At noon, Liang Zhiyi and Pei Chen landed at J City Airport. After leaving the airport, they were picked up and taken to C University.
Liang Tianming also had business ventures in J City. Due to his busy schedule and Zhong Xinrou’s work commitments, neither could accompany Liang Zhiyi for her university registration, but they had arranged everything in advance.
When they arrived at the entrance of C University, the driver handed a handwritten note and a key to the young woman, saying respectfully, “Miss Zhiyi, this is the apartment Chairman Liang bought for you in J City. The address is written on the note. If you don’t want to stay in the dorm, you can live there. Everything is prepared. If you have any questions or need anything, you can contact me anytime. My contact information is on the paper.”
Liang Zhiyi nodded, “Alright, thank you.”
Afterward, she and Pei Chen walked into the campus. Today was the registration day, and the campus was bustling with activity. It was midsummer, and the lush greenery and ancient buildings with rich historical significance reflected the deep cultural heritage of this century-old university.
The scenery along the way was picturesque.
After a while, they followed the signs to the student dormitories. Pei Chen first took Liang Zhiyi to her dormitory building. The young woman smiled at him, “Pei Chen, I’ll go up first.”
“Okay.”
She looked up at him and softly asked, “When will you come to pick me up?”
She had become more attached since they started dating.
Pei Chen wished he could keep her by his side every day.
The young man gently ruffled her hair and said in a warm voice, “Contact me when you’re done, okay?”
“Alright.”
The young woman went upstairs and entered the assigned dormitory. The other three roommates had also arrived. When they saw the girl with a high ponytail and skin as fair as snow, they were stunned:
“Wow…”
Liang Zhiyi’s bright eyes curved into a smile as she greeted them, “Hello, I’m Liang Zhiyi.”
“You’re Zhiyi?!”
The girls had chatted in a group during the summer, so they already knew each other:
“When you came in, we thought you were an art student. You’re so beautiful!”
“Zhiyi, I never saw you post any photos before. You’re a real beauty!”
Oh my gosh, she’s a stunning business management student!
Her intelligence and beauty are so enviable!
Liang Zhiyi smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed by their compliments. After greeting them, she matched each person with the names from their group chat. The four girls chatted happily, quickly bonding and creating a particularly harmonious atmosphere.
As they tidied up the dormitory, one of the girls gossiped, “Sisters, do any of you have boyfriends? Just so you know, I’m single.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend either.”
“I’m in the same boat.”
Then the three of them all looked at Liang Zhiyi simultaneously. “Zhiyi, you definitely have one! You’re so pretty; someone must be pursuing you!”
Liang Zhiyi smiled gently.
What should she do when her boyfriend is even more attractive? After all, she was the one who pursued him first.
She nodded, admitting that she had a boyfriend. Someone then asked, “Oh, so are you and your boyfriend going to have a long-distance relationship now that you’re in university?”
“He’s in the computer science department at our school.”
“Wow! Computer science! You two are both top students! Is your boyfriend really handsome?”
The young woman rested her chin on her hand, her eyebrows arching mischievously.
“Well… he’s just okay.”
After finishing her dorm setup, Liang Zhiyi sent a message to Pei Chen. A while later, she headed downstairs and saw Pei Chen already waiting for her.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on his white T-shirt. His facial features were sharp and distinct. When he noticed her, his gaze softened as he looked at her.
She smiled and ran over to him, and he wrapped her in his arms.
She murmured softly, “Pei, I missed you just a little bit while we were apart.”
“A little bit?”
“Alright, maybe a lot.”
The corners of his lips curved upward as he took her hand, leading her towards the cafeteria. Under the shade of the trees, with a light breeze blowing, the young woman looked at the students passing by and suddenly sighed, “Pei Chen, do you ever regret being with me, even just a little?”
“Hmm?”
“If you hadn’t gotten together with me, you might have met someone even more beautiful in college. I just saw several pretty girls. You’ve missed out on the whole forest.”
“…”
Pei Chen replied, “I don’t think so.”
“You must have secretly noticed them.”
He pulled her into his arms, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “If you’re not afraid of me teaching you a lesson, you can keep talking.”
The young woman caught the meaning behind his words, and remembering how he had kissed her until her legs went weak while she sat in his lap the night before, her cheeks flushed red.
