The sun was bright, the sky was clear. I got up and went out. My younger sister had already left for school, my dad had dropped her off and then headed to work, while my mom was having breakfast.
"Hurry up, or you'll be late for school too," Mom said to me.
I sat down across from her, picked up the sandwich she had made, and was about to take a bite when my phone vibrated. I touched mine—it wasn't moving. Mom glanced at her phone beside her, which drew my gaze to her.
Sunlight streamed through the window, falling on my mother's exquisitely sculpted profile like a work of art, deepening and accentuating her delicate features. Her jet-black, lustrous hair cascaded like the brightest stars in the night sky, shimmering with a radiant glow, like an obsidian waterfall dancing in the sunlight. She sat bathed in that soft light, a simple solid-colored shirt hugging her stunning figure. Blessed by the sun, she seemed enveloped in a dreamy halo—a mysterious, sacred aura that not only embraced her but also radiated outward, gently illuminating everything around her.
"What are you staring at?" Mom waved her hand in front of my eyes.
"Huh? Oh… Mom, you're just too beautiful～ Hold on, let me take a picture." I took out my phone, captured the scene, and walked over to show her.
Mom tilted her head slightly. Though I didn't mean to be intrusive, I couldn't help but catch a glimpse of the deep cleavage revealed by the collar of her shirt. The "unfinished business" from yesterday and the reaction I'd just suppressed this morning made me feel a bit awkward, so I quickly looked away.
"Not bad. Send it to me—it'll make a nice photo. You have an eye for beauty," Mom said with a smile.
"That's because you're already so beautiful, Mom," I replied casually.
"Alright, hurry up and eat, or you'll be late," she reminded me.
"Okay!"
…
After getting off the subway, I walked to the campus. Even though it was still morning, many departments had already set up welcome booths at the school gate. From time to time, a few fresh-faced young people with curious, excited eyes walked into the campus, accompanied by one or two beaming adults.
I happily stepped through the school gate, strolling past one red booth after another that were still being set up.
"Hi, senior～ Just arrived?" A polite-looking student with frameless glasses greeted me—a junior from our department.
"Yeah, just got here. Do you know where the School of Economics booth is this year?" I asked.
"Oh, the Economics School is over there. Senior Qin is busy there too," he said, pointing in a direction.
I thanked him, thinking to myself, It's been the same spot for years. Under his somewhat inexplicably envious gaze and mischievous grin, I headed in the direction he pointed. As for why he had that expression—well, Qin Jingyan and I were known among those in the know as the "fairy-tale couple." It was a bit tiresome, but I couldn't control what others said, so I just let them talk.
Before I even reached the spot, I saw the beauty I saw every day but still longed for day and night.
Jingyan was dressed today in a preppy-style beige blazer and skirt. Beneath the blazer, she wore a crisp white shirt with a tightened collar and a black tie. Though not an inch of alluring skin was revealed, the shirt and blazer appeared exceptionally full against her ample chest, as if they might burst open at any moment. The school badge on her chest shimmered faintly in the light, hinting at a restrained, almost forbidden sensuality.
Below her slender, willow-like waist, the skirt had a subtle slit that gracefully showcased her elegant leg lines and her snow-white, closely pressed thighs, exuding both agility and poise. The entire suit accentuated her professional demeanor while radiating a captivating feminine allure.
At that moment, Jingyan stood near the welcome area, attentively watching the student council members from her department register a newly arrived freshman. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders, her makeup was delicate and refined, and her expression was warm and radiant, like a flower budding under a gentle rain. My eyes, however, were fixed on that clueless freshman. Though he was verbally responding to the senior across from him, his gaze wandered distractedly over Jingyan, especially her chest.
"Alright, junior, let the senior take you to find your dorm," Jingyan directed a male student behind her, who had also been staring at her.
"Um, senior... could I... add your—your WeChat?" the freshman stammered nervously as he stood up to face Jingyan, his lips trembling so much it was almost comical.
"That's not really—"
"Chairman Qin, still personally involved in freshman orientation even as a graduate student?" I cut in before Jingyan could finish. "Sorry, junior, you—take him to the dorm right away," I said, pointing to the student Jingyan had just directed.
With my interruption, Jingyan was spared yet another junior's advances—though such incidents were too numerous to count.
When Jingyan saw me, she brushed her hair back, her earnest almond-shaped eyes sparkling with delight.
"You're here? Aren't you going to check on your own department?" Jingyan walked over to me, naturally linking her arm with mine, and we made our way out under everyone's watchful eyes.
