Chapter 468: The Male Lead of a Love Story

The overcast sky drizzled fine rain, cleansing the dust from modern industrial development, moistening the sweetness of people's hearts, and filling every breath with the fresh scent of grass and trees. People walked slowly, unafraid of getting wet, savoring the delicate beauty of the misty rain. The drizzle nourished all things—it was spring, the season of growth.

Spring had arrived, and the hearts of young men and women stirred with restlessness.

In a lake within a park, several boats drifted lazily on the water—what could be more poetic than a couple rowing together on such a rainy day?

On a boat just leaving the shore near the bank, Zheng Wei looked puzzled at Xu Kaiyang beside her: "Xu Young Master, you called me out here just to sit around and row a boat?"

"How could that be?" Xu Kaiyang grinned and pulled a neatly wrapped gift bag from his backpack, handing it over: "Here."

"What is it?"

"Just open it and see. Take it." Xu Kaiyang shoved the package into Zheng Wei's hands.

"So mysterious." Zheng Wei rolled her eyes, picked up the packaging, and froze: "Chanel? This isn't cheap—is this for me? It's too expensive. I can't accept it. Take it back."

"Giving a gift isn't about taking it back. Back when school started, we ate barbecue together and you were so gloomy—I later found out it was because Wang Yan bought wallets for Ruan Wan, Li Weijuan, and Zhu Xiao Bei, but no one got you anything. This was something I specifically asked my dad to bring back for me when he went to Hong Kong last month. Just check if you like it. I'm warning you now—if you don't like it, too bad. Hong Kong's too far to exchange it."

Zheng Wei sighed deeply and explained: "What do you think I am? Wang Yan and I never got along before. Even though I apologized to him later, he never responded—we just coexisted peacefully. When school started, he gave gifts to Ruan Wan and the others because they've always been close. He had no reason to give me anything. Why would I be upset? You're misunderstanding, Xu Young Master. I really can't take this. Take it back. It's raining, and being outside is pointless. I've been up all night writing assignments and haven't rested well—let's head back to the dorm so I can catch some sleep."

Xu Kaiyang snatched the bag back, roughly tore open the wrapping, and pulled out a pink wallet: "Look—how pretty is this? This soft pink suits your vibe perfectly. Just take it. I'm giving it to you of my own free will, not because you asked for it."

"I don't want it. Say another word, and I'll jump in the river!" Zheng Wei glared at him, pointing.

Xu Kaiyang fell silent, holding the wallet and tapping it against his palm. Zheng Wei said nothing, knowing he was upset—she wouldn't disturb him, turning instead to gaze at the surroundings, though her mind churned.

After a while, Xu Kaiyang quietly reached over and grabbed Zheng Wei's hand, trying to intertwine their fingers. Zheng Wei froze, then pulled hard to free herself from his grip.

His hand slipped away. Xu Kaiyang ventured cautiously: "Do you not like me?"

Zheng Wei shook her head: "I really enjoy spending time with you—but it's not the kind of liking you think. It's a different kind. We just get along—we talk well, play well. We're great buddies. Good friends."

"Am I not good enough?"

"No, you're great—really great. It's just… I don't feel anything for you. And…" Zheng Wei hesitated, "I already like someone."

"Don't joke. I don't believe you." Xu Kaiyang waved his hand dismissively.

"I'm serious. I only just realized it myself."

Seeing Zheng Wei's bright smile and the faint gratitude in her eyes, Xu Kaiyang asked: "Who?"

"Wang Yan!"

"Wang Yan? Are you kidding? You two had a falling out—he never even looked at you properly. This time, when he bought wallets, it wasn't just Ruan Wan and the others—his dorm mates and Zhang Kai got them too. Sure, he's rich, talented, and smart—but does he even acknowledge you? Since the start of last semester, how many words have you exchanged? Zheng Wei, are you crazy?"

"Yes, I'm crazy. The less he pays attention to me, the more I like him—I'm a fool. So what? I want to."

Xu Kaiyang laughed bitterly, staring at her: "Are you serious?"

Zheng Wei lifted her chin: "Do I look like I'm joking?"

"I'm telling you—you've got no chance. You two will never happen." Xu Kaiyang hurled the wallet into the water, not caring a bit about its thousand-yuan price.

