Chapter 347 - 215: Jiang Silu Cries in Front of Lu Fan for the First Time and Asks About His Progress with Her Mom

Chapter 347: Chapter 215: Jiang Silu Cries in Front of Lu Fan for the First Time and Asks About His Progress with Her Mom

Sifan nodded. "Okay, get some rest."

Wen Wan turned and started toward the girls’ dormitory. After a few steps, she glanced back at him.

Under the streetlight, her face was flushed, her eyes sparkled, and a smile played on her lips.

Sifan waved at her.

Wen Wan waved back, then turned and ran into the dormitory complex.

Sifan remained where he was, watching her figure disappear into the night. He stood there for a long moment before finally heading toward the men’s dormitory.

Back in his dorm, Gao Lao and the others were in the middle of a game. They offered a casual greeting when they saw him walk in.

Sifan mumbled a reply, climbed into his bunk, and lay down.

But once he lay down, sleep wouldn’t come.

His mind was filled with images from the day.

The memory of Wen Wan throwing herself into his arms in the haunted house—so soft, so fragrant.

Her hand gripping his tightly on the roller coaster.

The blush on her face on the Ferris wheel, her soft, pink lips.

And on the bus, the sight of her asleep on his shoulder...

Her slightly open collar, that curve just barely visible...

Sifan’s face flushed hot.

He rolled over and buried his face in his pillow.

But the images kept forcing their way into his mind.

Her hand was so soft and small; holding it felt like holding a puff of cotton.

Her scent was so pleasant—a light, delicate fragrance, like a spring breeze.

And her smile, so sweet and warm.

The more Sifan thought about it, the faster his heart pounded.

Suddenly, his mind returned to that moment on the bus.

She had been leaning on his shoulder, her collar slightly agape.

From his vantage point, he had caught that flash of skin...

Even though it was just a tiny glimpse, the image was seared into his brain, impossible to shake.

That pale skin, that delicate collarbone, the gentle swell of that curve...

Sifan felt his face grow so hot it might as well have been on fire.

He tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep.

A fire seemed to be burning inside him, leaving him parched.

He thought of Wen Wan’s innocent face, then recalled the scene he’d accidentally witnessed. A complex mix of emotions surged within him.

There was excitement, a thrill, but also an inexplicable sense of guilt.

’Am I a total pervert?’

He cursed himself internally.

But the more he berated himself, the more vivid the images became.

Finally, long after everyone else was sound asleep, he couldn’t stand it any longer. He threw off his covers and got out of bed.

He then strode quickly to the bathroom and shut the door...

...

「Meanwhile, in a girls’ dormitory at Jinling University.」

Jiang Silu was slumped over her desk, her eyes red. A small pile of used tissues lay in front of her.

Song Miaomiao came in and was startled to see her friend in such a state. She rushed over, crouching beside her. "Lulu, what’s wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Jiang Silu shook her head, not saying a word, but fresh tears began to fall.

Song Miaomiao watched her with a pained expression. "Is it about the competition?" she asked softly.

Jiang Silu nodded, her eyes welling up again.

Song Miaomiao sighed. "Don’t put so much pressure on yourself," she said, trying to console her. "You’re so talented, you’ll be fine. Didn’t you win the gold medal in the last Landscape Architecture Cup? You can definitely do it again."

Silu sniffled. "It’s different..." she answered quietly. "Last time was a team project. This time, I’m on my own. I have no idea what to design; my mind is a complete blank... The preliminary draft is due in a month, and I don’t have a single idea..."

Her voice broke as she spoke, trailing off into a sob.

Hearing this, Song Miaomiao grew anxious as well.

After a moment’s thought, she suggested, "Why don’t you... call Uncle Lu? He’s so brilliant; I’m sure he could help you think of something."

"I don’t want to bother him... He’s so busy..." Silu said, shaking her head.

Seeing her friend like this, an idea formed in Song Miaomiao’s mind.

When Silu went to the bathroom to wash her face, Miaomiao secretly pulled out her phone, found Lu Fan’s number, and sent him a text.

Song Miaomiao: Uncle Lu, Silu is under a lot of stress because of the competition. She’s been hiding in her room crying. If you’re free, could you maybe come and see her?

After sending the text, she put her phone away and pretended as if nothing had happened.

A short while later, Silu’s phone rang.

She picked it up. It was a message from Lu Fan.

Lu Fan: Silu, I’m at your university’s entrance. Are you free?

Jiang Silu froze, surprised.

She walked to the window and looked out. Sure enough, a black car was parked by the entrance, waiting quietly under a streetlight.

After a moment’s hesitation, she tidied herself up a bit and went downstairs.

As she approached the car, Lu Fan stepped out, a warm smile on his face as he looked at her.

Jiang Silu asked, a bit shyly, "Uncle Lu... what are you doing here?"

Lu Fan chuckled. "I was just passing by and thought I’d take you out to eat. Hop in."

After a brief hesitation, Silu got into the car.

The car pulled away from the curb smoothly, heading toward the city center.

The night scenery outside was beautiful, a blur of flashing neon lights, but Silu was in no mood to appreciate it.

Lu Fan glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "How have you been?" he asked tentatively. "How is the preparation for your competition coming along?"

Silu kept her head down. "It’s... it’s going okay, I guess," she said, her voice betraying her unease.

Lu Fan just smiled and didn’t press the issue.

Before long, the car pulled up in front of an upscale restaurant.

The two of them got out.

Lu Fan requested a private room and ordered several dishes, all of them Silu’s favorites.

While they were waiting for the food, he looked at Silu and said gently, "Silu, if something’s wrong, you can tell me. Don’t keep it all bottled up inside."

Hearing this, Silu’s eyes began to redden again.

She bit her lip, saying nothing.

Lu Fan didn’t press her. He simply waited, pouring her a cup of hot water.