Shen Wanyu, what kind of person do you think I am!
Shallow! So shallow!
While angrily denouncing, Jiang Linyuan tapped open the red packet.
Even though Shen Wanyu has poor judgment, one can't just refuse her goodwill, otherwise, what if the department head's feelings get hurt?
Since she's actively giving you gold coins, why not take what's freely offered?
"Since you've taken the money, take the new members of the External Liaison Department to get familiar with our work. The recent Badminton Club sponsorship is a perfect opportunity."
"The person newly added to the work group is the new member. You're in charge."
Shen Wanyu was almost certain Jiang Linyuan would accept the red packet, sending this message at the same time.
The department head understands me so well, she must have feelings for me in her heart.
I've checked, she's exactly that kind of girl, cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
Jiang Linyuan glanced at the newly added person in the work group; the External Liaison Department had recruited four people.
One person's screen name caught his attention: Magic Stone and Binary.
Binary little sister?
Before Jiang Linyuan could think too much, he received a new friend request.
It was precisely Magic Stone and Binary.
"Senior, I'm Lin Yilin, a new member of the External Liaison Department, also the one you helped out of that awkward situation. I'd like to treat you to a meal to thank you. When are you free?"
Jiang Linyuan thought for a moment:
"How about we convert it to cash?"
The other party seemed completely bewildered by his reply, taking a long while before finally squeezing out:
"Are you... not free?"
"Do you know what day it is today?"
Jiang Linyuan answered her question with another question.
Lin Yilin seemed to be thinking, then asked after a moment:
"University club recruitment day?"
"Today is Hogwarts opening day. I met my new classmates."
"Senior!!"
This time, Lin Yilin reacted extremely fast, the huge exclamation marks making it easy to imagine her blushing furiously even through the screen.
This little junior is fun to tease.
But shouldn't mess with her too much.
"I don't mean to make fun of you, junior. There's nothing wrong with being a romantic person. Besides, I was playing along with your lines earlier."
"Actually, senior, I like role-playing too."
It's just maybe a little different.
After a while, Lin Yilin awkwardly changed the subject:
"So, senior, are you free or not?"
"Junior, if you're trying to get me pregnant, I suggest Thursday, because I get pretty wild that day."
After sending this message, Jiang Linyuan put away his phone and stopped paying attention.
If I let this Binary little sister fall for me, it's over. Gotta nip that inappropriate fantasy in the bud!
I am the man you can never have in this lifetime!
...
"Really, what is this guy saying?"
Lin Yilin stared at the message on her phone screen, her pretty eyes wide open, pouting as she tapped on Jiang Linyuan's chat avatar on her phone.
She thought and thought, but couldn't figure out how to respond to Jiang Linyuan's words. Letting out a long sigh, she buried her face in her pillow.
Recalling the events of this afternoon.
In high school, few girls liked chatting with her. To put it nicely, her personality was straightforward; to put it bluntly, she didn't understand social flexibility.
A group of girls chatting, having to agree with topics they didn't understand, having to chime in with comments even when they had nothing profound to say—this wasn't the kind of social interaction Lin Yilin wanted.
So, she hardly had any peers she could really get along with.
Actually, logically speaking, someone as nonconformist as her shouldn't be prone to melancholic, sentimental moods.
After all, anyone who knew Lin Yilin would say she was a straightforward, lively, and cheerful girl.
But very few could see the little emotions she liked to hide away in her heart.
At the recruitment fair, facing the Student Union's unreasonable demands, under those numerous cold stares.
Grievance, anger, and fury—all sorts of negative emotions surged up from below like a tide, drowning her.
But just as she was about to run away, someone spoke up for her.
He was a guy hard to describe. At least, the current Lin Yilin completely couldn't figure this person out.
But he seems like a kind and interesting person.
"Juntang, I heard from Department Head Shen that Senior Jiang seems to have graduated from the same high school as you. What's your impression of him?"
Lin Yilin rolled over, poking her head out from behind the curtain, asking her roommate Zhang Juntang.
"...No."
Hearing this, Zhang Juntang, who was looking at her phone, hesitated for a moment before replying softly.
"That makes sense, different grades after all."
Lin Yilin smiled:
"But there will be plenty of chances to get to know him later."
"Mmm..."
Zhang Juntang nodded gently.
The evening breeze blew, lifting the light blue curtains of the dorm room.
The night gradually deepened, the girls' eyes reflecting scattered starlight and the future.
...
"Senior Liu, you seem a bit off today. Want to take a break?"
On the Badminton Court, Jiang Linyuan looked at the distracted Liu Tingting before him, handed her a cup of water, and asked with concern.
Liu Tingting took the water, untied the ponytail she had tied up for playing, looked at Jiang Linyuan's face, and forced a smile:
"Mmm, you juniors really know how to care for people."
Then, she paid no more attention, lowering her head to slowly drink water and rest.
Hearing this, Jiang Linyuan raised an eyebrow. This Green Tea has gone off flavor.
In the past, she would have long since engaged in a round of mutual affectionate flirting with him.
Seeing this, Jiang Linyuan said no more, just sat down beside her.
The two were silent, listening to the sound of the evening wind blowing past their shoulders.
After a while, Liu Tingting lifted her head in confusion, looking at Jiang Linyuan:
"Why isn't the junior talking?"
"When senior is quiet, her demeanor is especially unique. I want to know what you're thinking about when you're not speaking."
Jiang Linyuan softened his tone, speaking gently.
Hearing this, Liu Tingting covered her mouth and laughed, her narrowed eyes like crescent moons.
"Thinking about you, junior."
"Then senior is always thinking about others, not thinking more about herself?"
Jiang Linyuan said slowly.
"Senior has something on her mind, right?"
Liu Tingting was taken aback, nodded, but didn't continue.
Seeing this, Jiang Linyuan gave a soft laugh.
Oh? Finally reached this step, huh? The Green Tea's killing move: retreating in order to advance.
Fine, I'll play along.
"Senior isn't telling me what's wrong because you're afraid I'll worry about you, right?"
Jiang Linyuan said with a smile, slowly turning his head to stare at Liu Tingting.
The light flashed across his face, overlapping with his bright eyes, shimmering faintly.
"But actually, more than the matter itself, what I fear more is senior not being willing to trust me."
"So, senior, give me a chance to earn your trust, okay?"
Liu Tingting was stunned for a moment, then blushing, she nudged Jiang Linyuan's waist with her elbow.
"Smooth talker."
Although her words said that, her tone had already softened.
"If the junior says it like that, and I still say nothing, that would be too heartless."
She sighed, observing Jiang Linyuan's expression as she slowly said:
"Actually, I've encountered a very troubling matter recently, and I don't know what to do about it..."