Chapter 37: Dating?

Night was deep, the campus utterly silent; even the faintest footsteps could be heard clearly.

Jiang Qinqin had also drunk alcohol earlier, but now her mind felt increasingly alert.

They’ve been walking for a while now—why hasn’t he said a single word?

Didn’t he just talk nonstop before? Why is he silent now?

If he doesn’t speak soon, we’ll be right under the girls’ dorm.

Slightly anxious, Jiang Qinqin decided to speak up herself:

“Wu Yuchen…”

“Qinqin Shijie…”

Both spoke at once, colliding mid-sentence, and both fell silent.

Wu Yuchen smiled: “You go first.”

Since she’d already started, Jiang Qinqin no longer felt shy:

“Wu Yuchen, about that time I led you the wrong way—I still feel bad about it. I want to take you out to dinner~”

Wu Yuchen looked at Jiang Qinqin with a warm smile, her face flushed like peach blossoms, eyes shy yet brimming with anticipation.

“Didn’t you already apologize to me last time? As for dinner—I’m still full from today’s meal. Let’s skip it!”

Jiang Qinqin’s heart plunged as if doused in cold water; she’d mustered tremendous courage to invite him, and now he’d refused outright—her expression froze.

But the next moment, Wu Yuchen added: “How about we go out tomorrow?”

Jiang Qinqin’s mood soared like a rollercoaster—she instantly brightened and replied without hesitation:

“Yes! I’ve been in Beijing for a year and haven’t been to half the places yet~”

“Really? Then I’ll take you on a proper tour—how about the Summer Palace?”

Jiang Qinqin nodded: “Then nine o’clock at the school gate? Don’t be late.”

Seeing Wu Yuchen give a thumbs-up with a smile, Jiang Qinqin beamed.

Just then they reached the girls’ dormitory; Jiang Qinqin softly said: “I’ll head in then—goodnight~”

“Sweet dreams!” Wu Yuchen stopped, bid farewell to the beautiful girl beside him, and watched her stroll calmly into the dorm.

Inside the dorm, Jiang Qinqin couldn’t help turning back—he was still standing under the streetlamp, smiling warmly at her. Embarrassed, she spun around, her heart swelling with sweet warmth, her face glowing with joy as she slowly walked toward her room.

Wu Yuchen gazed at the girls’ dormitory, feeling a quiet awe—he never imagined Jiang Qinqin, such a stunning beauty, had feelings for him!

He considered pulling out a cigarette, but remembered his vow after rebirth to never take up smoking again, and held back.

Yet this truly made him feel fate’s capriciousness—he’d always thought Jiang Qinqin’s behavior meant she despised him, so he’d never entertained any thoughts beyond that. Who could have guessed?

Just half a day ago, he’d been lamenting his distance from Ceng Li—and now here came Jiang Qinqin, a beauty like this.

Fate truly is marvelous!

Wu Yuchen walked back with a cheerful heart, whistling softly under his breath.

Nowadays, taking a girl out rollerblading or playing pool was trendy, but Wu Yuchen knew if he brought Jiang Qinqin—a beauty like her—to such places, he’d inevitably attract some idiot looking for trouble.

He wasn’t the type who enjoyed trouble then showing off by beating people up—less hassle was better. Did he really think girls found it cool watching boys fight?

He’d long outgrown such childish notions.

A park date might be ordinary, but it wouldn’t make her think him frivolous, and offered a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere.

Don’t always chase some exotic spot to seem unique—if she likes you, the place doesn’t matter; who you’re with does.

Walking arm in arm with a beauty, admiring flowers, scenery, and her—it’s perfect.

…

On Sunday, no need to wake early for morning cultivation—performance department students were all used to sleeping in.

But before eight, Chen Shasha was jolted awake by clattering noises; she poked her head out of bed, bleary-eyed, to see Jiang Qinqin changing clothes one by one.

“Qinqin, what are you doing so early? Can’t you let people sleep?!”

Jiang Qinqin didn’t turn around, still comparing outfits in the mirror: “I’m going out—just a moment, go back to sleep.”

Chen Shasha pouted, rolled over, and pulled the blanket over her head, trying to resume her dream.

But after half a doze, it finally struck her—wait, that’s odd. In over a year, Jiang Qinqin always dressed casually; even in photos, her hair was messy, eyes half-closed—when had she ever been this meticulous?

Jiang Qinqin opened the window—the weather was excellent, even in November: clear blue sky, pleasant sunshine, over twenty degrees.

She picked out a dress, turned—and saw Chen Shasha, hair wild, standing behind her.

“Shasha, what are you doing? Sneaking up like a ghost—you scared me!” Jiang Qinqin muttered.

“What am I doing? What are YOU doing! Tell me everything!” Chen Shasha grabbed Jiang Qinqin’s arm, eyes sparkling with gossip.

“What are you talking about? I’m just going out.” Jiang Qinqin sidestepped Chen Shasha and began applying makeup.

“Don’t lie! You’re always barefaced—why are you putting on makeup today?!”

“Jiang Qinqin, be honest—have you started dating someone?!”

Chen Shasha’s shout woke the others:

“What? Qinqin, you’re dating?!”

“Who? Who?!”

“Confess freely, resist and you’ll suffer!”

“No! Don’t listen to Shasha’s nonsense!”

Flustered, Jiang Qinqin abandoned her makeup, hastily pulled on her chosen outfit, grabbed her small bag, and rushed out—leaving the startled girls behind.

As she left the dorm, Jiang Qinqin muttered under her breath—blame that damn Shasha, she hadn’t even finished her makeup, and it was only 8:15—still early for nine.

When Jiang Qinqin reached the school gate, she saw Wu Yuchen standing there with hands in his pockets; the morning breeze lifted his center-parted fringe slightly, revealing a handsome profile.

Seeing Jiang Qinqin in her cream sweater and floral dress, Wu Yuchen’s eyes brightened—he walked over with a smile.

Jiang Qinqin lowered her head slightly, shyly saying:

“I left in a hurry this morning—I didn’t have time to do my makeup properly.”

“You don’t need makeup—you look amazing!” Wu Yuchen said outright.

Jiang Qinqin smiled, a shy yet delighted expression.

“Have you eaten?”

“Not yet.”

“There’s an old-established place—their breakfast is incredible—I’ll take you.”

Without waiting for her reaction, Wu Yuchen took Jiang Qinqin’s hand and led her to the curb to hail a taxi.

Jiang Qinqin’s cheeks flushed crimson—her mind still hadn’t caught up—how had her hand just been taken?