Chapter 20: Seating

After finishing lunch in a roadside pavilion, Hua Qi’an checked the time—it was about right to head back to the dorm.

Returning now, grabbing her afternoon books, she could make class with minutes to spare.

She tossed her trash into a nearby bin and quickened her pace toward the dorm.

Back inside, her three other roommates were also packing books for their respective classes.

Electives had just started, so no textbooks yet—no need to worry about those.

But after electives came other classes; books were still required.

Hua Qi’an pulled her needed texts from the shelf and turned to leave—only to find someone blocking her path.

Zhao Yingying.

Hua Qi’an subtly stepped back half a pace, eyeing the girl’s oddly smiling face.

“What’s up?”

She asked, puzzled.

Zhao Yingying rubbed her nape, feigning bashfulness.

Seeing that look, Hua Qi’an couldn’t suppress a shiver of goosebumps.

Felt like bad news brewing.

“Um, Xiao Qian…”

“Forgetting to remind you about electives? My bad.”

Zhao Yingying dredging it up again now?

Hua Qi’an frowned; she knew this wasn’t the point.

No such thing as unsolicited kindness without strings.

“I know you’re sweet—you won’t hold it against me, right?”

“So—”

Without asking Hua Qi’an’s input, Zhao Yingying shoved a pink envelope into her arms.

“Could you pass this to Chen Zhiyan for me?”

Along with it, a few blooms from the bouquet she’d had the florist deliver.

“You and Chen Zhiyan should be in the same elective classroom—”

Hua Qi’an cut her off.

“Why not deliver it yourself?”

A cheap perfume whiff wafted from the bundle, turning Hua Qi’an’s stomach.

Stifling the urge to chuck it, she asked patiently.

She’d clearly been scribbling that before Hua Qi’an left.

But why make her the courier?

Confessing in person showed respect, no?

At that, Zhao Yingying bristled, kicking the floor.

“Tch, the classroom’s too far.”

Her elective room was worlds from theirs.

By the time she finished and trekked over, Chen Zhiyan would be gone.

Plus, she had back-to-back classes—no time.

Outside class hours, Chen Zhiyan rarely showed on campus anyway.

She didn’t dorm, so no roommates to snoop or proxy-deliver.

Zhao Yingying’s “wire” status didn’t grant omniscience.

Hence, enlisting Hua Qi’an.

The Pen Fairy’s answer lingered fresh.

Chen Zhiyan liked girls.

Yet amid mixed suitors, she stayed single.

Zhao Yingying figured the spot was hers by fate.

Chen Zhiyan was probably waiting for her confession?

The thrill built; that’s why she’d ordered flowers midday for campus drop.

After all, didn’t the Pen Fairy say Chen Zhiyan loved flowers?

“…I see.”

Hua Qi’an arched a noncommittal brow.

She stuffed the letter and blooms into her bag.

“We’ll be late— I’ll deliver it.”

Arguing would just make her tardy.

She doubted Zhao Yingying’s odds anyway.

Before seeing Chen Zhiyan, she might’ve been less decisive.

They’d crossed paths at a volunteer event once, but Hua Qi’an had been buried in tasks, barely noting others.

Vague recall of the name, that’s it.

But after spotting the real Chen Zhiyan in the cafeteria, Hua Qi’an pegged Zhao Yingying’s success chance lower than Chen Zhiyan confessing to her.

…Though Chen Zhiyan never would.

Feelings were fickle, though.

If someone could like her type, maybe Zhao Yingying pulled it off.

Unpleasant memories resurfaced; Hua Qi’an quickened her step, as if to outrun them.

Lost in scattered thoughts, she’d arrived at the classroom unnoticed.

Time check: three minutes to bell.

Back rows packed.

Hua Qi’an hurried to the third row, claiming a middle seat.

Decent view of the podium from here.

She needed that scholarship— even electives demanded focus for top marks.

In these hundred-seaters, front rows stayed sparse.

Hua Qi’an preferred the space.

A neighbor might cramp her.

Minutes from Lin Yanqiu’s entrance, tension coiled in Hua Qi’an.

They shared Hangyang University, but campus sightings were rare.

Lining up for her class? Even rarer.

She fished notebook and pen from her bag, drawing a deep breath.

Two girls behind gossiped Lin Yanqiu lore—regretting the missed grab.

Rumors: strict, sky-high fails, tears in class…

Hua Qi’an caught their hesitant tones—hoping it was hype.

But she knew: all true.

Lin Yanqiu was exacting—in studies and life.

Having lived it firsthand, Hua Qi’an could attest.

Yet with real effort, Lin Yanqiu wasn’t one to nitpick unfairly.

She bit her lip lightly, gaze drifting doorward in a daze.

She’d never seen Lin Yanqiu at work…

Commotion stirred at the back entrance then.

“Chen Zhiyan?”

“Heard she picked this—didn’t think it real.”

“…Wonder if I can snag her contact.”

“…”

Hua Qi’an turned toward the rear door.

A standout girl stood there.

Confirming the room plaque.

Hua Qi’an held zero interest in Chen Zhiyan.

But for Zhao Yingying’s letter and flowers, she needed to clock her spot—for post-class handoff.

Shove and done—walk away.

Whether Chen Zhiyan binned it? Not her problem.

Gazing her way, their eyes met for a beat.

Hua Qi’an watched Chen Zhiyan draw nearer.

Until settling right behind her.

Hua Qi’an dodged another awkward lock, pulling her gaze.

The two chatty back-row girls fell silent too.

Campus celeb Chen Zhiyan beside them? Thrilling.

Maybe like her, Chen Zhiyan picked the spot for podium sightlines.

With her behind, though, delivery would be easy.

Hua Qi’an unzipped her bag, set to pass the letter and flowers now.

“Ding—dong—ding—dong—”

The bell tolled.

Her hand stilled.

Looking up, a figure filled the doorway.

Brisk strides carried her to the podium.

Those sharp-cornered eyes swept the room, landing on center-seated Hua Qi’an—narrowing faintly.

Hua Qi’an quietly withdrew her hand from the bag, feigning nonchalance.

Better focus on class.