Ch -22 New City, New Beginnings ☆

The soft hum of the bus blended with Tianxin's quiet excitement as she leaned against the window, watching Aozora City grow clearer through the glass. Bright streets, fresh cafés, neon signs—everything looked like it had been made for someone chasing dreams.

"This is it," she whispered. "A new chapter."

Tianxin was finally starting her BBA, one step closer to her dream of owning a bakery. Jiasheng had enrolled in web development, though he still acted like it was just a way to avoid anything boring. And Junxi… well, he hadn't said much since Zhou Rui left. But now, they were all together again.

Because Zhou Rui had returned to Aozora for college.

She greeted them in the dorm courtyard, her guitar case on her back, calm as ever. Tianxin ran up and hugged her tightly.

"Yaay! You're back!"

Zhou Rui smiled gently. "I said I'd return."

The girls moved into Meihua Dormitory, while the boys got rooms in Yulan House—right across campus. Within a few days, things began to feel normal again. Almost.

☕ Café Corner: Trouble Brews

Tianxin had made a few new friends. One of them, a cheerful classmate who loved pastries, had taken a strong liking to her. One afternoon, he sat across from her in the college café, leaning in and saying:

"You'd be amazing with your own bakery. You have the passion and spark."

Tianxin blushed and laughed… and didn't realize someone was watching.

Jiasheng, walking by with a Rubik's Cube in hand, caught sight of them. He paused mid-turn. His eyes narrowed.

Later that evening, she saw him talking and laughing with two girls from his programming class. One of them handed him a Doraemon keychain, saying, "You looked like the type who'd like this."

Tianxin's mood instantly shifted.

🌧 Rooftop of Yulan House

That night, she climbed to the rooftop where Jiasheng was staring at the city lights.

"You're awfully friendly with Doraemon girl," she said, pretending to sound casual.

He glanced at her, amused. "You're one to talk. Bakery boy's been flirting with you since orientation."

"I'm just… polite."

"Mm-hmm. And I just accepted a keychain."

They stood in silence for a moment.

Then she blurted, "Are you jealous?"

He tilted his head. "Aren't you?"

She hesitated. "…Maybe a little."

He took a step closer, pocketing his Rubik's cube.

"I don't want anyone else getting used to your laugh except me."

Tianxin's breath hitched. She looked away, cheeks burning.

Jiasheng handed her a candy. "Don't melt before I say anything more, alright?"

And walked off.

🎓 Meanwhile…

Junxi quietly walked through the courtyard of Aozora University. Girls still whispered when he passed, calling him mysterious, cool. But his thoughts were always somewhere else.

Zhou Rui sat under a tree in the music garden, tuning her guitar. When she looked up and spotted him, she gave him a soft wave.

Junxi stopped.

He didn't wave back—but the small curve of his lips said more than words.