Chapter -7

Ji Yang returned to her room, her mind still buzzing with the events of the day. As she walked in, Xu Ming looked up from her book.

"You're back," Xu Ming greeted her.

"Yeah," Ji Yang replied, sinking into the chair with a sigh.

Linlin, who was lounging on her bed, perked up. "What took you so long? Ay, what did Mr. Ma say to you?"

Ji Yang took a deep breath before explaining. "As you guys know, our university's anniversary is coming up. Mr. Ma wants Yi Ming and me to take part in a project that our seniors are working on."

"That's good," Linlin said with a smile.

"Yeah, it sounds interesting," Liang Wei chimed in.

Ji Yang shook her head, her frustration evident. "Ay, what's good about it? I'm so confused."

Xu Ming leaned forward, her expression earnest. "What happened, Yangyang? Isn't it a good opportunity? Since it's our freshman year, no one gets an opportunity like this, so you better appreciate it."

"Yeah, I know it's a great opportunity, but it came out of nowhere, and I can't think of anything. I'm not even sure that I'm capable of doing it," Ji Yang confessed, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Xu Ming reached over and patted her hand. "Don't take too much stress. I believe you can do it."

"Yes, darling," Linlin added encouragingly. "And didn't you say Li Yi Ming is also there? So don't think too much."

Ji Yang nodded slowly. "Hmm. Then, oh, I have to get ready."

Liang Wei looked up curiously. "Where are you going now?"

"Teacher Ma suggested we look around the city. Maybe we can get an idea," Ji Yang explained as she stood up to change.

Xu Ming raised an eyebrow. "I see. So, are you going alone?"

Ji Yang shook her head. "No, I'm not."

Linlin's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Heyyy, don't tell me you're going with that handsome man. Isn't it considered a date?"

Ji Yang laughed, shaking her head. "What date, sis? What are you saying? We're working together, so we're going out for work, just for work. Do you guys get it?"

All together, they replied in unison, "Yes, ma'am."

Ji Yang smiled at her friends' playful banter, feeling a bit more relaxed as she prepared for her outing with Li Yi Ming.

Ji Yang stood in front of her closet, a look of indecision on her face. "Hey Linlin, what should I wear? I can't decide."

Linlin glanced over, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Hmm..."

Ji Yang held up three outfits. "This one, or this one, or this one?"

Linlin studied the options thoughtfully before pointing to a dress. "I think you should wear this one."

Ji Yang raised an eyebrow. "A dress?"

"Yes," Linlin affirmed with a grin. "When Yi Ming sees you in this dress, he will be lost in you."

Ji Yang playfully swatted Linlin's arm. "What are you thinking? Get lost."

Xu Ming stepped in, taking charge. "You two, get aside. Wear this bottom with this top."

Ji Yang looked at the combination Xu Ming had selected—a casual yet stylish outfit that struck the perfect balance between comfort and elegance. "Okay, thanks. Then I'll go and get ready."

As Ji Yang headed to the bathroom to change, she felt a mix of nervousness and excitement. This outing with Yi Ming might be for work, but she couldn't deny the flutter of anticipation in her heart.

Meanwhile, Li Yi Ming stood in front of the mirror, making a final adjustment to his outfit. He was ready to go out when his roommates, fresh from playing basketball, burst into the room.

"Hey Yi Ming, where are you going, dressing handsome like this?" Zhao Xin teased, wiping the sweat from his brow.

Yi Ming glanced at him, unfazed. "I always dress like this, unlike you."

Zhao Xin puffed up his chest. "What do you mean? I also look handsome, okay?"

Wang Rui laughed, shaking his head. "That's your misunderstanding."

As the banter continued, Yi Ming grabbed his keys and headed towards the door.

"Hey Yi Ming, you haven't answered me!" Zhao Xin called after him.

Wang Rui smirked as Yi Ming left the room without a word. "He's gone."

Zhao Xin frowned, pondering aloud. "Where do you think he's going? Could it be a date with someone? Does he have a secret girlfriend?"

Wang Rui chuckled at the thought. "A girlfriend? Besides his sister, I can't think of any girl he's even talked to. Okay, leave him alone and let's mind our own business."

With that, they let the matter drop, turning their attention back to their own activities, while Yi Ming made his way to meet Ji Yang at the campus gate.

She was ready to go out, putting on her shoes when Linlin asked, "Hey Ji Yang, have you decided which places you'll visit?"

"Not yet," Ji Yang replied. "Maybe he knows."

Linlin turned to Xu Ming. "Since you're from here, you should suggest something to her."

Xu Ming nodded. "Yes, I'll suggest some places to you."

"Okay, text me later," Ji Yang said, just as her phone rang.

"Your phone rang," Xu Ming pointed out.

Ji Yang looked at the screen. "Who is it?"

Xu Ming peeked over her shoulder and laughed. "Poker face? Ay, who is this poker face?"

Ji Yang grabbed the phone, a small smile on her lips. "Who else would it be?"

"Oh, I got it," Xu Ming said, her eyes widening in realization.

Linlin, still curious, asked, "Who is it?"

Liang Wei grinned knowingly. "It's Li Yi Ming."

Ji Yang stood up, grabbing her bag. "Okay, I'll be going."

"Don't forget to bring something delicious!" Linlin called after her.

Xu Ming shook her head, laughing. "All you know is food."

They all laughed together, and Ji Yang felt a surge of warmth as she left the room, heading to meet Yi Ming at the campus gate.

Ji Yang picked up the call, hearing Li Yi Ming's voice on the other end. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, I'm ready," she replied.

"Great, then I'm waiting for you," he said.

"Okay, I'm coming," she answered before hanging up.

