Everyone had taken off their jackets in the restaurant, only putting them back on when leaving, so saying Xie Qian’s jacket carried a scorching heat would be an exaggeration. But a jacket worn all day definitely carried its owner’s scent… Xie Qian’s scent!
Wen Ying knew Xie Qian never wore the same jacket two days in a row. Even if it had a smell, it wasn’t anything unpleasant.
What was it?
It was Xie Qian’s unique aura, like a rainbow over a snowy mountain—clear and crisp.
But that wasn’t the point!
The point was, why had Xie Qian suddenly draped his jacket over her?
Wen Ying was dumbfounded.
The scent from the collar wafted into her nose. Even when they sat close as classmates, she had never worn his clothes. Now, Xie Qian’s scent enveloped her completely, leaving her mind blank, her body frozen like a puppet, limbs unresponsive, thoughts stalled.
If Wen Ying was in a state of mental shutdown, Li Mengjiao’s eyes nearly popped out.
Good heavens, were they so comfortable now that they were openly flaunting their secret relationship?
What was it like to witness the CP she’d been secretly shipping finally handing out candy?
Li Mengjiao was thrilled and shocked, practically ready to do a split in celebration: I’m really shipping this! It’s happening!
Xie Qian was usually so aloof, often using exam papers to subdue underachievers like her, even Wen Ying wasn’t spared his assignments. This gesture was especially striking for its unexpected tenderness.
It wasn’t just the jacket. Since arriving in Shanghai, Xie Qian had been so gentle with Wen Ying.
Didn’t meet her small academic goal for the final exams?
Not Wen Ying’s fault—the goal was too high, so he’d lower it immediately.
Lacking inspiration for script revisions?
Not Wen Ying being lazy—she just needed more creative space, and others should back off to avoid disturbing her.
Xie Qian’s double standards were blatantly obvious, treating Wen Ying differently.
Li Mengjiao was definitely envious but not jealous. They were a couple—how could they be treated the same as others?
Li Mengjiao didn’t yet know about guys who were “central air conditioners,” spreading warmth to every eligible girl around them. She simply thought it was only right for a boy to treat his girlfriend well.
A guy who didn’t prioritise his girlfriend over regular friends deserved to stay single, no matter how handsome.
And Xie Qian publicly draping his jacket over Wen Ying… Oh my gosh, he was too smooth!
Li Mengjiao, the CP shipper, was so ecstatic she could ascend on the spot. Wang Shuang opened his mouth but couldn’t find the right words.
Xie Qian’s move was steady yet bold, completely out of character.
But seeing Wen Ying stunned in place showed how much it affected her.
Was Xie Qian this talented at romance too?
Well, Xie Qian was talented at everything—except gaming.
Li Mengjiao and Wang Shuang’s internal monologues were going wild.
Thanks to Xie Qian’s long-term academic dominance, the two underachievers only dared to rant inwardly, not tease out loud.
Xie Qian stayed silent too, unsure of what to say.
The silence made the atmosphere increasingly awkward. Wen Ying finally found her voice, instinctively trying to return the jacket while mumbling, “I’m not cold…”
Xie Qian frowned slightly.
This wasn’t about being cold. When he’d draped the jacket over Hamster, he hadn’t thought of a good reason—a rare instance of his actions outpacing his thoughts.
Now that Wen Ying wanted to give it back, he needed a proper excuse to convince her to keep it on without making her uncomfortable.
The key was how to phrase it so she wouldn’t feel embarrassed.
At this critical moment, Li Mengjiao, who owed Xie Qian for countless tutoring sessions, stepped up to repay the favor. Quick as lightning, she jumped forward, pressed Wen Ying’s hand to stop her from removing the jacket, and declared firmly, “No, you’re cold!”
Li Mengjiao was rarely this assertive, leaving Wen Ying even more bewildered.
Cold or not—did she not get a say?
Li Mengjiao pinched Wen Ying hard. Before Wen Ying could say more, Li Mengjiao shouted, “It’s really cold tonight! I’m freezing too! Wang Shuang, it’s time to test our friendship—hurry up and give me your jacket!”
Cold?!
Wang Shuang was confused.
Li Mengjiao was famously impervious to cold, hating summer and loving winter.
In all the years he’d known her, Wang Shuang had never heard her say “cold.” He remembered a family trip up north when they were kids—snow everywhere, Wang Shuang shivering in winter gear, while Li Mengjiao squealed, dove into a snowbank, and played until she was soaked and dragged away by adults.
Someone like her, saying she was cold?
Had Yuan Fenghui’s strict diet control for Li Mengjiao’s weight caused malnutrition and weakened her?
Wang Shuang was still pondering if her diet was to blame when Li Mengjiao, impatient with his slow reaction, started tugging at his jacket. Due to their height difference, the petite girl was practically hanging off him.
Wang Shuang pushed a few times but couldn’t shake her off, blushing furiously. “Fine, I’ll take it off, just stand still!”
Wang Shuang’s jacket ended up on Li Mengjiao.
After the tussle and an extra layer, Li Mengjiao was panting from the heat.
Goodness, it was so hot!
But for her bestie’s sake, she could endure it!
Her acting classes weren’t for nothing—Wen Ying didn’t even notice she was pretending.
With Li Mengjiao insisting it was cold, Wen Ying started to believe the temperature had dropped.
If Xie Qian gave her his jacket, wouldn’t he be cold himself?
Xie Qian wore a beige sweater, looking unbothered by the cold—and, well, undeniably handsome. When he glanced her way, Wen Ying’s mind blanked for a few seconds, forgetting what she meant to say.
To think she was still ogling her idol’s looks at a time like this—she was such a mess.
“Let’s hurry back then.”
The restaurant wasn’t far from the hotel. A quick walk, and no one would freeze!
Along the way, only Li Mengjiao and Wang Shuang’s bickering filled the air. Wen Ying and Xie Qian stayed silent, their shadows cast close together by the streetlights.
For some reason, even though Xie Qian didn’t say a word, Wen Ying’s heart kept pounding.
Thump, thump, thump, over and over.
The walk to the hotel wasn’t long, but it felt endless to Wen Ying.
She was torn, trying several times to start a conversation with Xie Qian but failing.
Why wasn’t Xie Qian saying anything?
Never mind—talking might be even more awkward.
Even without words, walking side by side in Xie Qian’s jacket, his presence was overwhelming.
The walk finally ended. Back at the hotel, Li Mengjiao, overheating, quickly tossed Wang Shuang’s jacket back to him.
“Here, take it! Our friendship barely passed the test!”
“You—”
The jacket brushed Wang Shuang’s face, and he twitched his nose.
After just a short time on Li Mengjiao, the jacket seemed to carry a fragrance.
Wait, had Li Mengjiao worn perfume?!
Wang Shuang, the self-proclaimed ladies’ man, was suddenly speechless.
