The afternoon sunlight slanted through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the library, filling the air with the scent of books and a soft, quiet atmosphere. Gu Jinghan, carrying a simple black backpack, walked between the shelves, his eyes inevitably scanning toward two familiar figures in the front row—Xiao Yutian and Zhang Xiaorou.
"Ugh, this chapter is so hard to understand…" Xiao Yutian bit her pen, her voice loud enough to make Gu Jinghan frown. "Xiaorou, what's this question even about?"
Gu Jinghan furrowed his brows slightly, thinking to himself: Isn't the library supposed to be quiet, not a marketplace?
He spoke coldly: "Can you keep it down?"
Xiao Yutian turned her head, her eyes curved into a teasing crescent, and shot him a mocking glance: "Mind your own business, stop pretending to be so cool!"
Nearby students could hardly contain their snickers, but Gu Jinghan remained unfazed, leaning against a bookshelf and glaring at her with a stern expression.
"The book's here." He reached up, pulled a reference book from a high shelf, and tossed it directly into her lap.
Xiao Yutian froze for a moment, catching the book, and felt her heart skip a beat. She quickly composed herself, pouting: "I could've reached it myself!"
He ignored her, turning to leave, his back as imposing as a cold, unyielding wall.
---
Stepping out of the library, the sunlight warmed the campus pathway perfectly. Zhang Xiaorou was called away by a teacher, leaving Xiao Yutian to head to the parking lot alone.
Unexpectedly, by the sports car ahead, Gu Jinghan's figure appeared in her line of sight.
She paused, a strange twinge rising in her chest: why did this rival always seem to appear in such places?
He walked ahead of her, steps steady, his gaze indifferent yet flicking toward her unconsciously. They walked one after the other, neither willing to speak first.
Finally, Xiao Yutian couldn't help herself: "Are you following me on purpose?"
Gu Jinghan let out a cold chuckle, his tone calm but laced with unquestionable authority: "Who has the time?"
Their words clashed, sparks flying, voices low, yet their presence drew the attention of passing students.
---
In the parking lot, luxury cars were lined up neatly. Next to Xiao Yutian's white sports car, a few boys from other departments whispered and glanced at her, clearly assessing her figure.
She ignored them, bending to organize her bag.
Gu Jinghan instinctively lowered his face, his gaze sweeping over the boys. His aura made them immediately pretend nothing was happening and walk away.
"You like to show off, don't you?" Xiao Yutian glanced at him sideways, a mix of confusion and inexplicable annoyance in her heart.
Gu Jinghan didn't bother to explain, leaving only a single remark: "Stay sharp, don't let anyone take advantage of you."
She wanted to retort instinctively, but his cold, inscrutable expression left her speechless. She could only mutter: "Tch!"
---
As Xiao Yutian crouched to pick up a lipstick that had fallen from her bag, Gu Jinghan appeared from the other side, lifting a lipstick for her.
Their fingers brushed accidentally, making her chest flutter. She looked up at him immediately.
"Don't pretend to be nice," she said coldly, trying to mask her racing heart.
Gu Jinghan smiled slightly, a faint trace of mockery in his tone: "Who cares?"
In that moment, the air seemed to freeze. Xiao Yutian bit her lower lip subtly, a strange look flickering in her eyes, but she still stubbornly refused to admit it.
---
She got into her car and started the engine. Gu Jinghan walked toward his own sports car, gripping the steering wheel, his mind replaying the curve of her figure as she had crouched, his breath involuntarily catching.
"Damn it." He muttered under his breath, slamming on the accelerator. The low growl of the engine blended with the night wind as it swept across the parking lot.
The headlights illuminated the road, the night spreading like water. Driving, Xiao Yutian felt an inexplicable flutter in her chest.
Gu Jinghan glanced at her profile; the combination of her fiery temper and stubbornness in her expression made his chest tighten unexpectedly.
---
All the way, neither spoke much, but each glance exchanged seemed to quietly ignite tiny sparks.
Xiao Yutian thought to herself: why does this rival lately make my heart beat so strangely?
Gu Jinghan gripped the steering wheel, muttering internally: Damn, even her walking posture affects me now.
Their luxury cars ran parallel in the night, streetlights stretching their shadows. Though only a few meters apart, it felt like thousands of mountains separated them.
---
Stopping at a roadside food stall, Xiao Yutian looked at Gu Jinghan in surprise: "How did you end up here?"
He glanced at her coldly: "You like these. I brought you."
She paused, feeling a warmth in her chest and yet thinking he was ridiculously stubborn.
They sat side by side on low stools, the night breeze brushing past them, the stall lights flickering across their faces.
Though he disliked greasy food, he still peeled her favorite chicken wings and pushed them toward her.
Xiao Yutian bit into a wing, eyes sparkling, smiling like a child.
"Why are you always like this…" she murmured, her heartbeat betraying her.
He didn't answer, only looked at her, his gaze carrying an inexplicable depth.
When a drop of spicy sauce landed at her mouth corner, he couldn't resist reaching out to wipe it away.
"Be careful, it's hot." His voice was low, yet filled with unmistakable concern.
Xiao Yutian froze, their eyes meeting, heartbeats almost synchronizing.
---
On the way back, the two cars drove side by side, city lights sparkling under the night sky.
Xiao Yutian stole glances at him, imagining how warm his smile would be if he weren't so cold.
Gu Jinghan gripped the steering wheel, ears slightly flushed, silently scolding himself: Damn, even her back affects my mood.
---
Arriving at the dormitory, Xiao Yutian opened the car door, turning to him with a stubborn expression: "Not bad today… I don't really dislike you."
Gu Jinghan snorted coldly, gripping the steering wheel, yet the corner of his eye lifted slightly.
"Remember, don't cause trouble for me."
She replied with a "Tch!" but couldn't help a small, amused smile, closing the door and heading into the dorm.
Gu Jinghan watched her back as the night breeze brushed his face, murmuring under his breath: "Damn it… what a mess."
In the night, their shadows stretched and intertwined in the light. Though they left in separate cars, the subtle sweetness and budding tension between them had quietly taken root in their hearts.