"That's none of your business. I like him—that's my affair. You don't need to worry." Zheng Wei shouted, then crossed her arms and turned away, ignoring the furious Xu Kaiyang, instead gazing at the scenery.

Saying it out loud made her heart feel lighter—not stifled anymore, but hopeful. When had she started liking Wang Yan? She didn't know. But she was certain it was precisely through his repeated indifference that she grew to like him. But none of that mattered—did loving someone even need a reason?

She hadn't noticed before, but during the winter break at home, she kept remembering that face of his—always smiling, yet staring at her with a blank, annoying expression. After school resumed, the unequal gift-giving, his ignoring her during the barbecue—made her feel even more hurt and miserable.

Why was she upset? Because at that moment, she realized she might like Wang Yan—and it was an awful realization. She never imagined she'd fall for such a meddling, talkative, sarcastic man who never coddled beautiful girls.

After long nights of tossing and turning, deep thinking, she finally clarified her feelings today—after Xu Kaiyang confessed to her.

Even though Wang Yan seemed to truly ignore her, she thought it was a good thing—because now she understood her own heart, and had untangled the knot that had bound her for so long…

Children without umbrellas run fast in the rain. Emotions without comfort are released cleanly. Xu Kaiyang gathered himself: "Let's head back."

"Mm." Seeing Xu Kaiyang rowing in silence, Zheng Wei grinned and slapped his shoulder: "Don't be so down. We're still good friends. Look—you've got money, you're handsome, your personality's great. There are plenty of girls at school who like you."

"Thanks," Xu Kaiyang grunted. "But I'm being honest—don't get mad—you've got no shot with Wang Yan."

"Who knows…"

Watching Zheng Wei's cheerful, indifferent expression, Xu Kaiyang gritted his teeth, swallowed his pain, and channeled his fury into strength—paddling hard, grunting with effort.

"What if I quit my job and help you watch over the herbal tea factory?" After passion subsided, Shi Jie lay contentedly on her younger brother's chest, tracing circles on his firm, elastic skin, speaking lazily and seductively.

"No need. You should do what you love—not think about helping me." Wang Yan continued playing with his little treasure, shaping and tugging at the tiny grapes: "The herbal tea factory is going well. The manager I hired is doing fine. I just need to supervise occasionally and set performance targets—it's not busy at all. If you came, you'd have to start from scratch, and it'd be far more exhausting than your current job. How could I bear to make you suffer unnecessary fatigue? So focus on what you love—that's how you'll enjoy your own hardship."

"I love you. I want to be with you every day, never apart for a second."

"That feeling is false. Temporary. When we spend more time together, you'll realize distance can be good sometimes."

"No way!"

Wang Yan nodded: "Then let's go again?"

"I can't…" Shi Jie paused, then understood why distance was good—she simply couldn't keep up. Thinking of it, she gave Xiao Wang a sharp slap.

"Looking for trouble?"

"Oh no no no, I'm sorry, I give up!" After a bit of playful struggle, Shi Jie begged for mercy, steadied her breath after their laughter, and couldn't help sighing: "I don't know what you eat—how are you this strong? At work, the older ladies gossip—they've never lasted this long."

"You should be grateful—it's the troubles of sexual happiness." Wang Yan pinched her nose lightly, glanced out the window: "It's getting late. Get up. Let's go eat. I need to head back to school."

"Seriously—only two days off a week, and half of it's yours to mess around with. I can't do anything." Shi Jie muttered as she dressed, sighed: "Let's go to Ren Sheng Yi Chuan. It's been so long since we ate there."

"Sure, hurry up—I'm starving."

"You big beast…"

Laughing and chatting, they quickly dressed, packed up, and left the apartment—Shi Jie carrying the luxury bag Wang Yan had bought her in Hong Kong, walking closely side by side toward the nearby barbecue spot.

They kept just a little distance—no holding hands or hugging in public. After all, Wang Yan was still a freshman, while Shi Jie was already working. Wang Yan didn't care—but Shi Jie had to consider her parents. Near Dongnan University, you never knew when you'd bump into someone who'd gossip about her dating a freshman—her parents would be embarrassed.

Inside the barbecue shop, Zhu Xiao Bei sat behind the cash register, helping out. Zhu Dajie refused to let her sister work hard, so whenever Zhu Xiao Bei came, Zhu Dajie joined the waitstaff, serving customers. She made everyone feel honored—greeting familiar faces with warm "Big Brother" and "Big Sister," always making them happy.

