something very important to tell you.】

Was he finally planning to confess? Yu Qian expressionlessly replied, 【Sure.】

The scumbag replied instantly, sending the time and place without hesitation.

Just as Yu Qian finished dealing with him, she received another message, this time from Jiang Zheng.

【Jiang Zheng: Dinner together tonight?】

Yu Qian frowned. The scumbag had arranged to meet her at six in the evening.

【It’s Yu, not She: Sorry, I have plans tonight.】

────ρя


In the boys’ dormitory, Jiang Zheng stared at Yu Qian’s reply, feeling irritated. He tossed his phone aside in frustration.

Lately, Yu Qian had been acting strange. During their usual meals together, she would often stare at her phone while smirking coldly— clearly not chatting with her friends.

And now, she didn’t even want to have dinner with him anymore. What exactly was she up to?

Jiang Zheng ruffled his hair in frustration. Liking someone underage was such a hassle. He didn’t even dare confess.

“Brother Jiang, want to grab dinner together tonight?” His roommate, Wu Qi, patted him on the shoulder.

“Mm.” Jiang Zheng nodded indifferently.

────ρя


That evening, Yu Qian went to a restaurant with Zhang Yifan. Because of the person sitting across from her, she had no appetite despite the table full of food. After taking a few bites, she simply waited to see what tricks the scumbag would pull.

However, even after they finished eating and left the restaurant, Zhang Yifan still hadn’t said anything.

Then, on the bustling street, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and looked at Yu Qian with deep affection. “Qianqian, I originally planned to confess to you in the restaurant, but I changed my mind. I felt that wouldn’t be sincere enough. So now, here on this street, with everyone as our witness— will you be my girlfriend?”

Yu Qian: “……” Where the hell did he pull the rose from?

She stared at the rose in Zhang Yifan’s hand, utterly baffled as to where it had come from.

More and more people gathered around, some even shouting, “Say yes!”

Yu Qian felt sick to her stomach. She took a deep breath, forced a smile, and was just about to accept the flower when a furious voice suddenly roared, “Yu Qian, don’t you dare say yes!”

Jiang Zheng had just arrived at the restaurant with his roommates when he heard the commotion. Glancing over casually, he scoffed, “What’s with the theatrics? It’s just a confession. So tacky.”

But before he could finish mocking, his eyes landed on the girl being confessed to.

That obedient, shy-looking girl was Yu Qian!

For a moment, Jiang Zheng felt both furious and wronged. When he saw Yu Qian reaching for the flower, he didn’t even think— he just bolted toward her.

The crowd grew even more excited at the unexpected twist, their eyes darting between the three of them, mentally composing a melodramatic love triangle.

Zhang Yifan’s expression darkened at the interruption, but his mental resilience was strong. Within seconds, he regained his gentle and composed demeanor.

Jiang Zheng, on the other hand, saw Yu Qian standing there in a daze, and a wave of emotions crashed over him. Without a word, he strode forward, grabbed her, and walked away from the crowd.

Yu Qian found herself half-slung over Jiang Zheng’s shoulder, completely uncomfortable. With all the curious stares from passersby, her face burned.

“Jiang Zheng, are you crazy? Put me down!” She struggled, only to feel him tighten his grip.

No matter how much she protested, Jiang Zheng remained silent, carrying her away.

In the end, Yu Qian gave up and simply covered her face. If no one could see her, she could pretend this humiliation never happened.

Jiang Zheng carried her all the way to a secluded path on campus before finally setting her down.

Yu Qian, furious at having her carefully planned scheme interrupted, was about to scold him when she suddenly heard his voice— serious in a way she had never heard before.

“Yu Qian, I like you.”