The Qing University freshman welcome gala was packed to the rafters. Student union president Xie Yubai stood beneath the spotlight, the undisputed choice to represent the entire student body.
What should have been a serious, dull segment had turned into a wild but restrained fan meeting, all because of the figure onstage.
Wild because the audience's gazes were burning hot; restrained because Xie Yubai gave off such a strong sense of distance. The light glinted coolly off his immaculate white shirt, making his handsome face seem even more refined and untouchable.
A face straight out of a comic, a top student, capable, from a good family, aloof and impossible to pursue, as if he lived in another dimension from everyone else.
In the dark mass of the audience, only Jiang Zhimian sat in an inconspicuous corner, her gaze elsewhere.
Her roommate lowered her voice and sighed to her. "I was thinking, you have such a sweet face. If you tried hard to pursue Xie Yubai, you might have a chance, and do our room 306 proud. But then I heard he once said he couldn't stand sweet girls?!"
On her other side, a student union department head whom Jiang Zhimian had rejected leaned over and taunted her sourly. "Don't get any ideas about Xie Yubai. How many girls have their eyes on the president? What makes you think you'd have a chance? You could put in all the effort you want, but to him you're just some random extra."
The cool voice speaking from the stage suddenly stopped. The auditorium fell silent.
Alarm bells rang in Jiang Zhimian's head. With no time to argue, she turned quickly and gave her roommate and the jerk a perfectly diplomatic smile to smooth things over.
As soon as the gala was declared open, Jiang Zhimian hurried out to get some air.
She had just reached a dark corner with few people around when a long-fingered hand gripped her tightly and pulled her into the darkness.
A voice, hoarse from holding back for too long, sounded right beside her. It was utterly at odds with the student union president who had kept everyone at arm's length in the auditorium, yet unmistakably the same voice.
He held her tightly, his hot, humid breath invading her ear. His tenderness was almost sickly. "You won't go public about me, yet you smile at other people right in front of me. Mianmian, how can you treat me like this?"
#So this is actually a secret-crush story from the heroine's perspective#
#She thought she'd caught the eye of a graceful crane, but ended up raising a venomous snake in captivity#
[An unconventional secret crush / Mutual pining]
"I'm a rational, clear-headed, normal person with firm boundaries and few desires," Xie Yubai said calmly, lips curving. "Except when it comes to her."
When it came to her, he went from nonchalant to hopelessly obsessed. He was irrational, muddleheaded, had no boundaries left, and was consumed by desire.
[Blurb dated 2023-06-30]
Theme: A secret crush comes with responsibilities too
