You Seem to Have Changed

After hanging up the phone, Lu Xing put away his phone.

Zhao Lin, who was standing next to him, glanced at him.

"Are you going to find Shen Qingyi?"

"Um."

"It's really so lovey-dovey."

After Zhao Lin finished speaking, he extended his hand.

Lu Xing looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"what?"

"You're carrying your bag around to meet girls?"

Lu Xing looked down, took off his backpack, and handed it to him.

"Well... thanks."

Zhao Lin took the backpack and slung it over his shoulder.

"No need for thanks, since you're treating tonight, I'll order a couple more dishes."

"...You're quite good at calculating."

Fang Yi stood to the side, holding the bag containing the certificates in his arms.

"Shall we go back to the dorm first?"

"Okay, see you later."

Lu Xing waved to the two of them and turned to walk towards the girls' dormitory.

Fang Yi also participated in the competition, so he will also have a place at the dinner later.

After walking for a while, he took out his phone.

[Lu Xing: I've arrived at school.]

[Lu Xing: Are you in the dorm right now?]

The other side replied quickly.

[Shen Qingyi: Yes, I'm here~]

Lu Xing's lips unconsciously curled up.

[Lu Xing: I want to see you.]

[Shen Qingyi: Now?]

[Lu Xing: Okay, I'm almost at your building.]

[Shen Qingyi: Huh? Wait for me!]

Lu Xing looked at the last exclamation mark and couldn't help but smile.

……

Downstairs in the girls' dormitory building.

Lu Xing had barely stood still when he saw a familiar figure walk out of the door.

When a girl really wants to see you, she can be very efficient.

Shen Qingyi looked to the side first, and when she found him, her eyes lit up.

Their pace quickened as well.

Lu Xing stood still, watching the girl walk up to him.

"No need to rush, I'll stand right here and won't run away."

"I'm not in a hurry."

After Shen Qingyi finished speaking, she took a soft breath.

Lu Xing couldn't help but reach out and poke the girl's soft cheek.

"Then why are you panting?"

"...You get out of breath even when you walk."

"Oh……"

He nodded.

"That makes sense."

Just as Shen Qingyi was about to say something, her gaze fell on the competition certificate on his chest.

She reached out and flipped the card back over.

"You're still wearing it?"

Lu Xing glanced down.

"Uh, I forgot to pick them."

The girl held the corner of the card and carefully examined the name on it.

She then looked up and smiled at him.

"Welcome back, Captain Lu."

Lu Xing smiled too.

"Is that how you welcome us?"

"Then what else do you want...?"

Before he could finish speaking, he had already opened his arms.

Shen Qingyi was stunned for a moment.

Two seconds later, she took a small step forward and reached out to hug his waist.

"Sigh, the child who knows how to be charming gets the treats."

Lu Xing didn't answer, but simply pulled his arms around Shen Qingyi and gently hugged her.

The girl's face was pressed against his shoulder, her hair brushing against his chin.

The familiar scent of shampoo.

The tension I had been holding for hours during the match has finally eased completely now.

Shen Qingyi hugged him for a while, and when she realized that Lu Xing didn't intend to say anything, she also quieted down.

She gently patted his broad back.

Are you very tired?

"Hmm, a little bit."

His voice was right next to my ear.

It's such a reassuring feeling.

The girl thought for a moment, then quietly hugged herself tighter.

After a while, the two slowly separated.

Shen Qingyi lowered her head and tidied her hair.

Lu Xing then took off the competition certificate to prevent the card from remaining between the two of them.

"Shall we go sit over there for a while?"

The girl nodded.

"OK."

……

There are several benches on the path next to the dormitory building.

At this time of day, most people are heading towards the cafeteria, and the benches are mostly empty.

The two found a place to sit down.

As soon as Shen Qingyi placed her hands on her knees, Lu Xing reached out and took hers.

She glanced at him sideways, then smiled, pursing her lips.

