Today, she still had one more task to complete, she was going to perform a song on stage.

The moment the host invited her up, the crowd below fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into deafening cheers and screams.

“Gu Nansheng!!”

“Ah! My goddess?!”

“They actually invited her back to school?!”

“Oh my god!”

Only after the music started did the audience gradually quiet down.

She had chosen an upbeat, rhythmic song. The students waved their hands along with her, sang together with her, and clapped to the beat. The entire atmosphere was lively and full of energy.

When the song ended, she smiled and waved at everyone before stepping off the stage.

The host quickly stopped her.

“Senior Gu, could we trouble you for a few more questions?”

“Sure.” She stopped walking and agreed readily.

“Then let’s randomly pick three students to ask questions, and Senior Gu can answer them. Is that okay?”

“Mm, of course.”

The microphone was handed to the first boy. He looked nervous.

“G, Gu Senior… can you tell us why you wanted to become an actress?”

“Because back then, I couldn’t find a job, and a friend dragged me to an audition. Then I got selected.”

“Hahaha, Senior is so cute!”

The second question went to a girl wearing glasses.

“Senior Gu, are you and Lin Siyan really together?”

“Nope, totally false, we’re just good friends.”

For the third question…

“Senior, are you planning to develop into an all-around entertainer? Your singing was amazing!”

“I actually practiced hard for an entire week just to get to this level. My music teacher even said I sing a little off-key.” She stuck out her tongue playfully.

“Senior is so funny!”

“She’s beautiful and adorable!”

“In the end, I just hope everyone treasures their campus life and makes the most of your university years. College is one of the most wonderful times in life, so cherish it well.”

She handed the microphone back to the host and walked offstage.

By the time the ceremony was nearing its end, she said goodbye to her teachers.

She glanced at the time, then sent Zhou Yang a WeChat message asking how he had come.

Zhou Yang replied: shared bicycle, environmentally friendly and green.

Gu Nansheng replied: Then ride with me instead. Wait for me at the south gate.

She had driven herself over straight from the airport today.

This time, she had not brought Xuanxuan along and told her to head home directly instead. She had gotten her driver’s license back in university, and although Xuanxuan usually drove for her these days, her own driving skills were still pretty decent.

It was Zhou Yang’s first time riding in Gu Nansheng’s car, and he looked visibly nervous.

Seeing his expression as though he were marching toward his execution, Gu Nansheng could not help but comfort him.

“Relax, Zhou Yang, I drive pretty steadily.”

“Well… it’s just that this is my first time sitting in such an expensive car.” Zhou Yang gripped the handle tightly and took a deep breath.

“Alright, don’t worry.” Gu Nansheng laughed.

S University was only around ten minutes away from A University by car.

Gu Nansheng parked near the east gate of S University where there were available parking spaces. It was now 4:50 PM.

Lu Shijing should be getting off work soon.

“What time were you guys supposed to meet yesterday?”

“Six o’clock. Ah Jing said he gets off work at five.”

“Then let’s wait here for him for a bit.”

After finishing his final class of the day, Lu Shijing walked out of the classroom and happened to run into Professor Zhang from the Chemistry Department.

“Hello, Professor Zhang.”

“Shijing.”

“Senior Lu.” Only then did Lu Shijing notice Su Li standing beside him.

Su Li had excellent academic performance. After graduating from undergraduate studies, she was directly admitted into the university’s graduate program, and Professor Zhang had also become her graduate advisor.

“Shijing, you know Su Li too, right? I remember you even helped supervise their thesis experiments.”

“Yes.” Lu Shijing nodded.

“Come over to my place for dinner one of these days. Your Aunt Wang has been talking about you constantly lately.”

Professor Zhang glanced at Su Li before turning back to Lu Shijing.

“She’s the daughter of my old comrade-in-arms. You should come too, Shijing. We can all have a meal together. I also have something I want to discuss with you.”

So that was the situation.

