The fact that Yan Linjian could get into Jingdu University was no surprise to the Yan family. The Yan family was a household of scholars and a prestigious family with a hundred-year legacy, with good genes passed down through generations.
But when he chose computer science as his major, it caused an uproar among the Yan family.
From his older brother to his father to his grandmother, everyone in his family had pursued humanities, while his uncle’s family mostly had military backgrounds. Among his generation, Yan Linjian was the first to choose a purely science-based major.
When it was time to pick a major, his brother and father spent an entire night poring over the course guide, analysing his interests and strengths. They compiled two full pages of options and even mapped out his future career path. In the end, Yan Linjian silently went ahead and applied for computer science, nearly making his father explode with rage.
When the admission letter arrived, Yan Nanshan warned him with a dark face, “If you fail a single course, I’ll send you to your uncle’s for training over the holidays.”
Yan Linjian shuddered. He was scared internally, but still put on a brave front. “Not only will I pass all my courses, I’ll even get a scholarship.”
Yan Nanshan sneered: “You can get a scholarship? If you do, I’ll be the son, and you can be the father.”
At the time, Yan Linjian thought his father was crazy. Once classes started, he realized that while introductory computer science and English weren’t difficult, and the first few weeks of basic programming were manageable, things changed when Yan Linjian really started compiling complex code, he felt his head ache.
After painstakingly typing out hundreds of lines of code, he was met with a runtime error. He checked it over a dozen times but still couldn’t find the mistake, his head was about to explode. Finally, he realised that he had simply used the wrong “；” and “;”[mfn]”；” is the Chinese version, “;” is the English version[/mfn]. At that moment, Yan Linjian had the overwhelming urge to smash his computer.
“If this keeps up, I’m going to fail my courses!” Yan Linjian wailed in the dorm, clinging tightly to Qi Jingzhi. “Dashen[mfn]大神 (Dà shén) – Direct translation: Big/great god. Meaning: Genius/Master[/mfn], you have to save me!”
He wrapped his arms around Qi Jingzhi’s waist, inwardly marvelling at how tall and well-built this person was, yet his waist was surprisingly slim.
Qi Jingzhi lightly pushed his head helplessly and said in a gentle tone, “We’ve just finished the midterms, the finals are still a long way off, don’t worry.”
“I nearly failed my midterm! The C programming professor even sent my grade report to my brother!”
His poor brother was already swamped preparing for an overseas academic visit, yet he still had to make time to lecture him. Jingdu University required students to rank in the top 50% of their department to switch majors. With Yan Linjian’s grades, transferring was a lost cause.
Yan Linjian ran his fingers through his hair, turning it into a bird’s nest. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have chosen this major.”
He regretted it so much! Why did he have to act on impulse and rebel against his dad and brother?
After submitting the code he had just written, he turned to Qi Jingzhi: “Good thing you’re here, otherwise I’d really be doomed.”
Qi Jingzhi curled his lips, revealing a faint smile that added a touch of vitality to his otherwise pale face. To be fair, Qi Jingzhi’s looks were among the best in the department. His clear and innocent dog-like eyes, high nose bridge, and kitten-like upturned lips, all made him seem like the kind of handsome guy who radiated sunshine.
But instead of being the outgoing type, he was a homebody with an introverted personality. Back then, he had hacked into the school’s academic system to earn a special admission spot. He is younger than Yan Linjian and the others, and is still a minor, naturally no one dared to cross any moral boundaries.
At a time when he should have been ruling Jingdu University as the ultimate campus heartthrob, Qi Jingzhi spent his days typing away at code in the dormitory and had little presence on the school forum.
Yan Linjian stared at him for two seconds before grinning. “Qi-shen[mfn]祁神 – God Qi, referring to Qi Jingzhi[/mfn], if you clean yourself up a bit, I’d definitely vote for you in next year’s campus heartthrob selection.”
Qi Jingzhi lowered his eyelashes awkwardly and said, “Do I look that messy?”
“Not really.”
Crew-neck T-shirt, jeans, a plain black jacket. It was the most standard outfit for a university guy. But with his great figure, he still looked at least eight times more handsome than everyone else.
Yan Linjian: “What I mean is that your personality is too dull. You won’t be able to find a girlfriend like this.”
Their other roommate, Shen Yang, poked his head out from the top bunk and laughed, “Yan Linjian, everyone in our dorm is single except you. You’re just asking to get hit.”
Qi Jingzhi took a small step back, his raven-like eyelashes casting a shadow under his eyes: “I’m still underage. I’m not allowed to date early.”
Yan Linjian: “Your birthday’s in February next year, right? Once you turn eighteen, I’ll give you a full makeover and turn you into the ultimate campus heartthrob.”
Shen Yang: “Help me out too! I want to date a pretty girl too.”