"What are you doing?"

"As you can see, I'm holding my angelic girlfriend's hand."

"Lu, you're getting bolder and bolder!"

Lu Xing smiled and ran his fingers through hers.

Shen Qingyi tightened her grip, and the two hands clung tightly together, showing no intention of separating.

"Were you very nervous during the competition?"

"Actually, it's not so bad."

"real?"

"Yeah, there are two people next to me who are much more nervous than I am."

Lu Xing couldn't help but laugh as he recalled the final moments of the match.

"Zhao Lin, when submitting the last question, insisted on making us click the mouse together."

Shen Qingyi blinked.

"Three people together?"

"right."

Lu Xing raised his other hand and gestured.

"So we were all crammed together, and Fang Yi was holding a pen in his hand, which almost pricked me."

The girl imagined the scene and burst out laughing.

"So who pressed the button last?"

Lu Xing looked serious.

"Of course it's me, since I've had the mouse since the beginning."

Shen Qingyi smiled so hard her eyes crinkled.

"Oh right, you said Zhao Lin almost drove the senior crazy when he was taking photos, what happened?"

"He complained that the angle wasn't right, and started giving instructions before the filming even started."

"and then?"

"Then... Teacher He told him to stand still."

Lu Xing took out his phone, found the group photo sent by his senior, and handed it to her.

Shen Qingyi moved closer.

In the photo, Fang Yi is holding the certificate, standing upright.

Zhao Lin was turning his head to look at him, his mouth not yet fully closed.

Lu Xing, standing next to him, was smiling at the camera.

The girl watched for a while and then laughed along.

"This one looks quite natural."

"Of course, but some people are still not satisfied."

"Zhao Lin?"

"Yeah, they said their photos looked like they were taken by someone just passing by."

Shen Qingyi glanced at it again.

"It seems... haha, a little bit."

She scrolled down and found another picture of three people looking at the camera.

This time, the certificates were neatly arranged, and the people stood in perfect order.

She looked at it twice.

"I still prefer the previous one."

Why?

"Because you're laughing so happily."

Lu Xing was stunned for a moment.

His gaze shifted from his phone to the girl's face.

Shen Qingyi was still looking at the photos.

"And Fang Yi looks really happy, but you can also tell he's visibly nervous."

She only realized there was no sound beside her when she got to this point.

He looked up and met Lu Xing's gaze.

Why are you looking at me?

"...It's nothing, I just think my girlfriend is really beautiful."

"Hmph, you're so glib."

Lu Xing smiled and put his phone away.

Should I send you the photos?

"Yes, I will."

The girl nodded.

"The first one too."

"It's all yours."

Shen Qingyi was satisfied.

She moved closer to Lu Xing, her shoulder touching his arm.

The two sat for a while, neither of them in a hurry to speak.

People passed by on the path from time to time.

The sound of bicycle bells could be heard in the distance, along with the sounds of several students discussing what to eat for dinner.

What should we eat tonight...?

Lu Xing leaned back in his chair, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.

Shen Qingyi glanced at the time.

"Are you going out to dinner with them tonight?"

"Yes, 6:30."

"Then why did you make a special trip here?"

Lu Xing turned his head to look at her.

"Yes, I came all the way here specifically to see you."

The girl's finger twitched.

She was just saying it casually.

But he answered so directly...

Shen Qingyi lowered her head and whispered:

"You seem a little different?"

Lu Xing paused, then asked:

"Want to go out for dinner together tonight?"

Shen Qingyi shook her head.

"I made plans with my roommates; they're still waiting for me upstairs."

"Then next time let's go out and eat something nice by ourselves."

"OK."

She responded and then looked up.

"But now you can tell me where we're going tomorrow, right?"

Lu Xing looked at her.

"How did we end up back here again?"

"Because I'm curious!"

The girl took his hand and gently tugged at it.

"Give me a little hint?"

