Chapter 50

Chapter 50

As the new semester drew near, the university campus began to fill with fresh faces, many still bearing the innocent look of youth.

Though official registration hadn't yet begun, the academic affairs office and dormitory management had already opened early check-in. Unlike the coming days when senior students would offer meticulous guidance, Gu Yubai and Gu Yihong were left to decipher the registration process themselves, following the signs beneath the teaching buildings step by step.

Their first stop was the academic affairs office to register and collect the Freshman Handbook. From there, they followed a simple map to the dormitory area, located behind the lake, past the teaching blocks.

Gu Yubai and Gu Yihong were enrolled in different majors, meaning their dormitories were not only in separate areas but also miles apart in building numbers.

Gu Yubai was assigned to an older dormitory building, its walls draped in climbing vines. His room was a triple, with three such rooms sharing a common living area, a bathroom, and a washroom.

Gu Yihong, conversely, was housed in a newer building near the international student apartments. Conditions there were notably better: two students per room, though without a shared living room. Instead, roughly fifteen rooms on each floor shared a single corridor.

Neither was particularly picky about their assigned accommodations, which was fortunate as choices were not offered.

Given the distance, Gu Yubai and Gu Yihong first headed to Gu Yubai’s dorm. His other two roommates hadn't yet arrived, so after a quick sweep to clear dust and neatly arrange his belongings, Gu Yubai accompanied Gu Yihong to his room.

Once both rooms were tidied, they casually messaged the high school senior they’d pre-arranged to meet, setting a rendezvous point at the entrance of the First Cafeteria.

Gu Yubai had attended Mingcheng University in his previous life. Back then, his college application had been tampered with by the Su family, forcing him into a Finance major. He was so intimately familiar with the campus layout that he could navigate it blindfolded.

Gu Yihong, however, was experiencing Mingcheng University for the first time in either of his two lives. He was finally embarking on a law degree, the major he had yearned for across both lifetimes.

Along the way, Gu Yihong was captivated by the campus scenery, meticulously studying the map to familiarize himself with the residential and academic zones before leisurely making his way to the First Cafeteria with Gu Yubai.

From a distance, they spotted a striking figure standing at the cafeteria entrance near the teaching buildings: a handsome senior in a crisp white shirt.

His tall, upright posture and coolly refined features made him instantly noticeable. With classes yet to begin, the cafeteria entrance wasn't crowded, but almost every passerby instinctively glanced his way, their gazes lingering—some with envy, others with admiration or shyness.

A few approached to greet him, but after a brief exchange, noticing his distracted and inattentive demeanor, they quickly took their leave.

Even when conversing, the coolly handsome young man’s smile remained faint. Yet, those around him seemed unfazed by his reservedness, suggesting his temperament was well-known throughout the college.

This person was undoubtedly a prominent figure at Mingcheng University.

Gu Yubai’s eyes flickered. His memory of this senior was still rooted in the past, when he had trailed behind that flamboyant rich second-generation upperclassman as his lackey.

Back then, this senior had excellent grades but, due to family circumstances, often helped the wealthy upperclassman—who was pursuing Gu Yubai—deliver gifts. Each time, he would wordlessly, stubbornly shove the presents into Gu Yubai’s arms before turning and fleeing.

It always left Gu Yubai both amused and exasperated, forcing him to hand the gifts over to their homeroom teacher to return to the rich upperclassman.

In high school, this senior was notorious for his cool silence and reluctance to speak. His looks and academic achievements attracted significant female attention, while his tragic family background garnered widespread sympathy.

With such a classic "beautiful, strong, and tragic" persona, countless girls yearned to rescue him from his plight.

Yet, this aloof, impoverished top student seemed content to debase himself, becoming a lackey for a less capable but wealthy upperclassman just to cover living expenses. His ardent admirers, receiving no reciprocation, grew resentful and critical, deeming him irrational and beyond salvation. Occasionally, someone bold enough would confront him, only to be met with a lifeless, emotionless stare.

The image of the cold, impoverished, campus heartthrob as a tragic male lead gradually crumbled, yet the man himself remained utterly unconcerned.

This senior’s name was... Lin Xuyan, if Gu Yubai recalled correctly.

Time was a great sculptor. In just one year, the once cold, silent senior, who had ignored countless girls’ affections, had become noticeably livelier.

Spotting the two brothers approaching from afar, he even chuckled softly and raised an arm to wave at them.

He almost seemed... human.

Gu Yubai’s eyebrows lifted in surprise.

Before Gu Yubai and Gu Yihong could take another step, Lin Xuyan strode forward to meet them.

"Long time no see, Gu underclassmen," he said, his gaze instinctively settling on Gu Yubai. A warm smile lit up his handsome face, his dark eyes gleaming—a stark contrast to the distant coldness he had shown others moments ago.