Yan Linjian: “Pei[mfn]呸 (Pēi) – sound of spitting, used to express disdain, annoyance, or disbelief. In English, it’s something like Pfft/Tch.[/mfn], don’t think I don’t know you’re dating someone online. You two-timing scumbag.”
Shen Yang: “Online dating is just for fun, you can’t kiss or hug. Real love has to be in the real world.”
Yan Linjian frowned and said, “Stop talking nonsense. Online dating is still dating and should be taken seriously.”
Seeing that he was really angry, Shen Yang quickly waved his hands: “I was just joking. Come on, Young Master Yan[mfn]燕小少爷 – said in a joking/sarcastic way[/mfn], don’t be angry. It’s almost one o’clock already, shouldn’t you be off to meet your girlfriend?”
“One o’clock?!” Yan Linjian glanced at his phone, then hurriedly grabbed a denim jacket from his wardrobe and threw it on, “I’m heading out. Qi-shen, is there anything you want to eat? I’ll bring you some food.”
“No need, have fun.” Qi Jingzhi waved, watching as Yan Linjian disappeared out the dormitory door.
Shen Yang got off the bed with his laptop and moved closer to Qi Jingzhi, “Qi-shen, could you help me write some code too?”
Qi Jingzhi glanced at his blank computer screen and shook his head, refusing: “Write it yourself.”
“You’re so biased! Why are you being so nice to Yan Linjian? Just because he’s the principal’s son?” Shen Yang teased with a grin.
“Yan Linjian has already finished writing it himself, I only helped him to check it. You, on the other hand, have only written two lines.” Qi Jingzhi’s brows furrowed, carrying a trace of coldness.
“It was just a joke, don’t take it so seriously…” Shen Yang’s smile turned awkward as he shuffled back to his desk, muttering under his breath, “Not like I don’t know how to write it myself.”
Yan Linjian sprinted all the way to the place he had agreed to meet his girlfriend. She was already there, fully made up and waiting for him. The late autumn air was chilly, yet she was wearing a knee-length skirt, her bare calves exposed to the autumn wind.
“Aren’t you cold?” Yan Linjian took off the jacket he had just put on and handed it to her, shivering himself.
The two entered the restaurant together. The girl placed the denim jacket over her lap, her delicately made-up face showing a thoughtful expression. Yan Linjian didn’t notice and casually struck up a conversation after ordering their food.
“How long have you been waiting?”
“Just arrived.”
“Sorry, I had an assignment due at four in the afternoon, so I was a little late.”
“It’s fine.”
The girl stared at Yan Linjian without blinking, making him a little uneasy. He couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something on my face?”
“No. Is there something on mine?”
Yan Linjian studied her face seriously for a full minute before saying, “Nope.”
“…” The girl’s expression shifted from speechless to disdainful as she pointed at her face and said, “I! Am wearing makeup!”
“I noticed. You look beautiful,” Yan Linjian complimented politely.
She rolled her eyes: “Besides beautiful?”
Yan Linjian: “Uh… gorgeous?”
“…”
“Yan Linjian, you’re really hopeless. I’m your girlfriend, you know? Can’t you at least look at me with some emotion? Sometimes, I honestly wonder if I’m your girlfriend or your mum!”
Yan Linjian hesitated for a moment and said, “My mother is also very beautiful.”
“Of course, I know that… wait, damn it, that’s not the point. What I’m saying is, let’s break up.”
She checked her makeup in the reflection of her phone screen. Looking great, looking beautiful, slaying as always[mfn]很好，还是很美，slay全场。-t/n: Yes, the original used the English word “slay”, lmao.[/mfn].
Looking back at Yan Linjian, she found that aside from shock, there was no other reaction on his face. Annoyance surged up again. “Can’t you at least say something to try and make me stay?”
“Then… can we not break up?”
“No!”
With an excuse to let it all out, she finally voiced everything on her mind: “Yan Linjian, how many girlfriends have you had? You probably don’t even remember, do you? Sure, you’re good-looking, you play the violin well, and you’re the principal’s son. A lot of people like you… but you’ve never rejected anyone who confesses, you’ve dated so many times. Ask yourself honestly, have you ever treated any of them sincerely?”
“I have,” Yan Linjian said seriously.
She choked on her words for a second before waving her hand. “Fine, as a boyfriend, you’re actually not bad. But I want more than just a boyfriend.”
Yan Linjian was surprised: “Then… you want two boyfriends?”
The girl was on the verge of losing it. “You’re always like this… Fine! What if I said I wanted two boyfriends? Would you agree?”
“Two-timing doesn’t seem right,” Yan Linjian actually started thinking it over. “I mean, I definitely wouldn’t be okay with it. Isn’t dating supposed to be about being devoted to one person?”
