Still Frame Chapter 19
byChapter 19 Inorganic (3)
The gathering that Zhang Qiannan mentioned was, unsurprisingly, filled with the second generation of wealthy and aristocratic families from Yinzhou. Zhang Qiannan moved through the crowd like a fish in water, seemingly having something to talk about with everyone. Zhang Liuxin, in complete contrast, sat alone by the water bar after Zhang Qiannan brought him in, completely out of place, slowly sipping a lemon soda.
During the event, someone approached him, intending to strike up a conversation, but after seeing his face, they realized he was the Zhang family son whom everyone disliked, and they walked away dejectedly.
Of course, there was gossip. These young masters and ladies were even more talkative than he had imagined. Despite being born into wealthy families and having access to so much gossip already, they still discussed his background endlessly.
The only thing worth being thankful for was that Zhang Qiannan was busy socializing and didn’t have the time to drag him around to be ridiculed.
However, he hadn’t expected someone to walk up to him, and this person was a complete surprise.
“Young Master Zhang.” The newcomer had a pair of charming, flirtatious peach blossom eyes, holding a brightly colored cocktail, and gently tapped Zhang Liuxin’s water glass.
The moment Lu Zixia walked over, all eyes in the vicinity focused on them. Zhang Liuxin felt uneasy, especially since this Young Master Lu was like a smiling tiger, making it impossible to guess what he wanted.
“Young Master Lu, I’ve heard much about you,” Zhang Liuxin said, rubbing the side of his glass.
Lu Zixia sat down next to him, squinting slightly as he scrutinized Zhang Liuxin, his gaze lingering with a hint of frivolity. After a moment, he said, “Actually, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen you.”
Zhang Liuxin was slightly surprised, unsure what Lu Zixia was up to. He played along, asking, “Is that so? My memory isn’t great. The first time Young Master Lu and I met was at…”
The shimmering peach blossom eyes curved slightly. Lu Zixia said in a meaningful tone, “The day school started, at the South Gate. I knew you were eavesdropping, Young Master Zhang.”
How could he know? Zhang Liuxin was stunned, his mind instantly blank. He was about to lose control of his expression and quickly grabbed his glass, taking a large gulp of water.
“Don’t be nervous, I don’t mean anything by it,” Lu Zixia raised his cocktail glass and tapped Zhang Liuxin’s again, the glasses making a crisp sound. He then continued, “Actually, I was guessing. Because that day, I had a feeling someone was watching me through the glass window.”
“Judging by your expression, I guessed correctly?”
Zhang Liuxin couldn’t empathize with Lu Zixia’s mischievousness and didn’t know what he was trying to achieve, but due to the other party’s status, he could only force a smile.
“Let me think, were you already there in the hallway, eavesdropping on what your brother and I were saying?”
Lu Zixia actually pretended to ponder the matter. Zhang Liuxin felt tormented, his eyes darting elsewhere. He caught sight of Zhang Qiannan walking toward them and felt a wave of relief. He hadn’t expected that one day he would actually look forward to Zhang Qiannan approaching him.
Zhang Qiannan was dressed impeccably today, smiling warmly. He naturally walked up to Lu Zixia, draped an arm over his shoulder, and asked with a smile, “What are you two talking about?”
Lu Zixia unceremoniously brushed his hand away and said, “We were just saying how coincidental it is that both Young Masters of the Zhang family got into Interstellar University.”
Zhang Liuxin was caught off guard and met his gaze. The playful look from earlier was gone, replaced by a sincerity that made it seem as if they were deeply bonded schoolmates who had just met.
“Yes,” Zhang Liuxin replied, forcing himself to speak.
Zhang Qiannan glanced at their expressions, raised an eyebrow, and sat down next to Lu Zixia, feigning annoyance. “Zixia, you lied to me. You promised to bring Brother Wen over today to hang out. I even changed into new clothes and got my hair done specifically for it.”
Lu Zixia made a tutting sound and said, half-seriously, “You know me, I’m always breaking promises.”
Zhang Qiannan signaled the bartender to bring Lu Zixia another drink. “Then you should drink an extra glass.”
Lu Zixia accepted the glass graciously but only took a small sip. “Wen Jin is meeting with his mentor lately, he’s very busy. Did you think he’d be easy to invite out?”
“You two have a good relationship, so of course I believed you,” Zhang Qiannan pouted, a naturally arrogant air emanating from his words.
Lu Zixia smiled, offering some comfort. “Young Master Wen doesn’t give face to anyone, but you’ll have plenty of chances to meet him in the future. What’s the rush?”
Zhang Liuxin’s body stiffened. He didn’t immediately grasp Lu Zixia’s meaning.
Zhang Qiannan, however, seemed to understand something and said, “I hope so. Brother Wen is too aloof, I don’t even dare to talk to him.”
Lu Zixia just smiled without speaking. When Zhang Liuxin looked at him, he realized Lu Zixia was also looking at him, the expression in his eyes difficult to decipher. The feeling of being targeted like prey was unpleasant. Zhang Liuxin wanted to escape. He gave a polite nod. “I’m going out for some air.”
The terrace was hot. Zhang Liuxin stared blankly at the calla lilies wilting in the sun for a while. When he came back to his senses, he realized he was still thinking about what Lu Zixia and Zhang Qiannan had just said.
