Chapter 17
1474 Words
When Xu Mei woke up the next morning, she realized she was still wearing the clothes from yesterday. Mud from climbing over the wall had stained the blanket.
“Disgusting,” she muttered, frowning in distaste.
Then she remembered something, jumped out of bed, and peeked out the door to make sure the house was empty before grabbing her pajamas and heading to the shower.
She had nothing to distract her now, and she hadn’t actually drunk that much last night, so everything that happened was crystal clear in her memory.
Xu Mei still remembered the way she had called Fu Shuyang “Brother Yang” in that overly sweet tone… She cringed so hard she could barely stand it.
What the hell was that?! Had she lost her mind?
She remembered Fu Shuyang’s expression—it was somewhere between speechless and horrified.
Even the driver had stifled a laugh.
And that whole thing about making a wish? So stupid and childish.
Xu Mei had always thought she could hold her liquor—never been drunk, never caused a scene. Now she knew exactly how embarrassing she could be.
She wanted to bury herself alive.
But the most humiliating part wasn’t even that. It was that she had fallen asleep before hearing Fu Shuyang’s response to her question.
Everything after that was a blank.
Clearly, Fu Shuyang had carried her home. Again.
Xu Mei screamed silently under the shower, pressing her face under the water spray like it could rinse away her shame.
Thank god Fu Shuyang was a gentleman. If not, she might have ended up dead in a ditch and wouldn’t even know how it happened.
If she kept this up, she might die even earlier than the original Xu Mei. Knowing the plot wouldn't save her.
She took a long, long shower. Then she changed the sheets while cursing herself under her breath.
As she left the house, Xu Mei silently prayed, Please don’t run into Fu Shuyang. Please don’t run into Fu Shuyang.
But the moment she walked past his door, it creaked open with a dramatic squeak.
Fu Shuyang stepped out, holding a document folder, clearly about to head out as well.
Seriously?
When she needed to find him, he vanished. Now when she wanted to avoid him, he popped up like a ghost.
Fu Shuyang seemed momentarily surprised to see her and opened his mouth to say something, but Xu Mei cut him off with a loud, “Good morning! I'm in a rush, gotta go—bye!”
And just like that, she bolted, her ponytail flying behind her like a battle flag.
Fu Shuyang looked after her, a faint smile tugging at his lips—but it faded quickly.
Xu Mei didn’t dare glance back. She grabbed a rental bike and pedaled away like her life depended on it, only relaxing once she confirmed he wasn’t headed in the same direction.
Once she had calmed down at the training center, Xu Mei started to regret it a little.
She should have just greeted him properly. Running away like that made her look guilty.
Besides, Fu Shuyang had helped her so much—she hadn’t even thanked him properly. That was just rude.
She told herself: If I see him tonight, I’ll definitely thank him properly.
But that night, Fu Shuyang didn’t appear.
Xu Mei, still feeling a bit awkward, didn’t dwell on it too much.
The next few days flew by, and she didn’t run into him at all.
Before she knew it, it was time to start school.
Though her university was in Hecheng, it was located in the eastern part of the city—far from Baihe Tower district. Xu Mei would have to live on campus.
The day before registration, a heavy rain fell. Xu Mei was packing at home when she finally saw Fu Shuyang return.
He was soaked from head to toe, clearly caught in the storm and hadn’t changed clothes yet.
Xu Mei walked over with a box of homemade cookies and knocked on his door.
He answered, drenched and looking even gloomier than the sky.
“Fu-ge, I made these cookies myself,” Xu Mei said nervously. “Also, thank you for everything. I’m starting school tomorrow and will only be home on weekends. Let me treat you to dinner next time.”
Fu Shuyang hesitated for a few seconds, then took the box and murmured, “Thanks.”
Xu Mei sensed he wasn’t in the mood to talk, and seeing he was still soaking wet, she said, “You should go change. Don’t catch a cold.”
Back in her apartment, Xu Mei felt a little disappointed.
Fu Shuyang had always treated her pretty well, but his cold attitude today reminded her of their very first meeting.
Still, the excitement of starting school soon replaced the disappointment.
After weeks of hard practice—and with the original Xu Mei’s foundation—her dancing had improved dramatically. She might not be back to her peak, but she was good enough to pass. No risk of getting expelled now.
The next morning, Xu Mei woke up early and tried on several outfits.
She initially liked a white cotton dress but remembered that Xu Liang was obsessed with white dresses. So she swapped it for an orange floral T-shirt, denim shorts, and white sneakers—comfortable and practical.
As an orphan who never got to attend college, Xu Mei had always dreamed of this day.
Now that she finally had the chance, she felt both nervous and excited.
After a 30-minute bus ride, an hour on the subway, and another 20 minutes by bus, she finally arrived at the campus gate.
The gold-embossed university sign gleamed under the sun—Hecheng Institute of Technology.
Xu Mei stood before it, savoring the moment.
“Wait, isn’t our school Hecheng Institute of Technology Film Academy? Why can’t we find the gate?” someone nearby asked.
Xu Mei turned her head and saw a trio—a girl in a white dress and a pair of middle-aged parents who didn’t look happy to be there.
“There’s an info desk up ahead. Let’s ask,” the white-dress girl said timidly.
Xu Mei, in a good mood, offered, “The Film Academy entrance is inside. You have to go through this gate first.”
“So weird,” the middle-aged woman muttered. “Is this place even legit?”
“Of course it is,” Xu Mei replied. “I’m a student here too.”
The original novel explained this odd setup.
Hecheng Institute of Technology was one of the top tech universities in the country. The Film Academy was just an ordinary arts college attached to it.
They were built side by side but operated independently. Still, for big events, they collaborated often.
There was even a rumor behind it.
Supposedly, the tech university had a major gender imbalance—too many guys, barely any girls. It got so bad they called some classes “monk schools.”
To fix the bad feng shui, the school partnered with an arts college and renamed it Hecheng Institute of Technology Film Academy, building it right next door.
The arts school got a prestigious name; the tech school got an influx of female energy.
And believe it or not, since the Film Academy opened, the male-to-female ratio really did improve.
But tech school girls often got overshadowed by the film girls. Whether it was a good thing or not… well, that depended on who you asked.
Xu Mei figured this particular set of parents wouldn't appreciate such a story.
“No gate? And you call that a proper school?” the middle-aged man scoffed, giving Xu Mei a patronizing look. “You girls are so naive. Getting scammed and still thinking it's something special. ‘Arts’? Please. All nonsense.”
“Dad,” the white-dress girl whispered, clearly embarrassed but too afraid to speak up.
Xu Mei didn’t even hear the man’s words.
Her eyes were locked on the street beside the campus gate.
A red sports car had just pulled up.
Several men in suits stepped out, opened the door, and stood like bodyguards.
A delicate hand reached out. Then, flowing like silk, long black hair appeared, framing a soft, lightly made-up face. She wore a white dress so pristine she looked like she belonged in a fairy tale.
The girl in the white dress beside Xu Mei instinctively stepped back, suddenly ashamed they were wearing similar outfits.
But before she could spiral into self-doubt, Xu Mei let out a quiet snort.
What a dramatic entrance. If you didn’t know better, you’d think a government official had shown up for an inspection.
No doubt about it—that was the original novel’s female lead, Xu Liang.
- Writer
