Add a contact method: 1

It wasn't until she sat in the car that Nian Yuyu snapped back to reality, sneaking a glance at Chu You's cold brows and eyes through the rearview mirror.

Just after the fireworks ended, he had wisher her with such a tender voice a happy Lantern Festival—it felt like a beautiful dream she had conjured up.

But her slightly warm ears and the flush on her cheeks kept reminding her that what had just occurred was real.

After the dazzling fireworks ended, this man—who always exuded an air of aloofness, as remote as a flower on a high peak—had called her name for the first time and wisher her a happy Lantern Festival.

Perhaps, he harbored some fond feelings for her too.

No sooner had this thought crossed her mind, that it spread like weeds in Nian Yuyu's heart, causing her heartbeat to thunder like drums.

-

The University Student Plaza was just one subway stop away from the neighborhood where they both lived, a mere seven or eight minutes by car.

The black Mercedes passed by Chu You's Taian New Town residence but did not stop; instead, it drove forward a short distance to find a place to turn around.

"Dr. Chu," Nian Yuyu noticed Chu You's actions and quickly spoke up, "I just need to cross the road."

Chu You's lazy yet pleasant voice filled the car, "It's fine."

Those succinct three words once again stirred ripples in the depths of Nian Yuyu's heart.

Soon, the black sedan parked in front of Jing'an Garden's gate.

Nian Yuyu unbuckled her seatbelt and placed her hand on the car door.

Before opening the door, she finally spoke, "Dr. Chu, do you have a girlfriend?"

The girl's voice was soft and sweet, mixed with apparent nervousness and a touch of tentativeness.

Chu You said nothing, his gaze falling on Nian Yuyu's face, where he could clearly see her pink lips pursed together and expectation filling her bright and lively round eyes.

Suddenly, he recalled the cat ear headband Nian Yuyu had worn earlier in the square. At this moment, she resembled a cautious little cat, hesitantly taking a step forward.

Her restrained yet somehow bold demeanor, silently plucked at his heartstrings.

After a while, he gave a slight gulp in his throat and replied with two words, "No."

Outside, the night was pitch-black without the moon, only a few diamond-like stars scattered across the sky, shimmering faintly.

Nian Yuyu took a deep breath and asked again, "Then may I... add you on a messaging app?"

...

The streetlights within the residential complex shone brightly, reflecting the dust floating and dancing in the air.

Nian Yuyu hurried towards her apartment building, casting a long shadow behind her.

Finally, she entered the door, stepping into the warmth of the indoor heating.

She took off her heavy coat and threw herself onto the soft sofa.

The living room was silent, the ticking of the clock on the wall magnified infinitely.

After a while, Nian Yuyu sat up hugging a pillow, took out her phone, and looked at the new contact she had added on WeChat, her bright eyes curving into a soft arc.

A simple profile picture of a snow-capped mountain, a name with two initials, C.Y.; yet Nian Yuyu stared at it for a long time, finally smiling and changing the remark to [Chu You].

Unable to express her excitement, she started to bombard Jiang Jingyun with messages.

Nian Yuyu: [I went to see the fireworks at the University Student Plaza with Chu You tonight!]

Nian Yuyu: [He drove me home!]

Nian Yuyu: [I asked for his WeChat!]

Message after message shook Jiang Jingyun tremendously.

Jiang Jingyun: [??? What happened?]

Jiang Jingyun: [If it wasn't for my phone showing it's only been a few hours, I would have thought months had passed!]

Jiang Jingyun: "Have you already progressed to having a one-on-one date with Chu You?"

Consciously ignoring her exaggerated wording, Nian Yuyu recounted what had happened after dinner at the Second Provincial Hospital's cafeteria that evening.

Jiang Jingyun: "What a dramatic turn of events! So, what are your plans? Are you going to pursue Dr. Chu?"

Nian Yuyu paused for a few seconds before replying to the message, "Yeah, I want to give it a try."

Nian Yuyu: "Seeing someone who makes your heart flutter at first glance, and indeed, it still flutters upon seeing them again."

But Jiang Jingyun was not moved by her sentimental words, ruthlessly exposing her, "Come on, you're just into him because he's handsome!"

Nian Yuyu didn't argue, for Chu You was indeed very handsome, not only possessing an ethereal attractiveness but also an aloof aura that kept others at a distance, perfectly aligning with her ideal type.

Despite initially making a fool of herself in front of him and later wanting to avoid him at all costs,

no matter how much she tried to escape, her heart would still flutter upon seeing him next time.

And although he seemed very cold, he had an unexpectedly considerate side to him.

Her interest in him started with his looks, but it wouldn't end with just that.

--

The next day, the weak sunlight pierced through the dense fog, which gradually dissipated, revealing the warm sun and a rare clear sky.

The Second Provincial Hospital was bustling, its typically quiet halls now lively with people.

Before eight o'clock, Li Beize knocked twice on the door meaningfully and went directly into Chu You's office.

The mischief in his peach blossom-like eyes sparkled with gossip as he spoke casually, "How did things go with that female patient last night?"

"Did you walk her home?"

"I did create a great opportunity for you!"

Chu You didn't respond, took off his windbreaker, put on his white lab coat, and immediately his lazy, noble demeanor became more cold and detached.

He glanced at him lightly, his tone cool, "Are you very free?"

"Tch," Li Beize curled his lips in dissatisfaction, but he was already accustomed to Chu You's demeanor.

"Forget it then."

With that, he pulled out a roasted sweet potato from a transparent plastic bag and dangled it in front of Chu You, "Got this from the cafeteria, do you want it?"

Chu You poured some tea leaves into a thermos without looking up, replying indifferently, "Get out, it smells."

Li Beize rolled his eyes at him, headed towards the door, and deliberately raised his voice, "You old cadre who likes drinking tea, all the young girls these days prefer coffee!"

As he finished speaking, his figure had already disappeared at the office door.

Inside the office, Chu You's movement to pour water paused, and the next second, hot water rushed into the thermos, steam rising and tea fragrance filling the air.

He closed the lid of the thermos, took out his phone, and opened WeChat to find Nian Yuyu's name among the sparse list of contacts.

Her profile picture was of a cartoon little girl with a bun, very much like her.

Chu You's gaze lingered on the screen, becoming a bit somber; since adding her on WeChat the previous night, they had not yet sent any messages.

...

Elsewhere, the clear sunlight streamed through the window into the room, and Nian Yuyu finally woke up.

She immediately took out her phone to check it, and the next second, she was hugging her phone, smiling foolishly.

She had had a nightmare last night, thinking the WeChat friend request from Chu You had also been a part of the dream.

Fortunately, it was real.

With that thought, Nian Yuyu opened the chat page with Chu You and after glancing twice, she sent out a message.

Nian Yuyu: "Dr. Chu, good morning~"