We Were Young

Chapter 4: The Tease

The Civil Engineering and Water Conservancy Department was the pride of T University. And pride came with size—this department was huge.

Serena found herself walking in circles, frustrated that she couldn’t locate the bulletin board. After what felt like an eternity, she finally spotted it by the edge of the athletics field, right next to a pond. Just as she reached the board, the bell for the first evening class rang, signaling students to head back to their classrooms.

Sighing, she bent down and squinted at the board’s cluttered contents, searching for outdated posters to tear down. As her eyes roamed over the papers, something caught her attention—a particularly colorful sheet stuck in the corner. To her surprise, it was a handwritten letter of self-reflection, still relatively fresh:

Reflection:

I realize now that, as a freshman just starting this important chapter of my life, I shouldn’t have neglected my studies in favor of indulging in the thrill of the moment. During evening study time, I shouldn’t have sneaked out to an internet café to play video games, nor should I have convinced fifteen of my classmates to join me.

I deeply regret the negative impact my actions had on the class.

Furthermore, I absolutely shouldn’t have made snide comments about how our supervisor’s hair loss seemed to have worsened since I first arrived at school. It’s not his fault that middle age brings about such changes, especially when he has to deal with students like me every day.

This was wrong.

I’m sorry, Director Huang.

I’m sorry, T University’s Civil Engineering Department.

I vow to focus on my studies and work hard to bring honor to this prestigious department. One day, I hope the Civil Engineering Department will be proud of me.

Sincerely,

A salute from your Young Pioneer,

September 1st, Civil Engineering, Class 3

Ethan Sinclair

Serena snickered out loud. What kind of troublemaker is this Ethan? No wonder the poor supervisor is probably pulling his hair out over him.

Amused, Serena lifted her hand and tugged at the corner of the reflection letter, which had been battered by wind and sun. With a quick yank, she ripped it down, crumpling it into a ball before tossing it into a nearby trash can. The paper hit the bottom with a satisfying “thunk,” just as the sound of a basketball bouncing echoed behind her.

One of those sweaty boys from the court must’ve had enough of the heat, Serena thought, catching a whiff of sweat and sun as the basketball splashed into the pond nearby. The boy sluggishly walked toward the pond, disappearing into the shadows to drink from a faucet by the water’s edge.

The sound of water gushing filled the air as he guzzled down water straight from the tap, splashing his face aggressively. Serena felt a few drops of cold water hit her arm, sending a chill up her spine. She discreetly stepped aside, away from the splash zone.

Taking out her roll of tape, Serena measured the space where the reflection letter had been, preparing to post her flyer. But just as she was about to tape it up, she realized she didn’t have any scissors.

Ugh, what a day. How could I forget something so basic?

Just as she was about to turn around and ask someone nearby for scissors, she felt hot breath on the back of her neck. Startled, she whirled around, only to find herself face-to-face with a sharply defined jawline, dripping with water.

Sweat mixed with the scent of wet clothes filled the air, enveloping her senses.

“You tore down my reflection letter?” The boy’s voice was raspy, deepened slightly by the awkwardness of adolescence. His eyes locked onto hers, serious. “What am I supposed to do tomorrow when Director Huang assumes it was me?”

“Uh…?” Serena blinked, her eyes finally focusing. She was staring straight at Ethan Sinclair—the same curly-haired troublemaker from the basketball court.

She hadn’t even noticed him sneaking up behind her. He stood tall, his frame looming over her as he glanced at the now-empty space on the board. For the first time, Serena took a good look at him.

He was… big. At 5’8”, Serena wasn’t short by any means, but standing next to him, she felt unusually small. Even with his hands on his hips, slightly bent over, he was still a good deal taller. His muscular arms bulged slightly beneath the sleeves of his damp T-shirt, while his camouflage jacket hung loosely over one arm. His hair, wet from the water, dripped onto his collar, leaving small stains.

And his face… well, despite the single eyelids that made him look slightly menacing, there was no denying that it was a face people talked about. A face that would definitely get him noticed in the other departments.

Serena’s mind wandered for a moment, pondering how some days it felt like all you saw were pregnant women once you were aware of them. This guy really has been everywhere today, hasn’t he?

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Ethan’s voice. “Like what you see?” he teased, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “You’ve been staring pretty hard.”

Serena froze.

She blinked.

“…Not bad,” she answered, playing it cool.

Ethan’s grin widened, clearly enjoying her reaction.

Feeling a little flustered, Serena cleared her throat and tried to regain her composure. “Excuse me. Hi. I’m from the student council’s publicity department, and I’m here to post a flyer for the freshman welcome event. Do you happen to have a pair of scissors I could borrow? I forgot mine.”

Ethan stood up straight, his posture no longer as intimidating. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he regarded her.

“Do you always stand so stiffly? Must be exhausting.”

Serena’s patience wore thin, but she swallowed her frustration. “The scissors.”

Ethan chuckled and casually tugged at his collar. “I’ve got a watermelon knife for chopping. Want that instead?”

I’m going to lose my mind, Serena thought, taking a deep breath to keep from snapping.

Realizing he was just teasing her, Serena shoved the flyer into his face, preparing to walk past him. But before she could make her escape, a large hand grabbed her arm, tugging her back lightly.

She spun around, her temper rising. “What are you doing? Let go—”

“Relax, sis. I’m not gonna hurt you,” Ethan replied lazily, his expression softening. “Where’s the tape?”

Serena blinked, her anger subsiding slightly as she handed him the tape.

Ethan took it, ripped it open with his teeth, and tore off a strip with practiced ease, revealing a hint of sharp teeth beneath his lips.

“There,” he said, slapping the tape onto her arm with a smirk.

Serena stared down at the tape fluttering in the wind, dumbfounded. She couldn’t even process the fact that she was now using tape that had likely been in his mouth.

After she finished posting the flyer, Serena turned back to thank him, but Ethan was already on his way back to the pond, casually bending down to pick up the soggy basketball.

“Hey, wait—”

Before she could finish, a middle-aged man in a short-sleeved suit appeared, yelling from across the field. “Ethan! You again! The bell rang ages ago, and you’re still here messing around?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m coming! Geez, give me a break already!” Ethan called back, laughing as he dribbled the basketball in lazy circles. “Even if I were about to hang myself, I’d still need a minute to catch my breath.”

Serena watched as Ethan bounded up the stairs to the classroom building, his long legs easily clearing two steps at a time. Halfway up, he paused, spinning the basketball on his finger before glancing back in her direction. With a cheeky grin, he waved.

Wind in his hair, he looked carefree, like some kind of oversized grasshopper, full of life.

As the wind swept through, carrying his silhouette away, Serena stood there, clutching the now-empty roll of tape, unsure whether he had been waving at her or someone else.

She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips.

“What a brat.”