Chapter 8 Public Ambiguity

A new week began.

The school's lights-out was at eleven-thirty. When Shi Sui returned, she went to sleep after washing up.

Early the next morning, she opened the chat box and saw that Yan Tingli had replied to her message in the early hours.

A single number [1], meaningless, probably just indicating he was alive.

Shi Sui thought about the several calls she had wanted to make last night, and pressed the screen off without expression.

Between them, it had always been him controlling all her movements.

She was always hiding and avoiding, seemingly ignoring the fact that when Yan Tingli didn't want to be found, she actually couldn't find him at all.

She had full classes in the morning. When Shi Sui and her roommates came out of the teaching building at noon, she received an unexpected call from Song Jie.

Her fingers tightened, her expression momentarily stunned.

"What's wrong, Suisui?" asked Xue Jing, who was linking arms with her.

Shi Sui looked down at her phone: "You and Anran go to the cafeteria first, I have something to handle."

"Okay, should we save you a seat?"

Shi Sui waved her hand: "No need, it's fine."

She quickly walked away from the crowd to a quiet place and answered the call.

She said formally, "Auntie."

"Suisui," Song Jie called her, "are you busy?"

Shi Sui: "Just finished class, not busy."

Song Jie made an acknowledging sound and casually chatted with her for a few sentences, her voice carrying faint weariness.

Shi Sui didn't meet Song Jie often, and speaking alone with her could be counted on one hand. Guessing that Song Jie likely had something to say, she proactively asked: "Auntie, are you...?"

"It's like this, I can't get through to Tingli's phone, and my legs aren't convenient right now. Since you're at the same school as him, if it's convenient, could you help me see him and ask him to call me back?"

Shi Sui was stunned: "Auntie, what happened to your leg?"

"Twisted it a bit, nothing serious." Song Jie seemed unwilling to elaborate, "Is it convenient for you?"

Shi Sui had no reason to refuse: "...Convenient."

They didn't have much to chat about. After exchanging pleasantries, they hung up.

Shi Sui looked at her phone, still processing the information from the call.

Yan Tingli wasn't answering Song Jie's calls.

Had they fought yesterday?

Shi Sui's hand paused over Yan Tingli's chat box.

Suddenly, she had a headache.

Could it be that from Song Jie's perspective, she and Yan Tingli were close? If Song Jie couldn't do something, how could she possibly manage it...

Shi Sui sighed, deleting and editing for a long time before finally sending Yan Tingli: [When are you free today?]

He didn't reply immediately.

That was normal – he was habitually busy and rarely chatted online.

Shi Sui wasn't free today either; on the contrary, she had classes all day. Just as she was hesitating whether to call directly, thinking about where her afternoon class was, she changed her mind.

They had several professional courses that required computer labs. The School of Cross-Disciplinary Information had top-tier domestic equipment. The Academy of Fine Arts had applied many times before the School of Cross-Disciplinary Information reluctantly approved it.

This semester, Shi Sui's major was fortunate to experience it here. Although they had already attended classes here several times, she was still inevitably shocked by this golden, gleaming, and extremely futuristic academic building.

As a top domestic science and engineering university, A University naturally allocated increasing funds to these flagship schools, not to mention the huge donations from industry leaders each year.

Although the Academy of Fine Arts was also impressive, compared to this place, it was like the difference between a legitimate son and a concubine's daughter.

In the evening, Shi Sui finished her last class and came out of the computer room.

The Cross-Disciplinary School building was over twenty stories high, and Shi Sui's group was on the eleventh floor.

Students coming and going all looked hurried, some still wearing lab coats, others drinking coffee while studying – everyone busy with their own affairs.

The academic atmosphere was so intense that Xue Jing and the other girl didn't dare make a sound, quietly arriving at the elevator.

Entering the elevator, Shi Sui habitually stood toward the back, taking her phone from her bag. She guessed Yan Tingli should be attending classes here and estimated she could call him out for a meeting.

The elevator descended about two floors.

Suddenly, there was a "ding" sound. The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and a crowd of people stood outside, surging into the elevator.

Shi Sui glanced and stepped back.

Just as she saw Yan Tingli's reply message, her sleeve was suddenly tugged excitedly by someone.

Turning her head, she saw Xue Jing silently screaming, pointing quietly toward the door with her finger.

Shi Sui followed her gaze.

Her pupils contracted in shock.

Quite coincidentally, Yan Tingli was walking in leisurely, wearing a black jacket with a backpack casually slung over his shoulder, his expression calm and indifferent.

Several male students clustered around him, talking to him.

The moment their eyes met, Shi Sui looked away.

Looking down at her phone, she happened to see his recent reply: [Missing me?]

She pressed her lips together, pretending not to see it, quickly turning off the screen.

The several people who entered were all tall male students, making the space cramped and the air thin.

Yan Tingli was not far from her.

People around him were conversing with him, asking professional questions. He responded briefly while looking at his phone.

Lin Anran sent a message to the group chat: [Every time I see him, I have to sigh about how handsome he is]

Xue Jing: [Asked for his WeChat last week, wonder if he still remembers me]

Lin Anran: [Such a handsome face, but he doesn't plan to date, what a waste ahhh]

It was peak after-class time, people kept getting on, and the elevator became increasingly cramped.

Shi Sui simply retreated to the corner at the back, minimizing her presence.

Just as she positioned herself, someone in front backed up – it was the male student talking to Yan Tingli.

Squeezed until his footing was unstable, he was heading straight toward her.

Shi Sui had nowhere to avoid, standing there staring at him.

Just as they were about to collide, the male student's arm was grabbed, and Yan Tingli cast a cold glance over.

The male student reacted, looking toward Shi Sui: "Sorry, too crowded."

"It's fine."

