Cheng Che stood at the gate of Korea University. Less than three minutes after hanging up the phone, he saw a figure running out of the campus.
Pei Jingshu was wearing that white sweatshirt, her hair was down, and when she ran, the ends of her hair bounced on her shoulders.
She ran up to Cheng Che without stopping, and crashed into his arms, wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest.
Cheng Che was knocked back half a step by her, but then regained his balance.
"You've come." Her voice was muffled in his chest, carrying a kind of unreal joy, as if she still couldn't believe he was really standing there.
Cheng Che looked down at her and gently patted her back twice.
"Yes, it's here."
Pei Jingshu held him for a long time before letting go.
She took a step back, looked up at his face, her eyes curving into two crescent moons, and her lips parted in a smile she couldn't suppress.
You look great today.
Cheng Che was wearing a plain gray hoodie, jeans, and sneakers, without a hat.
It's a very casual outfit, but it looks different on him.
Cheng Che smiled and said, "You too."
Pei Jingshu glanced down at her hoodie and jeans, and pouted, "I didn't wear makeup yesterday, and I'm not wearing any today. You came too suddenly."
"That's good," Cheng Che said.
Pei Jingshu blushed slightly, then suddenly remembered something, and her expression fell.
I have class today.
She looked at Cheng Che with a wronged expression, like a puppy whose bone had been stolen. "Two classes of vocal theory, one class of sight-singing and ear training. The professor is very strict, I dare not skip it."
Cheng Che looked at her and laughed.
"Going to class is a good thing," he said. "Not skipping class means you're a good kid."
Pei Jingshu glared at him. "I'm not a good girl."
"Then why don't you skip class?"
Pei Jingshu opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.
She really didn't dare to lift it.
Last time, she skipped a week of classes to go to Magic City to watch Cheng Che's competition. When she came back, she was scolded by her professor for an entire class period, which almost affected her final grade.
"Come to class with me," she suddenly said.
Cheng Che was taken aback for a moment. "I'll go to class with you?"
"Hmm." Pei Jingshu nodded, then immediately shook her head. "No, no. You're still trending on Korean online forums. You'll definitely be recognized if you go in. Then the whole classroom will be staring at you, even the professor. You won't be able to do anything."
Cheng Che found her conflicted expression somewhat amusing.
"It's alright," he said. "I have a way."
He opened the system panel and equipped [ Fade into the Bustle ].
He had used that talent a few times, and the effect was very obvious.
Unless he actively seeks attention, people around him will subconsciously ignore his presence.
"Let's go," he said, "Take me to class."
Pei Jingshu looked at him with some doubt, but seeing how certain he was, she nodded.
The two walked side by side into the campus.
Korea University's campus is beautiful, with ginkgo trees planted on both sides of the road. Most of the leaves have turned yellow and fall down with a rustling sound when the wind blows.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tree canopy, casting a scattering of golden light on the ground.
Pei Jingshu walked beside Cheng Che, her pace slightly slower than usual.
She usually walks very fast, but today she didn't want to. She wished the road could be longer, much longer.
"How many days are you staying in South Korea?" she asked.
I'm leaving tomorrow.
Pei Jingshu paused for a moment, but quickly caught up.
"Oh."
She lowered her head and kicked a fallen leaf from the roadside.
Cheng Che glanced at her sideways. "But I'll spend the whole day with you today."
Pei Jingshu raised her head, her eyes lighting up.
Don't lie to me.
I'd be a dog if I lied to you.
Just as the two reached the entrance of the teaching building, Jin Zhixiu came out from inside.
She waved to Pei Jingshu, then stopped mid-air when she saw Cheng Che next to Pei Jingshu.
"You—" Jin Zhixiu's eyes widened as she looked at Cheng Che, then at Pei Jingshu, "Why did you bring him here?"
Pei Jingshu smiled smugly, "He asked to come himself."
Jin Zhixiu glanced at Cheng Che, then at Pei Jingshu's barely concealed smile, and sighed.
"Okay," she said, "Whatever makes you happy."
Then she leaned close to Pei Jingshu's ear and whispered something:
"You really value romance over friendship. You said yesterday you wouldn't go see him, and today you've brought people here."
Pei Jingshu shoved her. "Shut up."
Jin Zhixiu laughed and dodged away.