Am I paying too much attention… Zhang Liuxin felt frustrated with himself, only hoping that his future campus life would be more fulfilling, allowing him to forget people and matters that had nothing to do with him.
The Botany Club had approved his application, asking him to attend the first icebreaker event at the Science Academy on Wednesday.
“Xingzhou, I’m going to the club activity now. Can I go to the library after the activity?” Zhang Liuxin typed with his head bowed while on the way to the Science Academy.
Li Xingzhou quickly replied, “Sure, but I see a lot of dark clouds in the sky. It might rain later. Did you bring an umbrella?”
Seeing the message, Zhang Liuxin looked up. Sure enough, the sky had become overcast at some point, a heavy blanket of black clouds that looked ready to unleash a downpour at any second.
“I didn’t bring one.”
Li Xingzhou sent a voice message. His voice was clear and had a slight broadcasting quality. “Then if it rains later, do you want me to come pick you up?”
Zhang Liuxin was a little worried about a heavy storm, but he replied, “No need. I’ll just borrow a public umbrella from the academy building later.”
After successfully sending the last message, Zhang Liuxin raised his head, and what met his eyes was a pair of pure black pupils.
The scorching summer heat seemed to dissipate completely in this subtle connection of gazes. The sky, edged with blue, became the backdrop for the person in front of him. Zhang Liuxin’s mind buzzed, feeling a shock that came from nowhere, starting in his heart, flowing through his body, and finally settling into those dark, deep, inorganic-like eyes.
Zhang Liuxin clenched his fists, feeling vulnerable. Everything in front of him seemed to blur. He blinked many times before confirming that the person before him was indeed Wen Jin.
He opened his mouth but couldn’t make a sound. That feeling of self-frustration returned fiercely. He felt that he must look very strange right now.
“Wen…”
Before the word ‘Senior’ could leave his lips, the person in front of him withdrew his gaze, bypassed him, and turned to leave.
The unspeakable title was swallowed down. A pang of bitterness came from his heart. It wasn’t until his phone vibrated again that he snapped back to reality. His stiff fingers tapped open the group chat, finding that the President, Senior Lin Xun, was asking who hadn’t arrived yet.
He quickened his pace and replied in the group, “Already on the first floor.”
The classroom chosen by the Botany Club was in the auxiliary building of the Science Academy. When he pushed the door open, Zhang Liuxin felt nervous, ready to say, “Sorry everyone, I’m late.” But instead, he heard a cheerful female voice: “Oh, the handsome junior is here.”
Lin Xun was dressed similarly to the day of the recruitment drive, in bold and fashionable attire, like a coral peony blooming in the classroom. When she smiled, there were slight crinkles under her eyes, making her a lovable, cat-like girl.
Zhang Liuxin remembered the flyer she had slipped into his hand that day, saying playfully, “I designed this, isn’t it unique?”
“Hello, Seniors, hello everyone.”
“No need to be so formal, Zhang Liuxin. I got your name right, didn’t I?” Lin Xun pulled out a chair for him.
“Yes.”
Lin Xun said, “I knew it, I wouldn’t forget such a nice name.”
“You’re just saying that because the junior is good-looking.”
The Vice President was named A Duo. He said his real name was too ugly, so he gave himself a “stage name.” He was a cheerful, portly senior who always laughed heartily, his eyes narrowing into two slits.
Niche clubs were indeed niche, so they had only recruited seven people this time. Everyone took turns standing up to introduce themselves. When it was Zhang Liuxin’s turn, he said, “Hello everyone, my name is Zhang Liuxin, from the School of Journalism and Communication.”
Lin Xun waved her hand. “That’s too little. What are your hobbies?”
Zhang Liuxin thought for a moment and said, “I like reading books and newspapers.”
The air was silent for a moment, then everyone smiled kindly. Vice President A Duo said, “Looks like we have a top student from Journalism and Communication.”
Anyone who could get into Interstellar University was a top student, but his joke successfully broke the ice. Someone dared to ask him, “By the way, Zhang, are you mixed-race? Your eye color is very beautiful.”
Hearing this, others turned to look at him. Zhang Liuxin was unaccustomed to being the focus of so many eyes. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he whispered, “Yes, thank you.”
“It’s my first time seeing this shade of green eyes. Is it similar to olive green?” Lin Xun rubbed her chin, thinking, and finally figured it out. “It’s like the color of a Christmas Rose.”
Everyone played along and asked her, “What does a Christmas Rose look like?”
Lin Xun smiled and said, “That’s what our club is here to introduce to everyone. Don’t worry, we’ll show you later. Today, we’re mainly here to break the ice, get to know our new classmates, and make friends.”
“Knock! Knock! Knock!”
Just then, the door was knocked. Everyone looked surprised, except for Lin Xun, whose lips curved up as she said mysteriously, “I forgot to mention, I also invited a special guest senior to be our guide.”
Her smile seemed to hint at something. Zhang Liuxin unconsciously held his breath, a completely impossible figure flashing through his mind.
Until the door was pushed open and the person outside walked in. He was wearing a light-colored shirt, sleeves rolled up to reveal forearms with subtly defined veins, the lines clean and beautiful. Tucked under his arm was a thick stack of white project proposals.
The surrounding people let out small, audible gasps. Only then did Zhang Liuxin realize that the “special guest senior” Lin Xun had mentioned was, unexpectedly, Wen Jin.