"No need. We're graduate students now—this is their business. But you, even after handing over your responsibilities, still insist on being busy here," I said affectionately, gently booping her petite nose.
"So what? The student council still has my office. Haven't you noticed how our Economics Department's management talents are thriving now?" Jingyan playfully waved her small fist at me.
"Yes, yes, it's all thanks to you, Chairman Qin~" I teased in agreement, while tightening my arm around her slender waist. Certain thoughts began to stir in my mind again.
"Do you have plans tonight?" I asked.
"Tonight? No, why?" Jingyan replied.
"I thought you might be having a gathering with the juniors from your department," I said.
"Hmm~ Are you~ thinking about...?" Jingyan looked at me meaningfully, a sly and sharp glint in her eyes, her delicate finger pointing playfully at me.
"Come on, you know exactly what I'm thinking. Besides, we still have to outdo Auntie Ouyang, right?" I joked.
"Hey, don't bring that up!" Jingyan gave me a light kick.
"Hehe~ So—tonight—" I wrapped my arm around her, leaning in close as I spoke.
"Mhm~ Tonight~" Jingyan shyly turned her face away.
"Jing~ Yan~" A bright, lively voice called out from not far away, growing closer by the second.
We both turned our heads at the same time. A beautiful girl, slightly slimmer than Jingyan, wearing a long dress and high heels with permed curls, was running toward us while calling Jingyan's name.
I covered my head, not really wanting to look at this girl who was running in high heels—also Jingyan's best friend, her college roommate for four years, and now her graduate school roommate—Mu Xianning.
"Why didn't you wait for me, Jingyan~ Hah~ Hah~" The beauty stopped in front of us, panting as she spoke.
"Xiao Ning, where were you just now?" Jingyan asked.
"I went to the freshman orientation area looking for you. Who would've thought that in just that short time, you got whisked away by him again." Mu Xianning crossed her arms, shooting me a fierce glare by the end of her sentence.
"Come on, you—"
"Come on what? I'm Fairy Jingyan's bodyguard, protecting her from being bullied by you." Before I could finish, she cut me off, then pulled Jingyan behind her, blocking my way.
Jingyan stood to the side, covering her mouth as she giggled quietly.
"Alright, alright. Where are you two heading later?" I asked.
"Not telling you!" Mu Xianning tossed her curly hair, leaving me speechless.
"Okay, okay. Yan Yan and I are going to see our advisor. You go have fun on your own~" Jingyan waved at me.
"Fine, I'll go see my advisor too," I said. Then Jingyan was dragged away by Mu Xianning. Before leaving, Jingyan and I exchanged a phone gesture.
...
Back at the lab, I greeted my long-familiar advisor, then opened my laptop and started on my research. But my mind kept drifting back to what had happened earlier.
Me, Qin Jingyan, and Mu Xianning—we were all admitted to graduate school through recommendation. Thanks to my dad's connections, I had been working on various projects with my advisor for a while, and I'd achieved some decent results.
Good family background, good grades, and I'm decently handsome—though my height of 177 cm falls just short of 180 cm. All in all, I could be considered a fairly outstanding guy. There had even been times when girls asked for my contact info—but after Jingyan and I went public, that stopped. Not many girls could compare to Jingyan.
The morning passed, and at noon, I had lunch with Jingyan—of course, with Mu Xianning deliberately sitting across from me, staring me down.
The afternoon was relatively free, so I headed to the basketball court.
"Hey—pass it! Clap! Clap!" I moved outside the three-point line and clapped my hands, signaling for a pass.
Once I got the ball, I took advantage of the opponent's lack of defense and went for a jump shot.
"Thud! Clang!" A three-pointer off the backboard.
"Nice shot!"
"Senior, you're amazing!"
"Senior Xuanyu is so cool!"
Many people cheered for me, including some girls—probably because Jingyan wasn't around.
Just as I was celebrating my three-pointer and moving around, I suddenly felt my foot bump into something.
"Ouch!"
"Ah—damn it!"
No need to guess—I'd bumped into someone. A crowd gathered around, asking if I was okay.
When I got up, I recognized him—a junior from the sports department, a guy I often played basketball with—Zhao Chenyu.
"Are you okay, junior? Sorry about that," I asked.
"It's fine, it's fine~" Zhao Chenyu replied. He hadn't actually been knocked over by me.
"Glad you're okay. Perfect timing for me to take a break. Someone else, take over~" I panted as I walked to the rest area, and someone replaced me.
