Chapter 8 The Mixer
Mixers between the two schools were usually held near the girls’ campus.
This time it was at a barbecue place close to our school.
The place wasn’t big, but it had great value—everyone’s second cafeteria for gatherings and celebrations.
When Tao Zi and I arrived, only two seats remained at the long table.
The traitor of a best friend plopped down right next to her brother, leaving me the most eye-catching empty seat.
Right beside Zhou Wang, captain of the sports institute basketball team.
Tao Zi sent me messages while winking furiously:
【Eight-pack! Rock hard!】
My head spun. I nearly lost my balance.
A gentle lift under my elbow.
“You okay?” A bright, clean voice came from behind.
A tanned, good-looking guy studied me with clear, bright eyes.
He got shy under my stare and gave a timid smile. “If you don’t want to sit next to me, I can—”
“No, it’s fine.” The guy was innocent. I had no reason to make him awkward, so I sat down.
Zhou Wang said he had been dragged here too. His brothers threatened they wouldn’t let him off if he didn’t show.
I could understand. Plenty of girls kept glancing our way.
But the person being stared at seemed especially shy. At first I even thought he was a little afraid of me.
When I stood to grab food, he immediately shifted half his body away.
Did I smell bad or something?
So I asked directly, “Zhou, do I have some kind of smell on me?”
I’m a very straightforward person. Never beat around the bush.
Except when it came to the one person I really cared about—then I would freeze up.
Zhou Wang’s face turned bright red. He hurried to explain it wasn’t that.
He said he was worried about his own sweat smell after training. Swore he had showered twice before coming.
I burst out laughing. “Don’t worry too much.”
He pressed his lips together, eyes darkening. “But you do have a scent.”
Me: ?!
He looked away, fingers rubbing the chopsticks. “Nice scent.”
I let out a relieved breath. “Then do you want... the link?”
Zhou Wang’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Of course. It was just sharing a link.
I opened Pinduoduo without hesitation, generated the share code, and shoved the screen toward him—
Zhou Wang opened his WeChat QR code at the same time.
I waved my hand. “No need to be so formal. Just scan mine—it’s easier!”
He awkwardly pulled his hand back and opened another app.
“Wow! You’re a new member. Scan my link to register—I get referral rewards!”
I happily patted his shoulder. He gave me a bitter sideways look.
Later when I casually mentioned it to Tao Zi, she paused for three seconds, then stared at me like I was an idiot.
“My precious baby... he wanted a link? Or was he short on body wash? Oh my god.”
“Wasn’t it...?”
“He wanted to add your WeChat!”
Me: ......
At the time I didn’t realize anything was wrong. The guys and girls around us chatted casually.
I played with my phone, watching everyone else’s liveliness, feeling empty inside.
Suddenly there was a stir at the entrance.
The barbecue place was small. When a group walked in, the whole room noticed.
Especially when a group of well-dressed young people entered together—every eye turned.
“Professor Shen! What a coincidence! You guys here for drinks too?”
The glass slipped from my hand.