Chapter 2: Secret Crush

The sun shone brilliantly on the schoolyard, much like the radiant seniors in their uniforms, their youth sparkling with life and vitality.

The photo sessions were held in the same place, so each class had to wait its turn. When Class Five stepped out, they happened to cross paths with Class Four.

Lin Jie's gaze would unconsciously drift toward Su Jiamu. Normally, he was a man who could keep his emotions in check, warm and friendly with everyone. His peers always spoke highly of him without hesitation.

But when it came to Su Jiamu, he found himself powerless to control his feelings.

Lin Jie had a habit of scanning his surroundings, looking for her figure. Only after seeing her would he feel a sense of calm. Yet, he dared not meet her eyes, and when their gazes occasionally crossed, he pretended it was merely accidental.

Su Jiamu was well-known at school, not only for her beauty and sweet voice but also for her outgoing and generous nature. She had many friends, even from other classes. As they passed Class Four, she paused to smile and chat with a few of them.

Lin Jie quickly looked away, his expression calm as he directed his thoughts elsewhere, already contemplating how he would speak to her later that evening.

Just the thought made his heart race wildly, whether from excitement or anxiety, or perhaps both.

To the outside world, Lin Jie appeared unflappable, someone reliable and composed, with striking looks and a well-built frame. He could easily shine in class activities, yet always preferred to remain in the background, letting others take the spotlight.

Few knew, however, that when it came to Su Jiamu, he was nothing more than a coward.

He had been harboring a secret crush on her.

Like many high school crushes, Lin Jie had buried his feelings deep within him, keeping them hidden for three whole years.

There was no grand notion of regret for not confessing before graduation—it was simply the last dance of courage he forced upon himself.

In truth, there isn't a single senior with a secret crush who doesn't want to confess. But whether it's fear, doubt, or the worry of ruining even a friendship, countless invisible chains hold them back, locking them in place for years.

Sometimes, when Lin Jie would confide in Zhao Yan about his feelings, Zhao Yan would roll his eyes and scoff in disbelief. "You? With your looks and talent, why would you ever need to settle for a secret crush?"

But he was crushing, nonetheless.

Whenever he saw Su Jiamu speaking to other boys, it would drive him mad with unease, leaving him on edge for the rest of the day. He wouldn't dare ask her directly, instead fishing for information in subtle ways, only relaxing when he learned the truth.

When he passed her in the hallway, he would act as if it didn't affect him at all. On the rare occasion when Su Jiamu greeted him, he would still feign indifference, even though inside he felt nothing but joy.

Whenever she asked him for a favor, he would pretend to be mildly annoyed, yet he would always fulfill her requests with utmost care and diligence.

He didn't dare meet her gaze for long, didn't dare discuss matters of the heart with her. He feared hearing that she liked someone else. He didn't have the courage to openly confess his feelings.

So, how could this not be the secret crush of a coward?

"Jie, what are you daydreaming about? Hurry up, we're taking the photo!" Zhao Yan's voice pulled Lin Jie from his thoughts. He snapped back to reality, walked to his designated spot, and gazed at the familiar campus, the photographer directing everyone's positions. His eyes inevitably settled on Su Jiamu, standing at the front.

In the sunlight, her silhouette was so beautiful—like a fragile bubble, glistening yet fleeting.

With the words "three, two, one—cheese!" the photo was taken, and in the future, memories of Class Five's final year would likely only be revisited through these captured moments.

As the students made their way back to the classroom, Lin Jie slipped away from Zhao Yan, hurrying through the crowd to catch up with Su Jiamu. His gaze burned slightly as he asked, "Jiamu, are you free this evening?"

Su Jiamu looked at him curiously, then shook her head. "I don't have anything planned. Why?"

"There's something I'd like to talk to you about. Do you have time later?" For perhaps the first time, Lin Jie felt his emotions slipping from his grasp. He smiled and asked, "When are you free tonight?"

"I'm not sure yet, but I'll definitely be free later. I'll send you a message when I get home."

"Alright."

Their conversation ended there, but Lin Jie's heart soared. The two of them lived near each other, so he wasn't too worried about it being too late to meet.

"Whoa, Jie, is that it?" Zhao Yan teased as he jogged over, laughing.

"What nonsense are you spouting? It's none of your business, anyway. I'm going tonight." Lin Jie grinned, trying to choose his words carefully but ultimately just smiling.

"Tsk tsk, you seem confident. How about after the exam, we get Jia Le out for a drink?" Zhao Yan suggested.

"Sounds good."

"Then it's settled," Zhao Yan said, clapping his hands.

Back in the classroom, Lin Jie sat staring at his exam paper, only half-focused. He absentmindedly doodled in his notebook, thinking about what he might need to buy for the evening.

As the end of the school day approached, Lin Jie was still undecided, when Zhao Yan came over, grinning, with a large bag in hand.

"What's that?" Lin Jie asked, puzzled.

Zhao Yan glanced around to make sure no one was eavesdropping, then leaned in and said, "Jie, this is from Jia Le. He said you're a rookie and definitely wouldn't have prepared anything."

Lin Jie took the bag, laughing. "You told him?"

"Of course," Zhao Yan replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "We're all brothers—how could I not tell him? Besides, even though Jia Le doesn't want you with Su Jiamu, he's still got your back."

After a quick scan of the room, Zhao Yan leaned in again, whispering, "Someone will deliver flowers later. You'll get them at the entrance to your complex."

"Tell Jia Le I said thanks."

Lin Jie's heart felt warm as he hugged the bag, looking at Zhao Yan. The confidence his friends gave him grew stronger by the minute. He whispered, "Wait for my good news."

"Definitely," Zhao Yan said with a thumbs-up, grinning widely.