Music Academy Girls' Dormitory.
"Wanning, are you sure it's just a casual dinner out?" A roommate asked with amusement, watching Lin Wanning who had spent over an hour getting ready.
Lin Wanning nodded. "Yes, just dinner."
"But you've already changed six outfits..."
At this, Lin Wanning pursed her lips, unsure how to respond.
Noticing her reaction, the roommate grinned. "Seems to me you're not just going out to eat—you're going on a date, aren’t you?"
"Exactly! They always say the ones who appear cold and aloof, the type who blush at dirty jokes, are the first to fall in love and get married. Meanwhile, us loudmouths who crack raunchy jokes end up perpetually single..."
A faint flush crept onto Lin Wanning's usually composed face. "That’s not true. It really is just dinner."
"Fine, fine, just dinner then. But tell me—is it with that guy who rescued you last time?"
Her voice, though cool and detached as ever, carried a barely detectable hint of shyness—something her seasoned roommates didn’t miss.
Leaving the dorm, Lin Wanning headed toward the campus gates, her phone in hand. She bit her lip lightly as she stared at the chat interface.
She wasn’t the type to make the first move.
And yet, she had already arranged to treat Long Aotian to dinner today.
Couldn’t he at least message her first...?
But then she recalled their previous encounters. Though he seemed serious on the surface, there was an endearing clumsiness to him.
Like yesterday, when he’d grabbed her wrist—only to awkwardly explain himself afterward.
She hadn’t even said anything about it...
"Could it be... he’s never been in a relationship before?"
The thought made her smile involuntarily.
Her smile was like ice blossoms blooming atop a snowy peak—crystalline yet warm, delicate yet radiant.
Suddenly, her mood lifted.
Her fingers danced across the screen, and with a tap, she sent the message.
Sitting on the same bench as yesterday, Lin Wanning occasionally glanced at her phone before leaning back, her gaze drifting to the towering trees lining the path.
The sunset’s glow filtered through the leaves, scattering golden flecks across the ground.
"Sorry I’m late." Long Aotian’s voice came from the direction of T University. As he approached, the scene before him caught his breath.
Bathed in the amber light, her silhouette seemed haloed, soft and ethereal.
She looked up, meeting his eyes with a faint smile—her usual aloofness momentarily gone. "You’re here."
Rising gracefully, the hem of her white dress fluttered like butterfly wings, as if ready to take flight.
Noticing the flicker of admiration in Long Aotian’s eyes, Lin Wanning felt a secret thrill.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"Ahem." Long Aotian coughed awkwardly, grinning sheepishly. "You look especially beautiful today."
After an hour of preparation and six outfit changes, she certainly did.
His words sent a ripple of delight through her, though she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. Instead, she nodded softly. "Let’s go eat."
As she turned away, the corners of her lips curled into an irrepressible smile.
No one disliked being complimented—no one, not even those who pretended otherwise.
"Still, it’s kind of embarrassing, haha."
"Why? You helped me. You might not dwell on it, but I can’t just forget."
Coming alone to an unfamiliar city, only to face such a vile situation—
With no family or friends to turn to, Lin Wanning had felt utterly helpless.
And then Long Aotian had stepped in, shielding her like a hero.
Treating him to one meal? She’d gladly do it ten times over.
Perhaps only those who’d experienced it could understand.
To her, this dinner was the least she could do.
Even if it couldn’t make up for the injuries he’d sustained while protecting her, she had to try.
Maybe it was just a way to soothe her own conscience.
No sooner had they sat down than Long Aotian’s phone buzzed.
His expression softened instantly at the caller’s name.
Lin Wanning’s eyes flicked to his phone. She opened her mouth, but her reserved nature kept the question unspoken.
A moment later, Long Aotian set his phone aside.
"Sorry about that," he said apologetically. "Just replying to a message." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
"Girlfriend checking in? I didn’t mean to intrude on your time together."
Lin Wanning’s gaze lifted in surprise.
Long Aotian smiled faintly, as if recalling something. "But she’s someone very important to me."
"Yeah." His lips curved unconsciously. "Very important."
She was the first person he’d met in this world.
Lin Wanning nodded. Truthfully, she didn’t dwell on it—she’d already gotten the answer she cared about.
Until now, she’d never realized how much joy she could find simply watching someone eat.
Long Aotian ate with such gusto, shoveling large bites into his mouth effortlessly.
He didn’t bother with pretense, eating exactly how he pleased—even with a girl he’d openly called beautiful sitting across from him.
"Tiring, isn’t it?" Lin Wanning knew not to interrupt his meal, but she couldn’t help herself.
She didn’t want this dinner to end so soon.
"Military training must be exhausting, right?" Boys had far more stamina than girls, but it also burned faster. His appetite told the story.
"Not too bad. More fun than I expected."
For Long Aotian, this was a brand-new life, an adventure he’d never experienced before.
On their way back to the academy, Lin Wanning’s melodious voice broke the silence. "Does this mean we’re friends now?"
"Of course. Call me ‘Brother Long,’ and I’ll have your back from now on."
Lin Wanning fell quiet, casting him occasional sidelong glances—her expression unreadable.