[Hello, Classmate Liao. Could I borrow your copy of "A Practical Guide to Contract Law"? I'm working on a contract dispute case and need to look up some information.]
After a moment's thought, she added: [If it's okay, I'll treat you to coffee.]
Within a minute, he replied.
Liao Junyu: [Of course! When?]
Zeng Keqin: [Tomorrow at 6 PM, the coffee shop at the North Gate?]
Liao Junyu: [Great! I'll bring the book. See you there.]
Meanwhile, in the boys' dormitory.
Liao Junyu jumped up from his chair, excited. "Zeng Keqin asked me out!!!"
Fatty, who was gaming, pulled off his headphones. "The law school ace? The really good-looking one?"
"That's her!"
Liao Junyu paced around the dorm, unable to wipe the smile off his face. "She said she'd treat me to coffee. What should I wear tomorrow?"
Qian Bo's eyes lit up. "Nice one, bro. Even the aloof ace is falling for you!"
"Don't talk nonsense. She just wants to borrow a book."
Liao Junyu acted modest, but his lips were curling up. He had already started rummaging through his closet.
On the other side, Jiang Shiyu, who had been editing photos on his computer with his back to them, stopped moving. The light from the screen cast a cold expression on his face, unreadable.
But the hand gripping the mouse kept tightening, veins bulging on his hand.
After getting off the bus, Zeng Keqin rode a shared bike to the coffee shop and chose a seat by the window.
Liao Junyu pushed through the door.
He wore a white linen shirt, his hair styled with gel, giving him a gentle, refined look.
"Classmate Zeng, sorry to keep you waiting."
He sat down across from her and handed her the book. "Check if this is the one?"
Zeng Keqin took the book and flipped through it quickly. The cases were detailed with thorough analysis, along with practical operation guides.
She looked up with a smile. "Thanks, this is exactly it."
Liao Junyu was momentarily dazzled by her smile. "Th-then good. Have you been busy lately? You look like you've lost weight."
"It's okay. The case is urgent."
Zeng Keqin looked down and flipped a few pages.
Liao Junyu watched her profile and smiled. "No rush. You can keep the book as long as you like. We haven't ordered yet. What would you like to drink?"
He raised a hand to call the waiter, but from the corner of his eye, he saw the coffee shop door open.
"Ding-ding-ding—"
The wind chimes rang crisp and clear.
A tall figure walked in.
Red hair, an orange-yellow floral shirt, light blue washed-out ripped jeans.
Like a flamboyant butterfly.
Jiang Shiyu swept his eyes across the coffee shop and strode over.
"What a coincidence. You guys are here too?"
He pulled out the chair next to Zeng Keqin and sat down, tipping his chin at Liao Junyu with a careless smile.
"Why are you here?"
"Just passing by."
Jiang Shiyu stretched out his long legs.
She looked at his flashy outfit and the corner of her eye twitched. Did he need to dress like that just to pass by?
The owner smiled warmly as she approached. "What would you three like to drink? The usual?"
Before Zeng Keqin could answer, Liao Junyu smiled and asked, "Classmate Zeng, any recommendations? It's my first time here."
Zeng Keqin frowned. "I only ever order honey citron tea. Not much—"
Jiang Shiyu cut in. "Isn't the owner right here?"
The owner enthusiastically took over. "We have several milk teas and fruit teas that are pretty good, like..."
"Then I'll have a cappuccino."
Liao Junyu ordered casually and steered the conversation back. "Classmate Zeng, besides the library, where else do you like to go?"
Zeng Keqin thought for a moment. "Dorm, cafeteria, law firm."
Liao Junyu's smile stiffened slightly, but he pressed on. "What about weekends?"
"She studies in the library on weekends too."
Jiang Shiyu's voice cut in again, carrying a hint of disdain. "This one—she doesn't know how to do anything besides read."
Zeng Keqin turned and shot him a glare, but her heart inexplicably skipped a beat. How does he know my schedule so well? And why is he so talkative today? Dressed like a sunflower, too.
Liao Junyu ignored him and continued focusing on Zeng Keqin, changing the subject. "In that book, there's a case about fundamental breach that I think is really well written—the Supreme Court's second-instance reversal. Did you see it?"
Zeng Keqin's eyes lit up. "I saw it. The main points of that case were really enlightening for me..."
"I've read that case too."
Jiang Shiyu spoke unhurriedly, shifting his gaze from the open pages. "The completeness of the evidence chain doesn't have much to do with fundamental breach itself."
Zeng Keqin looked at him quizzically. "Aren't you a design major? How do you know this?"
Jiang Shiyu didn't bat an eye. "Knowledge has no boundaries."
Liao Junyu's hand tightened on his coffee cup. The smile on his face nearly faltered.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Zeng Keqin was eager to get back to organizing her materials. She stood up. "I'm heading back. Thanks for the book. I'll return it as soon as possible."
"No rush. Take your time." Liao Junyu quickly stood as well. "Let me walk you."
"No need."
Zeng Keqin left without looking back.
Only Jiang Shiyu and Liao Junyu remained in the coffee shop.
The soothing jazz music drifted lazily through the air, yet it couldn't suppress the gunpowder between the two.
Liao Junyu set down his coffee cup, his voice losing its earlier warmth, tinged with coldness. "The male dorm is in the east part of town. The coffee shop is at the North Gate. Where exactly are you passing by?"
"I came here on purpose."
Jiang Shiyu leaned back in his chair, meeting his gaze openly, without flinching.
Liao Junyu clenched his fist. "Jiang Shiyu, do you like her?"
Author's note: None.