You're Blushing

"Nangong Family, Nangong Ye."

Nangong Ye's brief self-introduction sent the girls in the audience into a frenzy of screams.

Six words—concise and to the point. The moment he finished, he stepped off the stage without a hint of hesitation.

That was just how aloof and cool he was. As he walked away, Liu Muye could practically feel the "domineering aura" radiating off him. Truly the male lead of his novel—serious and effortlessly handsome...

"Ahh~"

Liu Muye was still mentally praising Nangong Ye when, before he could even finish, the guy tripped over his own feet and face-planted the next second.

Liu Muye facepalmed, dark lines practically visible on his forehead. "How does this guy even trip on flat ground? So embarrassing. I don’t remember writing this scene in my novel..."

Shangguan Yurou, who had been about to step onto the stage, immediately rushed forward and extended a hand to help.

"Thanks."

Nangong Ye smiled faintly, took her hand, and stood up.

At that moment, it was as if a spotlight had been cast on the two of them. Every student in the classroom, along with Instructor Zhao’s gaze, was drawn to their interaction.

Han Juyou watched the scene and sighed, "Such a romantic moment. I should write this into my book."

Liu Muye retorted, "Romantic?"

"Of course!" Han Juyou nodded emphatically. "Don’t you think so?"

"Not really," Liu Muye scoffed. "The truly romantic trope is when the female lead trips, the male lead appears just in time to catch her, and then she leans into his arms in front of the whole class."

"That’s such an overused cliché," Han Juyou shook her head. "Who even enjoys those ‘knight-in-shining-armor’ saves anymore? Isn’t it better when the gentle, caring female lead reaches out to help the male lead in front of everyone? That’s way more romantic!"

Liu Muye didn’t bother arguing further and just nodded. "Fine, fine, you win."

"Hmph~"

Han Juyou let out a proud little hum.

Unlike Nangong Ye’s cold and curt self-introduction, Shangguan Yurou’s was long and meticulously prepared. Her voice was soft and gentle as she flawlessly recited the speech she had rehearsed in her mind.

Unsurprisingly, her introduction ended with thunderous applause from the class.

Once everyone had finished their self-introductions, it was time for class committee elections.

University class committees had a ton of positions, but only a few actually mattered—the Class President, the Youth League Branch Secretary, and the Life Committee Members for the male and female dorms. The rest were mostly honorary titles with little real responsibility.

Positions like Vice Class President, Academic Committee Member, and Organization Committee Member were practically just for show—why was the Vice Class President useless? Because the Class President ended up doing all the work anyway.

In the original plot, no one had run for Class President, but Shangguan Yurou had won over her classmates with her impressive singing during military training and today’s well-delivered introduction, catching Instructor Zhao’s attention. As a result, she had been directly nominated for the role.

"Does no one else want to run for Class President?"

Instructor Zhao asked again, but the classroom remained silent.

Then, his gaze landed on... Liu Muye.

Liu Muye tensed up under Instructor Zhao’s stare, sensing something ominous.

Sure enough, the next second, Instructor Zhao spoke up. "Actually, I already have two excellent candidates in mind for Class President—one is Shangguan Yurou, who gave such a wonderful self-introduction earlier, and the other is Liu Muye."

Oh no, not me! The original plot’s already falling apart—just let me off the hook!

Liu Muye inwardly groaned at Instructor Zhao’s words.

Instructor Zhao continued, "Do you all remember how Liu Muye performed ‘Lover’ for us during the military training singing night? And today, he was also the first brave soul to step up and introduce himself. So, who would you prefer as your Class President?"

The moment he said this, the class erupted into heated discussion.

Liu Muye wanted to stop it, but there was no holding back now.

In the end, Liu Muye won by a ten-vote margin, surpassing Shangguan Yurou and being elected Class President.

Seeing the results, Liu Muye immediately stood up and protested, "I’m not qualified for this! Everyone, please don’t just follow the trend and vote for me. Shangguan Yurou is helpful, kind, and organized—she should be Class President!"