Since they started dating, his true nature had become more and more apparent…
She gave a soft hum and said, “Pei Chen, you’re so bad.”
Hearing her coquettish tone, his Adam’s apple moved as he smirked and responded softly, “Hmm.”
He wanted to be a little mean to her.
After registration, the semester began, filled with club activities and department elections. Aside from attending classes, college life was quite enriching.
Liang Tongzhou, Xuan Xia, and Ji Fei’er were also studying in J City, but not at the same university, so they couldn’t meet often.
The start of the semester was busy. Liang Zhiyi and Pei Chen could only have meals together on some days, but fortunately, they could spend weekends together.
They were studying at C University, but their thoughts were often with Pei Yongxia in Lincheng. Pei Chen called his father every day to check on him.
Pei Yongxia reassured him that Gong Qinxin was taking good care of him, so Pei Chen gradually began to trust that his father was improving, especially as he saw his father’s better complexion and spirits in video calls.
Meanwhile, Pei Chen joined the university basketball team. As long as he avoided injury, he performed impressively, attracting attention from many female students.
One evening, there was a match between the Computer Science Department and the Business Management School. The game attracted a lot of attention, and before the match began, students from both departments gathered at the gymnasium.
Liang Zhiyi, a student from the Business Management School, was with her three roommates. As they reached the entrance of the gym, Liang Zhiyi was talking with her roommates when a male voice suddenly called out:
“Zhiyi—”
She turned to see several boys from her department’s basketball team approaching. The leading boy, tall and imposing, looked directly at her.
His name was Han Dong, a classmate who occasionally spoke in class. She had heard from others that Han Dong was interested in her.
Han Dong walked up to her, surrounded by a few boys who were teasing him. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he asked with a smile, “Zhiyi, are you here to watch our department’s game tonight?”
Well…
Actually, she was primarily here to watch her boyfriend play basketball qwq.
However, surrounded by classmates, she couldn’t admit that as a student from the Business Management School, so she gave him a polite smile and said, “Yes.”
“Zhiyi, I thought you didn’t usually watch basketball games…”
As Han Dong was speaking, Liang Zhiyi glanced over and saw Pei Chen and a few boys from his team approaching as well.
The boy was wearing a white sports jersey, tall and long-legged, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His well-defined, smooth muscles were visible, and he carried a bag on his shoulder. His dark hair and striking eyebrows radiated a strong aura of masculinity.
At this moment, Han Dong was still standing in front of Liang Zhiyi, saying, “Zhiyi, since you’re here to watch our game, I’ll definitely give it my all tonight…”
Pei Chen and a few of his teammates passed by, lifting his eyelids and casting a cold, indifferent glance at Han Dong, who was standing in front of Liang Zhiyi.
Liang Zhiyi didn’t have the chance to greet Pei Chen. As she watched him and his teammates move away, she looked back, nervously touching her nose.
Oh no, he’s definitely jealous…
Looking at Han Dong in front of her, she suddenly felt a bit sorry, wondering how he would fare against Pei Chen on the court tonight.
After Han Dong left, she and her three roommates entered the gymnasium and found seats in the stands.
After a while, the game began.
Pei Chen was playing as the shooting guard tonight, and Han Dong happened to be his matchup. With a smooth fake-out, Pei Chen executed a spin move to get past Han Dong’s defense, quickly pulling up for a layup, easily jumping and dunking the ball into the hoop.
Pei Chen released his grip on the rim and landed, glancing at Han Dong. Remembering how Han Dong had acted in front of Liang Zhiyi, his gaze was as cold as frost.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Liang Zhiyi watched the handsome Pei Chen with a heart full of admiration, clapping happily with the computer science students.
Her roommates looked at her with confusion.
“Zhiyi, the basket was scored by a computer science player!”
The young woman quickly stopped clapping and suppressed her excited expression, saying, “Uh, we’re just cheering for our Business Management School.”
Her roommates looked at the court and grumbled, “The number 10 player from the computer science team is so annoying! Han Dong keeps getting his ball stolen by him!”
Liang Zhiyi glanced at Pei Chen, her eyes curving with a smile as she nodded vigorously, commenting, “That’s right. He thinks he’s all that just because he’s handsome and plays well. So over the top.”
