Chapter 6 Stirring Restlessness

After lunch, Xi Yue arrived early at the Art Building.

The classroom was empty, so she went to the barre to do some stretching exercises. Just as she settled into position, Wang Jin walked in with two cups of fruit tea.

Seeing Xi Yue glance over, he shook the cups in his hands. “Want some? It’s your favorite milk tea, less ice, no sugar.”

Xi Yue’s face flushed, and she sheepishly stood up straight. “Mr. Wang, you came over?”

Wang Jin watched her intently.

Xi Yue was slender but not skinny; her figure was curvy and nearly perfect.

Her delicate features and fair skin made her look soft and alluring. Standing by the window, bathed in the afternoon sunlight, she seemed like an innocent and charming painting, sweet as cream at the edge of her lips.

Wang Jin was momentarily entranced. Until the condensation on the cup dripped onto his foot, he was back to reality.

His adam’s apple bobbed unconsciously, and he ignored the pounding of his heart as he raised the cup towards her.

Xi Yue had no choice but to come over and greet him.

Wang Jin was tall, handsome, and gentle, said to have held the title of Huai University’s most attractive student since his freshman year.

His classical piano training gave him an elegant and refined aura. Even in a simple white shirt and black trousers, he looked like the perfect prince from a manga.

Many joked that his smiling eyes could make even passing mosquitoes blush.

Xi Yue took the cup from his hand. “Mr. Wang, weren’t you practicing the piano?”

“I was next door. Just came to say a hello.”

Xi Yue nodded awkwardly.

Wang Jin clinked his cup against hers, “What’s wrong? You look like you have something to say.”

Xi Yue hesitated. “Well, as for the Senior Dance Troupe, is that you?”

Their eyes met. Wang Jin’s palms grew warm, but he pretended to be cool, “What...”

Xi Yue felt guilty.

She knew Wang Jin liked her.

Normally, she would have rejected his advances outright and cut ties. But he had helped her get a chance with the Senior Dance Troupe... She couldn’t let it go.

Facing Wang Jin, Xi Yue felt a bit guilty. Wang Jin tapped her cup again. “Don’t you like it?”

“I do, but—”

“If you like it, that’s all that matters,” Wang Jin interrupted, drinking a large sip of tea to quell the stirring restlessness in his heart. “What you like is the most important thing, no need to mention anything else.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Xi Yue nodded. “Thank you.”

Her elegant neck was exposed as she moved, making Wang Jin’s fingers itch to touch the cup’s edge.

His voice grew husky. “If you really want to thank me, how about treating me to a meal?”

Xi Yue agreed, “Oh, I would love to...”

Wang Jin smiled meaningfully. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Xi Yue was famously hard to date. In her first two years of college, less than five people had shared a meal with her. His straightforward gaze made Xi Yue feel uneasy again. “It’s the least I can do, given how much you’ve helped me.”

Wang Jin was about to respond when a cheerful male voice called out, “Xi Yue, what are you doing?”

They turned to see Fang Mo entering with a water cooler jug. Xi Yue was surprised. “What are you doing here?”

Fang Mo carried the jug to the water dispenser in the corner. “I just found a part-time job.”

Fang Mo often worked part-time jobs to support his family. Seeing their familiarity, Wang Jin frowned slightly but kept his tone neutral. “Xi Yue, who is this?”

“He—”

Fang Mo walked over, draping an arm over Xi Yue’s shoulder and grinning at Wang Jin. “You’re Wang Jin, right?”

Wang Jin looked at Fang Mo’s hand on Xi Yue’s shoulder. “Yes, and you are?”

“Fang Mo,” he said cheerfully. “I’m Xi Yue’s Romeo—”

“Bromeo!” Xi Yue cut him off. “Fang Mo is my Bromeo, my best friend since childhood.”

As she spoke, Xi Yue pinched Fang Mo’s side behind her back. He yelped and grabbed her hand, laughing. “...Right, Bromeo.”

Xi Yue shot him a glare, signaling him to keep quiet. Their intimate interaction displeased Wang Jin, who cleared his throat. “Xi Yue, I need to talk to you. Can we step aside?”

Xi Yue was about to respond, but her her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and apologized before stepping away.

“Hello?”

“Where are you?” The man’s lazy voice was unreadable.

Xi Yue glanced at Wang Jin and moved farther away. “At school.”

Wang Jin noticed her evasiveness and tried to follow, but Fang Mo blocked him. “Mr. Wang, it’s not appropriate to follow a girl on a call.”

Wang Jin pushed Fang Mo’s hand away, scrutinizing him. “Are you really just friends?”

Fang Mo raised an eyebrow. “Could be more than friends.”

Wang Jin’s eyes narrowed with caution.

Fang Mo remained calm. “You like Xi Yue?”

Wang Jin snorted, ignoring him, and watched Xi Yue from a distance.

Xi Yue spoke quietly into the phone.

Zong Du, “Aren’t you off today?”

“Yes, but a senior asked me to come over,” Xi Yue added, “to practice dancing.”

“Looks like I was too lenient last night,” Zong Du sneered. “You still have energy to practice today.”

Xi Yue felt anxious and instinctively used a softer tone. “No, no...I’m really tired, my legs are weak, and my waist is sore.”

Zong Du laughed. “Didn’t I tell you to—”

“Xi Yue, is that a call from your family?”

A sudden male voice interrupted. Zong Du paused.

Xi Yue’s heart pounded. “Mr, I’m really in the dance studio! I—”

“Senior?” Zong Du grinned softly.

Xi Yue tightened her grip on the phone, cold sweat forming on her forehead. “It’s a classmate from the next practice room, just chatting. Mr, I’m not lying, I—”

“Chatting?”

The connection made Zong Du’s voice even colder, and Xi Yue couldn’t help imagining his sneering, disgusted expression. She took a deep breath. “Mr, it’s true—”

The call ended with a mechanical beep.

Zong Du despised lies.

The lesson from last night was still fresh, and Xi Yue didn’t want to provoke this unpredictable man again so soon. She hurried to call back.

But just as she dialed, the classroom door opened, and the senior dancers filed in. Na Ru clapped and called for a gathering.

Fang Mo came over, cutting off her call. “Time to gather.”

“But...”

“Look,” Fang Mo patted her shoulder. “Practice is the most important thing right now.”

This was a hard-won opportunity for Xi Yue.

He glanced at Wang Jin, then whispered in Xi Yue’s ear. “Suitor?”

Xi Yue snapped out of it and nodded.

“Need help?”

Wang Jin’s face darkened at their close interaction. Fang Mo ignored him, focusing on Xi Yue. “Now is the perfect time.”

“Not yet,” Xi Yue bit her lip. “I might need his help later.”

Fang Mo looked at her in surprise, then chuckled. “Xi Yue, you’re so bad.”

Xi Yue blushed and glared at him.

Fang Mo’s smile widened. “Yeah, kind of a bitch.”

“Hey!”

“But... I like it.” Fang Mo took her drink and nudged her towards the group. “Go do your thing. I’ll handle this.”