Sunday. As usual, Feng Yijiu headed to the library with Zhou Wenyao and Qingqing. This time, though, she felt relieved—the afternoon plan wasn’t shopping. They were visiting a nearby cat cafe to play with cats.

Way more fun than window-shopping, right?

“Yijiu, why’re you in your school uniform today?” Qingqing spotted her first, waving and jogging over.

Feng Yijiu offered a slightly awkward smile. Most of her androgynous outfits ended up looking feminine on her. After comparing options, the loose, baggy blue-and-white uniform actually suited her best.

“C’mon, Qingqing, let’s grab seats before they’re gone,” Zhou Wenyao said, joining them with a nod to Yijiu.

“Hey, Yaoyao… when you finish homework, what do you usually do?” Lately, stuck in the front row studying, Feng Yijiu often found herself with nothing to do.

“Review vocab,” Zhou Wenyao mused. “Then maybe preview the next chapter.”

Feng Yijiu nodded thoughtfully.

“Nothing to do?” Qingqing asked.

Yijiu hesitated, then nodded.

“Perfect!” Zhou Wenyao clapped her hands. “Join our group! I’ve been stressed about finding teammates for the chem lab activity. Just come hang out—it’s not for any official award.”

Feng Yijiu felt a flicker of interest.

Meanwhile, Li Hao lurked nearby. Ever since learning Feng Yijiu visited the library with Zhou Wenyao on weekends, he’d marked his calendar.

He’d planned a “chance encounter” yesterday—no luck. Undeterred, he arrived early today and began “browsing” shelves with purposeless steps.

“Actually, this shade suits you, Yijiu,” Qingqing said while settling in, holding up a lip balm near Yijiu’s face. “Wait—why no makeup? Not even basic skincare?”

“Personal habit,” Feng Yijiu murmured, slightly turning her face to dodge the balm. Then she froze. *Why does that guy’s back look so much like that block of wood?*

*Is he here too?* Puzzled, she glanced again—but the figure glancing around had vanished. Qingqing still held her hand.

Seated, Feng Yijiu hesitated, then pulled out her phone.

Maple: You here?

Muzi: What’s up?

Li Hao’s pulse jumped at the fleeting “typing…” notification.

Maple: At the library too?

Muzi: Yes.

Maple: …

Maple: You’re not here for Wenyao, are you?

“Chatting with someone?” Qingqing leaned in.

“A guy,” Feng Yijiu whispered as the screen dimmed.

“Oh~” Qingqing smirked knowingly.

“No—he thinks I’m a guy,” Yijiu’s cheeks warmed slightly. “And he’s one of Yaoyao’s admirers.”

“Wow! Yaoyao’s harem just grew!” Qingqing teased, poking the exasperated Zhou Wenyao. “Your charm’s unstoppable. Just surrender already!”

“What harem?” Zhou Wenyao rolled her eyes. “Those guys are boring. I’ve said I’m not interested, but they won’t quit. So annoying.”

“That’s charm! Unlike me—zero girls chasing me,” Qingqing pouted playfully, turning to Yijiu with faux sorrow. “Yijiu, take pity on your sister?”

“Nonsense. Didn’t you hide indoors for three weeks after seeing someone last time?” Zhou Wenyao shot back. “And that wristband we bought? Men’s style, right?”

“I—!” Qingqing sputtered, then pummeled Wenyao’s arm with tiny pink fists.

Feng Yijiu checked her phone.

Muzi: I see you guys [Smirk][Smirk]

She took a quiet breath. Scanning the room—no sign of Li Hao. Her shoulders relaxed. After confirming no nearby seats were free, she exhaled fully.

She chose not to mention him. If the girls labeled that block of wood a creep on sight, with his EQ? He’d be doomed before he even began.

Putting the phone away, she opened a math worksheet and started working.

Li Hao stood silently between bookshelves—a blind spot for Yijiu, yet he saw Zhou Wenyao’s graceful silhouette clearly.

Still, in casual clothes, she lacked the allure of the hanfu she wore that day at the hospital.

Truth was, this Zhou Wenyao felt different from the girl he’d met there. Not just appearance… aura?

Now, she sat poised and confident—a refined young lady. But the hanfu girl, head bowed, had seemed a fragile, delicate beauty.

Only her waist-length hair matched exactly. *Am I imagining things?* Li Hao shook his head. Of course—she’d been unwell then. Recovery changed everything.

Yet a quiet regret lingered. This version was undeniably beautiful, but missing… a hint of that elusive charm. He couldn’t name it.

After a final glance, he stepped back. He refused to stay a shadow in the corner.

He wanted to sit openly beside the gardenia girl, gently hold her slender hand, and smile beneath envious or admiring stares.

*“Wenyao’s gentle and easygoing, but proud inside. To befriend her… you need something she truly respects,”* Feng Yijiu’s words echoed, fueling his resolve.

“Something she respects, huh?” Li Hao breathed deeply. *I’ve got this.*