Chapter 1

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In golden October, the plane tree leaves along S University's shaded avenues turned to gold, swirling down in the breeze to carpet the ground. The afternoon air still carried a hint of dry heat as Zhong Yin hurried through the teaching building's long corridors, breaking into a light sweat by the time she reached her classroom.

Fortunately, the lecture had only just begun; she was not quite late. The usually severe old professor, upon seeing that it was her, refrained from harsh words, though his disapproval showed plainly on his face.

Under the curious and somewhat amused glances of her classmates, Zhong Yin made her way to the rear right row, where Guo Tao quickly shuffled over to make space for her.

"Did that mess blow up?" Guo Tao whispered as Zhong Yin settled in.

Zhong Yin had already opened her book. With her head bowed, long, wavy hair obscuring half her face, only her curled lashes could be seen, lowered in their usual attentive focus, seemingly unaffected by any disturbance.

"Not too much."

Guo Tao had barely exhaled in relief when another girl’s voice interjected, "But not too little, either."

"The counselor called you in for a talk?"

She shook her head. "No, not the counselor. The dean did."

Guo Tao's eyes widened in shock.

"Shh." With a slender finger pressed to her lips, Zhong Yin signaled with her gaze. "Professor Tang is looking this way—let’s talk after class."

Swallowing her questions, Guo Tao could only stare helplessly. Though they had known each other only two months, counting the military training, she was already well-acquainted with her roommate's habits. Zhong Yin never allowed herself to be distracted during major courses—idle chatter was out of the question.

It was no wonder her grades were astonishing. She had swept the entrance exams, won scholarships from several top universities, and could have picked any elite media school she wished. Rumor had it that the neighboring A University had tried to lure her with their highest scholarship, but for reasons unknown, Zhong Yin ultimately chose S University.

Someone of her caliber should have caused a stir upon arrival—and indeed, she did, but not the kind one might expect. Instead, she stirred up a storm of troublesome admirers.

It meant that, on any random day, if luck wasn’t on your side, disaster might strike out of the blue.

Take half a month ago, for instance.

Her co-host for the freshman welcoming event had an out-of-town girlfriend who, after their recent breakup, posted a lengthy confession to the campus wall, accusing her ex of moving on instantly. Though she didn't name names, the insinuations pointed straight at Zhong Yin, and malicious rumors ran wild.

And now, for another example.

In the middle of the night, a well-known senior from the Computer Science Department, in a misguided attempt to stand out among her suitors, "creatively" hacked the campus forum. Every post read: [Yan Hao from Computer Science cordially invites Zhong Yin from Broadcasting to lunch at the first canteen tomorrow at noon.]

Sadly, Zhong Yin never showed. Instead, another suitor arrived—Jiang Kun, vice-captain of the school basketball team, a towering presence from the athletics department. Arms folded, he blocked the entrance like a wall.

The two quickly quarreled, loudly invoking Zhong Yin’s name, and soon came to blows right at the canteen entrance.

Jiang Kun suffered some scrapes; Yan Hao ended up in the infirmary.

They had it coming, of course, but the most innocent was Zhong Yin, who heard about it only at noon and, before she could even eat, was summoned away by an unexpected call—and hadn’t stopped running since.

…

The bell rang.

Class dismissed, students streamed out. Guo Tao was about to burst with curiosity, but with two more classes ahead and a long walk between buildings, there was no time to waste. She clung to Zhong Yin's arm, pleading, "Come on, tell me as we walk! How could something so trivial reach the dean?"

It mystified Guo Tao. While the incident did reflect poorly, it was just a romantic entanglement—the administration rarely meddled in such affairs.

Zhong Yin sighed, "Who could have guessed there'd be an inspection today?"

"You’re kidding! Such bad luck! Did the dean punish you?"

"Two thousand-word reflection essay."

It wasn’t much—a formality to appease the higher-ups.

Still, she couldn't help recalling the conversation in the office.

The dean, a stalwart of the School of Communication, was known for his old-fashioned views and temper, prone to slapping the table when scolding students:

"When you step out that door, you represent not just yourself but our entire journalism school. With the upper administration making surprise visits, do you realize what a bad impression this gives?"

"I thought you had real promise—I personally picked you during recruitment."

"But just count, since you arrived, the gossip hasn’t stopped. How can you focus on your studies like this? Zhong Yin, don’t disappoint me."

Zhong Yin could only promise, "I assure you, it won't happen again."

Guo Tao, indignant, protested, "It’s not even your fault! You’re just too nice—that’s why all kinds of riffraff flock to you..."

Zhong Yin was beautiful, but so were countless others in the School of Broadcasting. Yet none attracted as much trouble as she did.

Guo Tao had even analyzed the situation: it was Zhong Yin’s impeccable manners that gave every man hope.

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But more importantly, she had seen Zhong Yin’s fortune chart—

Suddenly energized, Guo Tao nudged her, "Yin, do you remember the Eight Characters reading I did for you during military training?"

Zhong Yin glanced at her quirky roommate—Guo Tao was a metaphysics enthusiast, more diligent with the I Ching and tarot than her textbooks.

"You mean the one that said I was destined for romantic trouble?"

"Exactly! Wasn’t I right?" Guo Tao excitedly rummaged in her backpack.

