“Uh… yeah. That’s… my type.”

“I see!”

With Zhong Li now finding it awkward to continue the conversation, he know scratched the back of his head, Shu Xian now commenting about his preference.

“It’s like we have the same type! The difference is that I told you an age difference and then a comment about his looks,” she said, Zhong Li, nodding at her statement.

“Yeah,” he said rather quickly, already embarrassed but in the eyes of Shu Xian, she is obviously oblivious to his reaction. “That’s my type.”

Zhong Li then wondered why it was so quick for them to have this kind of topic when they have only became friends so recently.

With him about to change the topic, both of them diverted their attention on the opening student lounge door, the figure of Zhang Ren already coming into place.

The guy crossed his arms in front of his chest. With him arching a brow at them as if they were their older brother who is about to scold them, his voice came out rather snappy, this already noticed by Shu Xian.

“Your break is almost over and you’re still here?”

Shu Xian looked at the time flashed on her phone. With her shrugging as she noticed that there were only a few minutes left, she stood up, still following him since indeed in the workplace, he is her senior.

“I only have 2-3 minutes left, but alright. You can have your break now since you’re here.”

With Shu Xian already walking out, she then did a last minute look on Zhong Li, waving her hand as she bid her farewell.

“Bye, Zhong Li! Thanks for the food! See ya tomorrow!”

With her not even bothering to hear his reply, she now left the room completely, closing the door behind her as the two men were already alone in the room.

With his arms still crossed in front of his chest and with Zhong Li still sitting down on the chair, Zhang Ren looked down on him, furrowing his brows together as he talked to him.

“Are you really interested in Shu Xian?”

Zhang Ren went directly to the point. With his question direct, then Zhong Li thought that his answer should be direct as well.

“Yes,” he said immediately, not hesitating to answer. “I am interested in Shu Xian.”

Both of them looked at each other straight in the eye. With it quiet for a full three seconds, that’s when Zhang Ren let out a sigh, already shaking his head as if he was in disapproval of his answer.

Because of this, it actually pissed Zhong Li off a little. As he arched a brow at Zhang Ren, he then crossed his arms in front of his chest as well and wondered why he was acting that way.

“And what could be your problem? Do you think that I am not qualified for Shu Xian because she’s your friend?”

“No,” Zhang Ren answered, now sitting down on the chair where Shu Xian sat a while ago. “You could actually be a good boyfriend for Shu Xian. There is no problem.”

“Huh…”

Zhong Li let out a scoff, rolling his eyes at him in disbelief at the same time with what he had heard from him.

“Then, if that’s the case, why do you look like that you’re against it?”

Zhong Li is actually happy to know that he could somewhat get the approval of Shu Xian’s friend. However, he could not remove the fact that he’s annoyed at his reaction—seemingly both of them not possible to be together.

“You don’t get it,” Zhang Ren started, further surprising Zhong Li with what he heard next. “You may not realize it because Shu Xian is not open about it, but she’s already in a relationship with someone else.”

‘What?’ Zhong Li immediately thought, as if a ringing heard in his head. ‘Shu Xian… is in a relationship with someone already?’

Zhong Li slumped on his seat. With him already relaxing as if he didn’t know whether to back down or what, he looked at Zhang Ren, further looking for some explanation since he still couldn’t accept it yet.

“What do you mean… Shu Xian is in a relationship? Is it true?”

“It is,” Zhang Ren answered, giving him an apologetic smile. “You know me… I wouldn’t lie to you about this.”

“Then…” Zhong Li furrowed his brows, not liking what he has heard as he further confirmed it from him. “Who is the man and since when?”

“Just recently,” he replied, “just… I can’t tell you who—it’s classified and I respect their privacy.”

Zhong Li knew that Zhang Ren is no liar. They have known each other since they started working in the library! With this told by him now and with him closer to Shu Xian that he is, he knew that he would have to believe his statements.

“I’m telling you this now—” Zhang Ren spoke again, getting his attention. “—because I’m also concerned about you as a friend and I wouldn’t want you to get your hopes up,” he added, Zhong Li’s hands on the chair’s arm rest balling into tight fists.

“This… I…”

Anyone could see the disbelief and at the same time, disappointment on Zhong Li’s face. With Zhang Ren reaching out to him as he tapped his shoulder, he spoke to him in the best way he thought was good.

“I’m sorry,” he apologized, genuinely sad for him since it’s his first time liking someone. “I don’t want to make you feel disappointed, but I have to tell you what I know since both of you are my friends. I hope you don’t see me as a mean person.”

With Zhang Ren not saying another word as he wasn’t sure on how to continue the conversation, he just stood up then left Zhong Li alone.

Zhong Li was still in utter shock! With him starting to fall for a girl for the first time, he wondered if he should continue pursuing her…

or stop feeling disappointed that he lost her without him even trying—that someone had already taken her once he had decided to do his best.