“It’s not.”
Xie Dingyuan heard his own voice, surprisingly steady.
He had imagined this scenario countless times—what if she found out…
He thought he’d be so flustered, completely at a loss for words.
But in reality, now that the moment had come, he was calm instead.
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow. “Then why?”
“Because,” the man looked her straight in the eyes and enunciated each word clearly, “I’m attracted to you, so I instinctively want to be close.”
This time, it was Jiang Fuyue’s turn to be stunned.
“Didn’t catch that?” Her confusion sparked a smile in his eyes, like ripples spreading across a spring lake.
“Want me to repeat it?”
“N-No need.”
“So that means… you got it?”
Jiang Fuyue: “……”
Xie Dingyuan: “Not saying anything means you accept it by default.”
Jiang Fuyue was genuinely thrown.
Up until now, she’d never considered that Xie Dingyuan would harbor feelings for her.
After all, their first meeting had been terrible. And what followed only escalated that into mutual dislike—like oil and water, constantly at odds.
Even though the misunderstandings were eventually cleared up and he had sincerely apologized, and they’d worked together on this research project…
But how did things get to this point?
Jiang Fuyue couldn’t help but wonder— Had she ever given him any signals?
No.
They interacted normally, communicated professionally, worked side-by-side. If anything, the only time they were a little closer was when they’d gone out for hot pot a few times, or when he gave her rides between the lab and her apartment.
That was it!
“What? Feels unbelievable?” he said, voicing her thoughts directly.
The girl remained half-lying down, blinking. Under the sunlight, her lashes fluttered like butterfly wings.
Innocent, beautiful, pure—like an angel.
“Xie Dingyuan,” she called his name, “what about me attracts you?”
“I can’t really say. It’s just… a feeling.”
Jiang Fuyue: “So what do you want me to do?”
He paused. “I have no right to expect anything from you. The reason I’m telling you this is because you caught me just now. I didn’t want to lie, so I chose to be honest.”
“Sorry,” the girl said softly, “I can’t accept.”
He hummed lightly, “I know.”
Clearly, he wasn’t surprised by her response—he’d already prepared himself mentally.
Jiang Fuyue grew curious. “So, what are you going to do now?”
“I got rejected this time, then I’ll ask again next time. Just because you won’t accept now doesn’t mean you won’t in the future.”
The girl looked at him, a little stunned. She hadn’t expected that answer.
“You don’t believe me?”
“I just feel like… that’s not like you.”
Xie Dingyuan chuckled, his voice deep and magnetic. “Then in your mind, what am I like?”
“Proud and arrogant. The kind of person who, once rejected, turns around and leaves without a backward glance. Your self-respect is worth more than affection; your pride costs more than a crush. Maybe you’d even get angry or storm off. Even if your manners stop you from saying it out loud, deep down, you’d be thinking: What an ungrateful woman.”
He fell silent after hearing that.
After a while—“…Jiang Fuyue, you underestimate me. And you underestimate yourself too.”
The girl didn’t respond. Her black eyes locked onto him, as if they could pierce his soul.
“Yes, I admit, I’m a loner. Sometimes I’m even self-centered. But that’s how I am with other people. Not with you.”
“No. I was one of those ‘other people’ to you.”
Xie Dingyuan froze.
“When we first met, I was just one of the others to you. That’s why you were cold, aloof, and condescending.”
Jiang Fuyue curved her lips, half-smiling. “That time you tripped me in front of the school gate—I haven’t forgotten.”
Regret clouded his face. “I…”
“What’s done is done. No excuses.”
“I’m not trying to make excuses.”
“Then what?”
“I regret it. I want to make it up to you.”
And all those dumb things he said before—he wanted to take back every single word.
“But I don’t want to talk about that now. Even less do I want your attempts at making amends.” Jiang Fuyue sat up straight. Her smile stayed, but her eyes stayed fixed on his face to see how he’d react.
“That’s fine.” He wasn’t angry or upset. “Then I’ll ask again next time.”
“I’ll still say no next time.”
“Okay. Then I’ll ask the time after that.” He followed along calmly.
“You—” Jiang Fuyue was a little exasperated, but also found it funny.
