My name is Su Xinyi.

I am a second-year student at Hangzhou Metropolitan University, one of the most prestigious universities in Hangzhou.

I live with my parents and my older brother. My life has always been peaceful.

Every morning, I attend lectures, complain about assignments with my friends, return home, and repeat the same routine the next day.

Some people dream of becoming rich.

Some dream of becoming famous.

As for me...

I only have one simple wish.

I want to fall in love.

Not the kind of love in television dramas where people meet by accident and fall in love overnight.

I wanted a love that would make my heart race—a love that would stay with me for the rest of my life.

Unfortunately...

At twenty years old, I had never even held a boy's hand.

Standing beneath the shade of a ginkgo tree on campus, I clasped my hands together and looked up at the clear autumn sky.

"Dear God," I whispered sincerely, "please let me meet my first love.

I don't ask for much. He doesn't have to be perfect... just someone kind."

The gentle breeze brushed against my face.

Nothing happened.

I sighed.

"I would appreciate it if You could hear my wish... even if it doesn't come true.

Just as I lowered my head, someone walked past me.

A cool breeze followed him.

My eyes widened unconsciously.

He was tall, dressed in a simple white shirt beneath a black jacket.

His black hair fell neatly across his forehead, while the sunlight highlighted his sharp jawline and handsome features.

Despite the lively atmosphere around him, his calm expression showed no interest in the noisy campus.

Without realizing it, I found myself staring.

He's...

Really handsome.

Could he be—

No way.

Did God actually answer my prayer that quickly?

How had I never noticed him before?

Before I could admire him any longer, a cheerful voice called out from behind.

"Gu Chen! Good morning!"

The young man didn't stop.

He didn't even turn around.

He simply continued walking as though he hadn't heard a thing.

The girl who greeted him wasn't upset.

Instead, she covered her face with both hands.

"Ah... he ignored me again! He's so cool!"

Another student laughed.

"You girls seriously like that?"

"Of course! That's Gu Chen!"

"The Gu Chen?"

"The one from the School of Computer Science. He's always first in his class."

"I heard he has rejected every confession he's ever received."

"He never smiles."

"He barely talks."

"Still..."

"He's the most popular guy at Hangzhou Metropolitan University."

I blinked several times.

Then I looked at his disappearing figure once more.

"... Seriously?"

I folded my arms with a small huff.

"So what if he's handsome?"

"Being good-looking doesn't give you permission to ignore people."

The tiny spark in my heart disappeared almost instantly.

" seriously."

"A rude guy like him could never be my first love."

Satisfied with my conclusion, I turned around and headed toward my classroom.

Completely unaware...

That the person I had just dismissed would soon turn my peaceful university life upside down.

The morning passed as usual.

As I packed my books into my bag, a familiar voice called out to me.

"Xinyi!"

I turned around and smiled.

"Yunxi."

My best friend, Lin Yunxi, walked over with her usual cheerful smile.

"How was your summer break?" she asked. "We haven't seen each other in weeks."

"It was good," I replied. "I mostly stayed home and spent time with my family. It was nice to finally relax."

"I'm jealous." Lin Yunxi sighed dramatically. "I was buried in assignments almost the entire break."

I couldn't help laughing.

"I'm sure you're exaggerating."

"Maybe just a little."

The two of us laughed as we walked toward our classroom.

After a moment, Lin Yunxi lowered her voice.

"Hey, did you hear what happened this morning?"

"What?"

"It's about Gu Chen. He ignored the campus belle again."

Yeah... I know.

It happened right in front of me.

And for a second... I actually thought he was my first love, sent by God.

How embarrassing.

Just thinking about it makes me cringe.

"Xinyi?"

"Huh?"

"Were you even listening?"

"Oh... yeah, I was."

Lin Yunxi looked at me suspiciously.

"You definitely weren't."

I smiled awkwardly.

"...Maybe not."

She shook her head before laughing.

"I knew it."

After our last class ended, Lin Yunxi stretched her arms.

"Do you have any plans after class?"

"I don't think so. Why?"

"A new café just opened near the university. They're having a grand opening promotion—buy one pastry and get one free."

I smiled.

"So that's why you want to go."

"Hehe... maybe."

"Alright, let's go."

A few minutes later, we arrived at the café.

"It's just around the corner," Lin Yunxi said as she pointed ahead.

"There it is."

I looked toward the entrance.

As Lin Yunxi led the way as we entered the newly opened pastry shop.

The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread instantly filled the air.

As I looked around, my eyes suddenly landed on a familiar figure.

a tall handsome someone with black hair sitting there.

Gu Chen...?

why is Gu chen doing here.

Is Gu Chen here for pastries too?

"Hey, what are you thinking?" Lin Yunxi nudged my shoulder before lowering her voice. "Look, it's Gu Chen—the guy I was telling you about. The one who rejected the campus belle. He's so handsome... but sadly, he's not interested in romance. Honestly, his cold face scares me."