Zhong Yin was stunned to see her pull out a compass. "You actually carry that around?"

Guo Tao huffed, "Just answer me—do you want to know how to resolve it?"

Normally, Zhong Yin would have lectured her about superstition, but after recent events, she couldn't help but wonder.

She clasped her hands respectfully. "Master, I’m all ears."

"Twenty-one readings, fair for all ages."

Zhong Yin pinched her cheek, laughing. "Dinner’s on me tonight, okay?"

As they entered the next building, people flowed in and out. Watching Guo Tao muttering incantations and counting on her fingers, Zhong Yin took her arm to keep her from bumping into anyone.

"I’ve got it!" A minute later, Guo Tao opened her eyes, looking mysterious. "The solution is—"

She paused for effect. Zhong Yin, curious, prompted, "Well?"

Guo Tao declared, "You need to get into a relationship."

"...," Zhong Yin silently put away the compass. "Maybe you shouldn’t do readings anymore."

"I’m serious," Guo Tao’s eyes sparkled, "The reading says your true match is just around the corner—literally! You might turn a corner and find love. Don’t you believe me?"

Zhong Yin just wanted to hurry up the stairs. "I don’t know about fate, but if we don’t get moving, we’ll definitely be late."

Guo Tao raised her fingers. "Hmm, the direction is northwest…"

Zhong Yin was already dragging her up the steps.

"And the timing—around 3:30?"

They turned the corner, headed up, and on the last stair, it happened.

A loud thud.

Zhong Yin gasped as something heavy hit the ground at the same time. The clock struck three-thirty; the next class’s bell began to ring, buzzing in her ears.

She took a moment to steady herself, rubbing her forehead, then stepped back and looked up.

Standing before her was a tall figure in a black hoodie and dark jeans, silver headphones slung around his neck. He bent to check the laptop that had fallen to the floor, his face hidden by a black mask and messy hair.

Zhong Yin felt guilty.

Out of courtesy, she was about to apologize.

But he beat her to it, his voice insolent, almost provoking, "Don’t you watch where you’re going?"

She was stunned.

He didn’t even spare her a glance, just opened his laptop and tapped the keyboard with pale, slender fingers, checking for damage.

She came to her senses. "Weren’t you watching either?"

He hesitated for a split second.

Apparently, the laptop was fine. He tucked it under his arm, relaxed.

Only then did he finally deign to glance at her, lifting his eyelids for a two-second appraisal.

His eyes were deep-set, brows sharp, features cold and striking even with half his face hidden. The air about him was forbidding, yet captivating.

He replied, self-assured, "If I were, would we have collided?"

Zhong Yin had never met anyone so brazen. She snapped back, "Then why do you blame me for not looking?"

He lifted his chin, "Are you going to yell at me?"

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The implication: Well, why don’t you?

...

Irritation engulfed her from head to toe.

She was in a hurry and had no time for this nonsense. Pointing to his laptop, she asked, "Is your computer damaged?"

He shook his head.

With the last of her manners, Zhong Yin fished out her phone. "I take partial responsibility. If you’re concerned, we can exchange contacts—"

He cut her off, glancing up for the first time, words clipped and final: "No need."

It was the first time anyone had refused her WeChat. She paused. "...Oh."

No matter—she was only being polite.

She took Guo Tao’s hand and was about to skirt past when a clear, gentle voice called from the corridor, "Ah Chen? Still here? I thought you’d left already."

Yi Chen replied, "Had a bit of an accident."

"All sorted?"

"Yeah."

"Let’s go, then, back to the dorm."

With that, Yi Chen turned, casting a leisurely glance at the now-motionless Zhong Yin before walking away.

Guo Tao tugged her sleeve, puzzled. "Yinyin? Should we go?"

But Zhong Yin no longer heard anyone else. Heart pounding, she watched the young man approaching from the distance. He wore a light blue shirt-jacket, the corridor’s light tracing his elegant profile—handsome, refined, just as she remembered.

—It was Lin Yinian. It was really Lin Yinian.

In an instant, Zhong Yin’s mind whirled.

Life is full of impulsive, ill-conceived ideas, each capable of haunting you with regret for years to come.

Like now.

"Wait." She blurted out, stopping him.

He turned, looking a bit impatient. "What is it now?"

Zhong Yin no longer cared if he was annoyed. She lifted her phone, fibbing, "I’m not irresponsible. I really think we should exchange contacts."

"Won’t you reconsider?"

Yi Chen’s eyelids had been drooping, but at her words, he arched a brow, assessing her again.

Their eyes met, hers bright and hesitant.

A brief pause.

Yi Chen quickly looked away.

A faint, sardonic smile played on his lips. "You want my WeChat, is that it?"

Zhong Yin nodded.

"Then keep wanting."

She was stunned.

Before she could react, he put on his headphones and strode off. He said something in passing to Lin Yinian—who didn’t even glance her way—and the two disappeared down the corridor.

...

When they were gone, Guo Tao finally broke her silence, exploding, "Seriously? That average guy is putting on airs? How dare he refuse your WeChat—twice!"

An awkward silence fell.

Only now did Zhong Yin realize: compared to being unable to approach Lin Yinian, something else was even more absurd—

For the first time in her life, she had asked for someone’s contact, and been rejected by the same person twice.

Twice.

Zhong Yin was speechless.