Lu Xing thought for a moment.

"Tomorrow is a day off. I'll pick you up after breakfast."

Shen Qingyi waited a few seconds.

"...That's it?"

"That's all."

"What kind of revelation is this?"

"Hmm... did they reveal the departure time?"

"..."

Shen Qingyi was so angry that she poked his hand hard.

Lu Xing smiled and grabbed her mischievous fingers.

"Okay, no need to prepare anything, just remember to wear a comfortable pair of shoes."

"...Comfortable shoes?"

"Um."

Shen Qingyi looked at him for a while, and finally nodded reluctantly.

"Oh well."

"Don't take me to places that...have scary elements."

Lu Xing's smile faded.

"Won't."

He answered very quickly.

The girl looked up at him, and then smiled.

"Then I'll wait for you."

……

After watching Shen Qingyi go upstairs, Lu Xing walked out of the school.

Before parting ways, the girl glanced at his phone one last time.

"Go quickly, don't keep them waiting."

"understood."

"Go back and rest early after you finish eating."

"Um."

Shen Qingyi walked up the steps and then turned back to wave at him.

Lu Xing stood there, watching her enter the building, before turning and leaving.

I hadn't gone far when my phone vibrated.

[Lin Yuanzhou: Brother, where are we?]

[Lu Xing: Don't worry, we're almost there.]

[Lin Yuanzhou: Be specific. 】

[Lu Xing: I'm heading your way.]

Lin Yuanzhou: ...

[Lin Yuanzhou: Damn it, what's the difference between this and not saying anything at all?]

……

In a small restaurant outside the school, two tables against the wall were pushed together.

When Lu Xing entered, Lin Yuanzhou was holding a menu and discussing something with Zhao Lin.

Fang Yi sat down to pour water, while Zhou Lian moved his chair away to make room for him.

"Here it comes, here it comes."

Lu Xing sat down and placed his phone on the table.

Lin Yuanzhou looked up at the clock on the wall.

6:28...

He smacked his lips.

"The timing was perfect!"

"Didn't you say 6:30?"

"...I said it."

"That'll do."

"Grass."

Lin Yuanzhou was momentarily speechless.

Zhao Lin spoke up leisurely from the side:

"Try to understand, they're just busy."

Lu Xing picked up the cup.

"Hehe, you seem to be quite busy lately?"

"What?"

"On the way back, my eyes were practically glued to my phone."

Zhao Lin paused, his hand holding the menu still.

Lin Yuanzhou immediately turned his head.

"Who?"

"Nobody."

"Why are you so enthusiastic about replying when there's no one else around?"

"Isn't normal social interaction allowed?"

"Okay."

Lin Yuanzhou nodded.

"I'm a very sociable person, could you introduce me to some normal social situations?"

Fang Yi had just taken a sip of water when he immediately covered his mouth, nearly choking.

Zhao Lin expressionlessly shoved the menu into Lin Yuanzhou's hand.

"Let's order."

"That's a clever tactic; it's a way to change the subject."

"Do you want some or not?"

"Eat, why aren't you eating?"

Lin Yuanzhou finally let him go, and lowered his head to think, ticking a couple of boxes on the menu.

"You three have worked hard today, you definitely need to make up for it properly."

Lu Xing glanced at it.

"Hmm... then why did you only order what you like to eat?"

"A coincidence? Of course it's a coincidence!"

Lin Yuanzhou looked completely calm.

"This also shows that we have the same taste and are united enough."

Zhou Lian sat down beside him and silently turned a page of the menu.

"Shall we order a vegetable dish too?"

"Can."

Lin Yuanzhou raised his hand to beckon to the boss.

While waiting for the food, the conversation naturally returned to the competition.

Lin Yuanzhou wasn't present, and there were some things he couldn't understand just by looking at the rankings, so he simply grabbed the three of them and asked them.

"So, no one else could solve the last problem?"

Zhao Lin shrugged.