"Senior, a towel~" A white object came flying toward me.
"Thanks, Chenyu!" I said.
Zhao Chenyu sat down next to me. He was a bit shorter than me, around 175 cm, with a slightly tanned complexion, but he looked quite sturdy and robust. He had originally wanted to join the basketball team, but at that height, it was definitely out of the question. To be honest, it was quite an achievement for him to get into N University.
"Senior, where did you go during the summer break?" Zhao Chenyu asked.
"Ah, nowhere. Just stayed home reading research papers," I replied casually. Even if I had gone somewhere, I wouldn't have said so.
"Being a graduate student must be nice," he said.
"It's alright," I replied. Our relationship wasn't particularly close to begin with.
"It's almost dinnertime. Are you free tonight, Senior? Let me treat you," he suddenly said, which took me by surprise. Wasn't I the one who bumped into him earlier? Why was he offering to treat me?
"What's up? Do you need something? Just say it," I asked.
"Well, there is something, but it's not really appropriate to talk about it here," he said with an ingratiating smile, even using the formal "you." So he needed a favor from me. But we barely had any connection—what could he possibly want from me?
"I have plans tonight, so it's not convenient," I replied. It wasn't that I looked down on him or was being cold; I genuinely had something to do.
"Then let's just find a casual spot. It'll only take a moment of your time," he compromised, his tone becoming even more... earnest.
I turned and glanced at him, sensing he was a bit nervous.
[What could it be?]
[Forget it, I'll just go along with it. It's only a moment.]
I thought to myself.
"Let's go, the campus café," I said, standing up. Zhao Chenyu first let out a confused "Huh?" before hurriedly following behind me, making it seem like I had a little follower. Even though I often led teams during competitions, for some reason, having him trail behind me felt odd.
We strolled over to the café. He went ahead and casually ordered a few things, carefully carrying them over, gently placing them on the table, and then pushing the saucer toward me with both hands before sitting down himself. He picked up his own cup and pulled it directly in front of him.
Seeing his attitude toward me, I felt a bit puzzled.
"What's this about? Just say it," I said. I didn't like beating around the bush, so I got straight to the point.
"Um, Senior, it's like this."
"You see, we're in our third year now, about to graduate soon, and we're facing internships. I was hoping to ask you, Senior, if you could help me find a decent job. Your family is well-off, and you have a wide network—the people you interact with are definitely different from the ones I know. Even though it's just an internship, I still want to find something I can stick with in the future. You know how it is for sports majors when it comes to employment..." He trailed off, his face wearing a mix of an ingratiating smile and bitterness. That combined expression reminded me of the people I'd seen before who came to my dad or Uncle Qin for favors.
"Don't you have job placements arranged for you?" To be honest, I couldn't sympathize with him. Even if I wanted to help, I couldn't just agree so easily.
"Yeah, I could try finding something on my own too. Right now, I just want to give it a shot myself," he said to me.
"Don't you have any side gigs or anything usually?" I continued probing. I was willing to help, but I needed to see if this person was worth helping. Skills aside, he couldn't be too unreliable.
"I did some group-buying stuff with classmates before. You know, the kind that was really popular a while back. But all that was done within the school—it's definitely different from how things work in the real world," he explained earnestly. Hearing him talk like that, I felt he at least had some awareness of the differences between school and society. Not bad.
"Didn't that end up falling apart? What happened?" I asked. This was actually somewhat of a sensitive topic. The reason I asked so bluntly was to figure out if he was genuinely sincere in seeking my help. He needed to be upfront with me—we weren't close, after all. Otherwise, why should I trust him?
"About that... let me tell you, senior," he glanced around, then lowered his voice. "The official announcement said it was because the partnership expired. The public story going around was poor management. But behind the scenes, it was actually that senior from the math department—the one who already graduated—and his girlfriend trying to take the lion's share. The others weren't having it."
"I see, I get it now." I knew the person he was talking about. No wonder—trying to cash in before graduation.
"So, all that was just small-time stuff. Nothing like what you're involved in, senior," he continued, buttering me up.
"Haven't you tried asking others? Like teachers in your department or something?" I asked.
"Uh—" He paused. "I have. I've asked other seniors too. But, well, you're a senior—you definitely understand the ins and outs better than I do. I know we usually just play basketball together, but how someone plays on the court really reflects their character. You know how I am on the court." He scratched his head.
