Chapter -4

As the first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, Ji Yang emerged from her dormitory, the crisp morning air invigorating her senses. She made her way to the serene lake beside their department, a place she often sought for inspiration for her paintings.

Unbeknownst to her, Yi Ming had also risen early that morning for his routine jog around campus. As he approached the tranquil lake, he noticed Ji Yang sitting on a bench, her gaze fixed on the breathtaking view before her.

Without a word, he took a seat on the opposite end of the bench, his eyes drawn to Ji Yang's ethereal beauty illuminated by the soft morning light.

Ji Yang glanced at him and offered him her water bottle. "Here, have some water," she said with a warm smile.

"Thanks," Yi Ming replied, momentarily captivated by her presence. "You woke up early."

"Yeah, you too," Ji Yang remarked, gesturing to his jogging attire.

"I actually came here to get some ideas for my painting," Ji Yang explained. "But the atmosphere around me is so amazing that I just want to soak it in instead."

Yi Ming listened quietly, a faint smile playing on his lips as he admired Ji Yang's passion for the natural beauty around them.

"Why are you smiling like that?" Ji Yang asked, breaking the silence.

Yi Ming shook his head, his smile widening. "No reason," he replied softly.

Yi Ming returned his smile before changing the subject. "For that day, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been too cold to you."

"Oh, it's fine," Ji Yang assured him. "It was my fault too. I ruined your shirt by throwing sauce on it, but I didn't do it on purpose."

Yi Ming nodded understandingly, appreciating her apology.

"Alright, I think we should go back and get ready, otherwise we're going to be late for class," Ji Yang suggested, rising from the bench.

"Okay," Yi Ming agreed, standing up as well.

Together, they walked back towards their dormitories, the morning sun casting a warm glow over their newfound camaraderie. As they parted ways, a sense of mutual respect and understanding lingered in the air, paving the way for a tentative friendship to blossom between them.

As Ji Yang entered the dorm room, she found Liang Wei already awake and getting ready for the day.

"Good morning," Ji Yang greeted her roommate with a warm smile. "You're up early, Liang Wei."

Liang Wei nodded, a towel draped over her shoulder. "Yeah, I just took a shower."

"Okay, then what about these two?" Ji Yang asked, gesturing towards the still-sleeping figures of Xu Ming and Zhou Linlin.

Liang Wei sighed and approached their beds, gently shaking them awake. "Hey, wake up, you two."

Xu Ming and Linlin stirred from their slumber, blinking sleepily as they sat up in bed.

"Right, where did you go?" Xu Ming asked, rubbing her eyes.

"I went for a walk," Ji Yang replied casually.

Linlin's eyes lit up with mischief. "With whom? Oh, with Zhang Jun, Senior, perhaps?" she teased.

Ji Yang's annoyance flashed across her face. "What are you saying? I just went to see the sunrise around the lake to get some ideas for my painting," she clarified, her tone firm.

"Okay, okay, we got it," Xu Ming chimed in quickly, sensing Ji Yang's irritation.

Ji Yang took a deep breath, composing herself. "You guys, stop talking nonsense. Get out of your beds and get ready. Then we'll go to the cafeteria and have breakfast, otherwise we're going to be late for class. Hurry up and get up. I'm going to take a shower."

"Okay, okay, we're coming too," Linlin replied with a laugh, swinging her legs out of bed to join the others in getting ready for the day ahead.

In the bustling cafeteria, Wang Rui and Zhao Xin had secured a table for Ji Yang and her friends, eagerly awaiting their arrival. As Ji Yang and her companions approached, scanning their cards at the counter, Zhao Xin waved them over.

"Come here, we've saved seats for you guys," Zhao Xin called out, gesturing towards the crowded table.

However, as Ji Yang and her friends reached the table, they realized there was no space left for Ji Yang to sit.

"I'm sorry, Ji Yang, there's no space," Wang Rui apologized, his expression apologetic.

Ji Yang smiled understandingly. "It's alright, I'll find another place," she assured him.

