My Heart Tells Me I Have a Crush on Someone

At the intersection, waiting for the traffic light to change.

Long Aotian pedaled his bicycle, turning to the right.

A figure seemed to notice something, lifting their gaze to watch Long Aotian ride away.

"Strange, why does that person’s back look so much like Long Aotian?" After muttering this, they chuckled and shook their head. "Must be a mistake. Someone like Long Aotian, who’s sunk so low, would never come to the capital."

Ye Liangchen withdrew his gaze. In his mind, Long Aotian should still be in some small town, buying clothes with Hu Yuying.

That kind of life—Ye Liangchen didn’t mean to look down on him—was so pitifully predictable.

"Still, what a waste of my treasure girl." At this thought, a bitter smile tugged at Ye Liangchen’s lips. Even though the treasure girl hadn’t chosen him, even though he’d already revoked her title, he still couldn’t quite forget her. In his dreams, he’d almost had her, but... sigh. It had become an obsession.

Once he won over his childhood sweetheart and Li Qingxue, he’d go back to "save" her.

"Just hope that bastard Long Aotian treats her gently. Don’t let him ruin my treasure girl..."

Exhaling slowly, he walked toward A University.

Arriving at the campus, Ye Liangchen took out his phone, framed himself with the prestigious school in the background, and snapped a selfie with a peace sign (＾－＾)V.

After a quick edit, he posted it online, satisfied. Then, blending into the crowd, he strolled into the school.

He did this for two reasons: first, to show off, and second—to send a message to her.

To let her know he’d arrived.

Inside A University, guided by memories from his dreams, he found the sports field closest to the girls’ dormitory, Building 6. Another selfie, another post.

"This is just a little test. If you see this and come looking for me, it means you still can’t forget me."

"Honestly, I’m being silly. I already know you can’t let go, yet I’m still testing you. Hah..."

Shaking his head at his own antics, he walked onto the field.

Hands in his pockets, he passed by female students, flashing a smirk before confidently tossing his hair.

He could feel their eyes on him as he walked away.

So he tilted his head at a 45-degree angle, spread his arms, and closed his eyes in a theatrical display of self-admiration. Under their stolen glances, he slowly wrapped his arms around himself in a mock embrace.

With the soul of a 28-year-old, Ye Liangchen knew exactly how to capture the attention of young college girls.

He knew how to use his charm to ensnare those inexperienced hearts.

This was all for Li Qingxue—to show her how desirable he was, how many girls secretly liked him.

To pressure her. And with the help of his childhood sweetheart, Lin Wanning, he’d make her regret everything, chasing him in a blaze of desperation.

A faint smirk curled his lips as he casually glanced back at the girls, raising an eyebrow before flipping his hair again.

But mid-flip, his eyes caught a figure in the distance. He froze.

Then, he laughed. Pulling out his phone, he checked the time—less than ten minutes since his post.

"Fate works in mysterious ways, doesn’t it? Always pulling us together." He took a deep breath. "Long time no see. How have you been?"

Hearing his voice, Li Qingxue looked up.

That one glance made Ye Liangchen’s heart clench.

Her eyes were slightly red—was it excitement at seeing him? Silent longing? Uncontrollable emotion?

He couldn’t tell. Maybe one. Maybe all.

"Don’t cry. I’m here now." Ye Liangchen softened his voice. "If only you’d realized sooner."

Li Qingxue blinked, then frowned. "What are you talking about? And how did you even get in here?"

Ye Liangchen chuckled. Still playing hard to get? Crying for him yet pretending otherwise. How stubborn.

"Let’s leave the past behind. I’m in the capital now. Remember what you promised?"

"What promise? And can you speak properly?" If not for their nine years of history, Li Qingxue wouldn’t even bother responding.

"You forgot? You said you’d start dating once we got to university."

"We’re here now. Time to keep your word."

Looking at her tearful face, Ye Liangchen felt a pang of sympathy. He’d planned to make her suffer, to chase him relentlessly.

