Dazzling

Qing Ye looked at the familiar hand extended before her—the same hand she had held through countless nights to fall asleep, the same palm whose calluses she had traced while wondering when they would finally overcome their hardships and step into the light together.

In just two years, they had gone from mutual dislike to tentative exploration, then to unwavering commitment. They had weathered bitterness, despair, pain, sweetness, tenderness, and separation. Now reunited under the dazzling green-brick-and-white-pillar archway, they should have been overwhelmed with emotion, embracing and weeping. Yet, at this moment, Qing Ye felt an inexplicable urge to hit someone—especially as she stared at his outstretched hand. Her mind went blank, and she nearly slapped him.

But she quickly reconsidered: if she actually slapped him, their meal together would be ruined. Not wanting to embarrass Qu Bing and her brother, Qing Ye suppressed the impulse.

An awkward silence fell over the group. Qu Bing quickly grabbed Qing Ye’s arm and laughed it off: “Gosh, it’s so hot! Let’s hurry and get something to eat.”

Qu Xing chimed in: “Right, let’s grab a taxi.”

He nervously glanced at Xing Wu, but Xing Wu showed no sign of displeasure. He simply retracted his hand into his pocket as if nothing had happened.

Qu Xing’s dorm had three occupants: besides him and Xing Wu, there was a roommate named Zhuang Sixian. After Qing Ye arrived, they headed to the roadside to hail cabs. The boys walked ahead while Qu Bing and Sun Wanjing pulled Qing Ye along behind them. Qu Bing whispered anxiously: “What were you doing back there? You made it so awkward! Didn’t you see Xing Wu’s face turn red?”

“Red? Are you blind? He’s never blushed even when strutting around shirtless in front of me!”

Qu Bing insisted: “Last time I saw him, he barely spoke. He’s clearly the shy type. Don’t scare him off on your first meeting.”

Qing Ye’s voice sharpened: “Shy? Him?!”

Her slightly raised voice caught the attention of the three guys ahead. Qu Bing pinched her arm hard: “Keep your voice down, my Overlord! Why don’t you just say it to his face?”

Qing Ye glared irritably at the tall, handsome figure ahead. Had he grown even taller? Was he still developing past eighteen?

A taxi soon pulled over. They let the senior students board first, but Qu Xing’s group arrived at the restaurant earlier. The three boys waited for them at the mall entrance.

From a distance, Xing Wu’s white shirt was tucked into khaki chinos, the cuffs slightly rolled to reveal long, straight legs. His glasses softened his sharp, intense eyes and masked their fierce intensity. At first glance, he looked like a refined, sunny heartthrob. In contrast, Qu Xing’s haphazard style made him seem like an unmotivated slacker. Even Zhuang Sixian, perhaps due to his mature appearance, carried a weathered, uncle-like vibe. Somehow, Xing Wu ended up appearing the most earnest of the three—utterly bizarre!

Xing Wu’s gaze, however, lingered on Qing Ye’s waist. Unaware of fashion trends, he only noticed her T-shirt was excessively short, as if she couldn’t afford fabric. A slight lift of her arm exposed her smooth, slender waist. He hadn’t realized her style had changed so much since starting university.

They headed straight to the buffet restaurant Qu Bing had chosen, only to find it packed. They had to take a number—over a dozen tables ahead, about a thirty-minute wait. Qu Bing had already purchased a group coupon and suggested waiting since she was treating. The others didn’t object.

The six of them sat in the waiting area: the three guys in the front row, Qing Ye and the girls behind them.

Qu Xing scrolled through his phone and suggested: “How about a five-player ranked match in Honor of Kings?”

Zhuang Sixian agreed: “Sure, let’s do it.”

Qu Xing patted Xing Wu’s shoulder: “Do you play?”

Xing Wu adjusted his glasses with slender fingers and pulled out his phone: “I’m alright.”

Qu Bing retorted from behind: “You think everyone slacks off playing games like you? Others don’t have time for that.”

Qu Xing fired back: “You’re one to talk! Why do you always beg me to carry you during rank-ups? You even interrupt my monthly exams.”

Qu Bing fell silent. Qing Ye let out a dry “heh” and interjected coldly: “Don’t say that about your brother. Maybe others play even more obsessively than he does.”

Qu Bing didn’t dare respond. Though it seemed like she was defending Qu Xing, it felt like a subtle dig at someone else.

They needed one more player. Qu Xing asked if Qing Ye or Sun Wanjing would join.