He looked at Gu Yubai with undisguised delight, like an eager host welcoming long-awaited guests.

Gu Yubai’s lips curved slightly. "Senior Lin, it’s only been a year—not that long."

His eyes crinkled teasingly. "Though I must say, seeing how much more outstanding you’ve become, this junior is quite pleased."

At his playful tone, a hint of pink appeared across Lin Xuyan’s cheeks. He turned away slightly, clearing his throat before collecting himself.

His voice was soft, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might startle the gentle, lovely young man before him.

"I... thank you. College life really is different from high school. Here, fewer people know about my background, and there aren’t as many pitying stares treating me like some pitiful soul in need of saving. Life has indeed become much more... colorful."

"But I truly didn’t expect both of you to come to Mingcheng University as well. I thought for sure you’d go to a school in the capital. To be schoolmates again... it makes me very happy."

Lin Xuyan’s eyes darted toward Gu Yubai again before he quickly looked at Gu Yihong, though his attention remained subtly fixed on Gu Yubai’s expression.

The blatant favoritism made it obvious that, compared to Gu Yihong, Lin Xuyan cared far more about Gu Yubai’s reaction.

Gu Yihong, whose guard had already been raised by Yu Li’s earlier provocations regarding Gu Yubai’s admirers, immediately sensed danger.

This... this wasn’t right!

How had he never noticed in high school that this senior was another lurking predator, waiting to swoop in and claim his prize?

They say the quiet ones are the most dangerous—how true that was!

Back then, Gu Yihong had only seen this senior as a means to keep tabs on the rich upperclassman’s movements. But now it was clear—he wasn’t just some silent, pitiful lackey. No, he had his own greedy eyes set on the unattainable moon above.

Gu Yihong’s face darkened instantly.

Gu Yubai shot him a sidelong glance before smoothly continuing the conversation, making sure to include the eager senior.

"Indeed, we’re not just high school alumni but now university alumni too. And to think we’d even cross paths on the university forum beforehand—what a coincidence. Knowing that you’re doing so much better now, both Yihong and I are truly happy for you."

Lin Xuyan went quiet for a beat. At Gu Yubai’s words, his eyes warmed visibly.

Only now did he realize how inappropriate his earlier remark had been—what did he mean by "I didn’t expect you to come to Mingcheng University"?

Mingcheng University was a good school, even if it lacked the prestige of the top schools in the capital.

Both Gu Yubai and Gu Yihong had been outstanding students in high school, with Gu Yubai frequently ranking first in his grade—a shoo-in for the top universities.

If not for the fact that Gu Yubai’s adoptive father had become comatose shortly after the college entrance exams, he would never have chosen to stay in Mingcheng.

By accidentally bringing this up, Lin Xuyan had inadvertently touched on a painful subject.

And then there was Gu Yihong—his name had practically lived on the trending topics all summer.

His unusual background, his very public break from the wealthy Su family—everyone knew his status was no longer that of an ordinary person.

Lin Xuyan, who had once swallowed his pride to serve as a rich classmate’s lackey for survival, was never one to stand too much on ceremony.

Though he hadn't reached the level of worldly wisdom, he was quite adept at ordinary social interactions. After a year in university, his social circle had expanded significantly compared to high school, now filled with either naturally gifted people or those from wealthy, distinguished families.

Lin Xuyan had already begun consciously building connections, planning for his future.

At this thought, he instinctively glanced at the gently smiling Gu Yubai, a flicker of unnoticed joy in his eyes.

In the past, he had nothing to his name and was burdened by his family, but now, alone, he felt optimistic about his future.

And the person he liked had suddenly appeared by his side...

God only knew how much effort it had taken Lin Xuyan to suppress his excitement when Gu Yihong suddenly contacted him.

Gu Yubai was still as gentle and lovely as ever, smiling softly as he looked up at him, his demeanor as calm and natural as it had been back in high school.

Every time Lin Xuyan saw Gu Yubai’s calm smile, it was as if pear blossoms were slowly blooming in his heart. He felt like a winter-stiffened bee that had just endured winter, eagerly awaiting the chance to dive into the fragrant, delicate petals of spring, finally feeling life's sweetness.

Each time he saw Gu Yubai, his heart would race violently until his eardrums throbbed with the sound, and he could see no one else.

With this in mind, Lin Xuyan smiled at Gu Yubai.

They had already begun reminiscing about high school, and when the topic turned to classmates who had cast him as some tragic pretty-boy protagonist of some soap opera, Lin Xuyan laughed at himself.

"You wouldn’t believe it, but in high school, I only looked forward to three things: the first was when the teachers handed me my scholarship, the second was when the wealthy Du classmate paid me to run errands, and the third... was when Du sent me to deliver gifts to you."

