How could Xie Qian’s voice possibly come from somewhere other than the phone receiver?
Wen Ying was no fool. She simply had no psychological preparation whatsoever. When this moment suddenly arrived, she found it hard to believe.
The “Rukawa Kaede” classmate, who had blocked Wen Ying’s path and insisted on giving her basketball league tickets, stood dumbfounded, staring blankly behind her.
Being handsome was not a licence to do whatever one wanted!
Everything had an order of first come, first served. Pursuing Junior Sister Wen should follow that even more!
Seriously, where did this guy emerge from?
As the basketball team captain, “Rukawa Kaede” had wide connections on campus. He had scouted all potential rivals thoroughly. He did not recognise the man behind Wen Ying… Could he not be from Zhendan?!
Yes, Junior Sister Wen was, after all, a famous bestselling author. Attracting admirers from other Modu universities was normal.
What “Dongchuan Road Men’s Vocational Technical College”, “Modu First Construction Team”, “Tilanqiao Prison Preparatory Class”, “China Giant Crab Breeding Base”, “National Huang Daopo Vocational College”… None were rivals to “Wujiaochang Community Vocational Centre”. No, not rivals to our Zhendan University!
At times like this, school rankings did not matter. They were superficial.
Even if from Beijing’s eternal Top 2 “Wudaokou Vocational Technical College” or “Zhongguancun Applied Arts and Sciences College”, so what?
Now it was about proximity giving advantage!
No matter how handsome, outsiders pursuing Junior Sister Wen had to pass the local boys first!
In an instant, “Rukawa Kaede” had even planned to ally with Zhendan’s richest student and the journalism department’s talented writer. Implement “first repel outsiders, then settle internals” strategy.
Poor “Rukawa Kaede”. Too focused on the sudden rival, his mind stormed with ideas. He never glanced at Wen Ying’s expression.
If only he had looked once.
Just one glance.
“Rukawa Kaede” would realise he had no chance.
All “repel outsiders first”, all “proximity advantage” useless. Even mastering “Sun Tzu’s Art of War” and the “Thirty-Six Stratagems” would help nothing.
Before attending Zhendan, someone already lived in Wen Ying’s heart. That person firmly occupied a spot at her heart’s tip. Rooted, sprouted leaves, bloomed flowers in her heart’s field.
With him there, how could Wen Ying’s eyes hold anyone else?
Perhaps because Wen Ying did not turn for so long, the familiar voice came again from behind. “No second ticket? I quite want to watch the basketball league.”
Wen Ying held back tears at her eyes’ corners. She turned slowly.
Under Zhendan University’s decades-old camphor tree stood her young man.
It really was Xie Qian!
Xie Qian had returned.
Flowers in Wen Ying’s heart bloomed brilliantly.
From overwhelming emotion, that tree of lush flowers trembled on branches, scattering rich fragrance.
After seeing Xie Qian clearly, Wen Ying’s joy slowly turned bittersweet.
Xie Qian was tall. Before, Wen Ying had to tilt her head to speak with him. Now no need. Because her young man sat in a chair.
Xie Qian’s injury, after so long, still not healed.
Since not healed, why return?
The answer was in Wen Ying’s heart.
Xie Qian saw Wen Ying’s on-the-verge-of-tears look. His heart felt stabbed by tiny knives.
Earlier, from afar, Xie Qian had seen Wen Ying. His gaze drawn to her, almost greedily watching.
Calculating finely, he and Hamster had not met for four months. No, from the car accident missed appointment, 118 days, 15 hours, 29 minutes.
Xie Qian had pondered non-abrupt reunions, ways for Hamster to see his current state without too much pain. Before deciding, he saw Hamster blocked by Zhendan’s Rukawa Kaede.
“Rukawa Kaede” giving basketball tickets to Hamster!
“Rukawa Kaede” inviting Hamster to semi-finals.
“Rukawa Kaede” wanted to dazzle Hamster with handsome court shots, youthful sweat-soaked hormones?
Fairly speaking, the team captain resembled manga Rukawa Kaede only in hairstyle. Elsewhere, not much.
Manga Rukawa Kaede was aloof, only eating, sleeping, basketball. Never actively pursued girls.
This captain differed. Sunny handsome type, clearly proactive!
More importantly, captain could run and jump. That alone far surpassed Xie Qian’s current state.
Xie Qian had no time for more thought. No chance to plan perfect reunion. He abruptly inserted into “Rukawa Kaede” and Wen Ying’s conversation.
Quite impolite.
But if everything polite, where would world conflicts come from!
Seize opportunities!
Xie Qian succeeded.
“Rukawa Kaede” stunned by Xie Qian… Likely due to Xie Qian’s outstanding appearance and strong aura. “Rukawa Kaede” never noticed Xie Qian in a wheelchair.