“Aaaah! I can’t take this anymore. You shouldn’t think like this. You should be jealous, you should tell me firmly that I’m not allowed to be with anyone else… Yan Linjian, I finally understand why all your past relationships ended so fast.”
“Why?” Yan Linjian looked like he was ready to take notes.
The girl completely lost her temper: “Because you’re such an idiot. Who would’ve thought that the usually cool, cocky, and untouchable Yan Linjian would turn into a naive and sweet person when it comes to dating. No, actually, you’re not sweet at all, just naive and clueless. The only thing good about you is your face.”
Yan Linjian sighed: “So you’re really breaking up with me?”
“Yea! I’ve had enough of you.”
Yan Linjian, who rushed out of the dorm in a hurry, came back looking completely dejected. He dropped a takeout bag onto Qi Jingzhi’s desk and weakly said, “Qi-shen, your food.”
“You got dumped again?” Shen Yang had just finished submitting his assignment and came over to enjoy the show.
“Mm.” Yan Linjian lay dejectedly on the table.
Shen Yang: “That was the campus belle of the Literature Department. You’re really willing to let her go?”
“What else can I do?”
“Hai[mfn]害 (Hài) – sound of sighing.[/mfn], I taught you so many dating tricks, and you didn’t use a single one.”
Yan Linjian shot him a look of disdain: “Your tricks are all about sweet-talking girls into getting a room. I have no interest in learning them.”
Shen Yang waved his hand: “You really are wasting such a good face. You’ve dated so many gorgeous girls, yet you haven’t even kissed a single one…”
“Shut up. Qi-shen is still here, don’t corrupt a minor.”
Seeing he wasn’t getting anywhere, Shen Yang packed up his laptop and left.
Qi Jingzhi pulled over a chair and sat beside Yan Linjian, offering a very official-sounding comfort: “Don’t be sad.”
“I’m not sad, just a little frustrated.” Yan Linjian sighed, lying on the desk. “Am I really that terrible?”
Qi Jingzhi shook his head: “No.”
“Am I not good-looking?”
“You are.”
“Is my personality bad?”
“It’s good.”
“Then why do they all break up with me?”
“… I don’t know.”
Yan Linjian propped his face up with one hand, absentmindedly touching his heart as he murmured, “Maybe the reason I keep getting dumped is that I don’t actually feel sad about breaking up.”
Qi Jingzhi paused for a moment but didn’t say anything.
“I think feelings can be cultivated over time, so when they confessed to me, I didn’t turn them down. It’s not like I accept just anyone who comes my way, I’ve rejected seven or eight out of ten. The ones I dated were girls I thought I’d be compatible with… I’ve even read relationship guides, I don’t have any bad habits, I always let my girlfriend know where I am and give her enough sense of security… So what exactly am I doing wrong?”
Yan Linjian was very troubled. Love seemed to be something that required talent, and it was clear he didn’t have it.
Qi Jingzhi slowly ate his food and asked: “Do you like your girlfriend?”
“Of course I do. Why would I date someone I don’t like?”
Today’s sweet and sour pork was a little too sour. Qi Jingzhi chewed a couple of times before swallowing it down and said: “Is your ‘like’ the type where just seeing them makes your heart race?”
“… Not really. It’s more like I think they look pretty today, their smile is nice, and sometimes I admire how hardworking they are.”
“Then that’s admiration.”
“I don’t know either. If we’re talking about real heart-pounding moments, the last time I seriously felt my heart race was when my dad found out about my university application. I thought it was going to jump out of my throat.” Yan Linjian chuckled, brushing his bangs up, “Maybe I’m just not cut out for dating.”
Qi Jingzhi nodded in agreement: “You need time to settle down.”
Hearing that, Yan Linjian poked his shoulder: “For a minor who says he doesn’t date early, you sure know a lot.”
“Not having been in a relationship doesn’t mean I don’t understand emotions.”
“An IT guy turned into a relationship expert? Hahaha, I can’t wait for you to come of age and charm thousands of girls.”
Qi Jingzhi turned his face away: “Don’t joke about that. Even when I’m an adult, I won’t fall in love.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’re going to be the world’s top hacker, hahaha.” Yan Linjian’s gaze landed on the last piece of sweet and sour pork in the lunchbox, he licked his lips, “Is it good?”
Not good, a bit too sour.
Qi Jingzhi smiled and said nothing, he picked up that last piece of sweet and sour pork: “Want to try?”
“Ah——” Yan Linjian opened his mouth wide.
“Ugh, so sour! Did the chef just go through a breakup or something? Why is it this sour?!”
While Yan Linjian got up to get some water, Qi Jingzhi bit down on his chopsticks, his gaze that was filled with a smile, never once left Yan Linjian.