As she made her way to the campus gate, she unexpectedly ran into her senior, Zhang Jun.

"Hey Ji Yang, how are you?" Zhang Jun greeted her warmly.

"I'm fine, senior," she replied with a polite smile.

Zhang Jun continued, "I've heard from Teacher Ma that you and, what's his name, the tall guy... Oh, I remember now, Li Yi Ming, are also joining us for the campus project."

"Yeah, you are right," Ji Yang confirmed.

"It's great that we will work together," Zhang Jun said enthusiastically.

Ji Yang hesitated before smiling. "Ah, yes."

"So, where are you going now? If you're not busy, how about having a coffee with me?" Zhang Jun suggested.

"Not today, senior. Maybe next time. I have to go out," Ji Yang replied.

Zhang Jun's eyes twinkled with curiosity. "What, are you going to see your boyfriend? Going on a date?"

She laughed nervously. "No, who said I have a boyfriend? I'm single. I'm going out with Yi Ming. We're new to this place, so Mr. Ma said we should visit around."

Zhang Jun, who had asked the question on purpose, smiled. "Oh, I see... Then how about I join you guys? Since I'm from here, I can be your guide."

Ji Yang hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "Okay, then."

"Great, let's get going," Zhang Jun said, walking alongside her as they headed to meet Yi Ming.

Li Yi Ming, who was waiting patiently at the campus gate, looked up and saw Ji Yang approaching, but she wasn't alone. She was with Zhang Jun.

"What took you so long?" Yi Ming asked, his tone neutral.

"Ah, I ran into Senior Zhang," She explained.

The two boys exchanged a brief, polite nod.

"Okay, then. Let's go now," Yi Ming said.

"Ah, wait a minute," Ji Yang interjected.

Yi Ming frowned slightly. "What happened?"

She hesitated before stammering, "Umm, th-that... Senior... he is also joining us."

He didn't reply but gave a cold glare to Zhang Jun. Turning on his heel, he started walking away briskly. Ji Yang hurried after him, with Zhang Jun following behind.

"Hey Yi Ming, wait for me. Listen to me," Ji Yang called out, finally catching up and pulling on his sleeve. "Why are you giving that look? I didn't bring him here. He himself said that he will join us. And what's wrong with him coming with us? He knows this place better than us. It will be gre..."

He cut her off, his voice flat. "Ah, I see. You don't have to explain."

She huffed in frustration. "What's wrong with this man? I don't get him."

The group continued walking, an awkward tension hanging in the air.

As they stood at the bus stop, Ji Yang, Li Yi Ming, and Zhang Jun attracted some attention from a couple of girls standing behind them.

"Hey, hey, look at them. They are so handsome," whispered Girl 1.

"That's right, so handsome. And the girl beside them is so pretty," agreed Girl 2.

"Yeah, I wonder whose girlfriend she is," mused Girl 1.

"How do we ask for their contact info?" asked Girl 2.

"Yeah, let's ask," decided Girl 1, who then approached Li Yi Ming.

"Hi, can I get your number?" she asked, her voice tinged with hope.

Li Yi Ming replied curtly, "Sorry, I'm not interested."

"Oh, thanks," the girl said, dejectedly stepping back.

Then the second girl approached Zhang Jun.

"Can I ask for your contact?" she inquired.

Zhang Jun paused for a second, glancing at Chen Ji Yang. An idea seemed to strike him, and he looked back at the girl.

"I'm sorry, I have a girlfriend," he said, gesturing toward Ji Yang.

Ji Yang's eyes widened in surprise. "Ah...?"

"Okay, sorry to disturb you. You guys look good together," Girl 2 said before walking away.

As soon as the girls were out of earshot, Ji Yang turned to Zhang Jun. "Senior, why did you say that I'm your girlfriend?"

Zhang Jun scratched his head, looking slightly embarrassed. "Ah, I'm so sorry. I didn't know how to refuse her directly, so I used you as an excuse. I hope you don't mind."

Ji Yang, still a bit confused, shrugged. "It's fine."

Li Yi Ming, who had been listening silently, kept his expression neutral but a glint of annoyance flickered in his eyes. The tension hung in the air as they waited for the bus, each lost in their own thoughts.

The bus arrived, and Zhang Jun got on first. As Ji Yang was about to follow, Yi Ming gently pulled her back.

"What happened? Aren't we getting on the bus?" she asked, confused.

He replied, "There's plenty of space on the bus. Don't rush. Let them go first."

She nodded, then pointed at her hand which he had pulled. Realizing, he released her hand.

"Okay, now let's get on," he said.

As they both boarded the bus, Zhang Jun, who was standing beside an empty seat, called out, "Hey Ji Yang, here's an empty seat. Come sit here."

She glanced at Yi Ming, who stepped in front of her and said, "There's an empty seat in front of us. Let's sit here."

She nodded, and the two of them sat down together. Zhang Jun watched them with a small smile, then took the seat beside him.

The bus started moving, Ji Yang couldn't help but feel the tension between the two boys, wondering how this unexpected outing would turn out.

The bus moved smoothly through the beautiful streets of Guangzhou. Ji Yang gazed out the window, taking in the scenic views. Beside her, Yi Ming looked at her and smiled. He pulled out his headphones and placed one side in his ear, offering the other side to Ji Yang.

"Listen to some music," He suggested.

"Thanks," She replied, taking the headphone.

He started the song on his phone, and as the music played, a smile spread across Ji Yang's face. She turned to him and asked, "Do you like this song?"

Yi Ming nodded. "Yeah, and you?"

Ji Yang's smile widened. "Yes, it's my favorite song."

Their shared enjoyment of the music created a comfortable silence between them, allowing them to bond quietly over the melody as the bus continued its journey through the city.