This was the first time in Di's life that he had received such a straightforward confession.
His whole body tensed for a second. Instinctively, he turned his head toward the window, his ears instantly flushing red.
The glass reflected his face—flustered and unsure. It wasn't like he hadn't been called cute before, but never in such a casual tone laced with flirtation. This was a first.
—
The passenger beside him seemed amused by his reaction, as if he'd stumbled upon something new. Then, suddenly, he said:
"You don't remember me, junior?"
—
Di froze, then turned his head back, carefully studying that handsome face that looked almost too good to be true.
Fair skin, sharp nose, the natural curve of his lips carried a subtle mischief—he looked just like an idol from a K-pop group.
If he had to say who he resembled—maybe SEVENTEEN's Mingyu.
He frowned slightly, digging through his memory.
—
He was a senior! A former upperclassman from the long-distance running club, two years ahead of him!
They had crossed paths a few times back in high school, but the senior had been preparing for university entrance exams and soon quit the club.
Di only remembered seeing him briefly at the club's welcome party or during a few training sessions. The impression was faint.
But this senior—he was a legend in the running club.
His 10K record was still displayed on the school's honor board, unbroken to this day.
Back then, Di had already thought this senior was amazing.
Calm and steady, with a running posture so cool it was like something out of an anime—like the kind of protagonist who literally glows.
—
"You're... Senior Lin?" Di finally remembered, blurting it out in surprise.
—
"Took you long enough, my cute junior." Senior Lin beamed, his tone tinged with affection.
"Long time no see. So, have you broken my record yet?"
—
Di shyly shook his head, but he felt a warm flutter in his chest. To be remembered—let alone approached—by someone he used to admire made everything feel a little unreal.
—
The two of them naturally slipped into conversation.
They chatted about the running club back in high school, about Di's current life. Di mentioned he was traveling with friends. His eyes flickered as he spoke, but his tone stayed relaxed.
Senior Lin said he was heading home from university and had happened to catch this train.
The mood between them was like a summer breeze—comfortable, easy, and just slightly tinged with something unspoken.
—
Then, the train announcement came, alerting passengers that the next stop was approaching.
Senior Lin tucked away his smile, his voice suddenly turning serious.
—
"Actually... when I first saw you at the welcome party, I kind of liked you already."
"Never thought after all this time, I'd end up here—being 'slept on' by you, haha."
—
Di's face turned red again. He opened his mouth to say something, but saw that the other had already taken out his phone.
—
Senior Lin smiled as he brought his iPhone next to Di's and tapped a few times. The AirDrop interface popped up.
"Here, take it. See you next time."
—
With that, he slung his bag over his shoulder and stepped off the train.
—
Di blinked, then hurriedly tapped [Accept], watching Senior Lin's back gradually disappear into the crowd.
As the train doors closed, he still hadn't fully processed what had just happened.
That "see you next time" might've sounded casual—
But at that moment, it felt like something had quietly landed in his heart.
—
On the other side of the glass door, Lan and Jie had seen everything.
Neither of them spoke. They only exchanged a glance.
Di's phone screen was still lit, and his cheeks were still faintly flushed.
The scenery outside flashed by, as if nothing had happened—
But all three of them knew: something was quietly beginning.