Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love-Chapter 26: Who is Helping Me Look in the Mirror?
Chen Ying’s voice trembled with emotion as she looked at Xue Yang, her eyes red. She was already beautiful, and in this state, she possessed a certain fragile beauty. Making her cry felt like committing some unforgivable sin.
But Xue Yang’s tone was calm, his expression unchanging. "Senior, I didn’t."
"If you didn’t, then come sit and read with me."
Just then, a man and a woman walked toward a nearby empty table, laughing and talking. As they were about to sit down, a tall, burly guy rushed out from nowhere and bellowed, "Someone’s sitting here, can’t you see?"
The man wanted to argue but was pulled back by the woman. They moved toward another empty spot, only for the burly guy to shout again, "Someone’s sitting there, too! Hey, are you two blind? All these seats are taken. If you want a spot, come earlier yourself next time!"
The man’s temper flared. "The library is a public space! If you want to read, come on your own. What’s so great about having someone else save seats for you? Well, today I’m not giving up this spot."
"If you don’t want a hard time at this school, I suggest you leave this area. Now. Otherwise..."
The seat-saver stood over 185 centimeters tall and weighed nearly 200 pounds. Tall and imposing, he glared with a stern face, looking like a gangster.
Fearing her boyfriend would get hurt, the woman quickly grabbed him. "Youzhi, let’s not sit here. We can go read on the lawn!" With that, she dragged the man named Youzhi out of the library.
As they left, Youzhi muttered, "It’s just saving seats. What’s the big deal? As if she’ll even appreciate it."
The tall guy was about to lash out when a group of girls walked in. The one in the lead had naturally curly, shoulder-length hair. She wore a tight, midriff-baring top and black skinny jeans, an outfit that instantly drew everyone’s gaze. A beautiful woman always stands out.
"Ming Yu, did you get the seats I asked for?"
"Senior, you’re here!" Seeing her, the guy’s aggressive demeanor vanished, replaced by the perfect image of a bootlicker. "Senior, I’ve saved the seats for you."
The girl with curly hair nodded arrogantly. "I know. You can go now."
Ming Yu hesitated, clearly wanting to stay, but his senior’s expression was already souring, and she looked like she might turn and leave at any second. "Well then, Senior, I’ll get going."
He retreated slowly, looking back over his shoulder with every step, hoping she might ask him to stay. He was disappointed. She had already turned to laugh and chat with her friends, acting as if he had never been there at all.
"Su Yu, where’d you find this underclassman? He’s pretty obedient."
Su Yu put on a troubled expression. "Ugh, I’ve already told him I’m not interested, but he keeps hanging around every day. It’s so annoying. Anyway, let’s not talk about that buzzkill. Let’s sit down!"
The group sat down, chatting and laughing, having already forgotten the guy who had worked so hard to save their seats.
Xue Yang and Chen Ying witnessed the entire scene.
Xue Yang’s expression was indifferent, showing little reaction. Chen Ying, however, turned pale and took two steps back. This scene was all too familiar.
She recalled saying similar things in front of her best friends. As for how Xue Yang had managed to save her seats back then, she had no idea.
"Xue Yang, I..." She wanted to say something, but it felt as if her throat was blocked, preventing any sound from escaping. Was I really that awful to him before?
Xue Yang picked up the books from the floor. "Senior, sorry, but I have something to do. I’m leaving."
"Xue Yang, can we... still be friends?"
Chen Ying had a sinking feeling that if she let him walk away this time, any possibility between them would be gone forever.
She couldn’t accept it. Xue Yang had pursued her for so long; how could he just let go like that? She knew she was wrong. But there was no way she could say those words to his face. She could only express her regret in this roundabout way.
"We shouldn’t see each other again. It’s better to avoid causing you any more trouble, Senior. Goodbye."
I don’t mind the trouble anymore! she wanted to shout.
After taking a few steps, Xue Yang suddenly stopped.
Chen Ying’s heart leaped with joy. He’s still the same as before! He can’t really dislike me. She refused to believe he would give up on six years of affection just because she had rejected him.
"Senior, I apologize for all the trouble I caused you in the past. I was immature, but that won’t happen again."
With that, Xue Yang left without a backward glance.
Chen Ying trembled, her mouth falling open, but no words came out. She could only watch helplessly as his tall figure disappeared from the library. He left with such finality, taking any possibility of a future between them with him.
She knew that this time, Xue Yang was serious. He no longer liked her. He wouldn’t confess to her again, and he certainly wouldn’t continue to revolve his life around her unconditionally.
Chen Ying stood there in a daze, looking as pitiful as an abandoned child.
"Xue Yang, I’ll be even better off without you," Chen Ying declared. She had always been proud. She had already swallowed her pride by coming to him to reconcile. Since he didn’t cherish the opportunity, he couldn’t blame her for not giving him another one.
"Classmate Chen, are you looking for a seat? As it happens, I saved an extra one. Would you like to sit with me?" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Chen Ying looked away from the door and saw a boy about her height standing in front of her. He had a cautious look on his face, as if he was afraid his forwardness might leave a bad impression.
She recognized him. He was a law student in her year. Perhaps because of all the long hours he spent studying, he was already going a little bald despite his young age, though it didn’t detract much from his looks. He was also a prominent figure at the university—the top student in the law department. It was rumored that he had already been scouted by the largest law firm in Yancheng. They were just waiting for him to graduate, meaning his future was incredibly bright.
"Zhang Caide, do you have a crush on me?"
"Huh?"
Zhang Caide was stunned. Chen Ying was the recognized campus belle of Yanbei University; nearly half the male students had a crush on her, and he was, of course, one of them.
Chen Ying asked again, "I’m asking you, do you have a crush on me?"
After a moment’s thought, Zhang Caide decided to be honest. "Yes, Classmate Chen, I do. I’ve had a crush on you ever since we started university. You just never seemed to notice me, so I never dared to say anything."
"Fine. We’re dating now."
"!?"
***
PS: Thanks for reading