The three people entered the classroom.
The classroom wasn't big, it could seat thirty or forty people, and most of them had already arrived.
Pei Jingshu and Jin Zhixiu sat in the middle seat by the window, which was their usual spot.
Cheng Che didn't follow, but instead found a corner seat in the last row and sat down.
Pei Jingshu turned back to look at him, her eyes filled with a hint of reluctance.
Cheng Che nodded slightly to her, meaning, "It's alright, I'm here."
Pei Jingshu had no choice but to turn back and open the book, but she couldn't find the right page after flipping through two pages.
Jin Zhixiu whispered from the side, "Can you concentrate for a second?"
"I'm concentrating."
You're holding the book upside down.
Pei Jingshu looked down and saw that she had indeed held it upside down.
She turned the book right side up, and the tips of her ears turned red.
Cheng Che sat in the last row, leaning back in his chair, looking ahead.
People came and went in the classroom, but no one noticed him.
After the professor entered, he glanced around the classroom, his gaze sweeping over him without lingering.
He sat there, enjoying a sense of ease he hadn't felt in a long time.
No one recognized him, no one took a picture of him with their phone, and no one screamed.
He was just an ordinary student in the classroom, sitting in the corner, listening to a lesson he didn't quite understand.
This feels good.
noon.
The effect of [ Fade into the Bustle ] disappeared just as the bell rang to signal the end of class.
Cheng Che felt the gazes around him begin to converge on him. Several girls sitting in the front row turned around and glanced at him, then paused in surprise.
He stood up and quickly walked to Pei Jingshu's side.
"Walk."
Pei Jingshu realized this too, pulled Jin Zhixiu up, and the three of them went out through the back door of the classroom and quickly walked out of the teaching building.
"Let's eat out," Pei Jingshu said. "The cafeteria is too crowded."
The three of them left the school gate and turned into a small alley.
Pei Jingshu led the way, and after walking for about five or six minutes, they stopped in front of a small shop.
The shop is small, with a handwritten wooden sign hanging at the entrance that reads "Rice Sausage Soup and Rice".
"This place is delicious," Pei Jingshu said. "I come here often."
The three of them went inside and found a seat towards the back.
Pei Jingshu skillfully ordered three bowls of rice sausage soup, plus a side of spicy stir-fried rice cakes and a seafood scallion pancake.
"Can you eat it?" she asked Cheng Che.
"I can eat it," Cheng Che said. "It's not like I'm new to South Korea."
Pei Jingshu couldn't help but smile as she recalled how he spoke Korean at the airport.
"How did you learn Korean? You didn't speak it this well last time in Magic City."
"Self-study," Cheng Che said. "Watching dramas, listening to songs, and memorizing vocabulary."
"You still have time to learn Korean?"
"Squeezed out."
Pei Jingshu looked at him, a hint of something in her eyes.
She discovered that Cheng Che seemed to do everything very easily, but upon closer reflection, he was actually more hardworking than anyone else.
She excelled at everything she did: playing tennis, writing songs, studying math, and learning Korean.
The rice sausage soup was served, steaming hot. Cheng Che picked up a spoon, took a sip of the soup, and nodded.
"Good."
Watching him drink the soup, Pei Jingshu suddenly felt warmer than the soup itself.
Jin Zhixiu sat to the side, silently eating her meal, feeling like she shouldn't be there.
After finishing her meal, Jin Zhixiu wiped her mouth and stood up.
"I'm going back now," she said. "I have class this afternoon."
Pei Jingshu glanced at her, feeling a little embarrassed.
Jin Zhixiu waved her hand. "Don't look at me like that, I don't want to be a third wheel. You guys go have fun."
She took two steps, then looked back at Pei Jingshu, mouthed "Be careful," and then walked away quickly.
Pei Jingshu blushed slightly, pretending not to notice.
In the afternoon, Pei Jingshu took Cheng Che to Bukchon Hanok Village.
It wasn't the main street packed with tourists, but rather the side alleys.
The stone-paved path was narrow, lined with traditional Korean houses on both sides, with gray tiles, wooden doors, and withered yellow vines climbing the walls.
"There aren't many tourists here," Pei Jingshu said. "I come here for a walk when I'm feeling down."
