Outside the library, Lu Xingyu huffed, “What’s wrong with you? Chickening out at the last second? Guilty conscience? You’re guilty, you’re guilty, you’re guilty! You lost! Now you have to livestream! Let me watch the biggest self-own of the year!”
Lin Jing clamped a hand over his mouth to stop him from embarrassing them both. “When’s your exam? Shouldn’t you be heading there now?”
Lu Xingyu instantly deflated. “Why would you bring that up?!”
The mecha department’s assessment began at 2 p.m., following a challenge-based format, held at the Imperial University arena.
Unwillingly, Lu Xingyu went ahead to secure seats, grumbling about what had just happened as he walked. “Admit it, you lost.”
Lin Jing pulled out the test results. “Clearly, you’re the one who lost. The test results show that my first statement was true.”
Lu Xingyu: “Huh?”
Lin Jing: “My first statement was, ‘I don’t like him.’ That was true.”
Lu Xingyu snatched the results in disbelief. “What the—? No way!” But after a moment’s thought, he quickly caught on. “Wait a minute, nobody knows which ‘him’ you were talking about. What if you were thinking of me?”
Lin Jing couldn’t help but laugh. “Wow, at least you’re self-aware.”
Lu Xingyu: “You can’t use ‘like’ for a dad—it’s reverence. No way! After my exam, you’re coming back with me to take the test again.”
Lin Jing: “You seriously have too much time on your hands.”
He was sure that after getting thoroughly beaten down by the exam, Lu Xingyu would be too exhausted to care about anything except going back to the dorm to sleep.
The arena was massive. Though there were still thirty minutes until the exam began, the audience seating was already packed.
The male-to-female ratio was about 1:1, but the middle section was filled with female students from other departments, dressed vibrantly, their intentions crystal clear.
After finding a corner seat, Lu Xingyu complained, “Only the guys are here for the tech; the girls are just here to fangirl.”
Lin Jing glanced around. “Is your goddess here?”
Lu Xingyu: “No, she’s busy. Besides, she’s not that shallow.”
Lin Jing chuckled. “If she’s not shallow, then you don’t stand a chance.”
Lu Xingyu lowered his voice and roared, “Get lost!”
A girl sitting nearby overheard their conversation and stifled a laugh, sneaking a glance at them.
Students from the mecha department had to go sign in. Lu Xingyu reluctantly headed to the preparation room, leaving Lin Jing alone in the audience. As the lights dimmed, the screen above displayed the challenge matchups—Lu Xingyu was scheduled toward the end.
The mecha department’s exams were an annual university spectacle, and the atmosphere was electric.
The PK battles awarded points based on rankings, but if a contestant performed exceptionally well in combat, the professors could also grant bonus points.
Lin Jing wasn’t just here for Lu Xingyu—he genuinely wanted to see how the mecha assessments worked.
The place he had dreamed of since childhood did not disappoint.
The arena had designated rooms where students battled, while the audience watched via projection. Cool-toned lights swept across the metallic surfaces, and every mecha seemed to possess its own soul, exuding an imposing sharpness. In the end, these machines would soar into the cosmic abyss—flying, fighting, traversing the stars. All of it was the dream of countless young men.
Though the students’ maneuvers were still somewhat unpolished, the evenly matched clashes were thrilling, sending the audience into constant cheers and peaks of excitement.
Lin Jing leaned back in his seat, his deep brown eyes quietly fixed ahead, imagining how he would operate if he were in the cockpit.
Resting his chin on his hand, he watched the ongoing battle intently. Amidst the shifting lights, a thought surfaced—he had always been lucky.
Born with exceptional talent, raised by kind and loving parents, with a childhood friend he could rely on and a carefree youth, he had never faced any real obstacles in pursuing his dreams.
His only hardship was a car accident, but even that left only temporary consequences.
When he graduated from high school, the principal’s parting words to him were: The future holds great promise.
His future was supposed to be among the stars.
If his recovery went smoothly, he would be standing in that arena himself, confidently navigating his four years at university before ultimately joining the military. Oh, and maybe even falling in love?
By the time Lu Xingyu’s match started, the audience had grown weary.
The girls in front were fixing their makeup, chatting with their friends. “Do you think that senior will show up?”
Her friend scanned the area. “He should, right? I spent an entire semester’s allowance to get these arena tickets—he better not let me down.”
Lin Jing was probably the only one in the entire arena who was actually watching Lu Xingyu’s fight seriously.
Though Lu Xingyu often joked about his skills being as clumsy as a kindergartener dancing, he was, after all, an S-rank mental power user. His piloting was sharp and efficient, and he understood every part of his mecha inside out. But his opponent was strong as well. In one exchange, Lu Xingyu misjudged his speed and distance, allowing his opponent to counter and pin him, turning the tide against him.