"Senior, long time no see!" Zhu Xiao Bei greeted warmly.

"It's been less than a month—how's that 'long time'?"

Wang Yan waved his hand: "Quick, set up an extra table outside. We didn't eat lunch—we're starving." The weather was warming up; though still slightly chilly, eating outdoors during the day was fine—the shop already had several outdoor tables.

"You can order whatever you want, right?" Seeing Wang Yan nod, Zhu Xiao Bei stepped out from behind the counter and went to the kitchen to place the order. Adding a table mid-service did affect the kitchen and other customers—but it was their own shop. If they couldn't eat what they wanted, what was the point?

So the service was fast. In no time, Wang Yan and Shi Jie were already eating and drinking at their added outdoor table. The outdoor space was limited—even open-air stalls had their limits. Naturally, some patrons grumbled, but the waitstaff patiently explained: this was the co-owner's table…

Wang Yan raised his cup toward the disgruntled man as a small apology, received a stiff, awkward smile in return, then turned back, grinned, clinked his cup with Shi Jie's, and began devouring his food. The shop had been open nearly half a year now—the grilling skills and chef's expertise had improved, and the taste was even better than before.

Zhu Xiao Bei was also at the table, using chopsticks to pick up food and eat; since that period of eating barbecue every day until she was sick of it, she hadn't touched it again.

She watched the eating habits of the two before her: Wang Yan ate as always, voraciously yet with an odd elegance, while Shi Jie, unlike her former quiet self, now devoured food loudly, grease dripping from her mouth—she asked curiously, "Senior, have you been doing physical labor? Why are you eating so fast?"

Shi Jie froze for a moment, then Wang Yan smiled and replied, "Of course I've been doing physical labor."

"Oh come on, what nonsense are you spouting?" Shi Jie pouted, giving her good junior a light slap on the back, then turned and said, "Don't listen to him—he's lying. I just ate little this morning and skipped lunch, so I'm hungry."

Wang Yan said nothing this time; he knew that because Shi Jie was so familiar with him, and Zhu Xiao Bei was also a close friend, there was no need to put on airs—they could relax, and that was normal.

Zhu Xiao Bei glanced skeptically at the playful couple, then nodded, convinced: "Hey, Wang Yan, isn't the sports meet coming up next month? Have you signed up for any events?"

Shi Jie exclaimed, "Oh right, the sports meet's in April—I forgot. What events did you sign up for? I'll come cheer for you when I'm free."

"Can't I just skip it? Sun Mingbo's in charge, and there are so many events, but not everyone's eager to join—someone's gotta take the unpopular ones. This guy signed me up for the five-kilometer and three-kilometer races—the most exhausting ones, no one else wanted them, so it's all me."

Zhu Xiao Bei nodded and told Shi Jie, "Senior, you don't know—he's amazing. During military training, he ran every morning with the instructors. I'm telling you, even the instructors couldn't keep up with him. Go for it—break our school's record. I believe you can do it."

"Mm, I believe in you too," Shi Jie said without surprise; after all, for this freak of a junior, she didn't think anyone understood him better than she did.

Wang Yan nodded, then asked, "Didn't your sister say she was opening a branch store? How's that going? Did you find a location?"

"Yeah, my sister likes the Zhonghuamen area, but she's still short on cash."

"Even if you find a place, you still need to renovate, and renovation takes time—and you don't have to pay everything upfront. You can just rent the shop now, and in two months you'll surely earn back that money. Meanwhile, you can start hiring and training staff so you're ready to open right away. Tell your sister: since our shop's so popular, even if we get the same renovation team and furniture factory to front the money, it's no problem—we can pay them back."

Zhu Xiao Bei said, "Oh, so our next branch will still give employees sixty percent of the profits?"

"Look at any other shop with service as good as ours? We're a barbecue place, but we're going to make the best barbecue and offer top-tier service. To do that, we have to tie our staff tightly to the shop—shared success, shared failure. I know you two sisters care about money, but the more branches we open, the more you'll earn. Besides, be grateful: before, your sister worked herself to exhaustion and made less than a thousand a month; now she makes several thousand. Don't let money blind you."

Zhu Xiao Bei suddenly remembered Wang Yan's earlier words: "Only time will give us the answer." She realized she needed to give her sister a proper lecture.

