Fu Cheng not only asked him out, but he chose Double Eleven, a special day, to do it. The meaning was unmistakable.
Wen Moxue’s face lit up with genuine surprise. No acting was needed. But almost immediately, like a balloon losing air, his excitement deflated.
“I probably can’t tonight. I still need to run at the track. The sports meet is in a few days. I can’t slack off.”
Originally, he had planned to finish the 3000 meters casually. But the effort he had invested made him determined to earn a ranking.
Their school was a liberal arts college, and few boys ran long distances. For the 5000 meters, just finishing guaranteed a ranking. The 3000 meters was slightly more competitive, but at his current level, Wen Moxue could probably secure a position at the very end. This might be the only athletic achievement of his life.
Fu Cheng noticed his determined expression and smirked slightly, recalling the girl who had recently been crying.
“Then I’ll wait until you finish,” he said.
“Okay, kisses for you, brother,” Wen Moxue said naturally, surprising even himself.
Terrifying. He could now casually say things only a sweet girl would. Clearly, playing a girl too often had consequences.
After ending the call, he quickly changed and headed to the track. Shuyan had a date today and would not be joining him.
At the track entrance, he ran into Meng Qingzhu.
“Wen Moxue, you not celebrating today?” Meng Qingzhu asked with a smirk.
Wen Moxue, not very familiar with him, replied coldly: “I’m single. Why would I celebrate?”
Meng Qingzhu crossed his arms and sneered: “If you don’t like him, stay away. Dangling him like that, is that fair?”
He clearly meant He Rao.
Wen Moxue laughed. This guy couldn’t get He Rao, so he was taking it out on him.
“If running at the track is dangling him, then buy the track yourself. I won’t run.”
Previously, He Rao had approached him under the guise of teaching long-distance running. After class, Wen Moxue had sensed He Rao’s feelings. He had considered keeping his distance. But now, He Rao came to the track daily. If Wen Moxue refused, He Rao would simply insist on running alongside him. How could he possibly drive him away?
Wen Moxue shrugged. “You can’t buy the track. I and Shuyan already gave you plenty of chances to be alone with the person you like. You can’t win them. And now you’re picking on me? Pathetic and useless.”
Ignoring Meng Qingzhu, whose face had turned crimson, he entered the track and started running.
After one lap, someone joined him. Unsurprisingly, it was He Rao.
“Wen Moxue, not celebrating today?” He Rao asked.
Wen Moxue frowned slightly. “Why aren’t you celebrating?”
He Rao scratched his head. “Everyone around me is taken. I’m the only single guy. No one to celebrate with.”
Wen Moxue thought about how his romantic luck seemed to brush against him and replied indifferently: “If you want, plenty of people are vying to help you find someone.”
“Then I am honored. Will you help me?”
Wen Moxue stopped running. He had thought He Rao’s confession would wait until after the sports meet, but apparently it was happening now. Perfect. He could reject him openly.
He Rao suddenly produced a bouquet of roses. “Wen Moxue, I like you. That day, watching you run under the sunset felt like stepping on starlight into my world. Since then, someone has lived in my heart. I want to be the only one in your heart. Will you go out with me?”
It was obvious he had memorized this speech. His gaze flickered, as if recalling a memory.
The track had many people. He Rao’s public confession drew attention. A few of his friends cheered him on.
Wen Moxue looked at the expectant boy and the vivid bouquet and calmly said: “I can’t help you with that, sorry.”
He Rao paused, realizing Wen Moxue was responding to his request for help, not the confession.
“Don’t worry about rejecting me. We can be friends. Just give me a chance, okay?”
“Yes, give him a chance!”
“Our He Ge is a good guy, very considerate.”
“Right, right. That just means another friend.”
His friends chimed in supportively.
Wen Moxue frowned. He disliked these public confession scenes with cheering friends. If someone didn’t respond, they acted as if everything was ruined.
“You are not my type. I know clearly who I like, so don’t waste your time on me.”
“I can change to be what you like!”
Wen Moxue shook his head. “No is no. Changing would only be imitation.”
Silence fell around them. Wen Moxue had expected it. He lost the mood to run, nodded at He Rao, and left the track. He regretted not going on a date with Fu Cheng instead.
—
The next day after class, Wen Moxue noticed some classmates giving him strange looks and whispering.
Shuyan, stiff from celebrating with his partner all night, noticed too.
Shuyan straightened up and muttered: “Oh no. Did they figure out I was busy with my boyfriend all night? So embarrassing!”
“Maybe they are looking at me?” Wen Moxue asked.
Shuyan checked and frowned. “Looks like it. Did your… secret get exposed?”
Wen Moxue turned pale. Shuyan quickly pulled out his phone. “Don’t panic. Probably not. Let me check.”
Shuyan found the link to a school forum post. After confirming it had nothing to do with Wen Moxue’s cosplay or exposure, he sent it to him.
Wen Moxue opened the post and almost laughed out loud.
Title: 818 Haishi University “Campus Belle” Cheats to Learn from Sports Star
The post detailed that the sports star confessed at the track and got rejected, but many classmates had seen them running together. The post accused Wen Moxue of “taking advantage” to learn running techniques, citing past rumors of him “white-picking” achievements from others.
Although the post did not mention names, the description clearly pointed to Wen Moxue and He Rao. Wen Moxue, already a popular figure, saw the post quickly gain attention.
Comments:
“Wow, campus belle is amazing. So witty and unafraid.”
“Who is Meng Qingzhu?”
“The guy who confessed is He Rao. Another runner is Shuyan, Wen Moxue’s friend.”
“Haha, classic case of taking advantage without real gain.”
“Two people spent over 500 yuan on meals and drinks. Long-distance tips aren’t free, so how is it cheating?”
Meanwhile, Shuyan contacted the English department alumnus. The alumnus confirmed his depression was unrelated to Wen Moxue and that personal health issues should not be discussed publicly. He shared chat records and bills showing Wen Moxue’s fairness.
Amid the chaos, Wen Moxue responded on the forum:
vhjdsh: I am Wen Moxue, clarifying the three incidents mentioned:
1. Regarding “white-picking” the sports star, I only treated him to one barbecue, 318 yuan per person. Drinks, energy drinks, and milk tea were shared, bills included. Shuyan also participated. Running tips cost nothing. We are friends exchanging favors. If the sports star disagrees, I will calculate any owed fees.
2. Regarding the English alumnus, my high school English score was 148. I only assisted as a translator for materials. Bills and chat records are attached. His health issues predated our acquaintance and are private.
3. Regarding the paper, in freshman group practice, I spent a week gathering materials. He compiled the paper in one day. Who truly benefitted here?
My demand: Delete the post, issue a public apology to me and the alumnus, keep the apology post visible for one week, or legal action will follow.