Chapter 8

Su Louzhi slept until she naturally woke up.

When she opened her eyes, the sky outside her window had already dimmed. She fished out her phone and checked—just half past six, dinner time.

She slowly got up, grabbed a casual meal at the cafeteria, found a corner seat, and ate while planning how to spend the seven-day holiday.

The first thing that popped into her head was a study plan. She had to admit—finance was genuinely tough to learn.

It wasn't that she was stupid; it was that she really didn't like it all that much.

In her previous life, after the college entrance exam, she'd filled in her first-choice major—the one she'd longed for. She even got the acceptance letter. And then she died. Whenever she thought about it, she still felt a twinge of regret, but only occasionally.

After all, getting a second chance at life was already a win. What did it matter what she studied?

Besides, she'd always been a diligent student. Even subjects she hated, she could grind through. Could finance really be harder than physics? Su Louzhi took a bite of rice and cheered herself on internally: You've got this. You can do it.

Back in the dorm after dinner, she started mulling over her holiday plans. The library closed early during the break, so she'd need to adjust her schedule. Morning strolls, afternoon library sessions, and evenings to relax.

Perfect.

She flopped onto the bed and started scrolling through her phone.

—

The next morning, at exactly seven, Su Louzhi opened her eyes.

Washed up, ate breakfast, headed out.

The campus was empty in the early morning. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, painting dappled patches on the ground. Su Louzhi wandered aimlessly—looking at flowers, grass, trees, and the occasional student jogging past.

It was a habit she'd developed only after being reborn.

In her past life, she loved sleeping in. She wouldn't get up until eleven on weekends. Back then, she thought sleeping was wonderful, that the blanket was cozy.

But now it was different.

Only someone who'd died knew that being able to breathe, see, and touch the world was itself a luxury.

She didn't need to travel far to enjoy herself. A flower, a blade of grass, a breeze, a leaf landing on her shoulder—these were all gifts from the world to her.

That was why she rose earlier than anyone now and walked slower than anyone else.

Jiang Yi had once teased her: “Zhi Zhi, are you part alarm clock? You don't even sleep in on weekends?”

Su Louzhi had just smiled and didn't explain.

What was there to explain?

She couldn't exactly say, “Because I died before, so now I want to savor every breath.”

Su Louzhi wandered on without direction, and before she knew it, she'd reached the edge of the basketball court.

She'd planned to keep walking, but something caught the corner of her eye, and she instinctively turned her head.

It was Ji Kailan.

He was alone, practicing shots on the court.

Run-up, jump, a gentle wrist press—the basketball traced a beautiful arc and swished clean through the net.

Su Louzhi stopped in her tracks.

She had to admit, being good-looking had its perks. It was just an ordinary shooting move, but when he did it, it looked like it had a filter on it. The sunlight fell on his slightly sweaty profile, drawing out a boyish charm he rarely showed.

The quiet, taciturn Senior Ji actually looked like a regular college guy on the court.

Su Louzhi stood at the sideline, watching, a little entranced.

Another ball swished through the net.

The ball hit the ground, bounced up, and was caught in one hand by Ji Kailan. He turned around, his gaze landing squarely on her. Then, holding the ball, he strolled over unhurriedly.

“Little Zhi, junior,” he said, stopping in front of her with a faint lift of his lips, “good morning.”

Su Louzhi's eyes curved. She lowered her head, typed, then raised her screen: 【Good morning, Senior Ji.】

Ji Kailan glanced down at it, his smile deepening. “Why are you up so early during the break? I thought college students slept till noon on holidays.”

Su Louzhi kept tapping her phone: 【I'm used to waking up early. You're pretty early too, Senior.】

Ji Kailan read the line, his gaze lingering on her curved eyes for a second.

Just a very brief second.

Before Su Louzhi could notice, he casually looked away.

“So, what are your plans for this morning, junior?”

【Just wandering around campus. When I get tired, I'll sit for a while.】

Ji Kailan looked up after reading. “Perfect timing. I've been shooting hoops for a bit too. How about I accompany you on your stroll?”

