Today, Love Comes Knocking

[Originally titled May Your Road to Stardom Be Smooth]

Zou Miao had fantasized countless times about reuniting with her crush, He Xingyao. Maybe on a sunny afternoon, or perhaps on a romantic, snowy night...

But it absolutely shouldn't have happened like this.

Under a blazing sun approaching forty degrees, she was wearing a bulky mascot costume, her damp hair stuck to her forehead, and melted ice cream smeared on the corner of her mouth.

And then He Xingyao appeared before her, completely without warning.

He wore a black shirt, his features mature and striking. His eyes were still gentle and bright, as if they held the stars of an entire night sky.

Their eyes met. Zou Miao's heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively lowered her head.

In a panic, she tried to pull her mascot head back on, praying that He Xingyao wouldn't recognize her in such a sorry state.

But He Xingyao walked over, hooked a finger under the edge of the head, and lifted it off.

The summer breeze carried his fresh, cool scent as he leaned down, his fingertip brushing her trembling lashes.

"Long time no see,"

"little top student."

--

He Xingyao lived up to his name: bold and uninhibited, with eyes that lifted at the corners when he smiled, like a wildfire of stars captivating the heart.

But he was warm on the outside and cold within. Though he was a celebrated figure at the university, no one dared get truly close to him.

Until one night, after a party, he was surrounded by people as he walked out of a restaurant and caught sight of someone sitting on a bench.

Zou Miao was so drunk she could barely think, leaning against the back of the bench and staring into space.

Before anyone could react, He Xingyao had already strode over and knelt on one knee before her. He gently helped her up, letting her mess up his carefully styled hair.

Suddenly, Zou Miao lowered her head and brushed her lips against He Xingyao's. In a daze, she mumbled, "I don't feel much..."

Everyone around them froze, certain He Xingyao would coldly push Zou Miao away.

But in the next moment, He Xingyao held the back of her neck and drew her closer, his voice low and amused.

"Then let's try again."

With that, he tilted his head back and took the lead, deepening the kiss.

Theme: Shine in the field you love