Guessed

The weather alert inside the car had been automatically broadcasting since the engine started, a female voice in clear Mandarin announcing, “Due to the impact of Typhoon ‘Haiyun,’ our city will experience heavy rain for three to five days, with a yellow wind warning. Citizens are advised to travel safely and avoid flooded roads.”

Jiang Chen tapped the steering wheel, his voice deep and calm. “Do you need to buy anything to take back? It’ll be pouring, and going out won’t be convenient.”

Ye Mian shook her head, still unsettled from the tension just moments ago. Her voice was soft. “No need. Everything is in the dorm, and I can eat at the cafeteria.”

Jiang Chen nodded lightly. “Alright. If you need anything, let me know.”

Ye Mian turned to look at him. He gazed lazily ahead, hands resting casually on the steering wheel. It was as if he’d said something utterly ordinary, yet it warmed her heart effortlessly.

The car pulled into the parking lot at Wen University’s main gate. Jiang Chen took the umbrella from the door holder, got out, and opened the door for Ye Mian. He bent slightly, placing the umbrella into her hand, his voice gentle. “Take this.”

“Thank you for today,” Ye Mian said, accepting the umbrella. “Be careful on your way back. The rain is heavy. Drive slowly.”

Just as she was about to leave, he called out to her.

“Ye Mian.” His voice wasn’t loud, but with only the sound of rain around them, she heard him clearly: “Did you come to Wen City because of me?”

Under the misty drizzle, the cooling air, and the empty lot, the question was abrupt—no warning, no evidence, yet it cut straight to the heart.

Ye Mian turned back, startled, noticing the faintly raised corners of his eyes, tinged with lingering warmth and a tiny smile. Her heart started racing again, as if she were facing a question doomed to be answered wrong.

After a brief silence, Ye Mian could only feign ignorance, forcing herself to act clueless. “What did you say?”

A cool breeze swept in from the entrance, rustling in her ears.

In the next moment, Jiang Chen spoke again. “Never mind, you have class. Go on.”

His low words drifted on the wind, brushing past Ye Mian’s ear. Somehow, hearing that detached tone made her heart falter for a beat. Her lips parted, but in her bewilderment, she couldn’t utter a single word. Her heart pounded uncontrollably, a faint blush rising to her cheeks. She could hardly hear the wind anymore.

Unable to find a response, she simply nodded and shuffled away. Jiang Chen watched her back until it disappeared, standing still for a few seconds, doubt flickering in his eyes. Back in the car, his fingers unconsciously tapped the steering wheel.

It had been a casual question, but he’d noticed the girl’s trembling fingers. He couldn’t imagine why anyone would lie about such a thing, but he recalled she had once asked him on WeChat which school he planned to apply for. That was why he’d asked.

In those few seconds of her silence, it seemed he understood something. Though not entirely certain, in that instant, disbelief struck him, emotions surging unexpectedly.

His hand tightened on the steering wheel, the leather texture scraping against his fingertips.

...

The next day was the weekend, and due to the torrential rain, Qin Feifei and Wang Xiang stayed in the dorm. Ye Mian returned from class, greeted them, and wrapped herself in her quilt. The thunder and rain outside gradually faded.

Ye Mian’s phone played noisy variety shows on repeat, trying to lull herself into a cocoon where she wouldn’t dwell on anything. Yet the more she tried, the more she recalled the conversation in the parking lot.

It was over...

He’d asked like that. He must have figured something out. But she was completely unprepared for her secret crush to become obvious. How would she face Jiang Chen in the future? And how would he react now that he knew?

All the uncertainties made Ye Mian want to cry, and her state naturally drew the attention of her two roommates.

Qin Feifei, wearing slippers, walked over, hands on her hips and sipping from her cup, hesitantly asked, “Are you... heartbroken?”

“How could I be?” Ye Mian hugged her quilt and turned over, shaking her head with a sigh. “I haven’t even had a relationship yet.”

Qin Feifei paused. “Then why do you look so devastated?”

“...”

“Let me guess—did your secret crush slip out?”

“...”

“If I’m right, someone must have guessed it precisely?”

“...”

“So that’s it. Don’t tell me Jiang Chen figured it out and didn’t react at all?”

Ye Mian sighed, feeling utterly defeated, gazing at Qin Feifei as if on the brink of despair. “You should be a fortune-teller; not a word off. I’m honestly impressed.”

Seeing Ye Mian still had the energy to joke, Qin Feifei plopped down beside her. “What happened? How did you end up like this just from eating dinner?”

With her friends’ curious gazes upon her, Ye Mian recounted the day’s events in detail.

“That’s it?” Qin Feifei blinked, her gaze softening. “I think he might suspect something but isn’t sure. You don’t need to feel so down. Even if he guessed, so what? Just go for it—take a chance, maybe you’ll win big. Why be shy? It’s a new era, girls chasing guys is common.”

Wang Xiang added, “Or maybe Jiang Chen was just asking casually? You can keep your crush going, nice and easy.”

Ye Mian pondered for a moment. “That’s hard to say.”

Qin Feifei worried she’d grow more upset by overthinking and quickly said, “Since things are like this, just watch how he acts. If he keeps contacting you, there’s hope—he guessed. If not, then think of something else. For now, just lay low; he might think he was wrong.”

“You’re right.” Ye Mian had no experience in relationships and felt uncertain, her voice dry. “If he figured it out and doesn’t react, then I’ll just pursue him.”

Qin Feifei nodded. “Exactly.”

...

The weekend brought nothing but torrential rain; Wen City was washed clean, the downpour relentless. Taking her friends’ advice, Ye Mian didn’t leave the dorm for two days.

During this time, she sketched several design drafts, all of anime characters. Though not an art major, she’d attended art classes as a child until age fourteen, so she had some basic skills.

She carefully drew a few cute cartoon elephants, added the date, and sent the photos to a media company’s email. The company was collecting virtual mascots from netizens, and Ye Mian, out of boredom, had drawn some casually.

Once she started, she couldn’t stop. On the blank paper, her black pen danced, sketching lines swiftly. Before long, a simple human figure took shape.

Two more chapters coming tonight~

(End of this chapter)