How about you buy me a drink

Returning near the school gate, Long Aotian parked the bike and walked toward the entrance.

From a distance, he spotted a lone figure standing by the school gate.

The area was crowded, yet this person stood out like a solitary lamp—cool and serene amidst the bustle, exuding an aura of quiet detachment that inexplicably drew the eye.

As if sensing his gaze, the figure slowly turned and lifted her eyes to meet his.

Her gaze was bright and clear, as if piercing through time and the crowd. A fleeting warmth flickered in her eyes, softening the chill around her.

As Long Aotian drew closer, Lin Wanning’s mind went blank. All the excuses she had rehearsed vanished in an instant.

Naturally reserved, she rarely wore her emotions openly, often giving others an impression of aloofness.

But that wasn’t the whole truth. Beneath her cool exterior lay a complex and rich emotional world—she just didn’t know how to express it.

"I... I sent you a message..." The sudden sight of Long Aotian made Lin Wanning forget her carefully prepared words. In her fluster, she blurted out the truth.

Long Aotian pulled his phone from his pocket, noticing the unread notification on QQ. He smiled sheepishly. "I was riding just now—didn’t hear it. What’s up? Is something wrong?"

Lin Wanning averted her eyes. "I wanted to invite you to dinner." Her voice, cool and distinct, carried an unintended frostiness despite the invitation.

To someone unfamiliar with her, it might have sounded haughty. But those who knew her would recognize the subtle gesture of turning away—proof that beneath her composed demeanor, she was drowning in shyness.

Lin Wanning’s emotions were usually steady, rarely fluctuating.

Yet for some reason, around this boy, her heart wavered uncontrollably.

So much so that she couldn’t even bring herself to meet his gaze.

"Ah, I just ate," Long Aotian replied.

At his words, Lin Wanning’s fingers tightened imperceptibly, her lips pressing into a thin line. Beneath her cascading hair, the tips of her ears flushed pink.

Rejected...

This wasn’t something she had anticipated. Perhaps due to her own favorable circumstances, she had never considered the possibility of being turned down.

Now, caught off guard, she was at a loss, unsure how to react.

Noticing her flustered hesitation, Long Aotian chuckled. "How about you treat me to a drink instead?"

Lin Wanning’s eyes lit up instantly, as if salvaged from despair. "Okay."

The tension in her chest eased, and she glanced at him with a trace of unnoticed gratitude.

Near the school, shops selling milk tea and fruit beverages lined the streets.

Soon, Lin Wanning returned with two cups of fruit tea, handing one to Long Aotian. She had meant to explain—that the weather was hot, that milk tea might be too heavy, that fruit tea was a lighter choice.

But the words stuck in her throat, leaving only a stiff: "Here..."

Immediately, she frowned inwardly, cursing her own awkwardness. Why did everything she said sound so cold?

She had come to thank him for his help, after all.

He’d even gotten hurt because of her. Would he think her ungrateful? Would he regret helping her?

Hastily, she corrected herself: "For you to drink."

Watching her subtle frustration, Long Aotian couldn’t help but smile. "You know, you don’t have to hold back so much. Life’s greatest meaning is to let yourself be happy."

"Don’t keep wrestling with yourself over every little thing."

"And... the tea’s really good."

Sometimes, overthinking backfires. Easing up, being true to oneself—step by step, with calmness—could be its own kind of freedom.

Lin Wanning gave a small nod. "I’m actually easy to get along with."

"Yeah, I can tell."

"Really?" She looked at him intently.

Most people said the opposite...

"Of course." He pulled out a tube of ointment from his pocket, then gestured with the tea. "Whether someone’s easy to get along with isn’t about what others say—it’s about what you do."

No one had ever said that to her before. A faint smile touched Lin Wanning’s lips. "Thank you."

"I know you don’t like me saying it all the time, but this one is sincere."

"It’s not that I mind. Helping someone who’s being bullied isn’t something that needs constant thanks."

"Besides, even without me, that coward wouldn’t have dared do anything too extreme in public," Long Aotian said matter-of-factly.

Lin Wanning shook her head gently. "You might not think it’s a big deal, but I can’t just brush it off."

So many people had stood by, done nothing. Yet a passerby from the music department had stepped in.

Maybe he helped others often, so it felt like nothing to him.

But for the one being helped, the humiliation, the desperation—she would never forget it.

And... she couldn’t shake the feeling that Long Aotian was different from other boys.

He didn’t scrutinize her like an object. He didn’t demand anything after helping her. If she hadn’t taken the initiative, he wouldn’t have even asked for her QQ.

Even after adding her, he didn’t bombard her with small talk.

In fact, today’s dinner invitation had been entirely her idea.

For a moment, Lin Wanning stole a glance at him, a sudden suspicion crossing her mind: Did Long Aotian... not like girls?

"What’s with that look? Your eyes just turned downright mischievous."

Oh no. Nothing was more mortifying than getting caught staring.

Lin Wanning stiffened slightly, her fair cheeks tinged with the embarrassment of being caught. The teardrop mole at the corner of her eye flushed pink, like a flame orchid in full bloom under moonlight—strikingly beautiful.