With that settled, the three ate and drank, chatting back and forth, reminding Zhu Xiao Bei to get home early. Wang Yan then walked Shi Jie, who pouted and refused to part, back to the staff dormitory, before returning to school with a cigarette dangling from his lips, strolling lazily.

At the dorm building, Zheng Wei kicked the low wall in front of the flowerbed with alternating feet, glancing up occasionally to scan the surroundings.

Zhang Kai pleaded beside her: "Weiwei, listen to Brother Zhang—go back now. Don't act on sudden impulses. You say you like Lao Wang—have you thought this through? From last year until now, how many sentences have you two exchanged? You could count them on your fingers. Do you know what this does to you—and to him? You're a young virgin—you should be careful! What will others think of you later? And Lao Wang hasn't paid you any attention all this time—do you really think you can get into his heart now?"

"I don't care what he thinks—I like him, and that's enough. Hey, he's back, he's back…" Zheng Wei spotted the tall figure approaching, and shoved Zhang Kai impatiently: "Lao Zhang, get out of here, don't interfere with my big moment. I'm warning you—don't eavesdrop. Get lost."

Zhang Kai glanced back at the approaching figure, sighed helplessly to the sky: "Do whatever you want—I shouldn't have meddled. I'm just a sucker…" Without another word, he turned and ran. He had no interest in eavesdropping as Zheng Wei, whom he always saw as loud and carefree, stood there whining like a girl.

He waved cheerfully at Zhang Kai's retreating back, then turned to the approaching figure—and suddenly grew nervous, her heart pounding. She took a deep breath, calmed her racing pulse, mentally rehearsed the words she'd spent all day preparing. As the figure drew near, she saw him glance at her—then turn away as if she weren't there. She watched his back…

Just as he was about to enter the dorm building, she shouted: "Wang Yan!"

Wang Yan stopped, turned, and looked at her with a questioning gaze.

Zheng Wei held her hands behind her back, shyly: "Come here—I need to talk to you. Really, I'm not lying. Come over, I'll tell you."

He descended the steps, walked a few paces to stand before her, and regarded her coolly: "What is it?"

"That… um… I…"

Without another word, Wang Yan turned and walked away.

Seeing him leave, Zheng Wei gritted her teeth, steeled her heart, and shouted: "Wang Yan, I like you!"

Her voice rang out loud—not just Wang Yan heard it, but other students passing by stopped too, drawn by the spectacle.

Wang Yan turned back, studying Zheng Wei seriously: "Are you insane?"

Now that the words were out, Zheng Wei didn't care who was watching: "I'm serious. I don't even know when I started liking you—but I do."

"I understand," Wang Yan said, then turned and walked off, waving his hand: "Nothing to see here—everyone, disperse."

Though she'd always known the outcome, at this moment Zheng Wei still felt heartbroken. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she screamed after his cold back: "Wang Yan, I like you! Wang Yan, why do you ignore me? Say something…"

This scene belonged only in romantic youth films—but today, right now, Wang Yan was the undeniable male lead. Oh, this was a campus romantic film—so fine, no problem.

But Wang Yan still found it nauseating. Only good-looking people get youth; everyone else just gets college. He was decent-looking, sure, but not handsome—his most striking feature was his eyes, which had subtly changed over time, shaped by experience. In real life, he attended a shabby junior college where everyone was either dating, fighting, or sleeping—nobody studied. Now he was the male lead? He felt deeply out of place…

He climbed the stairs, glanced into Room 310 as he passed—it was rare to find Chen Xiaozheng in the dorm; he was assembling a model. Zhang Kai was gaming, Xu Kaiyang lay motionless on his bed.

"Lao Zhang, come out."

Zhang Kai responded, glanced at Xu Kaiyang, who lifted his head briefly before collapsing back onto the bed, sighed, then stepped out and followed Wang Yan to the bathroom.

Wang Yan handed Zhang Kai a Huazhi cigarette, lit his own, and exhaled smoke: "What's going on with Zheng Wei? What's she crazy about?"

"I saw it all," Zhang Kai sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know. She just said she likes you—I think she meant it. Love's just like that—no reason." His gaze went distant, as if lost in thought.