Wen Ying’s eyes slightly red.
Xie Qian had much to say, all stuck in throat.
Wen Ying walked to Xie Qian.
“You—”
“I…”
Both spoke together, even words colliding.
Xie Qian breathed deeply. “You first.”
Wen Ying thought seriously, then puffed a laugh. “If I say representing Zhendan welcome your enrolment, suitable?”
Nothing unsuitable.
Xie Qian’s lip curve revealed his mood.
After 118 days, 15 hours, 29 minutes apart, they reunited. Not too heavy. Xie Qian auto-translated Wen Ying’s words to “welcome home”. Thinking thus, only joy remained in his heart.
“Sorry, my enrolment delayed. You reported earlier, surely know Zhendan inside out. Can you show me around?”
Xie Qian’s tone light.
Wen Ying naturally stepped forward, hands on wheelchair.
She truly pushed Xie Qian around campus.
Behind Wen Ying and Xie Qian, “Rukawa Kaede” staggered.
So heartbreak silent!
“Rukawa Kaede” clutched chest one-handed. Several gathered calling “Captain”, consoling not to lose heart.
Though sudden man very handsome, seemed mobility impaired.
Captain sunny handsome, could run jump, heart beating for Junior Sister Wen. How lose?
“Rukawa Kaede” weakly waved. “No flattery. Quickly investigate who he is!”
Heartbroken captain needed no comfort. Only rival intel!
Near court, path to girls’ dorms. Wen Ying campus celebrity. Pushing Xie Qian drew attention.
Anyone knowing Wen Ying glanced more.
Even strangers, glimpsing Xie Qian, willing to look twice.
If Wen Ying pushed Xie Qian full campus circle, half day whole school would know.
But did Wen Ying care?
She did not!
Xie Qian not someone shameful. Pushing him for campus stroll, what of it?
Not far, Zou Weijun and doctor stood under tree. Zou considerate, not disturbing Xie Qian and Wen Ying’s reunion.
Doctor, still Xie Qian’s abroad one.
Followed Xie Qian back to China.
Seeing Xie Qian pushed in wheelchair by girl, doctor enlightened. “Because… love?”
Zou Weijun turned to doctor. “Not allowed?”
Doctor serious. “Of course allowed. Very valid reason.”
Love rarely rational.
Love should be thus!
…
What halted Wen Ying and Xie Qian’s campus stroll till dark was Wen Ying’s afternoon class.
Wen Ying introduced Zhendan while secretly observing Xie Qian.
Besides wheelchair travel, Xie Qian seemed in good state.
Limbs intact, features in place.
Hm, faint marks near ear on cheek. Likely from injury.
But only four months, marks so faint. Few more months, invisible.
Small scar at brow tail, about 0.5 cm. Not noticeable without close look.
Overall, besides unable to walk, Xie Qian little different from four months ago pre-accident.
As for walking, Wen Ying never asked.
If Xie Qian truly wheelchair-bound forever, Wen Ying would ache deeply. But she would not show before him.
She would grieve alone privately. Before Xie Qian, remain calm.
Compared to death, Xie Qian’s state acceptable to Wen Ying!
As long as alive, nothing else mattered.
Wen Ying not asking, Xie Qian spoke proactively. Skimmed injury details, only rehab progress.
“Fast, couple more months. Slow, three four months. I will be as before.”
Wen Ying genuinely happy. “Really? That is great!”
Wen Ying happy, Xie Qian happy.
He had no basketball tickets for Wen Ying.
But whatever Wen Ying wanted, he would not stint what he had.
Until Wen Ying’s class neared, reluctant parting.
Four months apart reunion, near life-death separation. Xie Qian sudden return. Wen Ying truly feared sudden disappearance again.
Wen Ying considered skipping class.
Freshman first semester few major courses, mostly public and electives.
“Raise troops thousand days, use one moment”. She often brought food for roommates. Precisely for such critical “repayment”?
Xie Qian interrupted Wen Ying’s chaotic thoughts. “Go to class. While you attend, I handle school procedures. I saw your schedule. Though different majors, two public courses together.”
Procedures fast, Xie Qian catch second public class.
Slow, at least dinner together.
Hm, very ordinary dinner.
Return too rushed. Xie Qian no time arrange. Plus earlier captain publicly giving Wen Ying tickets. Xie Qian focused elsewhere!
Reuniting in wheelchair already exhausted all Xie Qian’s stubborn pride.
Wen Ying left light-footed, frequent backward glances. Xie Qian several times wanted to call her.
Perhaps let Hamster skip one class?
No.
Then what authority would he have in Hamster’s heart later.
Learning is learning, and feelings are feelings. The two can run in parallel without one needing to yield to the other!