Anyway, it wasn't there when we submitted it.

Lin Yuanzhou stroked his chin.

"And what happens after you hand it in?"

"No, not at all."

"Tsk."

Okay, this guy is just showing off.

Lin Yuanzhou leaned back in his chair and looked at Lu Xing.

"Sure, Captain Lu."

Before Lu Xing could speak, Zhao Lin interrupted.

He said…

Zhao Lin deliberately spoke in a deep tone, hooking his hand under his chin.

"It's just a try."

Fang Yi immediately lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Lin Yuanzhou was somewhat puzzled.

"What do you mean, 'give it a try'?"

Zhao Lin mimicked Lu Xing's tone at the time.

"Just try it, and you'll figure it out!"

There was a moment of silence on the table.

Zhou Lianxian shook his head and smiled.

Lin Yuanzhou was stunned for a moment, then laughed and pointed at Lu Xing.

"That's exactly what you could say."

Lu Xing put down his cup.

"Tsk, I'm telling the truth."

"Did you hear me?"

Zhao Lin turned to look at the other two.

"That's the tone I'm using."

……

The dishes were served one after another.

Lin Yuanzhou originally wanted to suggest having some drinks, but after seeing Fang Yi's obviously tired expression, he immediately changed his mind.

Let's have a beverage extravaganza today!

"Sigh, if you ask me, this competition is more mentally taxing than going to class."

Zhao Lin took a bite of the stir-fried pork and said with a smile:

"I can't concentrate in class, but I can't during a competition."

Fang Yi nodded seriously.

Lin Yuanzhou looked at him.

"Oh...you're spacing out too?"

Fang Yi was taken aback.

"I don't……"

After making the joke, without waiting for an explanation, Lin Yuanzhou picked up a beverage bottle and poured drinks for the group.

Then he raised his glass.

"Congratulations to the three of you for winning first place in the provincial competition!"

Fang Yi quickly put down his chopsticks and picked up the cup with both hands.

Zhao Lin couldn't help but laugh when he saw his actions.

"Relax, this is a meal, not an award ceremony."

"I know..."

"You've said 'I know' so many times today."

"..."

Lu Xing held up his cup, looking at the familiar faces in front of him.

Lin Yuanzhou was still urging him on when Zhou Lian had already extended the cup over.

Fang Yi was afraid of spilling the drink, so he reached out rather cautiously.

Zhao Lin then moved forward.

Several glasses gently clinked together.

Congratulations! May you win the championship again next time.

"You make it sound so easy."

"Of course, I don't need to play."

Amid the laughter, Lu Xing lowered his head and took a sip of his drink.

The phone on the table lit up at that very moment.

It was a photo sent by Shen Qingyi.

The plate contained rice and two dishes, with a bowl of soup on the side.

[Shen Qingyi: Time to eat.]

Lu Xing smiled, picked up his phone, and took a picture of the dishes on the table.

Just a second before the camera was about to press, a hand suddenly reached in and made a peace sign.

Lu Xing raised his head.

Lin Yuanzhou had already nonchalantly withdrawn his hand and lowered his head to pick up some food.

"what?"

He asked vaguely.

"Go ahead and film your own pictures, don't worry about me."

"..."

Lu Xing glanced at the photo.

Forget it.

He sent it directly.

[Lu Xing: I'm eating too.]

The other end quickly replied.

[Shen Qingyi: I can tell, your roommate is quite happy.]

Lu Xing couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Zhao Lin looked up at him.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

Lu Xing put away his phone and picked up his chopsticks.

"Let's eat."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Lin Yuanzhou had already placed the last piece of pork rib into his bowl.

Lu Xing glanced at the empty plate, then looked at him.

Lin Yuanzhou paused.

Then, he quietly pushed the plate towards the side of the table.

"Boss!"

He looked up, his voice remarkably natural.

"Another serving of these spare ribs, please."

"Okay~!"