Lu Shijing nodded and agreed.

Professor Zhang continued, “I’m getting off work too anyway, let’s walk and chat.”

Professor Zhang had sat in on several of Lu Shijing’s lectures before. His teaching was clear, logical, and rigorous. He was easily Professor Zhang’s proudest student.

No matter when it was, he never forgot to remind him to keep striving higher.

“Su Li, when you have time, ask your Senior Lu for more guidance.”

“Shijing, help me take good care of her.”

Su Li was gentle and refined.

Shijing was intelligent and handsome.

Professor Zhang liked both of them very much.

The more he looked at them, the more compatible they seemed.

“Alright, then Senior Lu better not find me annoying.” Su Li smiled softly.

“You young people should go enjoy yourselves. I’ll head home first.”

Professor Zhang slowly walked away, wholeheartedly trying to match the two together.

The two of them walked down the steps one after another.

Su Li understood Professor Zhang’s intentions, but unfortunately, he did not know Lu Shijing already had a girlfriend.

No matter how much she liked him, what difference would it make?

If only she had been a little braver, perhaps the ending would have been different.

“Careful!”

Lu Shijing quickly reached out toward Su Li in front of him.

The fallen autumn leaves covering the steps were slippery. Su Li had been too distracted by her thoughts to notice, and she suddenly slipped and fell onto the stairs.

She had twisted her ankle badly.

Pain shot through her immediately.

Her white dress became stained over a large area.

Lu Shijing removed his jacket and draped it over her before checking her injury and asking her to try moving her foot.

“It hurts.”

Cold sweat instantly appeared across her forehead.

“It might be dislocated. I’ll take you to the hospital.”

Lu Shijing lifted her into his arms.

And that was the exact scene Gu Nansheng saw.

Lu Shijing was carrying a girl as he hurried past anxiously.

The jacket draped over her shoulders was the one she had bought for him last time.

“What… what’s going on?!” Zhou Yang stared in shock.

Gu Nansheng recognized the girl.

Su Li.

She remembered her.

“G, Gu Senior… should we call Ah Jing and ask what happened?” Zhou Yang asked carefully. “Maybe there’s some misunderstanding.”

Gu Nansheng silently watched the two disappearing figures.

After a while, she suddenly let out a soft laugh.

“No need. Let’s go. Looks like you’ll have to eat dinner with me tonight instead.”

What?

Could he even refuse this meal?

Zhou Yang felt like even breathing right now was somehow wrong.

Gu Nansheng brought him to a Sichuan restaurant.

The place was lively and noisy. She deliberately wore a mask and cap to avoid being recognized.

The manager escorted them into a quieter private room.

“Can you handle spicy food?” Gu Nansheng asked.

“Yes!”

At this point, he would eat anything as long as it made her feel better.

“Then let’s go with medium spicy. We’ll have one of each of their specialties.” Gu Nansheng pointed at the menu. “Beer okay?”

“Absolutely!”

Zhou Yang looked like a soldier preparing to sacrifice himself for the cause.

“Alright then, start us off with six bottles of cold beer!”

“Senior Nansheng… um… should we call Ah Jing over?”

“What? You don’t want to have dinner with me?” Gu Nansheng looked directly at him.

“Who said that?! I’m thrilled! You’re a huge celebrity now!” Zhou Yang hurriedly explained, terrified she would misunderstand. “Senior Nansheng, can we take a photo together? I want to post it on Moments and show off!”

“Of course.”

“Come on, come on!”

Click!

“I’m posting it now! They’re definitely going to die from jealousy!”

Gu Nansheng burst into laughter at his tone.

Somehow, the unpleasant feeling in her chest eased slightly.

How could she possibly not care?

She was angry.

He had draped the jacket she bought him over another girl.

A girl who liked him.

And he had carried her in his arms.

Even though she knew the girl seemed injured…

The concern on his face had been real.

And because of that…

Her heart hurt.

It really hurt.