Maybe I'm Just a Bit Aloof

"This is my phone number," Long Aotian said, taking out his phone.

Lin Wanning chuckled softly, "This is the first time you've actively given me your contact info."

As she spoke, a faint trace of resentment flickered across her delicate features.

Previously, she had been the one to ask for Long Aotian's number in front of so many people, only to be teased mercilessly by her roommates afterward.

Still, she pulled out her phone and saved his number.

She even dialed it right away, hanging up after the call connected to ensure it was saved properly.

"Look at you now—where’s that aloof campus belle aura gone?"

"What campus belle? That’s just some ranking made up by the guys at school. And don’t you know girls have long memories when it comes to grudges?"

"You really don’t understand how a girl’s mind works." She stole a glance at Long Aotian, hesitating for a moment before tentatively asking, "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead. Ask me anything," he replied.

"Have you... never had a girlfriend before?"

"Huh?" Long Aotian turned to look at her. She quickly averted her gaze, clasping her hands behind her back. "Just curious."

He cleared his throat. "I’ve had plenty of girlfriends—even dumped a few. Because, you know, 'out of three thousand weak waters, I take only one sip.'"

"Liar."

"If you knew I was lying, why’d you ask?" Long Aotian reached out and flicked her forehead in mock annoyance.

Lin Wanning pouted. "You said I could ask anything!"

"Now you’re talking back to your big brother? Want me to knock some sense into you?"

"You’re such a violent, overbearing brother..."

Sometimes, you can’t judge a person just by their demeanor or personality.

Take Lin Wanning—no matter how icy her exterior or how distant her attitude, deep down, she was still just an eighteen-year-old girl.

She could act indifferent toward countless people, but around those she truly trusted, she became the real Lin Wanning.

At first, they were strangers. Then, they became acquaintances—though not particularly close ones. Now, they were siblings who could rely on each other, at least to some extent.

Even if it was just a verbal bond, even if Long Aotian thought her gratitude was excessive for what he considered a trivial favor, this small, almost offhand connection was enough to peel back the layers of her cold facade.

Faced with Lin Wanning’s teasing, Long Aotian shrugged. "Well, who told you to trust someone you’ve only known for a few days?"

"Getting to know you wasn’t easy," she retorted, and she wasn’t wrong.

Lin Wanning knew she wasn’t bad-looking, yet Long Aotian had never seemed the least bit interested.

Sure, independence and strength were admirable qualities in a woman, but there was no denying the natural allure of beauty and charm—advantages women inherently possessed. Yet none of it worked on him.

She had brought him medicine twice.

The first time, she’d been a mess, and he’d been too drunk to notice much.

But the second time? Nearly every man in the restaurant had glanced her way—except Long Aotian. She’d even been the one to ask for his QQ contact.

After that, she’d invited him out twice.

The first time, she’d dressed up carefully, only for him to fluster her with a casual "Let’s sit for a bit."

This time, she’d gone all out—paired with the "little sister" dynamic—and finally, he’d given her his number unprompted.

So, was it really that easy?

When Lin Wanning said knowing him wasn’t easy, Long Aotian nodded solemnly. "Maybe I’m just too aloof."

The joke made her laugh. "Yeah, yeah, you’re the aloof one."

Back at the music department’s entrance, Lin Wanning waved. "Bye. Today was fun."

"Bye. Hope every day is even better than today for you."

Watching Long Aotian walk away, she finally turned and headed into campus.

Under the silver moonlight, Lin Wanning looked ethereal, her careful styling lending her an almost dreamlike glow.

"Hey, what perfume are you wearing? I’ve been searching for that scent forever."

"I don’t wear perfume," she replied, her voice instantly reverting to its usual frosty tone.

"Uh... sorry to bother you..." The upperclassman who’d tried to strike up a conversation hurried off.

Once he was gone, a small smile returned to her lips. She hadn’t lied—today had genuinely been a good day, and the minor interruption hadn’t dampened her mood.

Back in the dorm, her roommates—already washed up and in bed—perked up the moment she walked in, their exhaustion from military training momentarily forgotten.

They teased her relentlessly about how her "date" had gone.

Collapsing onto her bed, Lin Wanning groaned. Military training was exhausting, and she was amazed she’d held up this long.

But as her friends pestered her, she sighed. "I told you, it’s not what you think."

Even so, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.

"Sure, sure. You’re just repaying a favor, right?"

"If the hero’s handsome: 'This humble maiden has no way to repay you except with my hand in marriage.'

If the hero’s not: 'This humble maiden can only repay you in the next life as your loyal ox or horse.' So which one are you?"

"You guys are way too nosy," Lin Wanning muttered, rolling her eyes.

It felt like she couldn’t keep a single secret around them.

"Well, you’re the only one in our dorm with even a hint of romance in your life!"

"Seriously, we haven’t even memorized our classmates’ names yet, and you’ve already added some hot guy from T University on QQ and gone out with him twice..."

Lin Wanning stayed silent, washing up before slipping into bed.

But her roommates’ words left her conflicted. The truth was, she did have feelings for Long Aotian.

She just didn’t know if he felt the same.

Never having been in love before, her mind spiraled with overanalysis at the slightest hint of attraction.

Now, tangled in her thoughts, she burrowed under the covers. No use dwelling on it—she’d just have to test his feelings slowly over time.

The idea made her bury her face in her hands, squirming under the blanket from sheer embarrassment.

But then again, with a guy like Long Aotian, was it even possible not to fall for him?

Mature, charming, responsible, with a touch of humor, a hint of goofiness, and...