Her roommates were puzzled.
It sounded like she was praising him, didn’t it?
The game continued with Pei Chen controlling the pace of the match. His impressive dunks and three-point shots electrified the entire arena.
The boys continued to move with the same graceful elegance, and Pei Chen’s playing style was so distinctive that the Business Management School players were no match for him.
The students from the Business Management School were torn between cheering for their own team, hoping the Computer Science team wouldn’t win, and being mesmerized by Pei Chen’s performance. It was a tough emotional tug-of-war.
After the game, Pei Chen and his teammates had cooperated to defeat the Business Management School by nearly thirty points.
Once the match was over, the players from both teams shook hands. It wasn’t a formal competition, and everyone present were friends, with several being on the school team.
Many people shook Pei Chen’s hand, admiring him:
“Pei Chen, you were amazing on the court…”
“Wow, those breakthroughs you made tonight had me completely lost…”
Liang Zhiyi walked down from the stands, intending to find Pei Chen, when she suddenly saw Han Dong approaching her.
Han Dong awkwardly scratched his head and said, “Zhiyi, I’m sorry. We didn’t play well today. You must be disappointed.”
The young woman smiled and encouraged him, “No, you all played really well.”
Han Dong’s face brightened as he asked, “Zhiyi, if you’re free, I’d like to take you out for a late-night snack…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Pei Chen appeared next to Liang Zhiyi, his hand reaching around her waist and pulling her close, marking his territory.
He lifted his gaze, his dark eyes locking onto Han Dong’s.
Han Dong froze in shock.
At that moment, some teammates nearby saw the interaction and laughed:
“Pei Chen, you’re being so obvious about it!”
“Pei Chen, how come you didn’t introduce us sooner? Who’s this girl?”
Liang Zhiyi blushed slightly as Pei Chen’s warm and firm voice came from above her head:
“Liang Zhiyi, my girlfriend.”
“Wow…”
The crowd around them erupted in excitement, and Han Dong, feeling thoroughly embarrassed after being completely outplayed by Pei Chen on the court, quickly made his exit, his face red with shame.
A few boys went to the sidelines to grab their bags and suggested going out for a late-night snack. Pei Chen declined, and someone jokingly draped an arm around his shoulder, saying, “It’s so late, Pei Chen’s not joining us for a snack? He must have something more important to attend to.”
Teased by them, Pei Chen’s eyes briefly flickered with emotion, and his ears turned slightly red.
Ignoring their banter, he went to find Liang Zhiyi. He took her hand and led her towards the exit of the gymnasium. Ahead, her three roommates saw them and were shocked:
“Zhiyi? You…?!!!”
Liang Zhiyi glanced at Pei Chen and then smiled at her roommates, saying, “The number 10 player you mentioned is my boyfriend. Pei Chen, these are my roommates.”
Pei Chen nodded and said, “Hello.”
The three roommates were stunned.
“So he’s your boyfriend?!”
They looked at Pei Chen, remembering Liang Zhiyi’s earlier comment about him being “just okay.”
Is this what she meant by “just okay”???!
Seeing him in person, they were excited and said, “Zhiyi, you’re too much! You hid it from us! That’s why you were so excited when he scored. It turns out he’s your boyfriend!”
Liang Zhiyi smiled, “I wanted to bring him over to introduce him to you in person.”
One of them joked, “Zhiyi’s boyfriend, we have to report that she said you’re just okay. You should teach her a lesson.”
“Oh, I was just joking…”
Pei Chen looked down at Liang Zhiyi, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a smile as he said softly, “She’s right; I’m indeed just okay.”
Liang Zhiyi was speechless.
So much humble bragging!
As her roommates left, Pei Chen met Liang Zhiyi’s gaze and raised an eyebrow, “Just okay to the point where you chased me for my contact information?”
Liang Zhiyi, feeling embarrassed, huffed lightly and said with defiance, “Pei Chen, what’s the matter? I was the one who pursued you first, and now you’re acting all smug?”
He gave a slight smile, “Not at all, I’m honored.”
“Hmm…”
Pei Chen’s smile deepened as he took her hand and walked forward.
The night sky was dark, with stars scattered across it, and a warm summer breeze brushed against them.
