The next morning, Xiao Lie walked into campus as usual. Same grey hoodie. Same quiet stride. But something had changed.
Not him.The world around him.
Whispers followed him down the hallway.
"That's him, right? Professor Han's pick?"
"I heard he's getting a direct mentorship… solo."
People who barely looked at him before now nodded in acknowledgment. Some offered awkward smiles, some tried to strike up conversations they never would have attempted a week ago.
A few club seniors—previously dismissive—now praised his "dedication."
Xiao Lie accepted it all with a polite smile but no attachment. He had seen how quickly attention came and went in this world. He wouldn't chase it anymore.
In the Business Club Room
He was working quietly at a side desk when Yao Yixuan entered, her tone extra cheerful.
"Xiao Lie! Got a sec? I was thinking we should do a joint session for the new members. Maybe pair up for a talk?"
Her voice carried just enough to be overheard.
Xiao looked up and nodded. "That's a good idea. Let me know the schedule."
Yixuan blinked. No teasing. No flirtation. No reaction from him.
"Right... I'll message you," she said, visibly thrown off.
From Across the Room
Lin Shuyun, who had arrived moments earlier, leaned slightly against the wall, holding a folder. She hadn't said anything, but she was watching.
Yao Yixuan's bright approach.Xiao Lie's measured response.The awkward beat that followed.
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
So he's not simping for her either now…
A memory surfaced—Xiao Lie chasing after her during their first year. The chocolates. The festival invitation. The long message she never replied to.
Now?
He hadn't even looked in her direction today.
Later That Day – Campus Cafe
Two junior girls from another department approached Xiao while he sat reviewing his notes.
"Hi! You're Xiao Lie, right? From Professor Han's list?"
"We're trying to start a startup circle… think you'd be open to leading a workshop?"
"Maybe even just a quick session on idea-building?"
He smiled politely. "Sure. I'll see what I can do—schedule's a bit tight though."
They giggled and walked away, whispering as they went.
From a nearby table, Lin Shuyun sat with her friends. One of them nudged her.
"You knew him before, didn't you?"
"Didn't he confess to you once?"
"And you rejected him… now look."
Shuyun stirred her coffee, ignoring the chatter. But her eyes remained fixed on him for a second longer than they should've.
He's… changed.
That Night – Xiao Lie's Room
The day's messages flooded in.
[Group Invite]: Business Club Strategic Planning
[DM from Yao Yixuan]: "Hey, what kind of talk do you want to do? :)"
[Unknown Number]: "Hi, I'm from the Entrepreneurship Cell. Loved your proposal!"
Xiao scrolled, emotionless.
He wasn't surprised. Just… aware.
"They never see you… until others do."
He set the phone down.
"But I'm not doing this for them anymore."
And somewhere on campus, Lin Shuyun sat at her desk… rereading an old message in her chat box.
[Xiao Lie]: "Hey, I really admire you. Want to go out sometime?"Status: Unreplied.
She clicked on his profile.
And hesitated.