The anniversary celebration lasted two hours, but no performance surpassed the opening street dance show’s popularity. Naturally, no one outshone Teng Yi either.
As the event ended, Ruan Yu and Jian Xiangxiang followed the crowd out of the auditorium, with Teng Yi’s group walking just ahead of them.
The five young men walked arm in arm, their red clothing merging into what looked like a moving flame.
“Zhou Xihe!” Jian Xiangxiang suddenly called out.
The shout drew many heads to turn, including Teng Yi at the front. Perhaps due to the angle, his first glance happened to fall on Ruan Yu, though only for an instant before he turned back, continuing to joke with those beside him.
Zhou Xihe waved at Jian Xiangxiang.
“We’re going for late-night food. Want to join?” Zhou Xihe asked.
Jian Xiangxiang nodded eagerly, taking two steps toward Zhou Xihe before suddenly remembering Ruan Yu beside her.
“Ruan Ruan, want to come?”
“No thanks, you go ahead.”
The answer was exactly what Jian Xiangxiang expected. Ruan Yu never participated in such group gatherings—she’d been that way since entering university. While others busied themselves socializing and exploring local eateries with new friends, she moved independently between the cafeteria and library, immersed in her world.
This peculiar aloofness made her the odd one out in both class and dormitory. Many gossiped behind her back, saying she was arrogant because of her good grades. But as time passed, those close-knit “friend groups” began fracturing over trivial matters—who hadn’t paid their fair share at meals, who said something offensive in the group chat. Their ships of friendship capsized mysteriously, and once-shared secrets became daggers wounding their sensitive hearts. Everyone finally realized that true friendship couldn’t be built solely on eating and drinking together, and compared to two-faced friends, someone like Ruan Yu was safer to be around.
People began accepting Ruan Yu’s differences and tried viewing her without prejudice. They discovered that while her personality was cold, she was quite nice. During midterms and finals, half the class would seek her help, and she never hesitated to share all her notes generously.
Gradually, Ruan Yu gained many willing friends, but she remained independent—neither making enemies nor forming deep connections.
Jian Xiangxiang, through her “roommate” status, had gotten closer to Ruan Yu, and the more she understood her, the more she admired her.
Ruan Yu was truly cool.
Of course, her coolness wasn’t in her coldness, but in her clear understanding of how to spend her time. There was no trace of youth’s confusion in her—only full fighting spirit and clear goals…
“Alright, I’m off then,” Jian Xiangxiang waved to Ruan Yu.
Ruan Yu nodded slightly.
After leaving the auditorium, the crowd dispersed.
The red lanterns throughout campus were all lit, intensifying the festive atmosphere at night.
Ruan Yu walked silently toward the dormitory buildings, along with many other female students who were all discussing Teng Yi, his dance crew, and those final impressive breaking moves.
“Ah, I wish I could date Teng Yi in this lifetime!” someone called out.
“We’re almost at the dorm—you can fulfill that wish in your dreams,” came another’s response.
Amid the playful laughter along the path, under the cover of darkness, Ruan Yu lowered her head and silently curved her lips into a slight smile.