As they talked about the game, Liang Zhiyi reflected on how he had looked playing basketball and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Pei Chen, you looked so handsome playing tonight. I really enjoy watching you play.”
“Am I more handsome than that guy from your course?”
Realizing he was referring to Han Dong, she laughed, “Are you still jealous?”
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, her eyes twinkling with a smile, “My Pei Chen is the most handsome; no one compares.”
His heart lightened immediately at her words.
Pulling her into his embrace, he kissed her and asked if she wanted to grab a bite to eat. She said she wasn’t hungry, so he offered to take her back to her dorm.
She shook her head, “I don’t have classes tomorrow, so I want to stay outside tonight.”
It was her father’s apartment that she occasionally visited.
She shook his hand, “Would you mind taking me there? I feel a bit scared taking a cab alone this late.”
“Sure.”
Even if she hadn’t asked, he would have done the same. He planned to take the subway back after dropping her off.
They took a cab and arrived at the apartment complex twenty minutes later. As they walked through the dimly lit area nearing the building, Pei Chen reluctantly pulled her into his embrace.
“Zhiyi, I haven’t had a chance to kiss you today.”
His voice was soft, stirring warmth in her ear.
Her face turned red, and her heart raced. “What do you mean? We just…,” she started to say, feeling flustered.
He gazed at her and said, “What just happened doesn’t count.”
“Hmm?”
“Now this counts.”
Before she could respond, he cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply.
Liang Zhiyi’s heart fluttered as she closed her eyes and tilted her head to meet his kiss. She felt the heat of his tongue and the tender pressure of his lips, the kiss filled with deep longing.
Having played basketball earlier, she could smell the fresh minty scent of his body wash mixed with a faint hint of sweat. His strong arms held her close, radiating an intense masculine energy that stirred her senses.
She felt like she was melting in his embrace.
The kiss grew more intense, and Pei Chen tightened his grip on her waist. His touch alternated between gentle and firm, yet it did little to ease the growing heat inside him, only making it more overwhelming.
At his age, a boy’s energy is naturally abundant.
And Liang Zhiyi was his first.
All his first experiences, filled with youthful intensity and passion, were tied to her.
His mind was flooded with uncontrollable and indescribable images.
After a while, his reason struggled to restrain his emotions. Pei Chen slowly pulled away from the kiss, his breathing heavy, and his dark eyes now burning with intensity.
He stared at her, his Adam’s apple moving as he spoke in a husky voice, “Zhiyi, you should go upstairs.”
He swallowed hard and said with restrained effort, “I should head back now.”
If he stayed any longer, he knew he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
Just as he turned to leave, Liang Zhiyi suddenly grabbed his hand.
She looked up at him with a playful smile, “No, Pei Chen, you have to come upstairs with me…”
He was taken aback.
Liang Zhiyi pouted slightly and said, “I’m a bit scared if you don’t walk me to my apartment. The hallway is kind of eerie, and there might be someone lurking around.”
She looked up at him with a pitiful expression, “Aren’t you worried about leaving me alone?”
Pei Chen, after a moment of hesitation, sighed and nodded, “I’ll walk you upstairs.”
They took the elevator up. Once they reached her floor and walked to her apartment door, Pei Chen looked down and said, struggling to maintain his composure, “Zhiyi, I should go now. Get some rest.”
The hallway was eerily quiet.
Liang Zhiyi smiled, her eyes twinkling as she looped her arms around his neck and pressed herself against him, kissing him provocatively.
Pei Chen’s body tensed, his gaze darkening as he struggled to control his rising emotions.
She clung to him like an enchantress, bright and irresistible.
It turned out she had invited him upstairs on purpose.
Just as Pei Chen was starting to respond, Liang Zhiyi was suddenly lifted up. Startled, she wrapped her legs around him as he pressed her against the door.
“Mmm…”
She let out a soft moan as his kisses overwhelmed her.
He lost all control.
Liang Zhiyi’s heart raced as she realized she had fully provoked him.
After a while, Pei Chen finally pulled back, breathing heavily, his body in turmoil. As he leaned his forehead against hers, Liang Zhiyi met his fiery gaze and, with a teasing smile, asked, “Pei Chen, do you want to come inside?”
She breathed softly in his ear, her voice gentle, “With you looking like this, can you really leave?”