The forum was abuzz with discussions and all kinds of speculation.

But that afternoon, Ruan Yuanyuan had returned to the dorm with flowers, so Zhao Qian and Jiang Yue could recognize the source of the champagne roses in the photo.

The two looked at each other for a moment, both stunned.

Zhao Qian: "So, the one who threw the water was Ruan Yuanyuan?"

Jiang Yue: "That shouldn't be right. She has no reason to do that."

Zhao Qian frowned. "With Ruan Yuanyuan's princess syndrome, could she have gotten angry out of shame after being rejected?"

"Didn't you say before that she was just confessing so she wouldn't have any regrets?"

"...That's true."

Just then, Xu Zhinan pushed the door open and came in.

Zhao Qian immediately jumped up, about to ask her if she knew what that post was all about, but upon getting closer, she noticed something was wrong.

"Why are your eyes so red?" Zhao Qian asked.

"It's nothing." Xu Zhinan rubbed her eyes. She had been holding it in the whole way, and her throat felt sore and a little painful. She said softly, "It's probably the eyeliner and eyeshadow."

Jiang Yue also turned around and asked, "Are you okay? I have some eye drops, do you want them?"

Zhao Qian said, "Take off your makeup first."

Xu Zhinan rarely wore makeup, but she had participated in many events like the gala, so she had makeup remover and basic skincare products.

She went into the bathroom to remove her makeup. As she bowed her head to wash her face, tears streamed out. Her palm was half-filled with scalding tears and half with cold tap water.

The composure she had maintained until now collapsed in this moment.

Her fingertips trembled. She locked the bathroom door, clung to the sink, and slowly squatted down, even breathing felt painful.

But she couldn't just walk out like this, because she couldn't explain why she was like this if they saw her.

In the end, Xu Zhinan stayed in the bathroom for a long time before coming out.

Zhao Qian was about to speak to her, but when she turned around and saw her eyes, she instantly shut her mouth—they were even redder than when she went in, clearly red from holding back tears.

"Ah Nan." Her voice was very soft as she asked tentatively, "Are you okay?"

Xu Zhinan shook her head, not daring to look at her, only saying, "I'm fine."

She climbed into bed and lowered the bed curtain, blocking out the light from outside. Her small space became dark.

Zhao Qian and Jiang Yue exchanged a look, mouthing silently: What's going on?

Jiang Yue shook her head, indicating she didn't know either.

Seeing Xu Zhinan's demeanor, it was clear she didn't want to talk about it. Zhao Qian was usually boisterous, but she didn't know how to coax or comfort people. In the end, unable to let it go, she walked to her bed again. "If anything's wrong, just tell us, okay? If you don't want to talk, you can text me, that's fine too."

"Mm," her voice was muffled in the pillow. "I'm fine."

That night, Ruan Yuanyuan didn't return to the dorm. Zhao Qian and Jiang Yue didn't chat either, turning off the lights early.

Xu Zhinan buried her face in her pillow until her head became groggy and throbbed with a splitting headache.

It was the first time she had liked someone.

The first flutter of her life.

Her mother was a middle school teacher, and her father was a people's police officer, upright and principled. She had grown up in such a family, influenced by what she constantly saw and heard. Xu Zhinan was warm and kind. Even after her father died in the line of duty, she didn't wallow in self-pity. She held a Buddhist sutra and prayed silently, giving herself something to lean on.

A boy like Lin Qingye was someone who should never have appeared on her life's trajectory.

He was free and unrestrained, while she had a goal and plan for every steady step she took.

But it was the first time, after all. There are always a few firsts in life that give rise to many inexplicable feelings—restless, yearning, and longing.

In the midst of such feelings, all the cautious, humble approaches found a reasonable justification.

For these three years, she had been lost in the situation. Although her rationality allowed her to hide her relationship with Lin Qingye from everyone around her, she had been inescapably immersed in it.

Until now.

She was suddenly yanked out of the maze, as if struck by a heavy blow.

Once the fog cleared, she could see clearly all the things she had intentionally ignored before.

She couldn't sleep all night. Her dried tears made her face feel tight. It wasn't until the screen of the phone beside her lit up.

[Mom: Ah Nan, have you been busy with your studies lately? Your father's death anniversary is coming up soon. If you have time that day, come home for a visit.]

Xu Zhinan rubbed her eyes and glanced at the time. It was already past midnight.

[Xu Zhinan: Mom, why aren't you asleep yet?]

[Mom: I woke up to use the bathroom. I was afraid I'd forget tomorrow, so I'm telling you now. Did I wake you?]