His dark eyes locked onto hers. “I wasn’t planning to say any of this. If I had to, I should’ve waited until after your college entrance exam. Today was… unexpected. I’m sorry.”
He lowered his eyes slightly, like a believer awaiting judgment.
But there was no groveling.
On the contrary, his back remained straight, his lips drawn into a firm but controlled line.
He was willing to bow his head—not out of fear, but out of respect.
And as a form of apology for the arrogance of the past, and as a sincere offering for today’s confession.
After who knows how long—
“Hey, if I hadn’t opened my eyes, would you really have kissed me?”
“I wouldn’t have.” He didn’t hesitate.
Jiang Fuyue raised an eyebrow, then stood up.
The man instinctively took a half step back, putting some space between them.
Out of nervousness, and caution.
He didn’t want Jiang Fuyue to think he was being sleazy or impulsive because of what happened today.
“We’re pretty much done with the data entry, right?”
Xie Dingyuan paused, then nodded. “Mm, the third section is finished.”
“Good. Then I’ll head back.”
“I’ll drive you—”
“No need. I’ll call a cab.”
“…Jiang Fuyue.”
She had only taken two steps before he spoke again.
She turned back, raising an eyebrow.
He swallowed. “I don’t want you to distance yourself from me because of what happened today. I won’t pressure you, and I’m not asking for a response. Do whatever you want—I’ll accept it. Even if… we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends. Is that okay?”
As he said this, his eyes were clear and rational.
He was still the proud Xie Dingyuan.
Even in rejection, he kept his spine straight.
No groveling, no despair.
Jiang Fuyue smiled. “I didn’t let you drive me because I need space and time to think—not because I’m trying to push you away or draw a line.”
Xie Dingyuan let out a soft sigh of relief.
“Alright.”
Jiang Fuyue left the lab and took a cab home.
As soon as she got inside the villa, she changed shoes, went upstairs, collapsed on her bed, rolled over once, then twice.
“Mm~” She let out a comfortable sigh, her eyes narrowing in contentment.
Then she yawned daintily, pulled the blanket over herself, and shut her eyes.
As for that “space and time to think”? Nope.
She wasn’t conflicted at all. After all, she already rejected him.
Her stance was clear. Her position firm— Perfect!
She was tired. And when you’re tired, nothing matters more than sleep.
That night, someone slept soundly and dreamed sweetly— While someone else lay awake, tossing and turning.
How many sighs did the night silently collect…?
Not that Jiang Fuyue had any idea.
***
The next morning, her holiday was over, and she obediently returned to school.
After math class, Xu Jing stepped down from the podium and left through the back door.
As he passed Jiang Fuyue, he silently dropped a thick stack of papers on her desk.
“?”
Wan Xiutong and Liu Bowen looked on, confused.
“Jiang Jiang, was that from Teacher Xu?”
Jiang Fuyue glanced at the stack. “If nothing unexpected happened, then yes.”
Liu Bowen leaned over to look. “Oh, it’s Olympiad math problems.”
He reached out to flip through them—and froze.
“D*mn! It’s that thick? One, two, three… sixteen full sets? Is Old Xu treating you like a draft horse?! How long would this even take to finish?!”
Jiang Fuyue: “Two days at most.”
Liu Bowen: “?”
“If I go fast, one night.”
“……” Some people are just built to be draft horses.
That afternoon, the class entertainment committee member suddenly stepped up to the podium. “I’ve got great news for everyone! The school’s 100th anniversary is coming up! Originally, the senior year students weren’t required to participate, but this year’s too special—it’s a centennial celebration! A once-in-a-century event! And we’re lucky enough to be here for it! Isn’t that amazing?”
“It really is!”
“A hundred years? That’s older than my great-grandpa.”
“Wow, I never realized our school had such a rich history.”
“Of course! Our No.1 High School has produced so many famous people. That celebrity XX, and that bestselling author XXX… all graduates from here!”
“Whoa! Just hearing that makes me proud.”
“Right?!”
“……”
The whole class broke into chatter.
The committee member, seeing the mood was hyped enough, cleared her throat and raised her voice: “So! This time, the entire senior grade must participate. Let’s decide—what kind of performance should our class put together…”
It’s expected, but poor guy…