Unexpected (GL) - Chapter 8

Zhou Yan thought to herself, Even classmates are this competitive these days?

“I’ll get water for you next time too,” Zhou Yan said firmly, clenching her fist.

“Hahaha, no need for that.” Xie Jing could get water herself. She was just feeling a bit emotionally fragile because of her illness and enjoyed being taken care of.

She took a sip of the warm water and felt a comforting warmth in her heart.

Monday was packed with classes. Xie Jing drifted through the entire day in a daze. After evening study hall, Shen Xinghe invited her out for milk tea.

Xie Jing hesitated for two seconds, then happily agreed.

“Xie Jing, wear this outfit. It’s cute and warm. Aren’t you still sick?” Zhou Yan held a creamy white glutinous rice skirt in one hand and a reddish-brown knitted sweater in the other.

“Pfft… I’m not going on a date. Why dress so nicely?”

“Of course it’s to make a good impression! That way, you get bonus points. Maybe Shen Xinghe likes you. Why else would she ask you out for milk tea out of the blue?” Zhou Yan gave her a you-dense-
girl look. “Come on, who’s the real straight girl here?”

Xie Jing felt Zhou Yan made some sense, so she took the clothes and went into the bathroom.

When she came out dressed, Qin Ning was there too. She glanced at Xie Jing and then looked away with a blank expression.

“Qin Ning, do I look good in this outfit?” Xie Jing smiled brightly and twirled in front of her.

Qin Ning replied, “Mm.”

Getting her approval, Xie Jing practically floated out the door.

Shen Xinghe had picked a milk tea shop on campus, just a few buildings away from Xie Jing’s dorm. It only took a few minutes to walk there.

When Xie Jing arrived, Shen Xinghe was already inside. After asking about her preferences, Shen Xinghe ordered two milk teas.

Actually, she had something she wanted Xie Jing’s help with. Shen Xinghe had joined the photography club and needed to submit a promotional project for the school’s official social media. But she
was missing a model.

“A model? Me?” Xie Jing pointed at herself.

“That’s right. You look great and photograph really well, so I’d like to ask you for help.”

Shen Xinghe looked at her with gentle eyes and didn’t hold back the compliments. “The shoot will probably take a week, but it won’t interfere with your classes.”

Flattered, Xie Jing couldn’t help but smile. “Hmm… okay, I guess. But are you sure you want me as the model?”

“Of course I’m sure. Your outfits and appearance are very school-style. No one fits the role better than you.”

To Shen Xinghe, Xie Jing looked youthful and radiant, with bright, clear eyes. Her smile was so full of life it practically spilled out.

“Alright then, I’ll do my best to help you,” Xie Jing said modestly.

Shen Xinghe smiled and took out her phone. “Can I be lucky enough to add you as a friend?”

Xie Jing nodded quickly, like a pecking chick. “Of course!”

After adding each other on WeChat, they finished their drinks. Xie Jing ordered three more cups to take back to her dorm for Zhou Yan and the others.

Shen Xinghe walked her to the dorm building. She handed over the milk tea and left with a nod.

Xie Jing was floating on air. Even carrying three cups of milk tea, she almost skipped up the stairs.

Everyone was in the dorm when she returned—even Chen Yuan had come back.

“Wow, look at that smile. Did something good happen?” Zhou Yan teased as soon as she saw Xie Jing’s happy face.

“Hehe, I brought you all milk tea! This new flavor is really good.”

Xie Jing handed out the milk tea to avoid the question, but the grin on her face couldn’t be hidden.

Qin Ning glanced at her but said nothing, sipping her drink with a loud slurp.

For the next week, Xie Jing had classes during the day and photo shoots with Shen Xinghe around campus afterward. Some were photos, some were videos, and some were school introduction clips.

She was so busy she didn’t even have time to play games all week.

“Xie Jing, smile!” Shen Xinghe pointed the camera at her and clicked the shutter while giving directions.

Xie Jing smiled with her eyes, and dimples appeared at the corners of her mouth.

“Yes, just like that! Now hold your books and slowly walk toward me.” Shen Xinghe backed up while zooming out.

“Xie Jing, you’re a natural,” she praised, which saved her a lot of effort.

Hearing that, Xie Jing smiled even more brightly, her joy practically jumping off the screen.

Just then, she noticed a familiar figure in the distance, facing their direction. The person’s eyes were deep and unreadable—like a still well.

Was that Qin Ning?

Xie Jing was about to wave hello when the figure suddenly turned and walked away.

“Eh… Qin Ning walks fast.” Her hand froze in mid-air.

“You know her? I was actually thinking of asking her to do some duo shots with you, but she left so quickly,” Shen Xinghe said with a hint of regret.

Qin Ning was usually cold and rarely smiled. Shen Xinghe had considered asking her to model too but decided Xie Jing was a better fit overall—her smile was just too warm and infectious, like
sunshine.

“We know each other. But I don’t think Qin Ning likes taking pictures. I’ve never seen a selfie in her Moments.”