He still wore that soft smile, his long lashes casting faint shadows on his refined features, making him appear even gentler.

"I knew you wouldn’t accept the gifts, but it was only during those trips to you that I found some peace and quiet. You probably never realized, but because of my background, people saw me as some tragic pretty-boy lead—as if reading a few novels had suddenly made them think they needed to 'save' me. Honestly, how ridiculous is that?"

Lin Xuyan laughed, but his eyes flashed coldly.

Throughout high school, Gu Yubai was the only one whose gaze remained calm and warm when looking at him. He spoke to him without a hint of pity, treating him with equal respect.

Others, however, treated Lin Xuyan like a plaything. They saw his beauty and tragedy and sought to "redeem" him, unaware that their eyes were filled with hungry stares and smug amusement.

Lin Xuyan hated those looks with a passion.

He didn’t consider himself some charity case. He didn’t need saving, nor did he need others’ pitying looks repeatedly shoved in his face—as if they were his close friends or lovers, standing by his side and indignantly lamenting how unfair life had been to him, how his own mother had been cruel and unloving, caring more for her stepson than her own son.

He certainly didn’t need anyone to cockily think that missing out on them would be his great loss.

At the memory of these past grievances, Lin Xuyan’s smile disappeared completely.

The conversation had gotten pretty deep.

Gu Yubai didn’t know why Lin Xuyan trusted him so much, but he looked up thoughtfully, his expression still calm and gentle.

Rather than give hollow reassurance, Gu Yubai stood and glanced around, spotting a water dispenser near the window in the cafeteria.

He walked over and poured Lin Xuyan a cup of warm water.

His tone was steady. "Everything will pass. Senior, your future will be smooth sailing."

------

The words helped. Lin Xuyan quickly regained his usual cheerful self.

Their lunch orders were ready. When the cafeteria worker called their number, Lin Xuyan instinctively glanced at Gu Yubai before standing, his eyes still slightly red.

"Just stay seated, juniors. I can carry all three meals back by myself."

They had all ordered the same dish—pickled cabbage and beef noodles. The moment Lin Xuyan turned away briskly, Gu Yihong immediately muttered to Gu Yubai.

"Bro, don’t let him fool you. That guy is clearly faking helplessness! Back in high school, who had the time to 'save' him all day? He’s just playing the victim card for your sympathy."

Gu Yubai regarded Gu Yihong’s scornful look calmly before letting out a quiet laugh.

"Then why would he act pitiful for me?"

"He just wants to—"

*Win your sympathy, make you pity him, get you to pay more attention to him, slowly build a connection, and then conveniently end up together.*

He knew this game all too well!

But halfway through, Gu Yihong clamped his mouth shut.

No, he couldn’t warn his brother. What if Gu Yubai hadn’t even considered Lin Xuyan that way, and his words ended up planting the idea instead?

Even if he loathed admitting it, Lin Xuyan was top-notch in every way except his family background.

And he knew how to act pitiful!

So annoying!

Compared to this scheming white rabbit, even that *Old Fox* from last night seemed almost likable. At least Yu Li wouldn’t stoop to playing the victim—he probably disdained such tactics, favoring direct approaches.

Gu Yihong’s face fell.

Gu Yubai simply ignored him.

He knew exactly what Gu Yihong was thinking but found it excessive.

It wasn’t as if he was some hot commodity—how could everyone around him possibly have ulterior motives? If that were true, why had he remained alone in his past life?

Gu Yubai mentally rolled his eyes at Gu Yihong’s paranoia.

Lin Xuyan soon returned with three bowls of noodles on a tray. Gu Yubai took out his phone.

"I’ll transfer you the money."

Lin Xuyan immediately waved his hand with a soft smile. "No need. It's on me. Though I don’t actually have you as a contact yet—mind if I add you? That way, if anything comes up, you can reach me."

"Sure. From now on at Mingcheng University, we’ll be counting on you, senior."

Gu Yubai held out his QR code. Lin Xuyan’s eyes sparkled, his hand trembling slightly as he reached to scan it—when another hand abruptly covered the screen.

Gu Yihong wore a forced smile.

"Senior, there’s no need for that. It’s not like we can’t afford a meal. Besides, you already have *me* as a contact—if anything comes up, just message me. I’ll transfer the money right now."

Lin Xuyan blinked, momentarily stunned before meeting Gu Yihong’s gaze.

Gu Yihong’s eyes were sharply perceptive, his polite expression laced with a mocking undertone. Lin Xuyan recognized the hostility and froze briefly.

He forced a faint smile and said softly, "But you won’t always be with Yubai. What if I need to reach him alone someday?" Pressing his lips together, a hint of stubbornness surfaced in Lin Xuyan’s expression as he held Gu Yihong’s gaze, refusing to back down.