Hearing him say that actually put me more at ease. First, he was being honest with me. More importantly, what he said afterward genuinely resonated with me. This guy plays basketball aggressively, charging around, but there's a cleverness to it—he passes when he should, blocks when he needs to. Not like some people who just hog the ball, especially when girls are watching, and then blame their teammates for not helping when they get blocked or lose the ball.
"Hmm..." I pondered.
"Senior, look—I'm not looking for some shady, cut-corner kind of job. I'll take it seriously. I just feel like anything you recommend is bound to be good. Your connections are way stronger than some of the teachers at our school." Seeing that I wasn't saying anything, he might have gotten nervous.
"Ah, it's nothing. I was just thinking," I said. "So, what can you actually do?"
"Me... besides teaching and sports-related stuff, I've also done project planning and things like that. I can handle paperwork too—I'm pretty good with the Office suite. Oh, and I can drive—manual or automatic. I've also worked as a fitness trainer, and..." He looked up at the ceiling, thinking.
I sighed inwardly. Everything he mentioned, any random student at N University could do. And he could find those kinds of jobs on his own. Aside from having a good physique, he didn't seem to have any standout skills.
"I know it might seem a bit abrupt to ask you out for a meal like this. Actually, I had prepared a gift for you, senior. I originally planned to give it to you during dinner tonight, but since you called me over suddenly, I didn't bring it with me. I'll give it to you next time." Seeing that I wasn't responding, he continued speaking.
Sigh... Although he's quite sincere, this is really tricky. I'll just give a vague reply and brush it off. Even though I rarely do favors for others, this... I truly can't help.
"No need for a gift. I'll keep an eye out among the people I know to see if there's anyone in need. But if nothing comes up, don't blame me. Besides, for matters like this, you should put in more effort yourself," I said.
"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right, senior. If you can help me find a suitable opportunity, I'll definitely work hard. If not, I won't hold it against you. I know my own strengths and weaknesses. If I'm not a good fit, I'll just keep striving on my own," he replied.
"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. If anything comes up, we can talk on WeChat," I said.
"Sure, senior. Thank you in advance," he said cheerfully.
I glanced at the coffee I hadn't touched yet, picked up the cup, and took a sip.
Ugh! Not enough sugar...
That evening, I waited at a corner near the school gate. Before long, a beauty in a fitted floral dress rushed toward me. I caught her in my arms—my childhood sweetheart, my beauty, Qin Jingyan.
"Did you change clothes?" I asked.
"Mhm~ I changed for our date tonight. Did you miss me?" Qin Jingyan wrapped her arms around my neck.
"Of course, I missed you so much," I said, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, which intoxicated me.
"Hmph, I bet you're just thinking of doing something naughty~" she teased.
"You're right. The big bad wolf is about to eat the little lamb," I whispered in her ear, my hand playfully tickling her waist.
"Ahaha~ that's so ticklish! Let's go, let's eat first~" She broke free from me and ran ahead.
Under the curious gazes of the waitstaff and passing customers, Jingyan and I finished our meal, being all lovey-dovey. We had originally planned to go to a nearby star-rated hotel, but Jingyan was worried about running into someone we knew. In the end, we took a taxi to a more ordinary hotel farther from the school. Under the unfamiliar and slightly surprised gaze of the front desk attendant, we entered the room.
Thud
"Mmph!"
I swiftly closed the door and inserted the key card. Before Jingyan could react, I kissed her while guiding her toward the bed.
Although Jingyan kept making soft protests, I couldn't care less. With her in my arms, no one to disturb us, and the desire I'd suppressed for so long ignited by her scent, my mind was completely consumed. With a sudden jolt of the bed, I pinned her down on it.
"Mmm~" Jingyan's soft gasp carried a hint of pain, which snapped me back to my senses a little.
I gazed at the enchanting beauty on the bed, reached out, and tugged at the hem of her dress, slowly pushing it upward until it slipped completely over her head. I then tossed it onto the sofa nearby.
"Don't... throw things around~" Jingyan's voice was soft and tinged with shyness. At that moment, she was hugging her full chest, now only covered by a pink bra, and her plump thighs, clad in safety shorts, were pressed tightly together. It was like a scene from an exquisite painting of a maiden in the throes of love.
I reached out to unbutton Jingyan's bra, but she slapped my hand away and said, "Go take a shower first."
What? We were already at this point—my hard cock pressed against Jingyan's stomach—and she was telling me to go shower? No way!
"I'll skip it. Let's do it first," I leaned down, caressing her, trying to continue.
"No~" Jingyan's voice carried a tone of refusal, and as someone familiar with her way of speaking, I could also hear the firmness in it.