Sun Wanjing didn’t even have the game app and offered to watch their queue. Qing Ye had the game—she’d downloaded it early in university when bedtime memories of their old routine in the small apartment haunted her: her studying, him gaming. She’d tried a few matches before abandoning it.

So she warned them: “I don’t know how to play.”

Zhuang Sixian added: “I’m not great either.”

Qu Xing sighed: “Guess I’ll have to jungle and carry you all. Qing Ye, if you don’t know how, do you have a trial card for Yao? Just play support and follow me.”

Qing Ye took forever to find the pink-haired character named Yao in the game. Once it started, she wandered aimlessly. Qu Xing said anxiously: "Qing Ye, stop roaming." Buy support items and follow me to invade their jungle for red buff.”

Simultaneously, a player with the ID “RainAfterSunny” sent a message on the left: “Come.”

Qing Ye naturally assumed it was Qu Xing and headed toward the game’s Mongolian warrior. Qu Xing kept urging: “Qing Ye, hurry up.”

“Qing Ye, come here.”

Annoyed by his nagging, she replied: “I’m here! I’m right beside you.”

“Where? You’re bot lane with the ADC! Come find me.”

“Where are you?”

“…”

Amid Qing Ye’s flustered tapping, “First Blood” suddenly announced. Before anyone processed it, “Double Kill” followed.

The enemy bot lane ADC Houyi and support Cai Wenji were instantly killed by the Mongolian warrior.

Qu Xing cursed: “Qing Ye, just stay bot with the ADC.”

Qing Ye had no clue what happened. She stood under her tower studying skill descriptions and asked Qu Xing: “How do you play this hero?”

Even Qu Bing couldn’t bear it: “Just press your ultimate and do nothing else.”

As she spoke, the Mongolian warrior sprinted toward the pink-haired Yao. Qing Ye pressed her ultimate and gasped—the pink-haired girl leaped onto the warrior, merging with him. For the rest of the game, Qing Ye did nothing, not even pressing buttons. The warrior carried her around, effortlessly slaughtering enemies and pushing to the enemy crystal. By the end, Qing Ye still hadn’t figured out who was who among her teammates.

She even earned a gold medal for support.

Qing Ye said with pride: “This game isn’t hard! I did pretty well, right?”

The others stared at her with indescribable expressions. They’d seen players get carried, but never one who bragged about playing well while being dead weight the entire time.

Sun Wanjing notified them their table was ready. As they stood to enter the restaurant, Qing Ye casually asked: “Who was ‘RainAfterSunny’ earlier?”

Xing Wu glanced at her meaningfully. Qing Ye suddenly realized—she’d been following him from the start…

Qu Xing exclaimed excitedly: “Xing Wu, you’re amazing at Honor of Kings! Those slick movements—I never would’ve guessed. I thought you never played games.”

“Haven’t played in a while.”

“…”

Inside the restaurant, they sat at a long table—three guys facing three girls. Xing Wu sat at the outer end, Qing Ye at the inner corner opposite Qu Xing.

Only Qing Ye and Qu Bing weren’t wearing glasses. Qu Xing mentioned he wore contacts; the others all had spectacles. Somehow, the conversation turned to when they’d become nearsighted.

Sun Wanjing said she started in ninth grade. Zhuang Sixian claimed the stress of eleventh grade ruined his eyesight.

When they asked Xing Wu, Qing Ye—who’d been quietly wrestling with a crab claw in the corner—suddenly blurted: “Some people wear glasses not because they’re nearsighted, but to look cool.”

Sitting in the shadowy corner while brandishing a scissor-like crab claw, she eerily resembled a cold-blooded assassin.

“…” The atmosphere grew tense. Qing Ye set down the stubborn claw and went to fetch water.

Once she left, Qu Bing hurriedly told Xing Wu: “She was joking! Not about you.”

Xing Wu lowered his head with a faint smile.

When Qing Ye returned with a plate of snacks, the crab claw she’d abandoned lay cracked open, its plump meat neatly arranged on her plate. Qu Bing informed her: “Xing Wu used a cracker to open it for you.”

Qing Ye set down her plate and glanced sideways. Xing Wu met her gaze. Qu Bing tugged her sleeve and whispered: “Aren’t you going to thank him?”

Before Qing Ye could speak, Xing Wu smiled lightly: “No need.”

