A week passed.
Xiao Lie hadn't missed a single club meeting.
And more importantly, he hadn't spoken a single unnecessary word to Lin Shuyun.He wasn't here to impress anyone. He came to grow — to sharpen himself.
But the others noticed.
Every mock debate he joined, he stood out — not because he spoke louder, but because he always cut straight to the point. His calmness under pressure, the way he structured arguments, even his wit — it all made him feel… different.
One night, after a particularly tough simulation round where he tore through a senior's faulty economic model, applause broke out.
"That was clean, Xiao!"
"Didn't even raise his voice once. Savage!"
Even Lin Shuyun — usually so cold — gave a small nod.
"You're improving. Fast."
Xiao Lie gave a casual nod back.
"It's easier when I'm not simping."
That earned a tiny smirk from her — just for a second — before she walked away.
After the meeting, he was gathering his notes when someone tapped his shoulder.
He turned — and blinked.
A girl stood there in a red cropped jacket, her hair styled into soft curls, a phone in her hand still recording from a livestream.
She smelled like cherry lip gloss and expensive perfume.
"Hey~ You're Xiao Lie, right?"
He nodded, guarded.
"Cool performance in there. I don't usually watch boring debate stuff, but… you made it kinda hot."
"…Thanks?"
She laughed — bubbly, confident.
"I'm Yao Yixuan. Marketing major. Also run a lifestyle vlog. You probably haven't heard of it, but I've got like… 92k followers. Anyway—"She leaned in slightly. "—you're kinda my type."
Xiao Lie stared at her, not sure if she was serious or joking.
"You're messing with me."
"Nope. Totally serious. Smart guys with confidence? Way hotter than fake six-pack gym bros."
She snapped a quick selfie with him before he could react.
"Caption: The rising star of our campus debate club!"
"You could've asked," he muttered.
"But then it wouldn't be fun~"
She winked, turning to leave.
"Let's get coffee sometime, yeah? You've got main character vibes."
He watched her bounce away, phone in hand, still half in disbelief.
That… just happened?
Later that night, Xiao Lie lay on his bed, scrolling his phone.
His feed was already filled with clips from the debate session, some uploaded by other club members, one even reposted by Yao Yixuan with the caption:
"Who said nerdy isn't sexy? 🧠🔥"
The likes and comments were piling up.
He should've felt flattered. Maybe even thrilled.
But a small part of him felt… wary.
I chased someone blindly in my past life. Not again. Not unless I'm the one in control this time.
His fingers hovered over Yao Yixuan's follow request.
Then… he put the phone down without replying.
Not yet.