The discussions among the upperclassmen, who circled like hungry wolves, naturally reached his ears. Li Yuan’s senses were now exceptionally sharp, and like any other man, he appreciated beauty.
Following the direction of the voices, Li Yuan’s gaze scanned through the crowd until, suddenly, his attention was captivated. A tall girl with a delicate, snow-white oval face entered his line of sight. She wore light-blue skinny jeans, a collared T-shirt, and white sneakers, with her hair tied up in a high ponytail and a cream-colored backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Wow, she’s gorgeous. I think I’m in love. That first-year is mine; don’t any of you try to compete with me."
"Old Ye, take a look in the mirror. With that shabby look of yours, you think you have a chance?"
"He just blushes whenever he sees a pretty girl. He’s all talk. If you want to see a real move, you have to watch me."
"Who are you looking down on? Heh, let me tell you a secret. These first-year girls are new to this unfamiliar environment, and they’re terrified of being lonely. As long as we, their upperclassmen, show them a little care, buy them some snacks, treat them to milk tea, and show them around campus... isn’t that how love blossoms?"
"Whoa, Old Ye, have you been reading a love manual or something? Alright, let’s see your move. If you can get her phone number, I’ll buy your meals for a week."
"It’s a deal. Just you wait."
...
Li Yuan’s expression turned strange. He knew this girl, who could easily be called a campus belle. Not only did he know her, but he’d had some interactions with her and knew a bit about her situation. She was Bai Weixi’s college roommate and best friend.
The reason Li Yuan remembered her so vividly wasn’t just her stunning face—one that could topple kingdoms—but also because of a particular incident. More specifically, a well-intentioned warning she had given him during the first semester of their sophomore year. He hadn’t taken it seriously at the time; otherwise, he wouldn’t have lost so miserably in his entanglement with Bai Weixi.
Reflecting on the past, Li Yuan’s thoughts flew into turmoil, and he wasn’t sure how to face her.
Under Li Yuan’s distant gaze, the girl with the ethereal beauty decisively rejected the advances of several upperclassmen. Pushing a silver-white suitcase, she walked with elegant strides toward the women’s dormitory. And Li Yuan happened to be standing right on the path she was taking.
As she was about to pass him, Li Yuan suddenly smiled and waved, calling out, "Zhong Tingyue, long time no see!"
Hearing his voice, Zhong Tingyue turned, her exquisite face filled with curiosity. "Senior, do you know me?" she asked, her voice soft and sweet.
At around 1.71 meters tall, the Jiangnan native had the tall, cool bearing of a goddess. Her figure was enviably curvaceous, and she possessed a pair of long, slender legs, making her a beautiful sight on the Xia University campus.
Li Yuan calmly walked up to her and looked her over. She truly deserves to be called Xia University’s campus belle. Absolutely flawless. Especially those long legs—they could be the death of a man.
As Li Yuan sized her up, Zhong Tingyue was doing the same. Li Yuan was about 1.83 meters tall, or 1.85 with his basketball shoes. While he might not have stood head and shoulders above the crowd, he was certainly taller than average. Paired with his handsome features, confident smile, and healthy muscle tone, he had all the qualities of a campus heartthrob.
Li Yuan shrugged, feigning a heartbroken expression. "Junior, it’s truly heartbreaking that you don’t recognize me."
Hearing him say her name and act so familiar, Zhong Tingyue couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt. Could we have actually met before?
She responded with graceful composure, "I’m sorry, Senior. I can’t seem to recall who you are right now."
Li Yuan smiled casually. "If you can’t remember, that’s fine. We can just get reacquainted. I’m Li Yuan, a Computer Science major at Daxia University."
Zhong Tingyue replied courteously, "Hello, Senior. I’m Zhong Tingyue, a first-year in the Business Administration program."
Li Yuan nodded. Nothing’s changed from my past life. Her family background must be quite well-off; when I first met her back then, she was always dressed fashionably in expensive brands.
Li Yuan smiled. "Junior, are you headed to Mei Yuan? Mind if a human GPS joins you?"
Zhong Tingyue studied him, her beautiful eyes serious. His smile seemed genuine, not forced, and coupled with that strange sense of familiarity, she nodded. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Senior."
Li Yuan skillfully took her suitcase. A light blush touched Zhong Tingyue’s cheeks as she stole a glance at him, but she didn’t object.
The two of them walked along the asphalt road, which was scattered with a few red leaves. Li Yuan was tall, sunny, and handsome, while Zhong Tingyue was a campus belle. They looked like a match made in heaven, attracting numerous gazes.
"Junior, is your phone number still the one you used to have? 136579...?"
Zhong Tingyue’s heart skipped a beat, and she couldn’t help but look at Li Yuan again. She had used that number since junior high and had never changed it. Could he be one of my junior high classmates? I can’t quite remember, but he seems so familiar.
She wanted to ask but was too shy. After a moment’s hesitation, she replied, "Senior, I’ve always used this number."
Li Yuan let out a soft "Oh," feigning nonchalance. "That’s good. I was worried you might have changed it."
As they walked side by side, their familiar-looking conversation instantly shattered the hearts of the upperclassmen who had been watching covetously.
"Damn it, a new first-year, and she’s already taken! I just want a sweet romance. Why is it so hard?"
"Who’s that guy? How dare he compete with our Xia University’s own Mr. Ye for a girl? We have to teach him a lesson."
"Uh, maybe we should just let it go. That guy is huge. I’m afraid you wouldn’t be able to beat him."
"Old Ye, how can you be such a wimp? Weren’t you just planning to get her contact info a minute ago?"
"Exactly! This first-year is a total knockout. If you won’t pursue her, I will."
"A girl with a boyfriend is the easiest to pursue. At least then you only have one competitor."
"Then may the best man win. Whoever succeeds buys the next round."
...
Li Yuan was completely unaware that by simply walking with Zhong Tingyue for a short distance, he had become a rival in the eyes of several desperate upperclassmen.
Downstairs at Mei Yuan, Zhong Tingyue fidgeted with her hands. Her eyes shimmered shyly as she looked at Li Yuan. "Senior, I’m here. Thank you for carrying my luggage."
Li Yuan smiled calmly. Walking with Zhong Tingyue for over ten minutes had been a novel experience. It’s a unique feeling, like walking with your girlfriend’s best friend. In a word: thrilling! In my past life, I truly thought of Bai Weixi as my girlfriend. I even had chances to take things further, but I never seized them.
An idea struck him, and he said simply, "Little Moon, I’ll be going now!"
Little Moon. In his past life, that was the nickname Bai Weixi and their friends had for Zhong Tingyue. It truly suited her gentle and radiant personality, as lovely as the moon itself.
Hearing the nickname "Little Moon," Zhong Tingyue froze. It was a name she’d had since elementary school, one that had stuck with her ever since. Hearing this handsome stranger, who already felt familiar, call her by her old nickname made her subconsciously certain that she must have known him before.
Seeing Li Yuan’s departing figure, Zhong Tingyue realized she didn’t have his contact information and quickly called out in a crisp, clear voice, "Senior, please wait!"
Li Yuan stopped and turned, a puzzled smile on his face. "What is it, Junior?"