Lin Jing sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Idiot. That’s what you get for gossiping all day instead of practicing.”
He sensed someone standing behind him.
A tall silhouette was cast onto the ground, overlapping his own.
Lin Jing froze and turned around.
Xu Wanzhi stood behind him, dressed simply in a shirt and trousers. His skin was pale, his features sharp and refined, as if he had just passed by casually, his gaze drifting lazily toward the arena. A white spotlight shone down from above, catching on his lashes. There was a faint shimmer around him, and the beauty mark beneath his eye carried an inexplicable cold sharpness, making him seem distant—like a fleeting mirage.
Lin Jing felt his heart stop for a second.
Xu Wanzhi asked, “That’s your friend up there?”
Lin Jing silently nodded. Son, you’re embarrassing your father. Do you even realize?
Xu Wanzhi frowned slightly.
Lin Jing immediately understood what he was thinking and hurriedly said, “No need to critique him—I already know how bad he is.” Even he could see Lu Xingyu’s mistakes were rookie-level. From Xu Wanzhi’s perspective, it was probably downright laughable—kindergarten dancing indeed.
Xu Wanzhi glanced at him, then suddenly chuckled softly.
Around them, the girls were still chatting, fixing their makeup, or dozing off, completely unaware that the senior they had been eagerly waiting for was already here, sitting quietly in a corner.
Xu Wanzhi took a seat beside him.
Lin Jing, trying to mask his discomfort, asked, “Are you here for the competition?”
Xu Wanzhi: “No.”
Lin Jing: “Judging the matches?”
Xu Wanzhi: “No.”
Lin Jing: “Just visiting the school?”
Xu Wanzhi gazed at him, amusement flickering in his eyes. “I came to see you.”
Lin Jing: “Huh?”
“Or rather, I came to keep you company.” Xu Wanzhi always had a way of making ordinary words sound profound. His voice was calm and even as he explained, “The dean asked me to take good care of you. But something came up yesterday, and I had to leave you home alone. Sorry about that.”
Lin Jing only met his gaze for a few seconds before completely crumbling. Feeling uneasy, he said, “It’s fine, you do your thing. I don’t need to be looked after. I grew up on the main star, so I’m pretty familiar with it.”
—What a load of cr*p. He couldn’t afford to lose momentum. He didn’t want to be seen as a burden in Xu Wanzhi’s eyes.
Xu Wanzhi smiled, but his tone remained indifferent. “I know, but since I agreed, I should fulfill my obligation.”
Alright, fine.
His demeanor was so natural that it only made Lin Jing feel more awkward in contrast.
Lin Jing took a deep breath and asked candidly, “Then… want to walk around campus with me?”
“Sure.” Xu Wanzhi nodded, then asked, “Do you still want to watch the competition?”
Lin Jing shook his head. “Nah.” Since Lu Xingyu had already lost, there was no reason for him to stay.
By now, it was nighttime. Walking around Imperial University with Xu Wanzhi was an entirely different experience.
The sky had taken on a faint purple hue, like wisps of smoke drifting across it.
Xu Wanzhi asked, “Where do you want to go?”
Lin Jing wasn’t particularly interested in any place, but to avoid awkward silence, he suddenly thought of something. “Do you have access to the top floor of the library?”
Lu Xingyu had mentioned that the library’s top floor was only open to the public at specific times. Normally, only those with special clearance could enter.
Xu Wanzhi glanced at him, then smiled. “I do.”
The first floor of the library was still bustling with various art and technology exhibitions.
The lie detector booth from earlier was still attracting a long line of people. Thinking about the bet he made with Lu Xingyu, Lin Jing felt so embarrassed that his scalp tingled. And now, the very person involved in that bet was right beside him. Fortunately, he hadn’t said Xu Wanzhi’s name out loud back then.
Xu Wanzhi’s presence also caused a small commotion, but the two of them quickly stepped into the elevator, shutting out the prying eyes.
The library had thirty-three floors.
Lin Jing asked, “What’s on the top floor?”
“Portraits,” Xu Wanzhi replied.
Portraits?
Lin Jing’s heart skipped a beat.
The elevator arrived at the thirty-third floor.
As soon as they stepped out, their footsteps sank into thick carpeting.
Just as Xu Wanzhi had said, this entire floor was dedicated to portraits.
The heavy carpet absorbed all sound. Along the long corridor, framed photographs lined the walls—portraits of outstanding figures from various fields since the founding of Imperial University.
The portraits were encased in cold glass, silver light reflecting off them, preserving a century of brilliance.
Many of the faces were familiar to Lin Jing.
He looked up, scanning each one.
“I studied his theories in my textbooks.”
“I’ve read this one’s book.”
At the corner, a wall was adorned with clusters of blue flowers.
