“You don’t get it. You may not realize it because Shu Xian is not open about it, but she’s already in a relationship with someone else.”

“I can’t tell you who it is—it’s classified and I respect their privacy.”

“I’m telling you now because I’m also concerned about you as a friend and I wouldn’t want you to get your hopes up.”

“I’m sorry. 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.”

Zhang Ren’s words kept repeating in Zhong Li’s mind. With him still discombobulated and dumbfounded with what he learned—Shu Xian, the first girl he started falling for now being in a relationship, he found himself at a loss for words. 

He was planning to woo her! He was planning to get her attention and he was planning to get to know her more since he would really want to be in a relationship with such a great girl like her!

As he was shaking his head in disappointment and disbelief, he slumped on his chair, letting out a sigh as he raked his hand through his hair. 

He never expected falling in love in the first place. With him now finding interest in Shu Xian, he found his heart aching already and he started disliking himself because he didn’t want to feel this way. 

Heck, who would want a heartbreak?

He had to admit that it had hurt his pride, though. He never thought of love once in his life. He never thought of falling in love with someone else. 

Now that he has started getting interested in someone else… this is already a point in his life that his first love is stolen away from him?

Is this normal?

Zhong Li furrowed his brows. With him feeling stupid that he had even surfed the net for some answers, with him feeling stupid that he felt this way, with his pride hurt that he wasn’t even able to fight for her, to extend his efforts into getting her…

He felt like he never wanted to fall in love again at all!

However, how is it possible that he didn’t want to give up at the same time? He knows that Zhang Ren is not lying to him about Shu Xian being in a relationship. Zhang Ren is never a liar. Heck, even if he tried, he would soon give up because he hates being dishonest!

With him still in disbelief as if he wanted to look for more evidences about Zhang Ren’s shared information, his hand balled into a tight fist, thinking of talking to Shu Xian about this. 

Though, he is honestly shy about initiating the conversation—considering that they just started getting close recently. With him already thinking that he would like to spy on Shu Xian to confirm on this, his heart raced, thinking if it’s the right thing to do. 

Obviously, it’s not the right thing to do—Zhong Li knew that pretty well. However, he knew that he will not relax once he knows the real person whom Shu Xian’s dating right now. 

It may be a secret, yes… but he couldn’t help but be curious!

When she was describing the type of man that she preferred. Did Shu Xian describe the man that she was currently dating now?

Is he the type of man who is sweet and gentle—the type of man who has a sense of humor? Is he also the type of man who’s handsome and also older than her?

Now that he thought about it, he couldn’t help but be more curious about the man Shu Xian’s currently dating! 

With him now curious than he was just a moment ago, he thought if he should stay behind after his classes and then follow her just so he could see the person who stole Shu Xian away from him. 

***

Thirty minutes had passed and Zhang Ren is already finished with his break with Shi Lian. 

“Shu Xian?”

As Wang Fang called Shu Xian who was busy working at their workstation. With her standing up as she smiled at their Chief Librarian, Wang Fang gestured for her to enter her office, Shu Xian now curious as to why she is called. 

Shu Xian wanted to ask, but with her feeling nervous all of a sudden, she entered the room with no questions asked. 

Wang Fang had not been in work for a whole week. With her being called in her office, did she possibly do a wrong thing in one of their tasks and it was only noticed now?

With Wang Fang gesturing for Shu Xian to take a sit, the young lady fidgeted on her seat. The Chief Librarian let out a soft chuckle, actually noticing the uneasiness in Shu Xian’s demeanor. 

“You don’t have to worry, Shu Xian,” Wang Fang said, already getting a small box of cake from her table and then handing it over to her. “I only want to give you this!”

Shu Xian blinked her eyes a few times. With her curious as to why she was getting something from their Chief Librarian, she was hesitant, but still got the box from her carefully. 

Wang Fang then gestured for her to open the small box and Shu Xian did so. As the ribbons come undone, she widened her eyes the moment she lifted the cover and saw a small, chocolate moist cake. 

“This…”

Wang Fang sat in front of Shu Xian. With her reaching out to her as she put her hand on her shoulder, Shu Xian felt warm in her heart with what she heard next. 

“I heard that it was recently your birthday, Shu Xian. This is my present for you. It may not be much… but I hope that you’d like this.”

Even though her birthday had long been over, Shu Xian felt tears pooling in her eyes. With her overcome with joy, she put the cake down on the coffee table before them and then gave Wang Fang a hug, the Chief Librarian not expecting her show of affection. 

“You already gave me a place to stay… and you say that the cake is not much? Oh, Miss Wang Fang… you’re indeed too kind! Thank you so much!”