“Hoes before bros, Class Rep? Really?! I bet you’d throw your best friend out the window in exchange for a date!” Strongman was deliberately overreacting. He crawled out of the car and gave a drunken belch before stumbling back to his dormitory, swaying unsteadily the whole way.
Mei Xiawen leaned against the hood of his car, in the shadow of a street lamp. When he called Gu Nianzhi on the phone, the corners of his mouth automatically curved upwards. He couldn’t help it.
He had not felt this sweet, bubbly feeling inside him since high school.
This time, he wasn’t going to let go. If he let her slip by, he was going to regret it for the rest of his life.
Mei Xiawen dialed Gu Nianzhi’s number but the call was declined.
He stared at his phone for a few moments before looking up to check Gu Nianzhi’s room in the dormitory building. The lights were still on; Gu Nianzhi and her roommates were obviously still up and about. But she had refused to take his call.
It seemed that the “good girl” of Class One wasn’t without a temper of her own.
Mei Xiawen smiled at this. He did not call again.
He got out a cigarette, lit it, and inhaled. He held the cigarette in one hand as he sent Gu Nianzhi a series of texts with the other.
“Nianzhi, are you asleep?”
“If you’re still awake, can you come downstairs so we can talk?”
“Nianzhi, I miss you so much. We’ve only been apart for half an hour, but I’m missing you already.”
“Nianzhi, are you mad at me?”
“If you’re angry, I absolutely have to make it up to you.”
“Nianzhi, let’s make a promise. We can quarrel, but we’ll make up before the day is over. No going to bed angry.”
“Nianzhi, please come downstairs. If you don’t, I’ll wait here the whole night.”
The text messages kept on coming. It was impossible for Gu Nianzhi to ignore them.
She did not dare turn off her phone, because she was still waiting for Huo Shaoheng to call her.
She was leaning against her bed, fiddling with her phone. Seeing the long stream of messages from Mei Xiawen, she let out a small sigh, got up, and walked to the window. She saw Mei Xiawen leaning against his car, tall and slim. A small speck of red flickered in his hand—it was probably a cigarette.
For some reason, she held in place by his solitary figure. She could not bring herself to look away.
Gu Nianzhi stared at the tiny speck between his fingers for what seemed like a long, long time. Her phone was held tightly in her hand.
The look on her face did not escape her roommates. They were well aware that Mei Xiawen was still waiting downstairs.
Green Tea Fang was in the middle of putting on a face mask. She saw what was going on, gave a small cough, and said, “I’m thinking of getting Starbucks. Anyone else feel like coffee?”
“Count me in. I want a latte, no sugar.” Little Temptress was checking her Weibo and chatting with her family at the same time.
“Cappuccino for me, with sugar and milk.” Lady Cao was sitting primly in front of her computer, prepping a case as part of her internship.
Green Tea Fang called out to Gu Nianzhi and asked, “Nianzhi, what do you want?”
Gu Nianzhi turned to look at her; she shook her head and said, “You girls want coffee at this hour? Insomnia, much? What about your beauty sleep?”
“My dear girl, you’re talking to an immortal elf. What’s one latte to me?” said Little Temptress coyly, emphasizing her point with a snap of her fingers.
Green Tea Fang picked up her phone, and called the on-campus Starbucks. “Hi, two cups of cappuccino, a latte, a carton of fresh milk, and a box of muffins, please.”
The C University on-campus Starbucks was very efficient with their deliveries. Soon enough, the Resident Advisor for their dorm buzzed them on the intercom: “Room 518! Starbucks!”
“Coming!” Green Tea Fang got up and was about to leave the room when Gu Nianzhi stopped her. “Are you seriously going out with that mask on your face? Sit down, I’ll get it.”
“Thanks, Lil Sis!” Green Tea Fang smiled as she thrust the money into Gu Nianzhi’s hands.
Gu Nianzhi ducked her head and went out.
Green Tea Fang ran out to the balcony. Shortly after, she saw Gu Nianzhi walk out of the dormitory building and accept a large take-out box from the good-looking Starbucks deliveryman. At this point, Mei Xiawen walked towards Gu Nianzhi, his cigarette dangling from his hand.
