Subject:Regional Innovation Challenge – Official NominationFrom:Office of Professor HanBody:
Congratulations. You've been selected to represent our university at the Eastern Region Startup Challenge.Prepare to pitch your idea next week. Expect media coverage and high-level industry guests.Let's make history.– Professor Han
The Buzz Begins
It was instant.
His name was on the university bulletin site, then the Instagram story, then whispered through group chats like wildfire.
"Xiao Lie? Are you serious?"
"This guy just got out of nowhere."
"Even seniors haven't been invited to that!"
People who once scrolled past his posts now flooded his inbox.
"Bro, congrats!"
"Hey, want to grab coffee? I had an idea maybe we can work on together…"
"You're kind of famous now, haha."
He said the same thing every time:
"Thanks. Let's talk after the event."
But nothing changed his calm. If anything, it made him more focused.
He spent hours refining his pitch, reworking his notes, preparing late into the night.
In the Clubroom
The business club was in chaos.
Yao Yixuan nearly jumped on him when he entered.
"Xiao Lie! Oh my god, congrats! You have to tell me everything. What are you wearing? Do you need a team? A stylist?"
She leaned in, brushing her arm against his.
He stepped to the side, pulling out a chair.
"I'm good, thanks. Just need a quiet place to focus."
She blinked, lips parting slightly.
He really doesn't care…
From the Corner
Lin Shuyun sat across the room, pretending to read.
But her eyes flicked to Xiao Lie over the rim of her book.
He had once run to catch up with her, begged for her time, sent thoughtful gifts she never acknowledged.
Now?
People were flocking to him.
And he didn't look back at her even once.
Her friend whispered beside her.
"Regret looks good on you."
Shuyun scowled. "Shut up."
But she didn't deny it.
That Night
As Xiao Lie finalized his prototype slides, a message popped up.
[Lin Shuyun]:
"Heard about the startup challenge. You really deserve it."
He stared at the message. His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
And then he locked the screen.
He wasn't being rude.Just honest.
If she cared… it wouldn't take a public award for her to see me.
Meanwhile – Lin Shuyun's Dorm
She kept checking the message.
No blue tick.No typing dots.No reply.
For the first time, she was the one left waiting.
And it stung more than she thought it would.
She closed the chat window but opened it again.
What the hell is this feeling?