His entire demeanor was polished and gentlemanly—a masterful performance that made Qing Ye seem ungrateful and rude. Internally, she seethed.

Qu Xing returned with food. The crowded table caused him to bump Qing Ye’s phone, lighting up the lock screen. He remarked casually: “The girl in this drawing looks just like you.”

Sun Wanjing added: “Her ex-boyfriend drew it.”

Qing Ye snatched her phone and locked the screen, her eyes darting to Xing Wu. Xing Wu casually ate a piece of beef, his gaze fixed on her phone.

Qu Bing asked: “How do you know it’s an ex and not her current boyfriend?”

Sun Wanjing said calmly: “A year without contact turns any boyfriend into an ex.”

Qu Xing looked confused and asked Qing Ye seriously: “So, do you have a boyfriend or not?”

Qing Ye glanced sideways at someone. He had lowered his eyes, stirring barbecue sauce on his plate. Qing Ye’s lips curved slightly as she declared firmly: “Single. Let me know if you find any good prospects.”

Zhuang Sixian laughed: “Senior, you’re joking! With your qualities, you need introductions?”

Xing Wu finally set down his utensils, picked up his water glass, leaned back, and shot her a profound look.

The conversation circled back to Xing Wu. Hearing he was from a county in G Province—known for its poverty—they were surprised. Judging by his appearance and demeanor, no one would guess he came from such a disadvantaged background.

Qu Bing’s eyes filled with admiration and respect.

Qu Xing joked: “If I looked like you, I’d rely on my looks over talent. Housing prices are insane here—why not find a wealthy Beijing girl to settle down with?”

Qing Ye looked up at him with a faint smile. Xing Wu humbly adjusted his glasses and replied: “Wealthy Beijing girls, huh…”

He deliberately drew out his words before adding: “Not a bad idea. Maybe I’ll find a single one to pursue.”

Everyone thought he was joking—except for a certain Beijing girl who turned away with an imperceptible smile.

By eight o’clock, they were finished. Qu Xing suggested going to karaoke. For a boy fresh out of high school, leaving home for a new environment felt like liberation. Since they were out, why not have fun before diving into studies?

They asked about nearby karaoke spots. Sun Wanjing had lived in Shenyang with her father during high school, so Qing Ye was the only true local among them. She pointed ahead: “There’s one over there. Not far.”

They decided to walk, enjoying the evening air. On the way, Zhuang Sixian pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Qu Xing.

Qu Xing said: “Sure, I’ll take one.”

Qu Bing grabbed his collar: “Getting bold? Want me to tell Mom and Dad?”

Qu Xing pushed her hand away: “I sneaked smokes in high school too.”

Zhuang Sixian then asked Xing Wu: “Want one?”

Xing Wu waved him off: “I don’t smoke.”

Qu Bing scoffed: “Enough, don’t corrupt the decent ones. He clearly doesn’t smoke.”

Qing Ye let out another cold “Heh… heh.”

Qu Bing turned to her: “What are you laughing at?”

“Was I laughing?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, must’ve found your comment amusing.”

“…”

At the karaoke lounge, they ordered drinks and snacks. This was the first time their dorm 319 had gone singing. Qu Xing grabbed the microphone and shouted: “What do you want to sing? I’ll queue it up.”

But no one else felt like singing. The room became Qu Xing’s solo concert. He nostalgically chose “Glory Days,” claiming his entire class cried singing it after graduation. He performed with fervor.

After his energetic performance, he noticed everyone was either on their phones or eating. Bored, he turned off the music and suggested playing a game so everyone could participate.

The game was simple: each roll a die. The highest roller can ask the lowest roller any question. Fail to answer within one second, and you drink.

Among these academic elites, the game grew intensely competitive. They concocted increasingly tricky questions, turning it into a live version of "The Brain."” Initially, they stuck to academic challenges.

After several rounds, the tone shifted. Qu Bing rolled a six and asked Zhuang Sixian (who rolled a two): “How old were you at your first kiss?”

“…Six. With a girl from my neighborhood.” The sudden deviation sparked roaring laughter.

The next round, Qing Ye unfortunately rolled a one. Qu Xing triumphantly held his six and asked her: “Compare your ex-boyfriend to an object. Answer immediately.”

“Electric vibrator.”

“…” Instantly, the room fell dead silent. Behind his glasses, Xing Wu’s eyelids twitched slightly. Qing Ye’s face flushed crimson to her ears. She nearly bit off her tongue and swallowed it.