Right after getting dumped, He suddenly learned that his best buddy was the legendary cold-as-ice school beauty. - Chapter 46

After receiving a compliment on her appearance, Ji Qingqian’s nervousness completely vanished. She was thoroughly satisfied.

“This outfit… I haven’t worn it since I bought it,” she said lightly.

“Then it fits perfectly,” Lu Yibei replied.

He paused for a moment. “So… I’m the first person to see you in it?”

Ji Qingqian caught the note of glee in his tone and nodded.

Boys are always like that—no matter the matter, if they can be first, it makes them happy.

“Ah, here,” Lu Yibei said, moving behind her. He smoothed the slightly wrinkled collar of her shirt. “Rushed out too quickly?”

Ji Qingqian hummed in response.

“I told you, there was no rush.”

“But you’ve been waiting downstairs for a while.”

“Not long. Take it slow,” Lu Yibei smiled. “I’m not running away… Alright, shall we go?”

“Okay,” Ji Qingqian said.

Just as she was about to follow him, he waved toward the dormitory.

“Goodbye, Auntie~”

Ji Qingqian glanced back.

The dorm supervisor, kind-faced and smiling, was watching the pair with warmth.

“Goodbye, Auntie…” Ji Qingqian murmured.

Her voice was so soft, it was questionable whether the auntie even heard.

The sight of the two young figures walking side by side made the aunt smile and feel nostalgic.

Youth…

This is what youth looks like.

When she was young, she’d have gone on dates like this too!

“Such a lovely couple,” the aunt muttered to herself.

…

The evening was overcast, with no sunset.

The wind stirred the fallen leaves, and the temperature had dropped slightly.

Lu Yibei glanced south at the sky. Rain might come.

Because of the weather, the street outside the campus wasn’t crowded.

“Wow… beautiful.”

“Is that the campus beauty?”

“What’s her name… Ji, Ji—”

“Ji Qingqian, you dummy.”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“Who’s that guy with her? Boyfriend?”

“No way, is he that fast? Does every freshman beauty already have a boyfriend?”

“Maybe, maybe not.”

“…Listening to you is like listening to nonsense.”

Still, some onlookers recognized Ji Qingqian from her stunning beauty.

Fortunately, no one approached them.

Bold or shameless people were rare.

Lu Yibei felt like he was walking beside a celebrity. As he went to adjust his cap, Ji Qingqian reached out, grabbed the brim, and placed it over her own head.

“Don’t worry, I washed my hair today,” she said softly, adjusting the strap.

Lu Yibei froze, then chuckled.

“Mm.”

“…Such a hassle,” Ji Qingqian muttered. She didn’t like being recognized.

“High looks always come with a price… being conspicuous is understandable,” Lu Yibei said with a smile. “But don’t worry. Since you’re a freshman, people are curious. After a while, this novelty will wear off.”

Just like Sister Lezi.

Still popular, but no one pointed or stared while walking down the street.

There was one more thing Lu Yibei didn’t mention.

If he walked with Ji Qingqian a few more times, people would probably assume she had a boyfriend.

Those interested in her would thin out.

It might seem like he was obstructing her dating prospects… but she probably wouldn’t mind.

…Yes, Lu Yibei felt confident about that.

After lowering the cap, Ji Qingqian stepped onto the curb.

She reached out, brushing his head with her soft fingers.

“Your hair’s all tangled together.”

She said lightly, “…like two… um…”

While smoothing his hair, her gaze wandered. “…Just like that cat’s ears over there. Are you… a cat-type guy?”

Cat?

Lu Yibei looked toward where she was pointing.

Good grief. A senior cat!

The black-and-white cat bristled, back arched, clearly alarmed.

Its eyes seemed to say: “Bro, you’re serious?”

Lu Yibei squinted.

Good luck, senior, he thought.

Patting someone’s head was an intimate gesture.

Ji Qingqian could do it naturally…

Clearly, he held a special place in her heart.

Lu Yibei felt an inexplicable pride.

The next moment, Ji Qingqian finished smoothing his hair but didn’t withdraw her hand. She kept her soft fingers on his head and muttered:

“Immortal caresses your crown, an inch of strength opens the heavens.”

Lu Yibei: …

Completely cringed.

“Ji Qingqian, stop being so dramatic!” he said.

…

Outside the school gate.

Ji Qingqian intended to hail a cab.

As a local of Hangzhou, Lu Yibei pointed out a flaw in the plan:

“With traffic at this hour, the half-hour ride will take an hour and a half. Take the subway instead.”

Ji Qingqian complied, putting her phone away.

The nearest Haidilao Hotpot was at Lakefront Yintai near West Lake.

Lu Yibei had booked the same place.

The subway route was simple, no transfers.

But the line they boarded was notorious—Line 1, the most crowded in Hangzhou.

And the station to get off… Longxiang Bridge, the worst on the line.

Entering the station, the crowd surged like a school of fish.

Lu Yibei and Ji Qingqian passed security first.

Since Lu Yibei had a shoulder bag, it had to go through the conveyor belt.

Then they scanned their subway tickets via Alipay and went down to wait.

The crowd was dense.

Ji Qingqian, unaccustomed to going out, felt dizzy and gently tugged his sleeve.

Lu Yibei looked back.

“There are so many people,” she murmured.

“Rush hour,” Lu Yibei explained. “Stay close, don’t get separated.”

“Okay.”

She stood almost flush against him.

Lu Yibei felt her cool arm, her fingers clutching his sleeve tightly.

He instinctively wanted to hold her hand.

But… it felt weird. Their relationship was good, but holding hands? A bit forward.

Yet he also felt confident she wouldn’t refuse if he asked… strange, but true.

Before he could speak, the subway arrived.

Disembarking passengers surged like fish breaking free from a net.

Those boarding pressed forward, elbows jostling, all pushing into the car.

Ji Qingqian followed close behind Lu Yibei.

He felt the weight of her grip on his sleeve.

After a moment’s thought, he reached back and gently took her delicate, white wrist.

“…Follow me,” Lu Yibei said.

Her hand trembled slightly, then relaxed.

She nodded.

“Mm.”

Just as he expected, she didn’t pull her hand back.

She let him hold it firmly.