But now? If she’d just agree to be with him, maybe he’d go easy on her.

Li Qingxue laughed—a sharp, disbelieving sound. She stared at him, utterly serious. "Ye Liangchen, do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound right now?"

"I did say I wouldn’t date in high school because I was focused on exams. And yes, I said I’d consider romance in college. But do you hear yourself? You’re being delusional."

"Didn’t I make it clear? I only ever saw you as a friend. I rejected you over and over. Why do you still think I like you?"

"And why you? Just because we’re in college now, I’m supposed to date you? What if I like someone else? Why would I ever choose someone who told me to throw away my future? Do you think I’m stupid?"

At first, Ye Liangchen smiled when she did. But with every word, his expression stiffened.

"W-what do you mean?"

Li Qingxue sighed, standing up. Her voice softened. "Ye Liangchen, we’ve known each other for nine years. I don’t know when or why you became like this."

"In my memories, you used to be kind. You were good. Back then, even if I didn’t understand love, you mattered to me."

"That was built over nine years. I..." She took a deep breath. "I appreciate your feelings. But let’s not drag this out anymore."

"Ye Liangchen, I need you to know—I already like someone else."

Unconsciously, her lips curved into the gentlest smile. "He taught me what love really is. He’s... amazing. Mysterious, fascinating. My heart knows—I like him."

When Li Qingxue said she already had someone she liked, Ye Liangchen felt as if he had been struck by lightning. His legs nearly gave out, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

Watching Li Qingxue walk away, Ye Liangchen laughed—this time, it was a genuine laugh. "Seems like you still don’t understand your own heart. As expected, I shouldn’t have been soft on you after all!"

As his words faded, Ye Liangchen’s expression darkened. His face twisted with barely contained fury as he gritted his teeth. "You’ll regret this. You’ll chase me to the gates of hell, begging for my forgiveness."

"This time, I won’t hold back. This time, I’ll make sure you suffer. Don’t blame me—you’re the one who broke my heart, trampled on the love I poured into you."

"Once I’ve won you over, I’ll cast you aside. I’ll let you watch as Lin Wanning and I laugh together, happy without you. You’ll know exactly how it feels to be ignored. Heh, enjoy the taste of your own medicine."

"Don’t call me cruel. This is just who I am—Ye Liangchen, a man who loves fiercely and hates even fiercer."

After steadying himself, Ye Liangchen suddenly frowned. "Wait… Li Qingxue said she likes someone, but she just transferred to this school. She probably doesn’t even know half her classmates’ names yet…"

In that moment, a realization struck him.

Combined with the fact that Li Qingxue had been crying earlier, the answer was obvious.

"It’s Long Aotian!" Ye Liangchen clenched his fists so hard they trembled.

"Again?! It’s you again?! Even after I reduced you to nothing, you still find ways to torment me!"

"You stole my precious girl, dragged her down from the heavens into the mud, and now you dare set your sights on my purest love? You’re disgusting!"

In his past life, Long Aotian had envied him and schemed to take away everyone who ever cared for him.

This time, Ye Liangchen had endured for the sake of the bigger picture, but Long Aotian remained as vile as ever—not satisfied with ruining one girl, now he wanted to taint Li Qingxue too.

The thought made Ye Liangchen shake with rage.

"And Li Qingxue… you’re just as shameless. I already warned you about Long Aotian—how he forced himself on Hu Yuying when they were young, how he pressured her into sleeping with him…"

"Yet you still fell for a scumbag like him. What, do you want to be another one of his playthings? How can you claim you’re not trash?"

Her red, tearful eyes earlier must have been because of Long Aotian. "Fine. Let’s see how he breaks your heart."

"When you finally see Long Aotian for the vile snake he is, you’ll regret every word you said to me today."

"And then… don’t blame me for making you pay."

[You brought this on yourselves…] "This is all your fault."

[Merry Christmas Eve! Hope everyone gets to enjoy an apple—just not the forbidden kind. Sending love!]