Lan Lan was born into a family with very progressive parents. Both of her parents had studied abroad and later worked in financial institutions. Lan Lan's choice of major was greatly influenced by her parents.
She had been a person with strong self-awareness since childhood, thanks to her parents' laissez-faire approach to her upbringing. She never did anything she disliked and exuded confidence from the inside out.
Lan Lan was beautiful. In middle school, she had many admirers. She would even share information about her suitors with her parents, never hiding anything. Her parents never interfered with her romantic life, so Lan Lan had dated many times during high school. However, none of the relationships lasted long because she quickly lost interest in the other person.
When the other person couldn't keep up with her pace, or went with the flow and lacked independent thought, she would lose interest instantly. Because she lost interest so quickly, by the time she started university, Lan Lan had already had six or seven boyfriends.
Lan Lan had a very striking appearance: a delicate face, large eyes, a high nose bridge, and fair skin. When she reported to university, she wore makeup, and in a crowd, she was easily spotted.
At the freshman orientation, many boys noticed her and were eager to pursue her.
Liang Yufeng was a slow-paced person. After reporting to university for only a day or two, he was not yet familiar with the people around him and sat quietly to the side. Suddenly, he heard a few boys discussing, "That girl is really beautiful, her face and figure are top-notch."
"She's so busty, she must have had many boyfriends."
"I'm going to pursue her and get her within a month."
Liang Yufeng frowned. The words of these people were truly vulgar. He looked in the direction of the voices and found that the one who had just said he would "get her" was a boy in the college who was rated as a "male god" by the girls.
Liang Yufeng looked at the subject of their discussion. As his gaze shifted, he froze.
She was indeed beautiful, so beautiful that he didn't know what words to use to describe her. He felt as if his heart had skipped a beat, and then it began to beat violently. It was an experience he had never had in his eighteen years of life. So, love at first sight was real.
However, Liang Yufeng was very clear-headed. Her beauty created too much of a distance, and with so many people pursuing her, he seemed too ordinary. He didn't dare to harbor any other thoughts.
After the freshman orientation came military training. Liang Yufeng happened to be training in the same area of the campus as her, and he saw her almost every day. It was during this time that he remembered her name, Lan Lan.
Her appearance was outstanding, and even the instructors always called her out. Not only that, but she was also very popular. Within a few days, she had formed a close-knit trio with two other girls, both of whom were also beautiful in their own unique ways.
During military training, Liang Yufeng discovered that she talked a lot, was lively, and very popular. She seemed to possess her own aura; whenever she appeared, everyone's attention would be drawn to her.
As for him, he had been accustomed to living in inconspicuous corners since childhood, much like his background.
The more he observed Lan Lan's demeanor, the deeper his affection for her grew. He had never understood unrequited love until he met her, and then he realized that a solo performance could be so captivating.
Although Liang Yufeng liked Lan Lan, he never dared to fantasize about having any interaction with her. She was like a wind he could never catch, forever out of reach.
Just as Liang Yufeng thought his university days might be spent in unrequited love, fate, by a twist of circumstance, gave him an opportunity to interact with Lan Lan.
It was November. Nanjiang City was suddenly hit by a heavy rain, and it coincided with lunchtime. Liang Yufeng had finished his lunch and was heading back to his dorm with an umbrella when someone grabbed his clothes. "Classmate, classmate, can I borrow an umbrella?"
As soon as Liang Yufeng heard the voice, he recognized it. Turning around, he saw that it was indeed her. She hadn't brought an umbrella, and her clothes were soaked, her hair also wet. She looked a bit disheveled, but still beautiful.
Liang Yufeng feigned composure and agreed, "Which dorm building do you live in? I'll walk you there."
"That's so kind?" Her voice was full of surprise. "I live in Fengyuan."
Liang Yufeng already knew which building she lived in, but he asked as a formality. Then, he held the umbrella for her, and they walked out of the cafeteria together. He tilted the umbrella towards her, and his exposed shoulder was quickly drenched by the heavy rain.
Along the way, Lan Lan initiated a conversation with him. "Handsome guy, which college are you from?"
Liang Yufeng: "School of Economics and Management."
"Oh, same as me. What's your major?" she asked again.
"Applied Economics," Liang Yufeng replied.
Lan Lan said, "Oh. Then we should have classes together often. I don't remember you."
Liang Yufeng smiled faintly. He was usually very quiet and rarely sought attention or participated in activities, so it was normal that she didn't remember him.
Lan Lan was a very enthusiastic person and chatted with him the entire way. The few hundred meters from the cafeteria to the dorm building, he suddenly didn't want it to end.
Liang Yufeng thought that this might be the only interaction between them during their four years of undergraduate studies.
However, after stopping at the dorm building, Lan Lan proactively took out her phone. "Can we add each other on WeChat? I'll treat you to a meal sometime."
And so, they exchanged WeChat contacts.
After returning to his dorm, Liang Yufeng was still in a state of disbelief. He sat at his desk, staring at the WeChat interface, lost in thought.
At that moment, Lan Lan sent a message, [Are you back yet?]
Liang Yufeng replied instantly, [Yes, I'm in the dorm.]
Lan Lan sent a bowing rabbit emoji, [Thank you for today.]
Liang Yufeng said, [You're welcome.]
Later, Lan Lan stopped talking, and Liang Yufeng was not good at initiating conversations, so he didn't continue chatting. Instead, he opened Lan Lan's Moments.
There were a few selfies in her Moments, taken during the National Day holiday when she went out to play. Liang Yufeng stared intently at his phone screen, captivated by her face, not even noticing when his roommate came over.
"Wow, Liang Yufeng, how did you add Lan Lan?" His roommate saw Lan Lan's selfie and looked at Liang Yufeng with hostility. "You like her too?"
Liang Yufeng pressed his phone, preparing to go to bed for a nap. His roommate followed him, saying, "Save your energy. Lan Lan wouldn't be interested in guys like us. I heard she's flirting with Qin Yue from the School of Business!"
Liang Yufeng paid no attention and went to sleep. His roommate's words were unpleasant, but Liang Yufeng knew they were the truth. His background and his personality would not appeal to her.
After that day, Lan Lan never contacted Liang Yufeng on WeChat again. Liang Yufeng thought their interaction had ended there. Unexpectedly, on Christmas Eve, Lan Lan suddenly sent him a message, asking him to go out for dinner.
Liang Yufeng was too surprised. [Why?]
Lan Lan replied with a laughing-crying emoji. [You really don't understand romance.]
Liang Yufeng thought about it and realized she was right. He quickly explained, [I didn't expect you to ask me.]
Lan Lan asked him to meet her downstairs at his dorm building. Liang Yufeng arrived half an hour early.
When Lan Lan came downstairs, she saw him waiting in a white jacket. As she approached, she noticed the box in his hand and asked with a smile, "Is the thing in your hand for me?"