I searched for words to comfort the girl beside me, unjustly insulted. But Ning Yingxue brushed it off, stretching her long legs and massaging her knees. "It's nothing. Suohui's just hot-tempered when he's mad. I know he doesn't mean it."
My gaze fell on her legs, calves curving seductively in jeans. Imagining tracing them up to her thighs… 'No, focus.' "Were you standing long?"
"Hmm?" She looked startled, then shook her head. "Not really. Just waited a bit for Suohui—he was late."
I wanted to ask how long "a bit" was, what made her endure it. But she changed the subject.
"Tell me—why aren't you dating? You're the only single in your dorm now."
I feigned despair. "Who would want me? I'm a loser. No girl's interested."
She rolled her eyes. "You've never even tried. How do you know?"
I shrugged. Some things are obvious from the start. "Self-awareness is key."
Glancing at Luo Suohui, still glued to his game, I felt a sudden urge to tease her. Before she dated him, we'd been close as we raced through rain for buses together, laughed over coffee tips. I knew her father died young, her mom raised her and her sister alone. She could've had an easier life, but she'd stayed honest, like a plum blooming in winter.
"Hypothetically…" I took a breath, heart pounding. "If I'd asked you out before Suohui, would you have said yes?"
Her cheeks flushed. We'd grown distant after she started dating, but once, we'd been inseparable. Now, even memories felt forbidden.
"Chen Xiao, you're a good person. But… my situation's complicated. Maybe in another life. There's someone better out there for you."
Polite, kind, and final. I laughed to hide the ache. Of course she'd choose Luo Suohui—the vice mayor's son. Who'd pick me?
"Chen Xiao." Her tone turned serious. "What if… someone's liked you for ages?"
I scoffed. "Nice try. I don't daydream."
"It's true." She leaned in, glancing around. "Someone we know has had a crush on you for years."
"This isn't a joke?"
"Swear."
"Fine. Who?"
"I can't say. If she wanted you to know, you would. But since she hasn't told you… I shouldn't meddle."
"Then how do you know?"
"She asked about you once. Remember when you were in the hospital? I was taking care of you, and she lingered outside your room, too nervous to enter. She looked more worried than I did."
I frowned. Besides my roommates, no one visited that week. Li Luyou and Luo Suohui came often; Bai Yishan showed up on the last day with Zhang Yiyu, who'd stood silent at the door, bored.
"Is she… unattractive? Too shy to admit it?"
She laughed. "Far from it. She's stunning."
My curiosity spiked. "Who is she?"
"She's… free-spirited, fearless. But for some reason, she couldn't open that door. It's strange—someone so bold hiding her feelings."
I racked my brain. "I give up. Unless it's someone I don't know."
"She's someone you know well." Her smile turned playful. "Close by."
"I'll use the restroom. Think about it." She left, leaving me puzzled.
A level beauty liking me? Impossible. But Ning Yingxue mentioned "close by."
Could it be… An Zhishui?
I watched her on the dance floor, ponytail swaying, white T-shirt hugging her waist, pleated skirt barely knee-length on her long legs. Gorgeous, but… her and Li Luyou were inseparable. Still, I wondered—had she ever looked at me differently?
"Chen Xiao! Help me!" An Zhishui stormed over, furious. Li Luyou trailed, exasperated.
"He checked out that woman's boobs four times while we danced!" She pointed to a buxom middle-aged woman in a low-cut dress.
"I wasn't staring! I had to look somewhere!" Li Luyou protested.
An Zhishui turned to me. "Even Chen Xiao didn't stare. He's single, but you—"
I flushed. I'd been too busy watching Ning Yingxue. "He probably didn't mean it. Li Luyou's a gentleman."
She pouted, eyes watering. "Do you… think my boobs are too small?"
"Never!" Li Luyou swore. "You're perfect. I love every part of you."
"Swear you hate big boobs!"
"Shui'er, let's dance again." He pulled her back, avoiding the question. She melted into a smile, all anger forgotten.
Jealousy like that meant she loved him deeply. So much for my chances. But then… who was this mystery girl?
Ning Yingxue's words echoed: "She's close by."
Could it be…? No, impossible. But why else would Ning Yingxue hint so much?
I shook my head. Enough fantasy. Some secrets are meant to stay buried.