This was especially true since they had just been intimate, only to not see each other for several days.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that absence makes the heart grow fonder.

But no matter how much she wanted to go on a date with Lin Shen, her work had to come first.

Jiang Wan’s expression visibly fell, the light in her beautiful eyes dimming.

"Some other day, maybe? I’m just so busy right now."

"Alright then."

Lin Shen scratched his head, then added with concern.

"Take care of yourself. I’m going to take Qingqing to her dorm to drop off her luggage."

"Mhm."

Jiang Wan watched Lin Shen leave the lobby with Gu Wanqing. Before she could shake off the sadness of their parting, a curious voice piped up from beside her.

"Hey! Jiang Wan, who was that guy you were just talking to?"

It was her colleague, He Fang, who whispered the question, the very picture of curiosity.

"I think I heard him call you ’senior’? And he actually asked you out to eat? Do you know him?"

"Yeah, he’s a junior from my university."

Jiang Wan sat back down.

"His sister just so happens to be a freshman in the English Department this year, so we were just chatting."

"Tsk, tsk!"

With the gleeful air of someone who loved a bit of drama, He Fang clicked her tongue twice before teasing her.

"That junior of yours is quite the looker! He has a great presence, too. You’d better seize the opportunity. My gut tells me if you don’t, some other woman will snatch him up sooner or later!"

"Oh, definitely."

Jiang Wan gave a confident smile, admitting it with poise.

"I’m pursuing him."

"You’re actually pursuing him?!"

The news left He Fang completely stunned.

’The most popular female counselor on campus, and *she’s* the one actively pursuing someone?’

’For real?!’

’That guy was handsome, sure, but enough for Jiang Wan to be the one chasing after *him*?’

In He Fang’s experience, Jiang Wan had no shortage of tall, rich, and handsome suitors, but she had never seen anyone manage to win over the "Flower of Shanghai International Studies University."

’So the reason was that her heart was already taken?!’

He Fang felt like she’d just stumbled upon some major gossip. She leaned in closer and pressed curiously.

"What’s his name? How old is he? Where does he work? What’s his family situation?"

"Oh, Fang, don’t ask."

Jiang Wan gave a playful blink, resting her chin on her hand as she said with a grin.

"I’ll tell you all about it once I’ve actually won him over. Right now, nothing’s set in stone yet."

"You haven’t won him over yet?"

He Fang’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but marvel.

"Now you’re making me want to meet this guy. After all, it’s rare to see a man who can resist your Charm. What is it you like about him?"

"Everything."

A blissful, gentle smile spread across Jiang Wan’s face.

"Everything about him—his strengths, his flaws—I love it all!"

——

After leaving the School of English building, Lin Shen led Gu Wanqing straight to the student dorms, having arranged to meet her parents downstairs at Building 10.

"I’m so nervous, so nervous..."

Gu Wanqing kept muttering this under her breath the whole way, making Lin Shen chuckle.

"What’s there to be nervous about?"

"I don’t know if my roommates will be nice..."

"Haven’t you chatted online?"

"We have, and everyone seems pretty nice, but we haven’t talked much. I don’t know what it’ll be like when we meet in person."

Gu Wanqing said worriedly.

"I’ve read so many stories online about all the drama and backstabbing in girls’ dorms. What if that happens to me?"

"Then just move out."

Lin Shen said casually.

"If you really can’t get used to dorm life, I’ll rent you a place off-campus."

"Really?"

Gu Wanqing’s beautiful eyes lit up. Touched, she hugged Lin Shen’s arm tightly and said with a grin.

"Brother Lin Shen, thank you for being so kind~ I’ll do my best to get used to living in the dorms!"

"Mhm."

Seeing Gu Wanqing’s brilliant smile, so full of youth and energy, Lin Shen felt a stir in his heart.

Today she wore a pink and white sailor-style outfit. Her slender calves were wrapped in short, white stockings, and with her little black leather shoes, she gave off the distinct vibe of a sweet Japanese girl.

This caused quite a few passersby to shoot her looks of amazement. After all, Gu Wanqing’s face was just that stunning.

Her sweet face was a cut above even Jiang Wan’s and Qin Yuenan’s, and this was just her in her budding youth.

’If she grows into her twenties... tsk, tsk!’

A wave of heat washed over Lin Shen. He glanced down at the arm Gu Wanqing was hugging and teased with a soft laugh.

"You’re hugging me like this... Aren’t you afraid your parents will see?"

!?

The moment she heard him, Gu Wanqing immediately let go of his arm. Her pretty face flushed red as she couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.

"What’s wrong with a little sister hugging her big brother’s arm? It’s perfectly natural!"

"Then go on, keep hugging it."

"I’d better not."

Gu Wanqing hurriedly waved her hands in refusal, which made Lin Shen smile faintly.

The two then arrived at the base of Building 10 and regrouped with the main party.

After checking in with the dorm manager, the group started carrying the luggage upstairs.

Cheng Yue was trying the hardest, carrying the heaviest items, a five-piece bedding set.

He seemed to be trying to make a good impression on Gu Zhiyuan and Chen Hui.

But it was utterly useless.

Because compared to Lin Shen, their opinion of Cheng Yue couldn’t possibly be any lower.

No matter how much he did, they still didn’t like him.

"HEAVE!"

7th floor.

After dropping the heavy bags in the hallway, Cheng Yue bent over, hands on his knees, and gasped for breath. He then looked up at Gu Wanting, his face full of expectation, hoping for a word of praise.

But she paid him no mind. Instead, her gaze remained fixed on Lin Shen’s back, her eyes filled with an exceptionally complex mix of emotions.