Chapter 6: We Are Not Meant to Be

“Why are you doing that?” Lin Bai recoiled slightly.

“Lin Bai, are you in love?” Zhao Fangting exclaimed like a thunderclap opening the scene.

Lin Bai paused, then laughed in disbelief. “Where on earth did you get that idea?”

Zhao Fangting gave him a suspicious look, then quickly adopted a gossiping expression.

“Or maybe you’ve got your eye on some girl? Tell me, I can help!”

“You’re crazy! I’m going to sleep!”

Lin Bai refused to indulge Zhao Fangting’s nonsense, lying down with his back to him and pulling the blanket over himself.

“Come on, just chat a bit. It’s just the two of us in the dorm, and playing games all day is pretty dull.”

“If it’s dull, then run with me in the morning.”

“Better not.”

“But honestly, Xiao Bai, dating is expensive. My advice is to make money first. Once you have money, you can have any woman you want. Don’t you think?”

After a long day, Lin Bai had no time for idle talk and soon fell asleep, a soft snore escaping him.

Zhao Fangting pouted, then returned to his seat to continue playing games.

…

The next morning, as the alarm rang at six-thirty, Lin Bai got up on time, washed up, and headed out. After buying breakfast, he ate while walking toward the South District playground.

On the way, Lin Bai casually checked his social feed and saw a new post from Chen Shuya.

“Looking forward to the rest of my life, Mr. Li.”

Accompanying the post was a photo of two hands tightly clasped together.

The post had numerous comments, as they shared many high school friends who could see and comment on each other’s posts.

“Mr. Li? Did Lin Bai change his last name?”

“Ha ha, did you forget your brain today? Definitely not Lin Bai.”

“So that’s it. Maybe it’s better this way. Shuya deserves better; Lin Bai wasn’t right for her.”

“Exactly. Shuya, stay strong! Be brave and true to yourself!”

“…”

Those comments stung Lin Bai’s heart like a series of needles.

Back when Chen Shuya agreed to be Lin Bai’s girlfriend, countless boys were heartbroken. Now, those same people had finally found the chance to kick him when he was down.

Reading this, Lin Bai suddenly felt a wave of frustration. He stuffed a few buns into his mouth, closed his phone, and sprinted toward the South District playground. He only wanted to sweat, to run, to feel breathless and exhausted.

Arriving at the playground, expecting it to be empty, Lin Bai took off his shoes and placed them on the grass. Then he began running barefoot along the track.

One lap…

Two laps…

Three laps…

Four laps…

After running four laps without stopping, Lin Bai finally paused, lying on the grass gasping heavily. The blood from the scrapes on his feet barely registered.

He didn’t know why he was so angry. If he had to find a reason, it was because he was unwilling to accept defeat.

He and Chen Shuya had been classmates for three years, and he had treated her so well—even giving up a spot at a prestigious university…

But Li Yu conquered her in just a few days. Such a stark contrast was hard for Lin Bai to swallow.

The more he thought about it, the angrier he grew. He rolled over and began doing push-ups, pushing through more than fifty before stopping.

Amid heavy breaths, Lin Bai realized he had improved a lot. He raised his hands to check.

“Brother System, am I really this strong now?”

[Beep! Of course, don’t you know who I am?]

Lin Bai didn’t reply. After a short break, he resumed push-ups, finishing four sets of thirty before stopping. He put on his shoes and left.

…

On the second floor of the East District cafeteria, at the Mixue Ice City store.

“Hello, a cup of matcha milk green tea, please.”

A familiar voice came, and Lin Bai looked up to see Qin Ruowei standing there with her hands behind her back, smiling at him.

Today, Qin Ruowei had deliberately tied her long hair into a neat knot at the nape of her neck, secured with a hairpin.

She wore a loose white T-shirt and light denim shorts, revealing long, straight, snow-white legs that would captivate any man.

“Ruowei? You—okay, please wait a moment; I’ll get it ready right away.”

Stunned for a moment, Lin Bai quickly resumed his practiced routine and soon prepared the matcha milk green tea Qin Ruowei ordered, packing it neatly and handing it to her.

“Classmate, here’s your milk tea.”

Qin Ruowei nodded and placed a beautifully wrapped box on the counter.

“For you.”

Before Lin Bai could react, Qin Ruowei took the milk tea and turned to leave.

“Hey, you haven’t paid yet…” Lin Bai reached out, but Qin Ruowei had already disappeared.

He was bewildered. Opening the box, he saw the letters "PUMA" and finally realized that Qin Ruowei had bought him a pair of shoes!

Indeed, the box contained a brand-new pair of Puma sneakers.

Compared to cars, Lin Bai knew little about shoes. He couldn’t tell whether these were expensive or cheap.

That didn’t matter. What mattered was, he couldn’t accept them.

Qin Ruowei had already reached the stairs to the third floor, seemingly heading to eat.

Lin Bai wasn’t in a hurry; his shift would end in a few minutes.

After finishing his part-time work and changing out of his uniform, Lin Bai saw Brother Luo examining the Puma sneakers with a look of surprise.

“Wow, did you win the lottery?”

Lin Bai was puzzled. “No, I didn’t buy them. Are these shoes expensive? I see lots of people wearing this brand; I don’t think they’re pricey.”

Brother Luo shook his head helplessly, pointing first at Lin Bai, then at the shoes.

“You don’t know anything. This is the Nitro Foam series—the cheapest pair costs over eight hundred. I’ve never even worn shoes this expensive. Don’t tell me you’re serious? Don’t give them to me.”

Lin Bai was completely confused. Seeing Brother Luo reaching for the shoes, he quickly grabbed them back and ran outside.

“I’m going to eat now, Brother Luo. See you this afternoon.”

Watching Lin Bai leave, Brother Luo shook his head with a wry smile.

On the third floor of the cafeteria, Lin Bai spotted Qin Ruowei right away amid the crowd.

She was so radiant that anyone sitting across from her would feel ashamed and dull by comparison.

Carrying his tray and the shoe box, Lin Bai ignored the curious gazes of other students and sat down opposite Qin Ruowei.

“Qin, this gift is too expensive. I can’t accept it, and besides…”

“If you don’t accept it, throw it away.”

Lin Bai was about to say he had already bought shoes today and that this was the perfect time to receive them, but Qin Ruowei cut him off.

“Throw it away? That’s… not very nice, is it?”

“I bought it for you. If you don’t want it and don’t throw it away, what else can you do? Wear them?”

Lin Bai was speechless. The shoe size was indeed the same as his. They had talked while running a few days ago, so Qin Ruowei must have found out then.

“You don’t have to overthink it. I think you’re motivated and mature, with great potential. Consider these shoes an investment in you.”

Qin Ruowei was beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and considerate—and had a keen eye for investments.

Lin Bai found himself liking her more and more.

“Do you know what the best investment in a boy is?”

Lin Bai swallowed hard and asked.

Qin Ruowei looked up. “What?”

“Being his girlfriend.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Qin Ruowei froze briefly, then quickly looked down, pretending to focus on eating.

“Don’t be ridiculous. We’re not right for each other.”

Lin Bai noticed her ears reddening, filling him with questions. He could only turn to the all-knowing Brother System for answers.

“Brother System, what’s going on with her?”

[Beep! Conflict.]

“Conflict? Explain in detail.”

…