As the old saying goes, “After a good meal and drink, one’s thoughts turn to… studying.” After wrestling with endless traffic for nearly half an hour, Jiang Zixuan finally steered the car through Nanhu College’s main gate.
Noticing he was driving straight in without a word, Shu Yuxin quickly called out, “Just park here. I’ll walk.”
“You’re being too polite. I’ve got time,” Jiang Zixuan said, not slowing as he passed through the inner gate.
Seeing the guard made no move to stop them, Shu Yuxin blinked. “Aren’t outside cars usually banned?”
“Today’s an exception. Parents are swarming in to set up dorms—practically moving entire houses for their kids. The school can’t stop them,” he chuckled.
Shu Yuxin pressed her lips together silently.
Thinking he’d upset her, Jiang Zixuan added, “Relax. Big bro’s got you. I’ll handle everything.”
“Get lost,” she muttered, slumping into her seat. “You seem way too familiar with this campus.”
He didn’t hesitate at any turn.
“Scouted it a month ago. Way more familiar than you. Honestly, your campus isn’t even half ours.”
“Comparing tier-one to tier-two? Seriously…”
He let out a light laugh, parked in an open lot, popped the trunk. “Which dorm are you in?”
“Obviously I know. I didn’t ignore college prep,” she said, unfastening her seatbelt and smoothing her clothes.
His gaze flickered over her emerging curves—hills becoming mountains—and Jiang Zixuan subtly swallowed. “Shu… Yuxin.”
“Hmm?” Hand on the door handle, she tilted her head.
After a pause, he pulled two black canisters from the compartment. “Take these.”
“What is it?” She examined them. Her expression shifted. “Pepper spray? Why would I need this?”
He sighed. “Have you looked in the mirror lately?”
“Of course.”
“Then you don’t see how you look now?” His tone turned serious. “I’m not joking. With your petite frame, I could neutralize you in three seconds flat. Believe me?”
…
Seeing her uneasy look, he continued, “You’ve got zero self-defense skills. Even if our schools are close, I can’t shadow you daily. We’re both new here. If something happened… I couldn’t face your parents.”
Shu Yuxin shook the canister, voice hesitant. “I… probably won’t run into trouble? It’s campus…”
“How can you be sure? You’ll go off-campus. Assault cases involving female students are scarily common. Carrying this costs nothing.”
Imagining herself dragged into a dark alley by a creepy guy for unspeakable acts, she relented. “Fine. Thanks.”
“Don’t mention it. Cheap anyway.” Relief softened his smile. He got out and started hauling her luggage.
She tucked the spray into her travel bag. Jiang Zixuan wheeled her suitcase over. “Dorm number?”
“West District, Building 8, Room 213.”
“West District? This way.” He recalled the route in seconds and turned.
Shu Yuxin slung her bag on and followed.
Campus buzzed with new students and volunteer seniors. Though assigned a female volunteer, Jiang Zixuan had taken charge as her guide, pointing out dining halls, libraries, shortcuts—proof he’d prepped thoroughly.
A temporary marketplace clogged the West Plaza, selling dorm-sized bedding and essentials. Jiang Zixuan steered her around it. “Settle your room first. Shop later if needed.”
“Okay,” she replied, trailing behind like a quiet kid.
“Wait—what’s your major again?” he asked just outside the dorm, grinning.
After a beat: “Software Engineering.”
“SE? *You*?”
“Got a problem? I didn’t plan to end up like *this*!” she snapped.
He waved it off, suppressing a laugh. “Not saying no—it’s just a shame. You’d kill it in drama school now.”
“Not interested.”
At the dorm entrance, Jiang Zixuan paused at the stream of lively girls. “Hold up… this is the girls’ dorm.”
Shu Yuxin stopped behind him. “So?”
He’d been about to mention the no-boys rule—then spotted fathers exiting freely. *Ah, exception day.* He smirked. “Living with a bunch of girls now. Excited?”
“Excited? Hardly,” she drawled, eyelids drooping. “None are prettier than me. Not easy on the eyes, can’t flirt… pointless. I’d rather admire myself.”
Jiang Zixuan opened his mouth. Closed it. No reply.
The dorm looked weathered outside but freshly renovated within. Six floors, no elevator—but luckily, Room 213 was on the second.
The room was larger than expected, with a balcony and private bathroom, though slightly messy. Standard four-person setup: beds above, desks below. Shu Yuxin’s spot—right side near the inner balcony—was the only empty one. The others wore pastel bed curtains, desks cluttered with trinkets.
Only one girl was inside: slouched in a gaming chair, loose white tee slipping off one shoulder, long fair legs propped on the desk. A half-empty cola bottle sat beside her PC. Pink headphones on, controller in hand, she grinned blissfully at a racing game on screen…
Shu Yuxin and Jiang Zixuan hovered at the doorway, hesitating.
Both wondering: *Should we… say something?*