[Xu Zhinan: No, I wasn't asleep yet either.]

[Mom: Why aren't you sleeping so late? Is schoolwork very busy?]

[Xu Zhinan: Not busy, I just can't fall asleep.]

Since her father's passing, Xu Zhinan had been very independent, seldom even showing the kind of affection for her mother that young girls usually do.

But today, she couldn't hold it back.

[Xu Zhinan: Mom, I want to call you.]

[Mom: Okay, call me. Just don't wake your roommates.]

She quietly got out of bed, put on a jacket, and went to the balcony. She dialed the number, and her mom answered quickly. Her voice was smiling, as if coaxing a child, "What's wrong with our Nannan? Can't sleep because something's on your mind?"

"Mom." Her voice was soft, but the end of it trembled.

On the other end, Mother Xu paused, then said patiently, "Mom's here. Tell me what's wrong."

Words like these were the hardest to hear at a time like this.

Xu Zhinan's tears were about to overflow again. They fell one by one, and she wiped them away with the back of her hand, unable to hide the sob in her voice. "Mom, my head hurts so much."

"Why does your head suddenly hurt? Do you have a fever?"

"No, maybe because I hosted the gala today. It was so loud."

Hearing this, Mother Xu finally felt a little relieved. "Our Ah Nan is so amazing, you even became a host. But if your head hurts, you should go to bed earlier. Wake up a little later tomorrow and get more rest."

Mother and daughter chatted for a while longer before Xu Zhinan said goodbye to her. After hanging up, she pushed open the balcony door and went back inside.

Zhao Qian and Jiang Yue were already asleep.

After talking to her mom, Xu Zhinan finally managed to fall asleep.

The next day, she slept in for once, only getting up at ten in the morning.

Her head no longer hurt, but she didn't feel refreshed either. It was probably some kind of post-breakup side effect.

Xu Zhinan's fingertips paused, and she curled her lips in a self-deprecating smile.

Perhaps what she and Lin Qingye had couldn't even be considered a breakup.

After washing up, Xu Zhinan stuffed a few books for her exams into her bag and went to the tattoo shop.

Because of the approaching final exams, she had postponed her appointments for several large pieces, so she had no bookings for the time being.

She reviewed the knowledge points in her textbook one more time, closed the book, and built a framework in her mind to consolidate it again.

Just as she finished, the tattoo shop door was pushed open, and the wind chime made a crisp, pleasant sound.

However, the person who appeared was not so pleasant—Qin Tang.

Xu Zhinan pretended not to know him and said professionally, "Welcome."

He chuckled sheepishly. "Hey, welcome, welcome. Um... Classmate Xu, I'm here to offer my sincerest apologies."

"No need. If it's about this, you can leave."

"Don't, don't be so heartless." Qin Tang sat down opposite her. "That was really my big mouth yesterday. You have no idea how scary Brother Ye's face was afterward. If I don't come and explain things clearly to you, I'll be skinned alive."

"It's not that serious."

It really wasn't. For the entire night, there had not been a single text or call from Lin Qingye. Instead, Qin Tang had shown up.

"How could it not be! You didn't see what he was like yesterday! I don't even dare to go find him now."

Xu Zhinan issued an order to leave. "If you're here for a tattoo, stay. Otherwise, hurry up and go."

Qin Tang grinned cheekily. "Then how about I get one?"

Xu Zhinan looked at him quietly, her eyes cold.

Qin Tang choked. Her expression suddenly reminded him of the past, and Lin Qingye's evaluation of her as a bystander—this woman is too arrogant.

Damn it, what was there to be arrogant about.

Qin Tang nodded. "Fine."

He stood up and walked toward the door. Xu Zhinan didn't stop him and even saw him to the door. The moment he stepped out, she intended to close it.

Qin Tang blocked it with his hand and finally said, "Actually, Lin Qingye, he treats you pretty specially. So many girls like him, but I've never seen him give anyone a second glance before. You're the first."

Xu Zhinan smiled faintly, revealing two beautiful dimples and a row of neat little white teeth.

For a moment, Qin Tang was lost in a daze.

Then he heard her, with that harmless face, say calmly, "There are plenty of boys who like me, too. I don't want to and don't need to beg for his special favor."

"..."

The door was shut, and the "Welcome" wooden sign on the handle almost hit him in the nose.

Qin Tang was stunned by her words and the light in her eyes.

Yesterday, watching the two of them secretly being affectionate and kissing outside the auditorium, seeing Xu Zhinan's shy expression, he had truly admired Lin Qingye.