Suddenly Develop an Unexpected Crush

Shu Xian arrived in the classroom earlier than her best friend, Shi Lian.

After having breakfast, Pan An already went ahead to get his time in and to prepare for classes, Shu Xian always coming out of their house later than usual because she didn't need to go in the university earlier.

As Shu Xian prepared her things on the table, she got her notebook again, the one that Pan An confiscated the other day when she was scribbling about their possibilities.

Upon remembering this memory, Shu Xian couldn't help but roll her eyes, remembering how Pan An was a different person when he talked to her during the first day of classes.

That's the first time she met his strict personality—that's when they also had an agreement about their fake relationship.

With her digital watch around her left wrist, Shu Xian noticed that there were two days before the weekend, making her remember that she is to see Pan An's mother, Ma'am Cai Li, for dinner.

This meet up with his mother is actually making her worry—remembering what Pan An had said about his mother when it comes to treating the women who usually set themselves with the professor.

Shaking herself from her own thoughts, she sighed, already thinking about the present to give Pan An. She is already set in giving him a necktie that he is going to use, listening to Mr. Chang and Shi Lian's suggestion.

With her also knowing his favorite color, Shu Xian had took that in mind, already writing "color blue" on her notebook when the note above was labeled: "Gift for Pan An."

"Boo!"

At the same time, Shu Xian's heart jumped in her chest the moment she abruptly closed her notebook instinctively, thinking that maybe it was another person who was sneaking up on her.

But when she turned her head and saw Shi Lian, Shu Xian rolled her eyes at her and sighed, slightly annoyed.

"Do you have to surprise me early in the morning?" she complained, Shi Lian, laughing as she sat beside her best friend.

"You were so focused! From the moment I entered the classroom, I could already see you from the door…"

Shi Lian then furrowed her brows together and pointed at her face, imitating Shu Xian's facial expression.

"Like this!"

Shu Xian rolled her eyes again at her. However, what happened next was more surprising, making the two of them widen their eyes in surprise.

"Oh, Shu Xian, Shi Lian!"

The familiar guy greeted them as he immediately went to their row, sitting beside Shi Lian as he put his bag on the desk in front of them.

"You guys didn't tell me that you two were Teacher Education students! What a coincidence!"

Shu Xian and Shi Lian looked at each other in surprise, then back at the man who just sat with them. His black hair was shaggy, the guy already putting up a happy face this early morning as he prepared his notebook and pen on the table.

Zhang Ren… turns out that he is a Teacher Education, too!

"Ah… you might be wondering why I'm here," Zhang Ren asked, scratching the back of his head. "I did a late enrollment of this class since I only have a few units enrolled. Miss Wang Fang told me to add more units and so, she talked to the professor of this class and added me!"

"Oh, I see!" Shu Xian reacted, nodding her head as she smiled at him. "Well then, nice to have you as our classmate! Good morning, Zhang Ren! Sorry for the late greeting!"

Zhang Ren did a salute. He grinned at the two girls, greeting them as well.

"Good morning, lovely ladies! I'm guessing I can copy the first two days of notes, yeah?"

Noticing that Shi Lian has been quiet since his arrival, Shu Xian elbowed her, furrowing her brows in worry as Shi Lian is not usually this quiet.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

Shi Lian snapped and slightly jolted from her seat, making her turn her head at Shu Xian to answer her.

"Huh? What? Nothing's wrong."

However, Zhang Ren took this as an opportunity to tease Shi Lian. He leaned on their desk to look at her better and propped a hand under his cheek, his eyes staring directly at Shi Lian's as he greeted her.

"Yo, Shi Lian. Cat caught your tongue? Still couldn't get over the fact that I want to borrow you for seven days?"

Zhang Ren even gave Shi Lian a wink after he said his statement, making Shi Lian immediately scoff as she playfully rolled her eyes at him, giving him a smile as well.

"No. I was just taken aback by your reply. No one has dared to return my pickup lines—you are the first," she replied, Zhang Ren, nodding as he reached out to Shi Lian's face and pinched her cheek slightly, what he said making the girl's heart beat fast in her chest with the small gesture that he did.

"Alright. Then, I'll keep being the one who would reply to your pickup lines!"

"Wh-wha—"

Before Shi Lian could even reply, the bell had already rung.

"Oh! Class is starting. Who's our professor this morning, hmm? I heard it's a former College of Arts and Sciences professor," Zhang Ren mumbled to himself as he opened his notebook, Shi Lian's face turning red as she didn't understand what she was feeling.

Furrowing her brows, Shu Xian looked at her best friend. She scooted in closer to her, whispering beside her ear as she started to worry for her.

"What's wrong? Is something the matter?" she asked, Shi Lian, slowly turning her head to look at her.

Shu Xian widened her eyes slightly when she saw Shi Lian's face turn red. She was biting her bottom lip, obviously unsure of what to say as both of them looked at each other, Shu Xian, expectantly waiting for her best friend to speak.

"Well?"

"Shu Xian…"

Shi Lian got Shu Xian's hand and had led it to her chest, making Shu Xian feel the pace of her heartbeat.

It was quite fast indeed!

"Would it be stupid…"

Shi Lian started, making sure that Zhang Ren wouldn't hear as she softened her voice further.

"If I suddenly develop an unexpected crush on this flamboyant guy beside me?"