The girls swooned, and the boys stared as they passed by him, Ying Sheng blinking her eyes a few times.

She’s curious as to why Han Zigao is popular. Maybe it was because of his name?

Han Zigao, in Chinese history, is formerly known as Han Menzi, a Chinese general who’s known for his beauty and for being the favorite lover of Emperor Wen of Chen.

With the campus’s Han Zigao, Liam’s cousin, Ying Sheng, could see that his looks indeed match the historic name.

He is the school’s famous martial artist athlete–at par with his pulchritude. With his silence and aloof personality, they know Han Zigao to be mysterious and uptight.

With him communicating with a new student in school, the news quickly traveled in the university that Han Zigao may be interested in seeing someone.

Little did they know, however, that he was only doing his cousin Liam a favor of watching out for her. Dating is out of his vocabulary until someone had swept him off his feet.

Ying Sheng shuddered. Even in classes, she heard how people talked about her when it was even the first day of classes.

Well, just like the saying goes: there are eyes and ears on the walls and the floor.

Ying Sheng put her bag over her shoulder as she walked over to Han Zigao, feeling awkward with the stares around her.

”Why are you so popular, Han Zigao?”

Liam’s cousin laughed as he shook his head, comfortable talking to Ying Sheng even though they just talked for the first time today.

”I didn’t ask for this. Anyway, I called my cousin earlier, and he said he’s already outside, waiting for us,” Han Zigao said, Ying Sheng, smiling at him as the thought of Liam waiting outside ran in her thoughts.

’He waited for me,’ she thought, ‘How is that man so patient?’

Han Zigao and Ying Sheng started walking out of the university building, going towards the university gate where Liam is waiting for them.

”So, what else did Liam say?”

Ying Sheng wondered what Liam could have possibly said to his cousin, Han Zigao. Han Zigao just had his eyes at his front, answering Ying Sheng’s question as he spoke.

”Well, he said we’ll be having a snack before you to go to your errands,” he said, turning his head to face her as they walked. “If you don’t mind me asking, are you Liam’s girlfriend?”

”O-oh!”

Hearing this from Han Zigao, who is Liam’s relative, Ying Sheng felt embarrassed. She didn’t know how to answer that question because Liam is still in the process of winning her heart.

She had to admit to herself, however, that she is slowly opening up her heart to the man.

Ying Sheng smiled, “We’re getting there,” she answered, feeling that this is the safest thing to say to his cousin.

Hearing this, Han Zigao grinned.

”I’m glad,” he commented, completely piquing the curiosity of Ying Sheng.

”Oh? Why so?”

”Well, my cousin is socially awkward, and sometimes he found the difficulty to express himself, you know?”

Ying Sheng laughed. She found herself nodding to what he said, agreeing to the part when he said that Liam is socially awkward.

”I had to admit that you’re right,” she replied, “Liam’s awkward, but he is sweet in his ways,” she added, Han Zigao nodding in agreement.

”Yeah. My cousin’s smart and kind. I’m glad that he found someone whom he seems capable of letting him out of his shell.”

At the same moment, the two had already arrived at the university gate. Liam’s figure leaning on his car appeared, the two already smiling at him to greet Liam hello.

Liam smiled and waved at them. Ying Sheng then quickly walked towards him and gave him a swift kiss on the cheek, surprising Liam. He awkwardly smiled as he saw Han Zigao’s teasing smile.

”Your girl was about to get bullied, but it seems that she could settle it on her own before I even pried in the scene,” he said, Liam, arching a brow at Ying Sheng.

”It’s the first day, and you already got yourself into trouble?”

”Heeey…” Ying Sheng pouted, “I said sorry, and it was not my fault. I bumped into her, and I picked up her books, but she was so snobby.”

When she explained to Liam, Ying Sheng felt wronged. With her cute, childish reaction, Liam chuckled as he pinched her cheeks, Ying Sheng, narrowing her eyes at him.

”Watch where you’re going next time, alright?”

”En…”

Han Zigao slightly chuckled at the side as he watched them interact with each other. He felt genuinely happy for his cousin Liam to have finally met a girl who makes him express himself more.

The three had already entered the car, going towards a café which is popular in the area. According to Liam’s search, it said that their snacks are affordable and at the same time delicious, making it worth it to visit.

As the three were conversing, they silenced when they heard the ring of Ying Sheng’s phone. The moment she got it from her pocket, her eyebrows slightly furrowed to see an unexpected caller.

It was Yan Mei.

She answered the call then she put her phone against her ear.

”Yes?”

”Ms. Ying Sheng, hello. How are you?”

Ying Sheng smiled as she heard the calming and welcoming voice on the other side of the call.

”I’m fine, Mrs. Lei,” she said, “Do you have any concerns?”

Ying Sheng wanted to get to the point, as she knows that Yan Mei wouldn’t call without any reason.

”I called for the upcoming launch, Ms. Ying Sheng. You see, knowing that you are part of the runway, I am here to remind you that the launch will be coming soon and that you won’t forget?”

Hearing this, Ying Sheng nervously giggled, “I see. Of course, Mrs. Lei, I won’t forget,” she said, but she couldn’t mask her nervousness. “You think… that I could do it? What if I mess up?”

Ying Sheng heard a light giggle on the other end of the call.

”You won’t, Ms. Ying Sheng. I chose you because I believe that you could do it.”

With her encouraging words, Ying Sheng couldn’t help but smile. She nodded, even though Yan Mei couldn’t see, but there was happiness etched in her voice as she replied to her.

”Alright. Then I won’t let you down, Mrs. Lei.”

”I know you wouldn’t, Ms. Ying Sheng. See you at the launch!”