The scene fell silent.
The response from the aspiring computer science student was totally unexpected by everyone present.
Even Han Ye, who was quietly standing at the back watching Xu Ling’an answer everyone’s questions, couldn’t help but be stunned for a moment.
It wasn’t until Li Fei quietly walked over and patted him on the shoulder that he snapped out of it.
"I remember you also planned to major in computer science. Is this some kind of telepathy?"
Han Ye, lost in thought, didn’t nod but instead frowned, "I think this acting opportunity is a great chance and should be cherished."
Of course, he didn’t voice the deeper meaning: having a girlfriend who is a star is way more impressive than one who only knows how to code.
Even though computer science is a promising field, being a movie star during university is extremely rare.
In his view, Xu Ling’an truly didn’t realize the opportunity she had in her hands.
Li Fei raised an eyebrow, ignoring the slight discomfort in his heart, and whispered, "I say, Han Ye, you’re not seriously planning to confess to the little bookworm at the graduation party, are you? She hasn’t even agreed yet, and you’re already making plans for her?"
"You said it yourself, she’s just a little bookworm. After dinner, we drink a bit, and everyone helps set the mood. How could she not agree?"
Seeing his confident face, Li Fei gave a thumbs-up, "Pretty confident, then I wish you success."
Han Ye took two beers from a nearby table and handed one over, clinking glasses, "Thanks for your kind words."
They had graduated and were adults now, so even drinking in front of the class teacher didn’t make them feel guilty.
At this point, the crowd finally satisfied their curiosity about Xu Ling’an. After three years as classmates, they more or less understood that Xu Ling’an wasn’t naturally chatty. Talking with them for so long was probably her limit, so they started to disperse in twos and threes.
Those who had previously asked in the class group about Xu Ling’an helping with film crew jobs found themselves too shy to ask in reality.
After all, they realized that though they envied her, having luck like Xu Ling’an was quite rare.
It was better to take advantage of this graduation party, enjoying the rare opportunity to hang out at such a fancy place, and have fun—that was more realistic.
The smell of barbecue began to waft through the yard. With more than forty people in the class, those who liked to work stayed by the grill, feeling a sense of accomplishment with every plate of meat they finished.
Some tried adult drinks they hadn’t been allowed to touch before like various red wines, beers, and fruit wines, while others transformed into makeshift bartenders.
As for the girls in fancy outfits, they took over the small stage in the yard, clinging to the microphones.
Couples who had secretly dated behind the class teacher’s back during school now openly flaunted their relationships, holding hands whether standing or sitting, sharing bites of skewered meat—a palpable air of romance filled the surroundings.
Perhaps it was the dimming sky or the slight influence of alcohol, but by the time the class teacher arrived, he was greeted by a group of energetic students who seemed ready to burst out from the confines of the courtyard walls.
Li Fei, who was always the teacher’s nightmare, even walked over with a beer in hand, "Old class, you’re late. Shouldn’t you penalize yourself with a drink?"
The class teacher, priding himself on his strictness, listened to the students cheering him on, and veins twitched on his forehead as he downed the beer in one gulp.
This sent the crowd into a frenzy. Led by Li Fei, one by one, they boldly approached with a toast, and those who dared not drink held up glasses of juice.
With the atmosphere so lively, even Xu Ling’an, who usually preferred quiet, was swayed. Realizing she was one of the few who hadn’t approached to toast, she poured two glasses of her favorite soda and walked over.
As for alcohol, she absolutely wouldn’t touch it.
Two voices rang out almost simultaneously, causing Xu Ling’an to pause and turn to see Han Ye, unknowingly beside her with a cup in hand, also seemingly there to toast the teacher.
He smiled at her, "Old class, let us toast to you, too. I’ll finish mine, you take your time."
The class teacher looked at Han Ye and then at the promising student in front of him. Raising an eyebrow, he said nothing, accepting the soda from Xu Ling’an and taking a big sip.
Once the party ended, the teacher’s duty was officially complete.
He no longer needed to worry about his students’ romantic issues.
Xu Ling’an quietly finished her soda, frowning slightly as she looked down.
Initially, she felt awkward and strange about Han Ye’s deliberate affection and actions. By now, with him intentionally joining her to toast the teacher, she felt genuine annoyance.
She hadn’t forgotten why she distanced herself from Lin Chan. People like Han Ye, who treated affection as a game or wager, were ones she wanted to avoid as much as possible.
Thinking he’d given up on toying with her, it became clear his maliciousness exceeded her expectations.
In the same courtyard, many others witnessed this scene.
After exchanging knowing glances, everyone quickly understood each other.
Given Han Ye’s efforts for the party and the fact that they seemed like a perfect couple, they were eager to play matchmaker.
So, during the following activities, Xu Ling’an and Han Ye’s seats always coincidentally ended up together. Someone on the small stage started a duet call, and someone shouted for Han Ye to duet next, promptly followed by calls for Xu Ling’an.
The crowd heated up the atmosphere, yet for Xu Ling’an, it only felt like being forced into a role.
Looking at the microphone handed to her, she resisted the urge to flee, "I really can’t sing."
The audience wouldn’t let her go so easily, "There’s the original track, just hum a couple of lines."
Xu Ling’an pursed her lips, looking around, and suddenly noticed Lin Chan staring blankly at the microphone. Seizing it, she placed it in Lin Chan’s hands, "Lin Chan, you do it."
Lin Chan, secretly gritting her teeth: "..."
The classmates, suddenly realizing their mistake: "..."
Already on stage, waiting for Xu Ling’an, Han Ye watched as she handed the mic to Lin Chan without hesitation, his confident smile wavering ever so slightly.
As Lin Chan eagerly lifted her dress to take the stage, everyone around looked at each other, quietly backing away.
Finally, the quiet girl who had been sitting behind Xu Ling’an scooted over to ask softly, "An’an, you don’t like Han Ye?"
Seizing the rare chance to respond to this question, Xu Ling’an nodded without hesitation, "I don’t like him."
Everyone eavesdropping: "..." This was awkward; they had thought the two liked each other.
None of them were fools. Reflecting on it, they realized all the assumptions were Han Ye’s deliberate illusions.
Li Fei heard too, and seeing the sour-faced buddy on stage, couldn’t help but chuckle.
Even he had thought Han Ye had it in the bag, but it turned out he hadn’t won over the little bookworm at all!
He was eager to see if Han Ye would follow through with his plan to publicly confess to the little bookworm later.