What if compared to me

In the boys' dormitory.

Xue Shaohua stared at his phone, his expression darkening as the friend request remained unanswered. His roommates, equally clueless about what was happening, hesitated to speak up.

No one knew—but Xue Shaohua did.

He had never met a girl so unforgettable. The moment she smiled, her beauty was indescribable, a radiance that seared itself into his heart.

If only Hu Yuying would smile at him like that. He was certain he’d never fall for another girl again.

But no. That smile wasn’t meant for him. It was meant for another man.

The thought twisted inside him, a surge of jealousy he couldn’t suppress. Especially when he saw Hu Yuying running toward that man without hesitation.

In that instant, Xue Shaohua felt an overwhelming sense of injustice. If he weren’t so strong-willed, he might have broken down right then and there.

His pride, his confidence—everything was rattled.

Why? He was right there beside her, yet she hadn’t even glanced his way before throwing herself into someone else’s arms.

Unconsciously, a possessiveness toward Hu Yuying took root in him.

Admission into A University was proof enough of Xue Shaohua’s brilliance. Men like him carried an unshakable pride.

He knew he wasn’t any less handsome than that guy—in fact, he might even be better-looking in some ways.

So why had Hu Yuying chosen someone else over him?

A girl like her… she should be with someone like him.

Maybe at first, Xue Shaohua had only been drawn to her beauty, thinking of her as just another pretty face to chase after.

But after today, she had become an obsession.

They shared the same campus, the same class, the same major. Out of millions, fate had brought them together.

That alone convinced Xue Shaohua—he would make her his. He’d make sure her smiles were reserved for him alone.

"Shaohua, you okay?"

Taking a deep breath, Xue Shaohua forced a smile. "I’m fine."

His roommates exchanged glances before one asked, "So? How’d it go today? We set things up for you—did you make your move?"

Xue Shaohua’s jaw tightened, but he kept up the act. "It’s a process. Give me time. I’ll win Hu Yuying over."

He had gotten into A University. That guy hadn’t. That alone proved he was superior.

And he still had four years ahead of him with Hu Yuying. Four years was more than enough to change things.

Xue Shaohua had the confidence—because he was that good.

His friends didn’t push further.

Beautiful girls never lacked suitors.

They didn’t believe Xue Shaohua stood a chance. If anything, they hoped his pursuit might draw Hu Yuying’s attention… and maybe, just maybe, she’d notice them too.

"Let’s go grab some drinks. My treat," Xue Shaohua muttered, his mood sour.

The campus store didn’t sell alcohol, so they’d have to venture outside.

No one turned down free drinks, especially not after surviving military training. A little indulgence was overdue.

After some discussion, they headed for the school gates.

Xue Shaohua cracked open a can of beer and downed half of it in one go.

Standing there amidst the crowd, he thought the gesture made him look cool—untouchable.

After swallowing hard to suppress a belch, he exhaled dramatically and declared, "Believe it or not, I will make Hu Yuying mine."

The moment the words left his mouth, a passing figure paused.

Then turned to look at him.

Xue Shaohua felt the gaze and glanced up—only to meet the scrutinizing eyes of a guy with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

When their eyes locked, the stranger smirked, oozing confidence, then flicked his hair back.

Xue Shaohua’s pupils contracted. Instinctively, he straightened his posture and tilted his head slightly—everyone knew the side profile was the most flattering angle.

The stranger frowned at Xue Shaohua’s pose, then lowered his gaze at a perfect 45-degree angle before slowly lifting it again.

A silent battle of egos.

Xue Shaohua’s brows furrowed. This guy’s aura… he wasn’t ordinary.

Noticing Xue Shaohua’s guarded expression, the guy scoffed and sauntered closer. "Let’s get acquainted. The name’s Ye Liangchen."

A hand extended toward him.

Xue Shaohua relaxed his frown and shook it. "Xue Shaohua."

Ye Liangchen’s smirk deepened. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lit one, took a long drag, and exhaled slowly, savoring the moment. "You smoke?"

Xue Shaohua nodded. He didn’t usually, but seeing how effortlessly cool Ye Liangchen looked, he decided to try.

"So," Ye Liangchen said, blowing out smoke, "I heard you’re after Hu Yuying?"

Xue Shaohua narrowed his eyes. "What’s it to you?"

Ye Liangchen chuckled but didn’t answer.

Ever since he’d heard Long Aotian was in the capital, he’d suspected Hu Yuying would be here too.

Fresh out of military training, he’d treated his dormmates to a meal with his stock market earnings and decided to swing by A University.

And what did he hear the moment he arrived? Some nobody boasting about chasing his former treasure.

Admittedly, Xue Shaohua had some style—but compared to him? Amateur.

When Xue Shaohua snapped, "What’s it to you?" Ye Liangchen couldn’t help but laugh. "What if I told you to back off?" He tilted his head, flashing another smirk, and flicked his hair again.

Xue Shaohua froze, visibly shaken.

Ye Liangchen clapped him on the shoulder, then—with deliberate slowness—slipped his hands back into his pockets.

The sheer audacity of the move was peak arrogance.

"But the guy she was with today wasn’t you either!" Xue Shaohua shot back, frustration bubbling over.

Ye Liangchen’s expression darkened instantly.

He didn’t need to guess who Xue Shaohua was talking about.

His fists clenched.

That damn bastard.

First Hu Yuying. Then Li Qingxue. And now Lin Wanning…

Clutching the phone in her pocket, she turned her back to Xue Shaohua, tilted her head toward the sky, and took a deep breath. "Who’s to say it won’t be me?"

Watching Ye Liangchen’s retreating figure, a slow smile curled at the corners of Xue Shaohua’s lips. "Things are getting interesting."

"You’re right. No one can predict the future. At the very least, I have the advantage of being close..."