Deliberate Infatuation

The sweltering heat of August in City B came in waves, and the incessant chirping of cicadas filled the air.

Liang Zhouyue stepped out of the academic building, her slim high heels tapping on the long staircase of the main hall as she gracefully descended. Supporting a delicately patterned sun umbrella with one hand, her thick black hair elegantly spilled over her shoulders.

She was dressed in a green dress, exceedingly simple in design, yet it could not hide her pair of straight, fair, and beautiful legs. They were long, slender, and flawless.

Gorgeous golden rays pierced through the treetops, casting a soft, warm yellow glow on her, making her milky skin appear even more translucent.

Her Bluetooth earpiece made a slight sound, and her clear, gentle voice responded, "No worries. If I get there first, I'll look at the clothes. You take your time and drive safely."

After hanging up the call from her colleague, Liang Zhouyue continued her elegant stride, her tall figure forming a striking scenery at Hua University.

She had just sat down in a taxi at the entrance when her boyfriend, He Jinseng, called, "Are you off work?"

Having just finished teaching two consecutive classes, Liang Zhouyue felt rather listless. Or perhaps, in front of He Jinseng, she just didn't have much enthusiasm. Her emotions remained very flat.

"I've just finished work. I'm on my way to a photoshoot with a colleague."

"A photoshoot? Why haven't I heard you mention this before?"

Liang Zhouyue choked up, words of retort reached her lips but were pulled back by her strong self-control; she reluctantly replied, "You've been really busy lately, so I didn't want to bother you with such a trivial matter."

She and He Jinseng were introduced by their families, met plainly, rushed into defining their relationship, and were going through a passionless romance.

Both were professors; there was no mystique, no surprises.

But since their universities were far apart, they met infrequently, mostly communicating over the phone or via video calls in the evenings. Their interactions had become less frequent recently, especially with the start of the school semester when everyone was busy.

Liang Zhouyue snapped back to the present, Zhou Yue's usual preachy tone was coming through, "I don't mind you taking photos, but you better not take any private photoshoots. Photographers are men; they put on acts to take advantages."

"..."

With no response from her end, He Jinseng thought there might be a signal issue, his voice rising, "Zhou Yue? Can you hear me?"

Liang Zhouyue hummed, "I'm having a bestie photoshoot, the photographer is a woman."

She didn't wish to explain the uneventful or the events that wouldn't happen, and after briefly exchanging a few polite words, he hung up.

A long sigh escaped her, Liang Zhouyue tilted her head towards the car window, feeling a sense of oppression in her heart.

From childhood, she wasn't the kind to defy her parents. Throughout the years, she focused solely on her studies, from undergraduate to doctorate, never failing but also never tasting freedom or indulgence. Her rebellious spirit, which was untimely suppressed by her authoritarian mother, never even took root, let alone blossomed.

The taxi moved slowly, easing the pressures of life, and Liang Zhouyue got out at her destination.

The photo studio was expensive, highly sought after with an excellent reputation. It took her colleague three months to secure a booking. The photographer was award-winning, trendy in aesthetics, and known for a gentle temper, receiving waves of positive reviews.

Their appointment was at one, and Liang Zhouyue arrived at twelve-thirty.

The staff led her to review the clothes for today's shoot. Before she even tried them on, her colleague, Fang Zirui, rushed in, seemingly having run all the way, panting, "Thank goodness I'm not late. I'm exhausted."

Watching her colleague's carefree and energetic demeanor, Liang Zhouyue smiled, feeling a twinge of envy. She was naturally more reserved, highly educated but lacking corresponding confidence, feeling somewhat inferior.

"You're not only on time, but you also arrived twenty minutes early."

Liang Zhouyue spoke with a gentle tone, coaxing as if placating a child, her eyes and brows softened with such tenderness that it was endearing.

Conventionally, similar people associate with one another, but Fang Zirui, despite being a spirited woman, greatly desired to be friends with Liang Zhouyue. She possessed an appeal that inspired a protective instinct, enticing admiration yet keeping any disrespect at bay.

Admiring Liang Zhouyue's tall, full figure, Fang Zirui's voice softened, but her straightforward vocabulary didn't shy away, "Damn, you're so beautiful."

Liang Zhouyue taught English, and many students at Hua University had an international background, yet her class still boasted the highest attendance rates among all four grades.

The reason was obvious.

Upon hearing this, Liang Zhouyue shyly curved her lips into a smile, maintaining humility amid the praise, "You're also very beautiful, very cool, more charismatic than me."

Liang Zhouyue didn't dare consider herself a beauty, knowing she was merely decorative, static, lacking the charismatic traits that sparked deeper exploration.

Fang Zirui, however, was different. She could be lively, unrestrained, fiery, and humorous, with an extremely interesting soul.

"Ah!" Fang Zirui pursed her lips and sighed, her tone heavy with emotion, "No matter what you say, with that face, who wouldn't be enchanted?"

After speaking, she meticulously examined Liang Zhouyue, tirelessly admiring the beautiful woman in front of her.

Liang Zhouyue had the typical feline-like features.

Her soft, round face made her look youthful, with upturned eyes that were exquisite and captivating. Those eyes felt distant when her face was expressionless but could fill with misty sorrow when she felt aggrieved, incredibly moving.

Her delicate nose slightly pointed, softened the aggressive beauty of her features.

It wasn't just her eyes that were distinctive, but also those sensual cat-like lips, full and upturned at the corners, sweet when smiling, coy when not.

Not to mention her tall stature and well-proportioned figure, slender but not skinny.

As she looked, Fang Zirui became dejected, foregoing any further admiration. She sighed again and taking Liang Zhouyue by the wrist, said, "Let's go change clothes first, I'll admire the photos once they are developed."

Liang Zhouyue followed her helplessly with adoring eyes into the changing room.

...

The first outfit was a luxurious evening gown, with the photo shoot set in the afternoon garden.

At that moment, while Fang Zirui was taking individual photos, Liang Zhouyue always felt discomfort in her back, as if a sharp object was poking her skin.

The place was crowded outside, and quite distant from the changing room. Considering not wanting to delay the photographer and other staff, she nodded to the lighting technician beside her and walked towards the rest area near the gazebo, hoping for a quick return.

Upon arrival, someone had mentioned that this place used to be the boss's lounge but was now unused. Not open to the public, it was generally uninhabited.

Although it was an intrusion, Liang Zhouyue couldn't wait; she needed to remove her dress to identify the foreign object on the back.

She surveyed the room, seeing no cameras or people.

Locking the door, she quickly slipped out of her golden gown, spread it on the couch, and felt with her palm to find the spot that had poked her.

Soon, she felt the raised area, a triangular sequin on the back of the dress, inverted into the silk, pricking her skin.

After a quick fix, Liang Zhouyue attempted to put the dress back on.

But then, distinct footsteps from behind made her uncontrollably turn toward the sound.

Only then did she realize this room was the living room, with another inner room around the corner—the man who suddenly appeared had obviously entered before her.

As the man and the woman locked eyes, their emotions differed.

Liang Zhouyue, realizing she was disheveled, could hardly cover herself, swiftly pulled on her dress, reaching behind her back to zip it up amidst suppressed panic.

However, the dress seemed to conspire against her, stuck at the most awkward moment, exposing her entire back and fluttering shoulder blades, highlighting her helplessness and effort.

A smile appeared in the man's eyes; he stepped forward, his youthful face softening his deep, mellow voice, "I mean no offense, may I help?"