At that moment, Gu Chen looked in our direction.

My eyes widened.

Did he hear us?

Embarrassed, I immediately turned my face away.

Just then, a gentle female voice called out,

"Chenchen!"

Both Lin Yunxi and I looked over.

A beautiful middle-aged woman smiled warmly from behind the counter.

"Chenchen, could you help me here, please?"

"Yes, Mom," Gu Chen replied softly.

His cold expression disappeared, replaced by a gentle smile. Turns out his family own this shop.

I couldn't help staring.

So... he can smile.

*I guess he's only like that with his family.*

*...He looks quite handsome when he smiles.*

After enjoying our pastries, Lin Yunxi and I walked over to the counter to pay.

Gu Chen was standing at the counter.

His expression had already returned to its usual calm, unreadable look.

"The total is thirty-eight yuan."

*He's back to being expressionless again.*

*To think my heart actually raced when he smiled at his mother...*

I handed him the money.

"Here."

Gu Chen counted the cash before looking up.

"You're five yuan short."

"Oh!"

I quickly checked the money in my hand.

"I'm so sorry. My mistake."

"It's alright."

His voice remained calm.

"No worries."

I blinked in surprise.

*He... actually said 'No worries'?*

*I thought he was rude to everyone.*

*Why is my heart racing again...?*

After leaving the pastry shop, Lin Yunxi and I went our separate ways.

When I arrived home, my older brother, **Su Yichen**, was sitting on the sofa playing video games.

The moment he saw me, he put down the controller.

"My little cutie pie is back!" he said with a grin. "How was college? Did anyone bully you? Tell your big brother, and I'll teach them a lesson."

I laughed helplessly.

"No, Brother. No one bullied me. Don't jump to conclusions."

"So, how was your day?"

"It was great. Yunxi and I stopped by a pastry shop after class."

"That's good." He smiled. "Are you hungry? I can cook something for you."

I shook my head.

"Nah. I don't have much of an appetite. I'll just make a cup of noodles."

"Alright. Dad and Mom won't be home tonight. They're away on a business trip."

"I know."

"I'll be in my room playing games. If you need anything, just call me."

"Okay. I'll finish my assignments and go to bed early. I have important lectures tomorrow morning."

"Goodnight, little cutie pie."

"Goodnight, Brother."

The next morning...

Beep! Beep! Beep!

My alarm rang.

Half asleep, I reached over, turned it off, and went back to sleep.

A few minutes later...

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The alarm rang again.

I slowly opened one eye and looked at the time.

"...What?!"

I shot up from my bed.

"I'm late!"

Without even eating breakfast, I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the house.

*There's a bakery on the way to the university.*

*I'll just buy some bread there.*

I hurried down the street without paying attention to where I was going.

Bang!

I collided with someone.

Both of us lost our balance and fell to the ground.

When I opened my eyes...

I realized I was lying on top of him.

Our eyes met.

Neither of us spoke.

For a few long seconds, we simply stared at each other.

Finally, a calm voice broke the silence.

"Are you planning to get up today?"

I instantly came back to my senses.

"S-Sorry!"

I quickly stood up and bowed repeatedly.

"I'm so sorry! I was in a rush. I didn't mean to bump into you."

Gu Chen slowly stood up.

"Being in a rush doesn't justify bumping into someone."

"I know..."

I lowered my head.

"I'm really sorry."

Without saying another word, Gu Chen turned around and walked away.

I sighed.

*Out of everyone... why did I have to bump into him?*

Just as I was about to leave...

Footsteps approached.

I looked up.

Gu Chen had come back.

In his hand was some medicine in bag.

Without saying anything, he knelt down in front of me.

Only then did I notice the scrapes on my hand and knee.

He carefully cleaned the wounds with disinfectant before gently wrapping them with a bandage.

I stared at him in surprise.

"You don't have to do this," I said softly. "I can do it myself."

"Be still."

His tone was calm but firm.

I obediently stayed still.

After finishing, he stood up and turned to leave.

"Wait!"

I grabbed his sleeve.

He stopped.

"You have a wound too."

"It's not a big deal."

"No."

I shook my head.

"It does look like a big deal. You were hurt because of me, so it's my responsibility."

Before he could refuse, I gently held his hand.

I carefully cleaned his wound and wrapped the bandage around it.

Every now and then, I softly blew on the scrape.

"It must hurt..."

I murmured.

Gu Chen quietly looked at me.

For the first time in a long while...

He found himself speechless.

After making sure the bandage was secure, I tied the ends into a small bow.

"There," I said with a satisfied smile.

"All done."

I looked up at him.

"Try not to get it wet, okay?"

Gu Chen lowered his gaze.

A small bow was neatly tied on the bandage around his hand.

For a long moment...

He simply stared at it.

"..."

Without another word, he turned around and walked away.

I watched his back disappear into the crowd before letting out a quiet sigh.

He's... not as cold as everyone thinks.