“Has someone been here recently?”
Lin Jing keenly noticed two faint tracks left by a wheelchair on the carpet. This place rarely saw visitors, so the previous person’s tracks had remained undisturbed.
A wheelchair—he froze, instantly recalling the elder pushed by Lilith.
The tracks led all the way to the end of the corridor. Lin Jing followed them and stopped before the most recent portrait.
On the wall, orchids bloomed quietly in the still night.
Beneath the photograph, a name was inscribed.
Laixiya Osmond.
Lin Jing jolted as if electrocuted. His head snapped up, and his eyes locked onto the woman in the portrait.
The girl from the family portrait, who once lowered her gaze to look upon the world, had grown up.
The more breathtaking she became, the more she seemed detached from human warmth. Deep purple eyes, frozen in time behind glass, gazed endlessly into the distance.
Lin Jing’s heart pounded violently in his chest.
His first instinct was to glance at Xu Wanzhi’s expression. But reason stopped him. He forced himself to keep his head tilted upward, his body stiff and unmoving.
The silence beside him stretched on.
He had been so tense that only when he relaxed slightly did he realize—Xu Wanzhi had only glanced at the portrait for a second before shifting his gaze… to him.
Lin Jing remained rigid, then awkwardly muttered, “She’s beautiful.”
Xu Wanzhi let out a short laugh—quiet, unreadable.
Lin Jing felt like he was being mocked. He forced a weak smile and decided to say nothing more.
He had overreacted just now, so it was natural that Xu Wanzhi had noticed.
Forget it. If Xu Wanzhi asked, he might as well be honest—tell him that Elena had told him everything, that he knew all about his past, about his mother, and that he didn’t have to be sad.
But he waited. And waited.
Xu Wanzhi didn’t ask anything.
Instead, he said, “There will be fireworks after the competition. Do you want to watch?”
His voice was light, effortlessly changing the subject.
Lin Jing looked up, startled.
Xu Wanzhi’s smile was casual, but his gaze—steady and cool—remained on him.
Lin Jing stared for a long moment before finally finding his voice. “Uh… sure.”
Xu Wanzhi didn’t ask.
Why?
Maybe he didn’t like having his past pried into. Maybe he didn’t want to share it with outsiders.
Their relationship—wasn’t it just that of near-strangers?
If that was the case, then all the comforting words Lin Jing had been preparing in his heart were completely unnecessary.
Not just unnecessary—downright embarrassing.
***
Many girls left disappointed.
The top-ranking senior was supposed to personally observe the PK competition, but of course, he wouldn’t sit with the crowd in the arena. In the end, he never made an appearance.
More frustratingly, that senior never showed up at all.
“Lin Jing! There are fireworks at Star Lake!”
Lu Xingyu’s excited voice rang out from the distance.
“Star Lake—it’s right next to the arena. Wait for me there!”
The main star had strict regulations, so fireworks were rare. No wonder Lu Xingyu was so thrilled.
Xu Wanzhi, standing beside him, raised an eyebrow.
Lin Jing said, “My so—uh, my friend—he gets excited over everything. He really admires you.”
Xu Wanzhi smiled politely and gave a small nod.
Students had already begun gathering at their chosen viewing spots.
The shores of Star Lake were packed.
Above, drones buzzed like flies in the air.
Xu Wanzhi arrived on the third floor of the Science and Technology Museum.
The museum featured a massive floor-to-ceiling window, its curved glass forming a seamless wall that faced directly toward Star Lake.
The place was bustling with people.
An interactive cosmic concept map was on display, recording every nebula that humanity had explored so far. Many students, while waiting for the fireworks, were playing with the virtual map.
Lu Xingyu messaged him again: “Jingzi, you haven’t gone to Star Lake yet, have you? There are so many people there. I don’t want to go anymore.”
Lin Jing: “……”
Lu Xingyu, in a teasing tone: “The main thing is, I saw my goddess on the way there. How could I let a beauty watch the fireworks alone? Don’t you agree?”
Lin Jing hung up immediately.
From the top floor of the competition hall, one could see the Science and Technology Museum.
Out of sight from the crowd, a young girl with golden curls stood by the window, pushing a wheelchair forward.
In the interstellar era, medical advancements could have easily cured the Osment family matriarch’s legs, but the old lady had refused treatment. Lilith knew the reason—her grandmother had grown indifferent to everything, including health, including life and death. The only thing that could still capture her attention was that one person whose name could never be spoken.
Standing beside her were the president of Imperial University, a professor from the mecha department, and a high-ranking general in full military uniform. The general’s direct superior was the old lady’s son—naturally, he didn’t dare act too casually.
He had no idea how he had ended up in the same place as this esteemed matriarch. All he could do was exchange pleasantries: “How is the Lord Council Chief’s health these days?”
