Chapter 17
Once the holiday ended, Su Louzhi's campus life returned to its familiar rhythm.
But somehow, it felt a little different.
Because now that rhythm included Ji Kailan.
Actually, on the last day of the holiday, Ji Kailan had already asked her.
They had just returned from a day out, and he walked her to the dormitory entrance but didn't immediately let her go.
"Zhizhi," he said, pulling out his phone, his tone casual. "Could you send me your class schedule?"
Su Louzhi was caught off guard for a moment, but without overthinking it, she obediently sent him a screenshot of her schedule.
Ji Kailan glanced down at it, then raised his eyes to her face. "Zhizhi, do you usually eat lunch alone?"
Su Louzhi typed honestly: 【Silent Little Tail: If I have a class in the last period of the morning, I usually eat with Qingyan and the other two. Other times, I might eat with Qingyan, or I might eat by myself.】
Ji Kailan looked at her reply, then back at the schedule. "So Zhizhi only has a class in the last period on Wednesday and Thursday mornings?"
Su Louzhi nodded.
Ji Kailan curved his lips, his eyes smiling. "Then, Zhizhi, if you're free in the future, would you continue to keep me company for meals, this lonely man?"
At that moment, Su Louzhi hadn't yet seen the forum post. She didn't know she'd already become the talk of the campus as Senior Ji's rumored girlfriend. She just thought that eating with Ji Kailan during the seven-day holiday had been enjoyable, and since she was usually alone anyway, having someone else around made things livelier.
So without much thought, she nodded.
—
Thursday.
When the last class of the morning ended, Su Louzhi walked toward the cafeteria with her three roommates.
As usual, they found a table, sat down, and chatted over their meals. Today was no different. They'd just gotten their food and settled into empty seats when a cheerful voice rang out above them.
"Four beautiful ladies!"
Su Louzhi looked up.
Shen Boyang stood nearby, holding a tray, grinning with a flash of white teeth. And behind him stood Ji Kailan.
"Mind if we join you?" Shen Boyang's voice carried loudly enough for half the cafeteria to hear.
Su Louzhi's gaze skipped over him and landed on Ji Kailan.
Ji Kailan didn't speak, just looked at her with a faint smile in his eyes.
For some reason, Su Louzhi felt her face grow warm, and she lowered her head.
Qin Qingyan looked up, saw Shen Boyang, and scolded him with a laugh. "There are so many seats, why cram in here?" She turned to her three roommates. "How about you all? Agree?"
Jiang Yi and Liu Mengting exchanged a quick glance.
Shen Boyang and Qin Qingyan clearly knew each other. And the forum was buzzing with rumors about Su Louzhi and Ji Kailan. Though they'd grilled Su Louzhi about it the day before, and she'd said they were just hangout buddies from the holiday, Ji Kailan's gaze right now was plainly fixed on Su Louzhi. How could they refuse?
So they both nodded in unison.
Su Louzhi naturally had no objection.
Qin Qingyan then raised her chin slightly, her tone a bit proud. "Fine, this is us four beauties granting you the honor of these seats. Hurry up and sit."
"Coming right up!"
Shen Boyang happily responded, carrying his tray toward the seat next to Qin Qingyan.
But Ji Kailan didn't move right away. Instead, he carried his tray, walked around the other side of the table, and sat down next to Su Louzhi.
Su Louzhi kept her head down, feeling the seat beside her dip a little, and then a familiar, clean scent drew close.
Though a bit shy, since Ji Kailan had chosen to sit beside her, she suppressed her embarrassment, lifted her head, and smiled at him with her eyes curving.
Ji Kailan watched her, shy and endearing, his gaze deepening a shade. After a moment, he curved his lips, pulled out his phone, and gestured for her to check her messages.
Su Louzhi obediently took out her phone. Before she could even press the screen, it lit up on its own. She tapped in and saw a message from Ji Kailan: 【J: Zhizhi, me sitting here next to you—does it feel too forward?】
Su Louzhi froze, then typed honestly: 【Silent Little Tail: Not at all. I'm really happy to eat with you, Senior Ji.】
As soon as it sent, the reply came instantly: 【J: That's good. Maybe it's because I got used to eating with Zhizhi over this holiday. Not seeing you at lunch today felt off somehow. So I suggested to Boyang we come join you all.】
Su Louzhi stared at the line, not knowing how to reply. What could she say? She'd noticed the meaningful glances from Jiang Yi and Liu Mengting just now, but facing words like that from Ji Kailan, she couldn't seem to refuse.
She thought for a moment, then typed: 【Silent Little Tail: Then we can eat together in the future. Send me your schedule too, and I'll come find you after class.】
Ji Kailan read her reply and finally curved his lips in satisfaction. He quickly responded: 【J: If it's me who wants to eat with Zhizhi, how could I let Zhizhi come to me? Of course, I'll come pick you up.】
Su Louzhi stared at the line, couldn't help turning to glance at him, only to find Ji Kailan looking back at her with a smile.
The smile in those eyes was too obvious. Su Louzhi felt as if she'd been burned, quickly looked away, and typed: 【Silent Little Tail: Okay, thank you, Senior Ji.】
A light laugh came from beside her.
Su Louzhi couldn't resist glancing over again, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Ji Kailan suddenly leaned closer, whispering in her ear, "How is that a bother?"
The warm breath brushed past her ear, and Su Louzhi's whole body stiffened.
"Alright, Zhizhi," Ji Kailan said, his voice laced with mirth. "Let's eat first. If we keep chatting, the food will get cold." With that, he pulled back and picked up his chopsticks as if nothing had happened.
Su Louzhi quickly nodded and focused on her meal.
Ji Kailan ate his food in a very good mood.
Su Louzhi had no idea that just now, when he spoke near her ear, he'd watched her earlobe turn pink before his eyes at a visible speed.
By the time he pulled away, the blush had spread all the way to her neck.
Shy and charming—she really was… quite a sight.