The lecture continued.

In addition to sharing stories, Ruan Qin also delved into a lot of professional knowledge.

There were many technical terms that laypeople wouldn’t understand, and he explained each one.

Xie Shu listened attentively.

However, most people found it somewhat boring, as the content increasingly touched on areas they were unfamiliar with.

“Sigh, I’m just a designer. This stuff is useless to me,” Liu Ping said, crossing his legs and pulling out his phone. “So boring. I need a novel recommendation.”

Li Da, who was playing a mobile game, glanced at him and reminded, “The network is bad.”

“Eh, it’s fine. It’s boring anyway. I’ll just wait for the page to refresh and download it. A novel shouldn’t use much data; it should be quick.”

Xie Shu glanced at him and said, “I know a great underdog story. Not sure if you’d like it.”

Liu Ping asked, “What kind of underdog story? Give me a brief summary.”

Xie Shu replied, “The protagonist starts off from a fallen noble family, suffers a lot, but later gains the support of heroes and makes a name for himself in the martial world. Eventually, he becomes one of the top three in the five major sects.”

Liu Ping asked, “Have you read it? How is it?”

Xie Shu said, “The writing is solid, and the updates are frequent.”

Liu Ping asked, “What’s the title? I’ll search for it now.”

Li Da and Zhao Lin also leaned in to hear the name.

Xie Shu, still looking at Ruan Qin speaking at the front of the gymnasium, enunciated clearly, “Outline of Modern Chinese History.”

The three of them were speechless.

Liu Ping put down his phone, leaned towards Xie Shu, and playfully put him in a headlock. “You brat, you deserve a beating!”

It was all in good fun, and he didn’t use much force. Xie Shu played along, making a pained expression and defending himself, “Just kidding. I was going to recommend a mind-bending mystery novel, but I thought you might not understand it.”

“I’ve been to college. What can’t I understand? Name the book!”

“Advanced Mathematics.”

“You son of a—!”

“Wait, wait! I know an even better one!”

“What’s it this time?”

“Complex Variables.”

“…Xie Shu! The righteous sects send this assassin to take your life! Hand over your dog!”

“I only have a puppy!”

Xie Shu and his friends were horsing around, mindful not to disturb those around them.

A few rows behind them, Su Qianyi watched Xie Shu playfully banter with his friends.

Because Xie Shu was turned sideways, she could clearly see him smiling.

His radiant smile made Su Qianyi’s heart ache slightly.

He used to smile a lot in front of her too, but she felt that the current him was different from before.

It seemed like he was genuinely happier now, not the cautious or forced smiles he used to give her…

Was he unhappy when he was with her?

But she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Su Qianyi bit her lip, the pain bringing her back to reality. She looked away from Xie Shu and focused on the person speaking on the gymnasium stage.

But as she watched, she couldn’t help but think about what happened at noon.

At noon, she and Xie Shu went to the cafeteria…

She saw him helping Ruan Nianxi with her meal, sitting with her, chatting and laughing, and finally walking her back to her dorm. Since her dorm was in a different building from Ruan Nianxi’s, she didn’t dare follow too closely, afraid he’d notice.

All those things that used to be hers, he now gave to someone else…

Her heart ached, as if it were being cut by a knife.

She knew Xie Shu had always been good to her, which made her current pain even worse.

She had started feeling bad the first night Xie Shu ignored her.

But back then, she firmly believed Xie Shu would never leave her, until last Saturday when she couldn’t resist going to Back Street to see him. His indifference and the words he said finally woke her up.

That night, she didn’t know how she got back, but she didn’t sleep at all.

The whole night, she recalled all the experiences she had with Xie Shu from high school to college. During that time, her life was almost entirely filled with his presence.

Being pampered, being loved, she became fearless, until she realized she had completely lost him and began to face her feelings.

Did she not like Xie Shu?

If she didn’t, why did she stay with him for so many years?

If she did, why did she reject his confessions every time…?

Because… she was vain. She liked the feeling of Xie Shu always chasing after her.

In high school, during military training, Xie Shu became the focus of all the first-year girls. Tall, handsome, humorous, and kind, many girls in and out of their class liked him. Before every assembly, the girls would gather and talk about him, and even she would unconsciously look his way.

Back then, they weren’t familiar with each other. She just stole glances, and although they had several interactions, she never thought much of it.

But after the military training ended, he secretly confessed to her.

She was shocked, incredulous, excited. Maybe she was shy, reserved, or because they weren’t familiar, she rejected him.

She regretted it afterward, feeling she had missed out.

But after classes started, he stayed by her side, treated her well, bought her things. Everyone in and out of their class envied her, their eyes filled with admiration…