Su Louzhi thought about it. Walking alone was just walking; walking with someone meant having company.

She smiled and nodded.

—

Ji Kailan knew how to keep his distance.

He was probably well aware that they'd only met for the first time yesterday, so the topics he chose were just right—not awkward, not overly familiar. He kept things engaging enough to hold Su Louzhi's interest without making her feel uncomfortable. He was well-read, witty, and could lob out any topic that made her want to hear more.

Su Louzhi was enjoying herself. Before she realized it, half an hour had slipped by. When she came back to her senses, Ji Kailan's address for her had already shifted from “Little Zhi, junior” to “Zhi Zhi.”

Su Louzhi didn't change how she addressed him, though. She still called him “Senior Ji.” Calling him by his first name felt too stiff, while “Kailan” or “Lan Lan” felt too intimate—she couldn't bring herself to say it.

Ji Kailan didn't push it. He just kept talking, occasionally letting his gaze linger on her face a second longer before looking away.

Half an hour later, he felt the timing was right. “Zhi Zhi,” he said casually, “I'm free all this holiday. If you want to go out and explore the city, just find me anytime.”

He paused, then added, “Or if you'd rather stay on campus, that works too. I can keep you company.”

Su Louzhi's eyes curved, and she typed: 【Thanks, Senior Ji. I'll look you up if I need anything.】

Ji Kailan read the line, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He didn't say more, just nodded. “Good. It's settled then.” But after speaking, he paused again, his gaze settling on her face. “Zhi Zhi, you've been walking a while. Tired?”

Su Louzhi nodded—she was a bit tired, honestly.

Ji Kailan smoothly turned his steps, guiding her toward a bench by the roadside. “Here, sit and rest. I'll go grab a bottle of water.”

Su Louzhi quickly shook her head, typing: I'll come with you. Don't bother.

But Ji Kailan seemed to read her intention. He raised a hand and lightly pressed it on her shoulder.

A touch, then gone.

“Buying water for a junior,” he said, a hint of laughter in his voice, “is a senior's duty.”

Su Louzhi was caught off guard. Before she could react, he'd already turned and headed toward the convenience store. She had no choice but to sit obediently on the bench.

A short while later, Ji Kailan returned carrying two bottles of water. He approached, unscrewed one, and handed it to her first. Only then did he open his own and take a sip.

Su Louzhi looked at the water in her hand, her eyes curving into a smile. He'd even opened the cap for her. She remembered how Qin Qingyan did the same—it seemed everyone treated her like a delicate porcelain doll in need of care.

But...

She took a small sip.

Being taken care of didn't feel so bad, after all.

【Thanks, Senior Ji.】

She raised her phone.

Ji Kailan glanced at it, said nothing, and simply sat down beside her.

The two of them drank their water in comfortable silence for a moment.

“Zhi Zhi,” Ji Kailan spoke first, “how are you planning to spend these seven days? You're not really just going to wander around campus, are you?” He turned his head to look at her, his tone easy. “Yesterday you mentioned going to the library. Do you have a study plan?”

Su Louzhi nodded, typing: 【Yeah. I plan to hit the library every afternoon and read up on some finance textbooks.】

Ji Kailan raised an eyebrow. “A model student.”

Su Louzhi felt a bit embarrassed and kept typing: 【Actually, it's because I'm struggling a bit with this major. I'm worried about falling behind, so I want to catch up during the break.】

As she bent her head to type, a sliver of the back of her neck was exposed. The sunlight fell there, so pale it was almost dazzling.

Ji Kailan's gaze lingered on that patch of skin for a fleeting instant.

A faint urge to bite down stirred in him.

His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily. He lowered his eyes, suppressing the impulse. When he looked up again, his tone was already laced with a smile. “What a coincidence.”

He looked at Su Louzhi and drawled, “I happen to be a senior from the finance department.”

“Tutoring little junior Zhi Zhi,” he added, his eyes crinkling at the corners, “wouldn't that be only natural?”