It must've been that white dress from the start of the semester, that quiet ethnic girl at the club recruitment fair. Wang Yan shook his head with a smile: "That's too random—I just don't get it. Hey, what's wrong with Xu Kaiyang? He gave me a nasty look earlier, kept throwing things around—I didn't even do anything to him?"

"Don't take it personally," Zhang Kai sighed again. "This morning he asked Zheng Wei out for a boat ride and confessed to her. She turned him down—said she liked you. He came back and just lay there. Then he saw Zheng Wei shouting downstairs that she likes you—he's even more crushed. Cut him some slack."

He was so miserable. Good people always get tired. Xu Kaiyang liked Zheng Wei. Zheng Wei liked Wang Yan. Wang Yan never even looked at Zheng Wei—ignored her completely. Xu Kaiyang wanted to scream: "How cheap is she?" But he couldn't—he himself quietly gave people cosmos flowers, loving someone didn't need a reason. Suddenly, he understood Zheng Wei.

"What a mess," Wang Yan shook his head. "Alright, I get it. Let's go back."

"Wait—what are you going to do about Zheng Wei?"

"Let it be." Wang Yan extinguished his cigarette in the water residue of the sink, tossed it into the trash, and turned back to the dorm.

The dorm was empty—everyone was studying in the library. He grabbed a book at random, lay on his bed, and began reading, a faint smile on his lips…

Watching Wang Yan leave without reaction, Zheng Wei angrily wiped her tears and muttered to herself: "I won't give up."

"What are you staring at? Never seen someone get rejected before?" Zheng Wei snapped at the onlookers, then stomped hard and turned to leave—walking faster, then running.

The impulsive rush passed, and shame set in—how could she face anyone? She used the adrenaline of running to burn away her embarrassment.

She ran all the way to the track, and for once, began jogging—determined to sweat it all out. Soon, her tears vanished, her shame dissolved, and she was herself again.

She walked several more laps around the track, easing the ache in her legs, calming her blood, then returned to the dorm.

In the dorm, Ruan Wan, Li Weijuan, and Zhu Xiao Bei had returned and were studying. When Zheng Wei burst in with a bang, Li Weijuan complained: "Miss Zheng, can you stop slamming doors like that? How are we supposed to study with you wrecking the place?"

Zheng Wei waved her hand dismissively, slammed the door shut, walked to the table, and grabbed her cup, gulping down the cooled boiled water.

Ruan Wan asked: "You look happy—what did you and Xu Kaiyang do today?"

"I only went rowing with Xu Kaiyang this morning—then I didn't see him again," Zheng Wei poured hot water from the thermos. "Today, Miss Zheng did something big."

Zhu Xiao Bei chimed in supportively: "What big thing? Tell us how big."

"Um…" Zheng Wei hesitated, then nodded: "Fine—I'll tell you now, you'll find out tomorrow anyway. I confessed to Wang Yan."

She said it casually—but to the other three, it was a thunderclap out of nowhere.

"What? You confessed to Wang Yan?" The three women stared, eyes wide, asking in unison.

"What's wrong? What's the problem?"

"It's a huge problem," Li Weijuan slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "How could you possibly like Wang Yan? You two used to fight, had conflicts—Wang Yan didn't even know why, but he just never got along with you. How could you confess to him?"

Zhu Xiao Bei nodded. "Yeah, you did confess. Shouldn't Wang Yan have rejected you? Why are you so happy?"

"Zheng Wei, are you just teasing us for fun?"

Ruan Wan also couldn't believe it. She had known Wang Yan the longest, and she was even closer to Zheng Wei—they spent a lot of time together—and she had never seen Wang Yan talk much to Zheng Wei. Even after Zheng Wei had apologized and occasionally joined them for meals, Ruan Wan knew Wang Yan wasn't short on money; he invited Zheng Wei only to include her, Li Weijuan, and Zhu Xiao Bei. Now, out of nowhere, this happened—she simply couldn't accept it.

"It's true. So many people saw it—I shouted loud enough. Even if I didn't say anything today, it would spread across campus tomorrow. Why would I lie to you? Isn't that right?"

While the three women processed the news, Zheng Wei spoke slowly, recounting her day's emotional journey: "This morning, Xu Kaiyang asked me out. We went to the park and rowed a boat. On the boat, he gave me a Chanel wallet—how could I accept something so expensive? Then he took my hand, and I pulled away…"