A Belated Flutter of the Heart

Lin Zhao went on a blind date in his younger sister's place. He opened the door and found

His roommate, Gu Yanzhou, sitting across from him.

The cool, aloof top student, with perfect grades and a place at the top of the rankings year after year, was known across campus as "someone you shouldn't approach."

And Lin Zhao had been friends with him for three years.

Lin Zhao sat down, bracing himself. "Um, actually, I'm not Lin Nian. I'm her older brother."

Gu Yanzhou looked up at him. "I know."

Lin Zhao: "You knew, and you still came?"

Gu Yanzhou picked up his coffee, his tone mild.

"Because the person I made the date with was you. I wouldn't have come if it were anyone else."

Lin Zhao thought it was just an absurd case of mistaken identity on a blind date.

Until he realized

Gu Yanzhou remembered what time he went to bed every day, the exact words he used when cursing at games, and how he'd casually mentioned, "I've been really tired lately."

Later, someone asked Gu Yanzhou, "What is it about Lin Zhao that you like so much?"

Gu Yanzhou thought for a long time, then said:

"Every time he stubbornly says he doesn't need me, I want to get a little closer."

It took Lin Zhao a long time to understand

That blind date hadn't been an accident.

That umbrella hadn't been a casual gesture.

And "I remember everything about you" hadn't been mere politeness.

It was the secret crush he'd kept hidden for three years, finally waiting for Lin Zhao to look back.

Theme: A secret crush returned