But before she could turn away, Wang Rui stopped her. "Wait, I'll look around for you," he offered, scanning the cafeteria for an empty table.

Suddenly, his eyes landed on Yi Ming sitting alone at the last table, with an empty seat beside him.

"Hey, Ji Yang, look, there's an empty seat beside Yi Ming," Wang Rui pointed out excitedly. "You can sit there."

Ji Yang followed his gaze and nodded in agreement. "Okay, I got it. Thanks," she replied gratefully, making her way towards Yi Ming's table with a newfound sense of anticipation.

Ji Yang approached Yi Ming's table, her heart pounding with nervousness as she mustered the courage to speak.

"Yi Ming, classmate, can I sit here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yi Ming looked up from his meal and met her gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, he nodded silently and reached for his bag, lifting it from the seat beside him.

"Thank you," Ji Yang said softly, a grateful smile spreading across her face as she took her seat.

As they began to eat their breakfast, a comfortable silence settled between them, punctuated only by the sounds of the bustling cafeteria around them. And in that

moment, Ji Yang couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Yi Ming for his simple gesture of kindness.

As  Ji Yang and Yi Ming enjoyed their breakfast together, a newcomer appeared beside them. Ji Yang looked up and recognized the girl as a stranger, though she couldn't deny that the girl appeared pleasant.

"Hi, Yi Ming, can I sit here?" the girl asked, her voice bright and cheerful.

Yi Ming gave her a cold look but remained silent, prompting Chen Ji Yang to speak up.

"Yeah, you can," Ji Yang replied politely, gesturing to the empty seat beside her.

The girl took the offered seat and introduced herself. "Hi, my name is Lin Jiaqi. I'm in the reporting department."

"Hi, I'm Chen Ji Yang. I'm in the arts department," Ji Yang responded, offering a friendly smile.

"Oh, so Yi Ming and you are in the same department," Jiaqi observed, turning her attention to Yi Ming.

"Yeah," Ji Yang confirmed, glancing at Yi Ming expectantly and asked so you guys know each other," However, Yi Ming remained silent, his expression impassive.

Jiaqi continued, "Yes, his mom and my mom are friends, so we know each other."

"Okay, I got it," Ji Yang replied, trying to hide her discomfort at the mention of Yi Ming's family connection.

"In which dorm building is your room?" Jiaqi inquired.

"It's in B building," Ji Yang answered.

"What a coincidence, mine too. On which floor?" Jiaqi pressed on.

"On the 3rd floor, room number 604," Ji Yang replied, feeling a bit uneasy about sharing this information.

"Mine is on the 5th floor. So in the future, let's hang out together. Let's add each other on WeChat," Jiaqi suggested eagerly.

Ji Yang hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she wanted to connect with this girl. However, not wanting to be impolite, she eventually relented. "Okay," she agreed reluctantly.

Yi Ming, with a cold expression, looked annoyed and declared, "I'm done. I'm going." With that, he stood up abruptly and left the table, leaving Ji Yang and Jiaqi alone.

Feeling awkward with Jiaqi, Ji Yang decided to make a swift exit.

"I'm done too. I'm leaving. I have a class," Ji Yang announced, gathering her belongings.

You are leaving too,"Okay, see you next time. Bye," Jiaqi replied cheerfully, seemingly unfazed by Ji Yang's sudden departure.

Ji Yang made her way over to the table where her friends and Yi Ming's roommates were eating.

"Are you guys done?" she asked, scanning the group.

"Not yet," Linlin replied between bites.

Ji Yang turned her attention to Liu Mei with a teasing grin. "Hey, Zhou Linlin, didn't you say you wanted to lose weight? If you eat too much, you'll look fat in your vlogs. So, stop eating," she joked.

Linlin rolled her eyes playfully. "Oh, stop," she retorted.

"Come on, hurry up. We're going to be late for class," Ji Yang urged, eager to get going.

"Alright, we're done. Let's go," Wang Rui announced, pushing his plate away.

