Chapter 59: That Past Period of Ambiguity

"It's all right, it really is all right," Lin Yan said, reaching out to tug at the man's sleeve.

The man lowered his gaze to look at Lin Yan's slender fingers pinching his sleeve. Her neatly trimmed nails were clean and pretty; unlike other young women who painted theirs in various colors, hers retained a natural, healthy hue. A sudden wave of pleasure washed over him.

"Since this young lady doesn't blame you, we'll let it go," the man said with a light smile.

The valet bowed and stammered, "Thank you, thank you..."

Lin Yan said nothing more and accompanied the man inside. Along the way, the man spoke up, "I would be even happier if you traded pinching my sleeve for linking your arm through mine."

Only then did Lin Yan realize her hand was still gripping his sleeve. Her face flushed, and she hurriedly let go, saying, "I'm sorry, Qin Xiang."

"Ha! I'm glad you still remember me, considering you haven't contacted me in all this time," said the man, who was called Qin Xiang, with a chuckle.

"You suddenly went abroad back then without leaving me a single way to reach you," Lin Yan retorted, feigning grievance.

"So I suppose it was all my fault, then?" Qin Xiang asked, looking at Lin Yan with a broad, amused smile.

"Of course," Lin Yan replied playfully.

The two exchanged a smile and walked together into the venue of the event.

No sooner had they stepped inside than someone called out to Qin Xiang, saying they needed to speak with him urgently.

Lin Yan raised her eyes to survey the scene. The entire room was a blur of fragrant gowns and clinking glasses. Everyone, whether they were close acquaintances or total strangers, was chatting and laughing together. She felt utterly unsuited for such an environment.

Ignoring her surroundings, she spotted a sofa in a corner, picked up a glass of fruit juice, and went over to sit down.

From her seat on the sofa, she had a clear view of everyone in the room, including Qin Xiang.

The senior she had secretly harbored a crush on for three whole years...

Back in university, Lin Yan had not majored in Chinese literature. She had studied chemistry, a pure science discipline completely divorced from the arts. Yet she loved novels and beautiful prose, which led her to join a literary society called Soaring Through Time. The president of that society at the time was none other than Qin Xiang.

He was exceptionally talented. She had practically memorized every single novel, poem, and essay that came from his pen. Her admiration for him back then had reached an indescribable depth.

In her heart, Qin Xiang was like the wind—elusive and impossible to grasp.

She paid attention to everything about him, watching his every move. She strove to draw closer to him, studying his writing style and imitating him in every way. Eventually, many of their classmates remarked on how similar the two of them had become. Qin Xiang, who had initially never paid Lin Yan any attention, began to notice her after hearing it from others so often. Discovering that she was an amusing junior, their relationship gradually grew close.

Imperceptibly, Lin Yan's admiration for him transformed into a tender affection. It was clear that Qin Xiang also fond of Lin Yan; the two of them frequently discussed literature together, traveled to experience different cultural lifestyles, shared meals, and even went to the movies—doing all the things that a couple would do.

Yet neither of them ever uttered the word "love."

They spent a year like this, and Lin Yan finally resolved to confess her feelings to Qin Xiang. However, that very afternoon, Mu Ziqing, the campus belle, blocked Lin Yan halfway and had a profound conversation with her.

As for the specific details of that conversation, Lin Yan had long since forgotten them. All she could remember was the look in Mu Ziqing's eyes as she stared her down at the end and said, "Whether you like him or not, the truth is he will never, ever like you, because he has me."

Shortly after, Qin Xiang and Mu Ziqing went abroad together, leaving Lin Yan without a single word of farewell or any contact information. At the time, Lin Yan had felt a pang of disappointment, though it hadn't quite amounted to true heartbreak.