Zhuo Haoyu was momentarily dazzled upon seeing Shi Sui, his eyes not moving away for a while. Just as he wanted to say something more, he was pulled by a force toward another side, his original position occupied.

He looked toward Yan Tingli.

Somewhat puzzled.

"Brother Yan?"

"Stand properly." His tone was cold.

"...Oh."

Yan Tingli was very close.

Shi Sui knew without looking up.

Each other's breath was always familiar, even in an elevator full of people.

She lowered her eyes and held her breath, almost curling into a ball.

When the last person entered, she couldn't move an inch, her entire body pressed against the wall.

But the person in front of her pushed his luck.

He was too tall, standing in front like a wall, his breath domineeringly invading everything around her.

Xue Jing and Lin Anran were squeezed to the other side, their gazes frequently glancing over.

Yan Tingli's hand was braced against the wall, just blocking their view.

Shi Sui couldn't help but send a message: [Don't stand so close to me]

"Close?" he said.

His sudden voice drew several glances.

Shi Sui's heart jumped violently, but she had to appear calm while messaging: [Why did you speak out loud?]

Yan Tingli calmly raised his hand to his earphone, appearing to be on a phone call.

Others then looked away again.

"Too lazy to type."

Shi Sui's scalp tingled: [Use your phone to talk to me]

"I won't."

Yan Tingli lowered his voice, "Why didn't you answer my question just now?"

The question just now?

Shi Sui thought for a moment and finally remembered the message on the screen – "Missing me?"

She blinked, trying to pretend she hadn't heard.

Suddenly, her other hand, hidden under her sleeve, was hooked.

The cool, jade-like touch traced up and down along the lines of her palm.

Shi Sui's face burned. She tried to withdraw her hand, but he wouldn't let go.

"Mm?" he said again, his fingers entwining like a snake.

Shi Sui was going crazy, finally giving up resistance.

Her fingers were completely wrapped in his palm.

"Answer me." He tickled her palm.

He was always like this, using every means to get the answer he wanted.

Shi Sui was forced into a corner, even forgetting to use her phone, squeezing out a sound from her nose: "...Mm."

"Suisui?" Lin Anran was puzzled. "What did you say?"

Shi Sui was covered in cold sweat: "Nothing."

Yan Tingli let out a laugh, pinching her fingertip flirtatiously.

Fortunately, the elevator finally reached the first floor, and Shi Sui took the opportunity to pull her hand away.

She ran toward the elevator entrance as if escaping.

At that moment, her phone buzzed.

Yan Tingli: [Wait for me at the back door]

Shi Sui hastily glanced at it and walked quickly forward.

Zhuo Haoyu instinctively took a step to follow, but He Nan behind him grabbed his bag: "Haozi, where are you going?"

"I..." his ears were somewhat red.

He Nan: "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

"I don't believe you," He Nan keenly glanced in the direction of Shi Sui's group and whispered, "Tell me, which girl caught your eye?"

While talking, Yan Tingli was the last to exit the elevator.

He Nan looked at Zhuo Haoyu's expression and laughed, pushing him: "No way, you fell for someone? Then why don't you hurry up and get her WeChat before it's too late?"

Zhuo Haoyu was encouraged, and his feet were already eager to move: "Then I'll go right now-"

Before he finished speaking, his shoulder was pressed down by someone.

"Brother Yan?" Zhuo Haoyu was surprised.

"She has a boyfriend."

"What?" he was shocked.

Somehow, Zhuo Haoyu sensed Yan Tingli's coldness.

Different from his usual coldness.

"How do you know?"

"On her neck," Yan Tingli glanced at him, smiled without reaching his eyes, "there's a hickey."

Zhuo Haoyu stood frozen: "Brother Yan, are you sure you saw clearly?"

Yan Tingli pointed to his side neck, saying casually: "In this position."

Zhuo Haoyu was speechless, his expression dejected.

"Tsk tsk," He Nan laughingly put his arm around Zhuo Haoyu's shoulder, enjoying the drama, "Heartbroken in one second."

Zhuo Haoyu frowned and pushed his hand away: "Get lost."

Yan Tingli withdrew his gaze and raised his hand: "I have something to do, I'm leaving."

"Sure, bye Brother Yan." He Nan waved while putting his arm around Zhuo Haoyu's shoulder, "Come on, stop looking, the girl has a boyfriend."

"God, Suisui, you were so close to Yan Tingli just now ahhh!" As soon as they walked away, Xue Jing burst out exclaiming, "How was it? Does he smell nice?"

Lin Anran chimed in: "Did you have trouble breathing?"

Shi Sui's fingers still had the sticky sweat from his caressing: "...Yes."

It was suffocating indeed.

"Ah, what a pity."

"What's wrong?"

"I feel like Yan Tingli has a girlfriend." Xue Jing said regretfully.

Shi Sui's steps faltered slightly.

Lin Anran adjusted her glasses: "How can you tell?"

"Sixth sense!" Xue Jing said, "Didn't you hear his tone when he was on the phone just now? So doting and ambiguous."

"?"

Shi Sui was horrified: "Doting?"

Xue Jing: "Just now, was that a tone you'd use with guy friends?"

Lin Anran: "But didn't Weiwei say that Yan Tingli told her he doesn't plan to date in college?"

"You believe that, too!" Xue Jing pouted, "Maybe it was just an excuse to reject her." She raised a finger and lowered her voice: "My intuition tells me Yan Tingli has a girlfriend he's secretly dating. What type do you think he likes?"

Lin Anran: "I feel like it's high-IQ, long-legged, mature women."

"You're right." Xue Jing agreed.

Shi Sui: "......"

"Suisui, why are you looking at me like that?"

"..." Shi Sui was silent for two seconds. "I also think you're right."