"Hey, wait for me!" Zhao Xin called out, hurrying to catch up with the group as they made their way out of the cafeteria and towards their next class.

As the group entered the classroom, they were greeted by the sight of Teacher Ma already present and waiting for them. His stern gaze fell upon them as they entered, and he wasted no time in reprimanding them.

"Why are you guys late, hmm?" Teacher Ma questioned, his voice laced with disapproval. "Look at Yi Ming, he arrived 10 minutes before the class. Hurry, go to your seats."

Ji Yang exchanged a glance with Yi Ming, but before she could say anything, their eye contact was broken. With a resigned sigh, she made her way to her seat and settled in, silently contemplating the unspoken tension that seemed to linger between her and Yi Ming.

As Teacher Ma continued, outlining the responsibilities for the upcoming group activities and projects, the students listened attentively. Then the topic of class monitor arose.

Zhao Xin: "Our class doesn't have a monitor yet."

Teacher Ma: "Oh, right. How about one from the girls' side and one from the boys' side?"It will help ful for two people's to work together

Everyone agreed.

Teacher Ma: "Yi Ming, how about you from the boys' side and Ji Yang from the girls' side?"

Yi Ming: "I'm not interested,Teacher Ma. "

Ji Yang: "I can't, Mr. Ma."

Teacher Ma then turned his attention to Wang Rui and Xu Ming, ultimately deciding on them as the monitors despite their initial protests.

Teacher Ma: "Okay, then Wang Rui and Xu Ming will be the monitors."

Xu Ming: "No way, Mr. Ma, I can't."

Teacher Ma: "It's decided now. They'll take care of all activities and assign work, including cleaning duty."

Wang Rui: "Okay, got it, Teacher."

Teacher Ma: "That's it for today. Find yourselves a partner."

With Teacher Ma's departure, Wang Rui reassured Xu Ming, offering his support in fulfilling their new roles. Xu Ming nodded in agreement.

Wang Rui to Xu Ming: "Don't worry, I'll help you."

Xu Ming: "Okay, fighting."

Wang Rui and Xu Ming exchanged encouraging words, ready to take on their new responsibilities with determination and teamwork.

As Xu Ming and Wang Rui began to organize the pairs, Ji Yang and Xu Ming found themselves without partners.

Xu Ming turned to Ji Yang. "Have you decided on your partner?"

Ji Yang shook her head. "No. Have you found yours?"

Xu Ming sighed. "Not yet."

Wang Rui glanced at Yi Ming. "Yi Ming, how about you pair with Ji Yang?"

Yi Ming gave Wang Rui a cold look, but before he could respond, Wang Rui quickly added, "Okay, okay, if you don't want to pair with her, then I'll pair with her."

However, Yi Ming intervened, cutting off Wang Rui's offer. "Li Yi Ming and Chen Ji Yang," he stated firmly, pointing to write the name of the pair on the list.

Wang Rui couldn't help but admire Yi Ming's decisive action. "Not bad, Yi Ming," he remarked with a nod of approval.

Yi Ming smirked in response, acknowledging Wang Rui's compliment before taking his leave from the classroom, his departure leaving a sense of intrigue lingering in the air.

Ji Yang, still perplexed by the sudden turn of events, expressed her confusion to Xu Ming.

"What just happened?" she asked, her confusion evident in her voice.

Xu Ming shrugged in response. "I also don't know," she admitted.

With a sigh, Ji Yang decided to put the matter aside. "Alright, forget it. I'm going back to the dorm," she declared.

"Yangyang, you're not joining us for lunch?" she inquired, her tone filled with concern.

Ji Yang shook her head. "No, I'm skipping it. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep. Wake me up at dinner time. I'm leaving," she explained wearily.

"Okay then bye, take care," Xu Ming said with a reassuring smile.

"Byebye," Ji Yang replied before making her way out of the classroom, leaving behind the confusion of the day's events as she retreated to the comfort of her dormitory for some much-needed rest.