Cocky, handsome, all-around campus heartthrob × cool, mysterious top student
[Campus romance | Two top students | Both first-timers in love | He pursues her | Sweet and angsty]
On the first day after transferring, Xu Tinglan stole Shi Yan’an’s top rank.
That faded baseball cap, round glasses covering half her face, and thick bangs: everyone thought the strange new girl would be gone as quickly as she had appeared.
No one knew Xu Tinglan had transferred to escape her past. Like a frightened hedgehog, she bristled with defenses, especially against being touched by boys.
The first time was at a friendly taekwondo match. He watched with his own eyes as this seemingly delicate girl drove her opponent back with a crisp, precise series of moves.
The second time Shi Yan’an noticed her was in the library. He glanced at the girl asleep at her desk and instinctively quieted his breathing. He didn’t even go in right away, just leaned against the doorframe and watched her silently.
“You want first place back that badly?” After an exam, Xu Tinglan finally looked up at him, her gaze cool behind her lenses.
Shi Yan’an leaned against the hallway railing, the sunset gilding his profile. “How about a bet? If you’re still in first place after the next monthly exam...”
He leaned in slightly, stopping before she could frown and step back. His smile was casual, but his words were serious:
“Go out with me.”
“Fine,” she heard herself say.
“Xu Tinglan.” At the graduation party, he caught her by the wrist on the rooftop, his voice low and husky. “I give up.”
“Ever since the day I met you, I’ve never won.”
