At the Mecha Academy, the two campus heartthrobs happened to be waiting at the same place at the same time. That kind of coincidence was bound to stir speculation.
Someone boldly guessed, “Don’t tell me they’re both waiting for the same person—otherwise how could it be this coincidental?!”
Everyone: “!?”
That actually made sense.
Before long, the question shifted from Are they waiting for someone? To whom exactly are they waiting for?
Someone whispered, “Could it be Yao Mo?”
“No way. Last time, Lu Xiao practically told Yao Mo, ‘Don’t get the wrong idea.’ And does Qi Ye look like the type to bother with Yao Mo? He’s way too aloof. He’d never be waiting for her.”
“Then… could it be…?”
The crowd exchanged looks, and in an instant, it was like they’d all arrived at the same answer.
Someone blurted it out: “Are they both waiting for Xu Linlang?!”
The more they thought about it, the more possible it seemed.
Sure, Lu Xiao had rejected Xu Linlang before, but everyone had noticed that the way he treated her lately carried a hint of appreciation—something about it felt off.
As for Qi Ye, that was even more obvious. He was always showing up around Xu Linlang, and his words constantly defended her.
Put together, it almost seemed like a sure thing: the two of them were waiting for Xu Linlang.
Lu Xiao’s hearing was sharp; when he caught the discussion, he frowned slightly.
He checked Jin Huan’s message again: Xu Linlang was still in the digital archives. The place was about to close, yet she hadn’t come out.
Could Jin Huan’s intel be wrong? But then why was Qi Ye waiting there too? That confirmed Xu Linlang really was inside.
Lu Xiao’s very first impression of her had been: How could someone look this stunning? One glance, and he couldn’t look away.
But her behavior had always seemed reckless and brainless, completely unworthy of her appearance—and she kept clinging to him.
He used to feel that being around her was just a waste of time, so he’d deliberately avoided her.
But the more he saw her now, the more a frightening suspicion grew in him: maybe Xu Linlang’s years of arrogance had all been an act.
Why she’d put up such a front, he couldn’t guess. But maybe it was just her way of protecting herself.
With lowered eyes, he carelessly scrolled through the detailed profile Jin Huan had sent over.
It recorded everything about Xu Linlang’s life since birth.
His gaze locked onto one entry:
[At age five, she fell gravely ill. After recovering, her personality changed completely.]
Lu Xiao brushed his fingertip over the line, thoughtful. Maybe that illness had been the turning point of her life.
Just as he was about to keep reading, a new message popped up:
Jin Huan was whining: I’m serious, don’t make me keep trying to set up meetings with Xu Linlang. You don’t know how awkward it is. Every time I write her these long, passionate invitations, she only ever replies with two words: “Busy.” Now I’ve practically developed a trauma around the word “busy”!
Wait a sec, why are you suddenly asking for her location and personal file today? Don’t tell me you’re planning to seek Xu Linlang out yourself! Oh my god, I never thought I’d live to see the day.
Lu Xiao only replied with two words: Shut up. Then he went right back to scrolling through her file.
He had this nagging feeling: if he didn’t take the initiative to understand her now, she would drift further and further away—until they had no connection left at all.
Come to think of it, Xu Linlang hadn’t sought him out with excuses for a long time.
Instead, she was spending more and more time with Qi Ye.
It hit him then: maybe in her eyes, he no longer mattered—maybe she was even deliberately avoiding him.
But why?
Expressionless, Lu Xiao stared at the trickle of students leaving the building, a fire burning in his chest.
He didn’t even know what exactly was bothering him.
“Look! Xu Linlang’s coming out!”
Everyone whipped their heads toward both exits at once. No Xu Linlang in sight. False alarm.
Then they followed the direction of the student who’d shouted—
It was the main entrance.
Sure enough, Xu Linlang and Jin Duoduo walked out of the digital archives, only to find a whole crowd of students clustered at the doors, all watching her with gossipy looks.
Xu Linlang frowned in confusion. “Do I have something on my face? Why are they staring at me like that?”
Jin Duoduo shook her head, equally puzzled. “Nope, nothing at all.”
“Then what is it? Some kind of event today?”
“Never heard of one.”
The two of them were baffled.
Just as they were about to step down the stairs and keep walking, a boy with a bold, confident stride appeared at the main entrance, flanked by a whole line of followers.
And he was heading straight for Xu Linlang.
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on Lu Xiao and Qi Ye, who had each taken a few steps forward only to stop and glance around.
The tension was unreal!
Xu Linlang looked at the boy making such a dramatic entrance, clearly confused. She pointed at herself with her index finger. “Excuse me… are you here for me?”
The boy nodded decisively. “My name is Gu Yinghe.”
Xu Linlang shook her head. “Never heard of you.”
And she really hadn’t.
Was this guy even in the game?
Gu Yinghe didn’t look the least bit discouraged—in fact, he seemed to take it as natural. “It’s normal if you don’t know me, Miss Xu. But you must know my father.”
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152