Bernard’s serious illness was no secret anymore.
Lilith’s fingers stiffened slightly as she replied, “Thank you for your concern, sir. My father is doing much better now.”
Sensing the warning in her tone, the general immediately fell silent.
The old lady’s gaze drifted in and out of focus. After a pause, she suddenly asked softly, “Your father is hospitalized?”
Lilith sighed inwardly but still answered honestly, “Yes, it has been a week.”
Yet, the old lady’s face showed no trace of concern for her son’s condition—no sorrow, no joy. She simply stood there in silence, gazing out the window.
***
“That’s the Orion Nebula. That’s the Horsehead Nebula. That’s Andromeda. That’s Aquarius. That’s the Trifid Nebula.”
“Wow, they’re all so beautiful!”
A group of people gathered around the virtual cosmic map in the Science and Technology Museum, discussing excitedly.
“What about that one? The red one that looks like a flower?”
“Which one? Let me see.”
“Hey, don’t push! Stop pushing! Ah—my beads—”
Suddenly, an accident occurred. The string snapped, and small glass beads scattered across the floor.
A girl squatted down in a panic to retrieve them, accidentally bumping into someone else. Someone stepped on a bead and slipped instantly.
The crowded third floor of the Science and Technology Museum turned chaotic in an instant.
Lin Jing had been lost in thought when someone behind him shoved him forward. His foot landed on a bead, and in that brief moment of imbalance, he lost control, pitching forward. His pupils contracted slightly in confusion—
And then, a hand swiftly wrapped around his waist, pulling him back.
His heart surged into his throat before being yanked right back down.
Just then, the fireworks over Star Lake burst into the sky.
“Whoosh—” BOOM.
Xu Wanzhi quickly withdrew his hand.
Lin Jing’s heart pounded wildly. He said, “Thanks.”
Xu Wanzhi smiled slightly.
Red fireworks bloomed like flowing light, illuminating the night.
The scattered beads were few, so after a brief moment of commotion, the crowd quickly turned their attention back to the breathtaking scene outside.
Xu Wanzhi remarked, “Is it really that beautiful?”
It was unclear whether he was referring to the fireworks or the now chaotic cosmic map display.
Suddenly, someone exclaimed, “Wow! The school put in so much effort! Look, don’t these fireworks resemble the nebulas we just identified?”
The crowd gasped in surprise. “They really do!”
Each firework mimicked the shape of a known nebula—
Blue, purple, red, yellow. From deep to light, from misty to vibrant, like a galaxy being painted onto the infinite night sky.
Xu Wanzhi’s lips curled into a faint, unreadable smirk. His interest seemed lukewarm.
Lin Jing, however, stood frozen, staring at the fireworks over Star Lake for a long time.
— “Lin Jing, you’re done for. You like him.”
— “I’ve known you for years. You always zone out when talking about him.”
Fireworks bloomed continuously, like the Milky Way spilling across the sky.
The crowd buzzed with excitement, laughter and chatter filling the space.
Lin Jing remained still, watching the scene outside.
Xu Wanzhi glanced at him and asked, “Do you like this that much?”
His voice was cool—calm, distant, even when lowered.
The girl at the lie detector booth had once asked—
“Now, can you tell me, is there someone you don’t like?”
Lu Xingyu had been mouthing the words at him exaggeratedly— “Xu Wan Zhi.”
Lin Jing had hesitated and answered— “I don’t like… the universe.”
He had merely blurred the pronunciation.
Even the lie detector knew. It was a lie.
Lin Jing raised a hand and pressed it against the glass. The shifting light fell on his face, glowing orange like earthly firelight.
His thick lashes lowered slightly. Lost in thought, he murmured, as if speaking to himself: “Yeah… I do like it. I like the universe.”
In that moment, a bittersweet emotion spread through his entire being, yet at the same time, a realization dawned upon him.
That strange feeling lingering in his heart since the last game’s final rainfall—it finally had an answer.
He wasn’t stupid. He had simply grown up in smooth waters, with no experience, instinctively avoiding the truth.
Xu Wanzhi had once asked him—That feeling of wanting to be good to someone—what else could you call it besides liking them?
There were plenty of possibilities. Maybe it was guilt, maybe it was amusement, maybe it was momentary sympathy, maybe it was just going along with things, as Xu Wanzhi had put it—never having been a boyfriend before, so he just played the role for a bit.
But in front of one specific person—feeling flustered, at a loss for words, constantly embarrassed, frequently irritated—
There’s no other word besides “like,” is there?
His palm pressed against the glass.
Lin Jing’s voice was soft, almost like he was talking to himself.
“I like the universe, but it’s too mysterious and too distant.”
Xu Wanzhi said, “Is that so?”
Lin Jing looked at him. “Yeah.”
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