The two walked slowly along the alley. Pei Jingshu walked half a step ahead, occasionally glancing back at Cheng Che to make sure he was still there.
"What are you looking at?" Cheng Che asked.
"It's about you," Pei Jingshu said bluntly, "I'm afraid you'll suddenly disappear."
Cheng Che didn't say anything, but he reached out and pulled her wrist, drawing her closer to him.
Pei Jingshu's heart skipped a beat.
The two continued walking.
When passing a small shop, Pei Jingshu stopped, bought a sugar cake, broke it in half, and handed one half to Cheng Che.
Cheng Che took it and took a bite; the syrup flowed out, and it was very sweet.
"Is it tasty?"
"Tasty."
Pei Jingshu smiled with satisfaction.
As we reached the end of the alley, the sun began to sink, turning the sky orange-red.
Pei Jingshu stood at the alley entrance, looking at the rooftops and the setting sun in the distance, and suddenly fell silent.
Cheng Che stood beside her.
"You're leaving tomorrow," she said. "You have to go film a movie and play in the Australian Open."
"Um."
Pei Jingshu lowered her head and looked at the tips of her shoes.
"Will I see you again at the Australian Open?"
Cheng Che thought for a moment, "Maybe."
Pei Jingshu was silent for a moment, then raised her head and looked at his profile.
The setting sun cast a warm glow on his face, illuminating his features.
She stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed him on the cheek.
It was very light and quick, like a leaf falling on my face.
Then she stepped back, her face flushed, her eyes fixed on the ground, unable to look at him.
Cheng Che was stunned for a moment.
Then he turned his head, looked at the tips of her bright red ears, and smiled.
He reached out and lifted her chin, then lowered his head and kissed her on the other cheek.
Heavier than hers, slower.
Pei Jingshu froze.
She looked up, staring wide-eyed at Cheng Che, her lips slightly parted, unable to utter a word.
Cheng Che looked at her and laughed, "What's wrong?"
Pei Jingshu's mind took several seconds to process. Then her entire face turned red from her ears to her neck, and she couldn't even speak properly.
"You... you just now..."
"Um."
"You took the initiative."
"Um."
Pei Jingshu stared at him for two seconds, then threw herself into his arms, burying her face in his chest, her voice muffled.
" Cheng Che, you're so kind."
Cheng Che reached out and wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on the top of her head.
The two stood at the alley entrance for a long time, until the sun had completely set and only a faint purple hue remained on the horizon.
Pei Jingshu stepped out of his embrace, took a deep breath, as if she had finally made up her mind.
"You should go back," she said.
"Um."
I'll take you to the subway station.
"Good."
The two walked back. Pei Jingshu walked beside him, this time neither in front nor behind, but side by side.
Her fingers touched the back of his hand, then hesitated for a moment before hooking her little finger around his.
Cheng Che didn't shake him off.
Upon reaching the subway station entrance, Pei Jingshu let go of his hand and took a step back.
"You can go now," she said, trying to make her tone sound light. "I'll watch you go in."
Cheng Che looked at her and smiled.
See you at the Australian Open.
Pei Jingshu nodded, nodding vigorously.
See you at the Australian Open.
Cheng Che turned and walked into the subway station without looking back. Pei Jingshu stood at the entrance, watching his figure disappear down the stairs.
She stood there for a long time, then took out her phone and sent a message to Jin Zhixiu.
He kissed me.
Jin Zhixiu replied instantly, "???"
"He took the initiative."
"Shut up, I don't want to hear it."
"Real."
" Pei Jingshu, you wait, I'll settle the score with you tomorrow."
Pei Jingshu laughed out loud, put her phone in her pocket, and turned to walk towards the school. After taking a few steps, she looked back at the direction of the subway station.
Then she quickened her pace, humming a song, and walked into the last rays of the setting sun.
Cheng Che returned to the hotel, pushed open the door, and found the room quiet.
He changed his clothes, lay on the bed, and stared at the ceiling.
His mind was filled with images of Pei Jingshu blushing, her tiptoeing to kiss him, and her throwing herself into his arms saying, "You're so good."
He rolled over and buried his face in the pillow.
He chuckled to himself for a while before finally looking up at the night view of the Han River outside the window.
"No wonder everyone wants to be in a relationship," he muttered to himself. "It feels really good."