His ID was interesting: Zhòng Shù—"Plant Trees." It suited his brash demeanor. The corners of her mouth lifted involuntarily, she was too focused.
She lightly bit the inside of her lip, about to reply, when her peripheral vision caught a pair of shiny black leather shoes, then up, straight, long legs in pinstriped trousers. The stylish and aristocratic style looked familiar.
Bankers and scoundrels have always worn striped suits and shirts.
That line, of unknown origin, suddenly popped into her head. Thinking she was blocking someone's way, she didn't look up and simply tucked her legs in to let the person pass.
But the person didn't move. She sensed something off: "..."
She looked up, straight into those deep, dark eyes. They had spoken on the phone that morning.
It was Lu Tingzhou.
He stood in the dimly lit aisle, looking at her sideways.
Behind him was a large entourage.
From her angle, he was looking down entirely.
As a superior, this kind of downward gaze was extremely oppressive and impactful, even carrying a hint of evaluation.
He wore a well-tailored black pinstriped suit over a tall, straight frame, with a dark gray vest that emphasized his full chest muscles. The dark red tie was covered in dense embroidered patterns, and a gold pocket watch chain hung from the lapel. The old-money style was strong.
All eyes converged in an instant. Cheng Buxi forgot to breathe.
She suddenly realized who the first row was reserved for. Who else could command such presence?
Oh no, I'm done for. Cheng Buxi screamed inwardly, and her phone slipped onto her knee.
Lu Tingzhou frowned slightly, his eyes full of dissatisfaction.
Nine words summed it up: Why is she still dressed so lightly?
He was about to bend down to pick up her fallen phone and ask if it hurt, but the vice principal's hearty laugh broke the silence.
The vice principal warmly approached and led him to the front. "Mr. Lu, please."
Cheng Buxi snapped back to reality, quickly grabbed her phone, and pulled her cap lower. Her hand under her sleeve clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. She acted as if nothing had happened.
Such obvious avoidance—even a fool could see it.
A dark glint flashed in Lu Tingzhou's eyes. He said nothing, gave her two steady looks, and then, surrounded by others, was ushered forward.
...
Lu Tingzhou's appearance was like a huge net, trapping everyone's gaze. Behind him followed over a dozen school leaders.
The lecture hall erupted, buzzing with discussions.
-Who's that?
-Wow, such a big entourage, and even the principal came to greet him!?
-Super handsome!
-Mom, I've seen the most handsome man in a suit!
Cheng Buxi's mind was full of "Why is he here?" and "Did anyone see that?" She still had a year until graduation.
Luckily, Sister Guan had gone to the restroom, so no one was near.
The department head greeted Shen Xiushi, and they shook hands familiarly. Then Lu Tingzhou sat down in the front row with an air of prestige.
Against the red background, his black suit with gold patterns and vintage dark tie radiated wealth and mystery, a strange contrast. His hair was parted neatly in a 3:7 ratio, forming a small bracket over his forehead. His thick, long lashes covered his calm, unruffled eyes.
Guan Qianru had just sat back down and was also stunned by the grand entourage.
"What's going on... Filming a movie?"
"Is that black Bentley downstairs his?"
"Our hot-tempered Dean Zhou, when has he ever been so polite? Amazing!"
Then a voice from the corner mumbled the truth: "Seems like he's here to discuss a building donation. My partner works in the school office and heard about it."
Gasps.
"No wonder."
"Rich and handsome... God, you're really cruel."
"Lucky to see such a handsome sugar daddy. This life is worth it!"
...
The corner voice continued: "Professor Shen and this gentleman are alumni. He invited him to sit in on a class. Today's exam will probably be postponed."
Hearing the exam postponed, Cheng Buxi breathed a sigh of relief. But a building donation... How come she hadn't heard anything?
"Alumni? So he's also from S University?" Someone caught the key point.
"Yeah."
"Wow, a capitalist. He travels with such a big crowd. If you didn't know, you'd think it was the Municipal Education Bureau inspecting."
"Even for official business, there's not such a big show. This guy is just awesome."
"Can you compare public and private? Look at him from head to toe—he screams 'distinguished.'"
"I just see 'I'm the best in the world.' Money is too vulgar."
"I feel like I've seen him somewhere..."
"Ha, in your dreams."
The chatter around was so loud it almost lifted the ceiling. Then the leader used a microphone to ask for silence—class time.
The hall quieted down quickly, but no one was settled. Almost everyone craned their necks to see more.
...
Cheng Buxi stared at him from a great distance, through countless vivid faces, motion and stillness intertwined.
But the truth was, just sixteen hours ago, they had been separated by only a thin layer of fabric, skin to skin, less than a centimeter apart.
Now it felt like a huge chasm.
Lu Tingzhou rarely smiled—introverted and serious, no extra wrinkles on his face, striking and clear like a passport photo. Shen Xiushi was different: deep crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, clearly someone who laughed often.
But Cheng Buxi remembered that when they were children, their personalities were opposite: her home's brother loved to laugh, while the Shen family's brother did not.
People really do change.
She had changed too.
Author's note:
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