The next morning, the Automation Department's dorm and the Engineering Department's dorm met up in front of the main campus gate.
Mike, and other were all dressed to impress — flashy jackets, polished shoes, and even a bit of hair gel, which they almost never bothered with. They tried their best to act natural, but every stiff movement and awkward laugh gave them away. It was painfully obvious that they were overcompensating.
Jason, on the other hand, looked completely relaxed. He wore a simple dark coat over a casual sweater, hands tucked in his pockets, a calm smile on his face. He didn't need to fake confidence anymore — it came naturally. He'd been around enough beautiful women to not lose his cool over every pretty face, and besides, with his growing wealth and influence, he didn't need to chase validation.
From more than ten meters apart, the two groups started to size each other up.
The four girls immediately noticed Jason. Within half a second, all their gazes converged on him — his height, his composure, the way he carried himself without trying too hard.
Meanwhile, Chris, Mike, and Ivan's eyes swept across the girls — first Zoe and Olivia, and then finally Julia.
And when they saw her, their jaws nearly hit the pavement.
Julia had clearly dressed up a bit for the occasion. She wore a black wool coat over a soft white scarf, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders. There was something timeless about her — an elegant, almost vintage charm that felt both pure and mesmerizing.
In that moment, all three guys had the same thought:
Who is she? And how is she this beautiful?
They racked their brains, recalling. Engineering's top name flashed in their minds — Julia. Seeing her in person, though, was another experience entirely. Her photos hadn't done her justice.
She wasn't just beautiful; she was effortlessly radiant. And that made her, without question, the real campus belle.
Ryan and the others exchanged glances, their hearts racing like they'd just discovered a hidden treasure. If she wasn't well-known yet, that meant their chances weren't zero — right?
Julia's gaze finally met Jason's. Her eyes softened, and she smiled with genuine warmth.
"Did you like the dumplings?" she asked. "I was worried they might've been too salty."
Jason smiled back, his voice casual but warm. "They were great. Honestly, the only problem was that I didn't get to finish them — my roommates devoured the rest."
Julia let out a soft laugh, her smile deepening. "Well, lamb is a bit expensive, so my family doesn't make that dish often. But dumplings are simple. Next time, I'll ask my grandmother to make more for you."
They just stood there, dumbstruck.
Not only was she stunning, but she cooked too?
Meanwhile, Jason just gave her a nod and that small, confident smile that seemed to come so naturally to him. "Then I'll be looking forward to it."
Julia: Favorability +5.
Mike groaned quietly. "We never stood a chance."
Jason smiled and said, "That might be too much trouble. Just make a little less next time — maybe ten or twenty pounds would be plenty for me."
Julia couldn't help but laugh, and the sound was so bright and natural that everyone nearby turned to look.
Some girls just have that kind of smile — the kind that makes guys want to make them laugh again, just to see it one more time. Julia's smile was exactly that kind — sweet, effortless, and unforgettable.
Mike who had been laughing and chatting a moment ago, were all left staring in silence.
Hold on… yesterday's homemade dumplings, and the grilled lamb from before — that was from her? This wasn't some casual acquaintance; this was definitely something more.
No — maybe they hadn't "discovered" the campus queen at all. It was because of Jason that they even got to meet her today. They'd thought this hangout was just because of Elie, a regular sophomore who wanted to invite Jason along, but apparently they had completely underestimated him.
Their looks toward Jason were now filled with envy and disbelief.
Bro, seriously? You already have Holly Larson and Quinn showing interest in you. Do you really need another one? And why are all these beautiful girls so good to you? Does having money really make life this easy?
And worst of all — such a pure, gentle girl like Julia should be treated like a princess, not someone you casually ask to bring "ten or twenty pounds of dumplings."
The three of them were practically fuming in silence. But what could they do? They glanced over at the other girls and felt slightly better. At least there were still girls left to talk to.
After everyone introduced themselves, the atmosphere loosened up a little. Mike, Cris, and Ryan quickly "assigned" targets to make things efficient.
That's how these hangouts usually went anyway — if you didn't silently claim someone, things could get messy.
Jason and Julia were clearly in their own world already. That left the rest.
To keep things lively, the group decided to go to a Lakeview Farm, a local countryside spot near the edge of town where they could barbecue and hang out.
Jason didn't bring his car this time — he just rented a bike like everyone else.
The ride was about three miles, and the late afternoon sun painted the sky gold. Once they arrived, they bought charcoal, chicken wings, beef, sausages, squid, and veggies from a small roadside store.
Soon, the fire was going, and the smell of sizzling food filled the air.
Mike, Chris, and Ryan were way too eager — competing to do everything.
If one of the girls so much as mentioned being thirsty, they'd sprint to the store, coming back with milk tea or lemonade instead of plain bottled water — because "it felt fancier."
They kept trying to make conversation, throwing out topic after topic, even when the girls responded halfheartedly.
When Jason had been trying to win over Elie last semester, they used to laugh at him for being such a simp. But now, standing in his shoes, they finally got it — once you're in deep, logic doesn't stand a chance.
Ryan was the only one making any progress. She clearly had a bit of a princess streak, expecting him to do everything for her — but she was also warm and talkative enough to keep him hooked. Every time she laughed at one of his jokes, he felt like he'd just scored a win.
Meanwhile, Mike and Chris were sinking fast. Meg tone was ice-cold from the start, and Elie stayed polite but distant. Eventually, the two girls just started chatting with each other, not even giving the guys a chance to butt in.
Mike and Chris exchanged helpless looks. Then they noticed Ryan and Grace laughing together, and it only made things worse.
Finally, curiosity got the better of them. They turned to see how Jason and Julia were doing — and froze.
Jason was lounging in a folding chair, legs crossed, sunglasses on, peeling an orange like he didn't have a care in the world. Julia, meanwhile, was tending the grill — flipping skewers, brushing on sauce, seasoning the meat — all while chatting with Jason, her expression full of warmth.
Every now and then, Jason said something that made her laugh, and when she laughed, her entire face lit up, the sun catching her hair like gold.
Mike and Chris just stood there, speechless.
Why?!
We're over here sweating bullets, doing all the work, trying to impress — and they're over there like a romantic commercial!
Jason wasn't lifting a finger, and yet this beautiful girl was smiling at him like he was the only person in the world.
It was almost enough to make a man question his entire existence.
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