"Liu Muye, no need to be so modest," Instructor Zhao said with a smile. "This is the result of the class vote. Since everyone trusts you so much, I’m sure you’ll rise to the occasion."

"But, teacher, I—"

Before Liu Muye could say more, Instructor Zhao waved a hand dismissively. "Enough. It’s settled—you’re our Class President."

"......"

As Zhao Chang wrote Liu Muye’s name under "Class President" on the blackboard, Liu Muye felt like crying but had no tears left.

Beside him, Han Juyou covered her mouth, giggling. "Class President Liu, I’ll be counting on you from now on~"

Liu Muye shot her a glare. "Get lost."

With Liu Muye as Class President, Shangguan Yurou naturally became the Vice Class President.

Shangguan Yurou didn’t seem particularly bothered—she hadn’t volunteered for the role in the first place. She even turned to congratulate Liu Muye afterward.

Once the class committee elections wrapped up, there wasn’t much left to do. The first class meeting for the freshmen came to an end.

It was just noon, so Nangong Ye took Shangguan Yurou out to eat.

Noticing Liu Muye wasn’t joining them, Shangguan Yurou asked curiously, "Just the two of us?"

"Yeah, why?" Nangong Ye tilted his head, confused.

Shangguan Yurou frowned. "Aren’t you... inviting Liu Muye?"

Nangong Ye scoffed. "Why would I? He’s got Han Juyou with him."

His tone and expression made Shangguan Yurou misinterpret the situation. She thought, "Huh, so he’s jealous because the guy he likes is getting too close to another girl? Should I remind Han Juyou to keep her distance from Liu Muye?"

If Nangong Ye knew what Shangguan Yurou was thinking, he’d probably cough up blood—here he was, trying to take the person he liked out to eat, only to be misunderstood as having a different orientation. Anyone would be furious.

......

Meanwhile, Han Juyou packed up her bag and walked over to Liu Muye. "Let’s go eat."

"Wait, I have something for you." Liu Muye rummaged through his bag and pulled out a notebook.

Han Juyou took it and asked, "What’s this?"

Liu Muye scratched his head, feigning nonchalance. "Just some writing tips I copied down last night from random online novelists. Got bored, so I scribbled some stuff. Didn’t know where to put it, so consider it trash I’m dumping on you."

Han Juyou glanced at the notebook, then back at Liu Muye, her lips quirking in a half-smile as she asked, "So you're saying you were so bored you 'casually' copied five whole pages of writing tips, then 'casually' tossed them to me like trash?"

"Y-yeah… just a casual thing. Don’t overthink it."

"Really?" Han Juyou clearly didn’t buy it. She arched a brow and pressed further, "But last night when we were chatting, didn’t you say you were watching thirst traps?"

Liu Muye stammered, "Y-yeah, I—I was watching thirst traps and casually copying writing tips at the same time. What’s wrong with that?"

Han Juyou delivered the final blow: "So it wasn’t specially compiled for me?"

"Absolutely not!" Liu Muye declared with exaggerated conviction.

"Pfft—"

Taking in his flustered expression, Han Juyou laughed and called him, "Dumbass."

Liu Muye pointed at her indignantly. "You’ve got no gratitude! I went out of my way to write those tips for you, and instead of thanking me, you insult me?"

Han Juyou braced a hand against the doorframe, rising onto her toes to lean into Liu Muye’s space. "So… you admit you did it just for me?"

Startled by her sudden closeness, Liu Muye flattened himself against the wall, nerves fraying. "Y-you misheard."

And just like that, the "pure-hearted boy" Liu Muye found himself "pinned" by the "villainess" Han Juyou right outside the classroom.

Han Juyou’s fox-like eyes, brimming with mischief, locked onto his. After just a few seconds of eye contact, a sly grin curled her lips.

"Liu Muye," she said, "you’re a terrible liar."

"Huh?"

"You’re blushing."

...