When Liu Xingyan received the package, he was completely baffled.
The handwritten sender’s address was quite concise, barely legible through two layers of photocopy paper. Judging by the larger return address, he deduced that the solitary “Shen” was from Shen Xingru, and the elaborate string of numbers belonged to her too.
Inside the package was a coffee-colored scarf, along with a jumble of pills and herbal tea packets.
Normally, Shen Xingruo would send him things to eat, wear, or use, but it was mostly through online orders directly from the store. This package… it seemed like it was meant for someone else.
Liu Xingyan opened WeChat, ready to inquire, but before he could type a word, he caught sight of his previous chat history with Shen Xingru.
It dawned on him to check the efficacy of those medicines belatedly.
“Of course! It’s not a mistake; it’s meant for him!”
Shen Xingruo thought he was having tooth pain and sent him medicine!
And this handmade scarf!!!
A crazy grin spread across Liu Xingyan’s lips, his heart suddenly feeling like it was being infused with honey, so sweet it almost choked him.
Come to think of it, although his house’s white peacock always sported an icy demeanor with a no-nonsense attitude, deep down, it was very tender and meticulous, a real man of action.
Last time when Li Chengfan boasted about his 34D girlfriend knitting him a scarf, Liu Xingyan pretended not to care on the surface, but he felt a twinge of jealousy inside. So, he casually mentioned it to Shen Xingru.
Shen Xingruo seemed not to understand or care, just giving a casual “oh” and leaving it at that.
He paused, recalling the image of Shen Xingruo knitting the scarf… Well, perhaps he was overthinking it. He never brought it up again.
But who would’ve thought that even though Shen Xingruo didn’t utter any sweet words, she silently knitted one for him behind the scenes! And it had patterns on it, clearly indicating she had learned some complex knitting techniques!
Unlike Li Chengfan’s 34D, who talked a big game but hadn’t shown any results with a scarf in three months.
The thought overwhelmed Liu Xingyan with sweetness.
He quickly put on the scarf, staking out the best spot in front of the mirror, adjusting it just right, occasionally tousling his hair, striking a couple of poses for selfies. Then he called Chen Du over, asking him which one made him look more handsome.
“What are you trying to pull?” Chen Du looked baffled.
Liu Xingyan adjusted the scarf nonchalantly, saying, “My girlfriend knitted it for me. What do you think?”
Chen Du “…”
“You met my girlfriend last time. Despite her cool exterior, she’s warm-hearted. I casually mentioned a toothache, and she sent me medicine.”
Chen Du “…”
Recalling Shen Xingru’s powerful aura when she visited Xing University last time, Chen Du couldn’t shake off the feeling that Liu Xingyan had been suppressed for too long and had fallen into self-delusion.
That icy lady knitting scarves? Sending medicine? It was like something out of a fairy tale.
After Liu Xingyan finished his ramblings, Chen Du simply patted his shoulder, speaking with a deep, meaningful tone, “Brother Yan, as long as you’re happy.”
Liu Xingyan looked at him blankly.
Of course, I’m freaking happy.
Watching Chen Du leave, shaking his head and sighing, Liu Xingyan didn’t bother to intervene. Instead, he boasted again in his group of friends, deliberately hurting Li Chengfan this time, and then posted a nine-grid photo on his Moments.
Shen Xingruo didn’t respond to his various “kissy face” emojis, but she did like his Moments post.
Among those who liked it were Pei Yue and Lu Shan, who had already been unblocked.
As the winter snow fell heavily, Liu Xingyan survived the grueling exam week with the precious scarf Shen Xingruo had sent him, enduring the late-night study sessions.
The winter break came earlier for Xing University, with various departments finishing their final exams one after another in mid-January.
Everyone packed their bags and embarked on their journey home for the New Year.
Shen Xingruo didn’t want to disturb Liu Xingyan’s exams, and since there were still group activities at school that she could finish early, she decided to stay in Xing City until Liu Xingyan finished his exams.
Then she stayed in Xing City until the Lunar New Year before returning to Huize.
Time together in a long-distance relationship was always precious, so every moment was cherished.
Liu Xingyan clung to her tightly, but he didn’t have any reason to stop her from going home. After weighing the options, he simply went with her to Huize, calling it a “trip,” but in reality, he just stayed at Shen’s house.
Both of their grades were out before the New Year.
This semester, Shen Xingruo still achieved third place in her major and second place overall.
Without the constant pressure from Shen, Liu Xingyan’s grades weren’t as impressive. Although he didn’t lag or fail any courses, his academic performance wasn’t up to par.
Though he didn’t voice it out loud, Liu Xingyan felt guilty and anxious about his virginity. So, during the winter break, he persisted in learning fifty new words every day and shared them on his Moments.
This winter was exceptionally cold, making it difficult to go out most of the time. Before they knew it, the entire winter break had passed by while they stayed cooped up indoors.
Although the duration of their holidays varied, the start dates for most universities were closely packed.
Shen Xingru’s classes resumed on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, not even allowing her to spend Lantern Festival at home. Liu Xingyan wasn’t much better off, starting a day later, on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.
If the first semester of freshman year was about adaptation, then the second semester should have been about getting into the swing of things.
Looking at the class schedule, Shen Xingruo realized that this semester’s major courses had increased by three large blocks compared to the previous semester. Additionally, there were different elective modules at different stages, which, when combined, added significantly to the academic workload compared to the first semester.
Moreover, extracurricular activities were also on the rise this semester.
Just as classes began, a certain director from UNESCO was scheduled to visit the university, and Shen Xingru, along with three other students, was selected to participate in the reception.
Shortly afterward, a well-known Japanese linguist and a professor from Stanford’s East Asian Languages and Cultures department visited. Shen Xingruo was selected to participate in both receptions as well.