Chapter 98: Application Approved
898 Words
The heavy rain finally gave way to a gentle sunrise that slipped through the clouds and bathed the city in a warm after‑glow.
The storm had raged for hours, only easing after four‑plus p.m., just in time for a brief sliver of sunset. The dark clouds drifted away, leaving a boundless, vivid blue sky. In the distance, a few wisps of cloud lingered, catching the orange hue of the setting sun and turning into a spectacular sea of fire. A faint rainbow arced across the horizon.
Luo Ye had never seen a rainbow in his life. After a quick nap, he stood at his window, mesmerized, and filmed the scene on his phone. The rainbow wasn’t the textbook‑bright spectrum he remembered from elementary art class—its colors were softer, more ethereal. Still, it felt like a bridge to a dream world.
He posted the photo to his author account, captioning it, May anyone who sees this rainbow find happiness.
The first like came from Warm Dog‑Behind, a username Luo now recognized as Shen Qiao. It explained why a new, fervent fan had appeared in his follower list after university—Shen had already known he was Falling Leaves.
Feeling the post‑storm chill, Luo shivered and pulled on a long‑sleeve sweater.
He stepped out of his room into the living area and saw the fairy senior perched on the sofa, cracking sunflower seeds.
She was binge‑watching again. Luo didn’t know what she was watching, but the TV was playing a modern romance drama about a domineering CEO falling for the heroine.
Su Bai Zhu glanced at Luo, “There’s some fruit on the table.”
“Got it, senior.”
Luo walked to the table, peeled an orange, split it, and handed half to Su.
“Thanks.”
She took the slice, noting how clean the peel was—the white pith was almost gone.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
Luo smiled and settled beside her. The sofa could seat three or four; they positioned themselves on opposite ends, maintaining the proper distance for a male‑female friendship.
Luo kept a respectful space, and perhaps that space was why Su was beginning to relax around him. Small gestures add up, becoming the silent foundation of trust. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which habit made her feel more secure, but the accumulation of details shifted the dynamic.
The drama ended, a commercial rolled, and Su kept staring at the screen, her gaze unfocused.
Luo wondered if she was actually watching or just zoning out. He shifted his seat a little closer, extended his hand, and wiggled his fingers in front of her.
“What?” she whispered.
He nudged his seat back and asked, “Senior, the TV’s always on in the living room.”
“Because I’m usually alone here.”
Luo blinked. So Su kept the television on merely for background noise. Before meeting Luo, she hadn’t had that habit. Whenever Luo left the dorm building, the living room felt empty, and she’d started turning the TV on to fill the silence.
“Were you just daydreaming?” Luo asked.
“Mm.”
“What were you thinking about?”
Su stayed silent, but her eyes flicked to the rookie freshman beside her. She wasn’t going to ask him directly.
She stood, walked to the balcony, and leaned on the rail, watching the fading sunset.
Luo joined her on the balcony, peeking at her profile. She seemed like a different person from when they first met—no longer the stern student‑union president, but a gentle, homey girl. The icy goddess now seemed almost childlike in her softness.
Sitting on the balcony’s edge, Luo pretended it was casual and asked, “Senior, what’s your ideal type?”
“My ideal type?”
“What kind of guy would you like?”
Su glanced sideways at Luo, then, after a beat, said, “Luo Ye.”
“Huh?”
“I didn’t call you.”
“Oh.”
Luo rolled his eyes internally. She loved teasing.
When something happens to someone else, Luo could dissect it like a detective; when it involved him, he’d second‑guess everything. He replayed their exchange, sensing something off.
Why had she just called him by name after his question? The sunset was casting a warm glow on her face.
“Your face is flushed.”
“It’s just the sunset.”
She turned her head away, her long hair cascading down her back, a faint pink flush on her cheeks. She seemed… shy.
The sight struck a chord in Luo’s heart. He felt an impulse to hug her from behind and confess everything, but he swallowed it. He knew a proper confession required sincerity and ceremony.
He steadied himself, looked at her back, and asked, “Senior, are you free this weekend?”
“What for?”
“I’d like to take you out.”
Su turned to face him, eyes serious, then replied, “I don’t want to go out.”
Luo’s stomach dropped. Rejection made him want to flee, but he stayed, his resolve firm.
“I’m formally applying for a date with you, Senior Su.”
Suddenly Su’s mouth twitched into a faint smile.
Application approved, freshman Luo.
- Writer