“Probably true,” Shen Xinghe nodded after thinking about it.

After the shoot, Shen Xinghe treated Xie Jing to a meal as a thank-you.

They went to one of Xie Jing’s favorite food windows and ordered two bowls of braised pork rice. Big portions for both.

Being a model took a lot of energy, and lately, Xie Jing had been eating more than usual. The tender, savory braised pork made her feel full and content. She couldn’t help but squint her eyes in
delight.

Shen Xinghe watched and smiled, her eyes full of warmth.

“Watching you eat makes everything smell better. It really stirs up my appetite.”

“Really? Hehe, that’s because the braised pork is really tasty,” Xie Jing said shyly, nibbling her chopsticks with red ears.

“No worries, keep eating.” Shen Xinghe chuckled and patted her head.

In that instant, not just her ears—Xie Jing’s whole neck turned red. She hurriedly took a few bites, nearly burying her face in the bowl.

Shen Xinghe had just patted her head. It was a light touch, but Xie Jing could still feel the soft warmth. It made the meal even more delicious.

Feeling satisfied and cheerful after the meal, Xie Jing looked up—and suddenly locked eyes with someone.

In that brief moment, she froze. Then she smiled and said, “Qin Ning, you’re eating here too?”

Qin Ning replied, “Yeah, I saw you two chatting so happily, I didn’t want to interrupt. You don’t mind, do you?”

Something about her tone felt off. “Chatting so happily” sounded unusually sharp.

“Of course not,” Xie Jing said with a smile.

Shen Xinghe looked at Xie Jing, then at Qin Ning. “You two…?”

“Oh right, I forgot to mention,” Xie Jing explained. “Qin Ning is my roommate now.”

“Huh? Qin Ning, you changed majors?” Shen Xinghe asked in surprise.

“Yes, I switched to computer science,” Qin Ning replied flatly.

“That’s a great choice. Both of you are really talented,” Shen Xinghe said politely.

After a bit more small talk, Qin Ning said she had something to do and left first.

Xie Jing watched her leave and couldn’t help but sigh—this campus really was small. She ran into Qin Ning everywhere.

Eventually, it was the last day of shooting. Exhausted, Xie Jing made her way back to the dorm.

It was late, and she had told Shen Xinghe not to walk her back. She walked slowly by herself.

When she reached the dorm building, she saw a shadow squatting in the dark, facing away from her.

“Meow~~~”

Hearing a cat’s meow, Xie Jing’s eyes lit up.

She walked over and saw a familiar face… and an orange cat.

“Qin Ning? Why are you still here so late?” Xie Jing asked curiously.

“I got back late and got hit with a false accusation by this four-legged rascal,” Qin Ning said, scratching the cat’s chin.

The cat twisted its body, flicked its tail, and sat right next to her, purring loudly.

Xie Jing blinked, then burst out laughing. “Hahaha, this cat’s stuck to you now.”

She squatted down too, facing Qin Ning as they played with the cat together.

She reached out and touched the cat’s head. It pushed hard into her palm, almost knocking her over.

Qin Ning reacted quickly, grabbing Xie Jing’s arm and steadying her. “Careful.”

Qin Ning’s hand was unexpectedly warm—completely different from her cold appearance.

The moment they touched, Xie Jing’s heart started pounding.

She moved her fingers slightly, and Qin Ning let go right away.

“Thanks.”

Xie Jing petted the cat again to calm her heartbeat.

“Is it a male or female? Has it been fixed yet?” she asked.

“Probably a little female. Looks like she hasn’t been spayed yet,” Qin Ning said.

A female cat that’s not spayed could be a problem. Even if the campus was safer than outside, a pregnancy could still cause an overflow of strays.

“When we get time, let’s take her to get fixed,” Xie Jing suggested. “Together.”

“Mm.” Qin Ning paused, then added, “Okay.”

“Hehe.”

After a long, tiring day, playing with a cat made Xie Jing feel alive again.

She gave the cat a few more head rubs, then got ready to go wash up.

As she stood up suddenly, her vision went dark.

Ugh, low bl00d sugar again.

Before she could fall, a hand caught her shoulder.

She felt like she was floating on a soft cloud, spinning gently.

When her vision cleared, the first thing she saw was Qin Ning’s chin, just inches away.

She instinctively moved her fingers—and accidentally clawed five faint lines into Qin Ning’s shirt.

“You okay?” Qin Ning’s voice came softly beside her ear.

Xie Jing shook her head, saying she was fine.

But the movement made her hair brush against Qin Ning’s neck.

Qin Ning froze, then turned her head slightly.

“I’m fine, just stood up too fast. I’ll be okay after a bit.”

After leaning against Qin Ning for a few minutes, Xie Jing pulled away, feeling a little embarrassed.

“Thanks.”

Qin Ning looked at her flushed ears, adjusted her clothes, and said, “You’re welcome.”

She thought to herself: No wonder you need sugar in your soy milk.