Up above, Green Tea Fang nodded as she folded her arms across her chest elegantly. “Class Rep should be paying for our coffee tonight. If it weren’t for me, God knows how long it’ll take for these two to make up.”
She had tossed them a rope. It was now up to them to decide whether they wanted to take it.
Down below, at the entrance to the dormitory building, the Starbucks deliveryman had just left after receiving the money from Gu Nianzhi. Gu Nianzhi, on the other hand, found herself trapped; Mei Xiawen had his hand around Gu Nianzhi’s arm and wouldn’t let go.
“Is something else the matter, Class Rep?” said Gu Nianzhi coolly. “I have to take this back to my room.”
“How can I let you go back to your room, seeing you like this?” Mei Xiawen tossed the cigarette in his hand, and relieved Gu Nianzhi of the large take-out box. His other hand was still on her arm as he led her towards his car.
Gu Nianzhi struggled a little, but before she could break free Mei Xiawen had already pulled her into the shadows beside his car.
They were standing in a blind spot, right outside the reach of the light from the street lamp. It was darker here than everywhere else.
“Nianzhi, are you angry?” Mei Xiawen put the Starbucks take-out box on top of the car hood; he grasped Gu Nianzhi’s hands in his, holding them before him as he explained in a gentle voice. “Ai Weinan was my classmate in high school. She’s always been a real tomboy. We’re just bros, nothing more. You’re not jealous of her, are you?”
Gu Nianzhi immediately flushed—not because she was shy, but because she was angry.
She wasn’t even in love with him yet. Why would she be jealous?!
“Class Rep, your relationship with that classmate of yours is none of my concern. You don’t have to explain yourself to me.” Gu Nianzhi huffed as she turned her head away from him, choosing to stare instead at the moths dancing in the cone of light beneath the street lamp.
“How can I not explain myself? I like you, and I want you to be my girlfriend.” Mei Xiawen thought Gu Nianzhi was adorable even when she was choosing to be difficult; her large eyes were narrowed in anger, and the full, luscious lips that were currently extended in a slight pout looked so very tempting. He wanted to kiss them.
Mei Xiawen licked his lips; the temptation was strong.
Gu Nianzhi’s ears were red, but luckily for her Mei Xiawen could not see them in the dark.
“She was my classmate for many years. If there was ever going to be anything between the two of us, it would have happened long ago. Why would it wait till today?” Mei Xiawen sighed. “I’m serious about you, and I know you’re not the type to be petty. And anyway, you’re smarter than she is, and more beautiful. I’m not blind, why would I choose her over you? Even if you don’t have any confidence in yourself, please at least have confidence in me.”
“So if I’m not as smart as I am, or more beautiful, you wouldn’t have liked me? Is that what you’re saying?” Gu Nianzhi shot Mei Xiawen a fierce look, before looking away.
“Nianzhi, you’re a law student. Why are you acting like an ignorant high schooler? I like you. That alone proves that you are better than all the other girls. If you won’t believe in yourself, you must at least believe that I have good taste,” said Mei Xiawen as he leaned closer to Gu Nianzhi.
She could feel him approaching her, closer and closer. The warmth of his breath was upon her face now.
Gu Nianzhi pursed her lips, and with a sudden twist and turn of her arms, quickly freed herself from Mei Xiawen.
Mei Xiawen was surprised. He stared at his hands, unable to comprehend how Gu Nianzhi’s soft arms had slid out of his grasp just like that, as slippery as a fish.
“Class Rep, I’m going back to my room now.” Gu Nianzhi leaned across the hood of the car, and retrieved the Starbucks take-out box. She laughed lightly as she said, “Don’t worry, I’m not angry.”
She wasn’t angry, just embarrassed by Ai Weinan’s behavior: she had first crashed the dinner that was supposed to be a private celebration among friends, then acted like she owned the place in front of Gu Nianzhi’s roommates. How embarrassing!