NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5:
Chapter 5:
(At the Library Entrance)
As one of the top universities, Jiang City University had its fair share of early-rising students heading to the library.
The library, situated at the center of the campus, was a place people often passed on their way to classes.
It was one of the most crowded spots, bustling with students.
Many paused to glance at the well-dressed young man in a white, stylish casual suit, standing at the entrance with a rose in his mouth.
His presence drew even more attention than when he drove his sports car.
“Wow, who is that handsome guy?”
“Don’t you know? That’s Lin Liang, the young master of the Lin family!”
“He’s so handsome… I wonder who he’s waiting for?”
“It’s definitely Li Ruo! Everyone knows Lin Liang likes her and has been pursuing her.”
“Li Ruo, huh… that makes sense.”
“But I heard she rejected his confession yesterday…”
“To be honest, the campus belle Li Ruo never seemed interested in him.”
Listening to the surrounding chatter, Lin Liang smiled.
Perfect, everything was going according to plan.
The only thing out of place was the feeling he had, as though someone were secretly watching him.
It wasn’t the usual glances from passersby; it felt like someone was observing from a hidden spot.
He looked around but saw no one suspicious.
Lin Liang shook his head.
Maybe he was just overthinking it.
On the library’s second floor, a beautiful woman dressed in an office suit lowered her binoculars.
For a brief moment, she’d felt as if she’d almost been noticed!
A few more minutes passed.
Around nine o’clock, Li Ruo appeared!
As always, she wore a cool expression, but today, the frostiness on her face seemed even more intense.
She walked straight toward the library entrance, noticing the crowd gathered there.
Li Ruo quickly sensed what was going on.
Following their gazes, she saw…
Lin Liang, standing at the entrance with a rose between his teeth.
“Lin Liang…”
Li Ruo almost lost control of her expression.
Though usually cold, she was always polite and wouldn’t openly display her anger—unless she truly couldn’t hold it back.
She slightly furrowed her delicate eyebrows, but they soon relaxed.
Lin Liang noticed her reaction and found it perfectly fitting.
After all, a heroine was supposed to hate him!
Everything was proceeding smoothly.
With that thought, Lin Liang flashed a smile at Li Ruo.
“Hello, Li Ruo.”
Recalling the original Lin Liang’s cocky and childish personality, he exaggeratedly slicked back his hair.
“Even though you turned me down yesterday…”
“I believe you just don’t understand me yet!”
He gazed at Li Ruo, his eyes filled with feigned devotion.
“I know my reputation isn’t great!”
“People say I’m lazy, that I’m a spoiled rich kid with nothing to offer but money…”
“Oh, and they call me a playboy too.”
As he spoke, he held the rose out to her.
“But, for you, I’m willing to change.”
“So, Ruo… would you give me a chance?”
Li Ruo looked at him, suppressing a sneer.
If she hadn’t seen that video yesterday, she might have been fooled by the young master of the Lin family standing before her.
Honestly, this kind of line would normally have quite an effect on her.
She was reserved, not heartless.
If Lin Liang had genuinely meant these words, she wouldn’t agree, but she’d definitely think better of him.
But now…
She knew that every word from Lin Liang was an act!
Looking at him, so “sincere” and “deeply affectionate,” showing hardly a crack in his performance, Li Ruo was tempted to call him a fraud.
But just as she was about to speak, she paused.
If she called him a fraud, wouldn’t that fit the so-called “plot” perfectly?
This guy would probably just be delighted by her reaction.
So, she quickly adjusted her expression, biting her lip ever so slightly to make herself seem bashful.
“It’s not that I don’t understand you.”
“I was just… a little shy yesterday. It was all so sudden.”
She looked at Lin Liang, speaking softly.
“Maybe… we could start as friends?”
Lin Liang was stunned.
Wait, wasn’t Li Ruo supposed to harshly reject him?
This wasn’t right!
Wait a minute… start as friends?
“This must be a gentle rejection.” He reassured himself internally.
“She probably doesn’t want the young master of the Lin family to lose hope and then fly into a rage!”
He took a moment to comfort himself. After all, Li Ruo’s initial reaction to him had been one of clear displeasure. That couldn’t have been fake!
But something about her response felt odd.
She’d spoken so gently, even hinting at something more.
If the original Lin Liang had been here, he might not have been upset by this response.
As a professional simp, he’d likely leave quite happily, satisfied with her answer.
But without a major confrontation, there was no way for Long Haotian to step in and escalate the conflict.
How would the plot progress?
Could it be that the young master Lin was even more brainless than he’d thought?
Taking a deep breath, Lin Liang decided to push the scene forward.
“No choice, let’s just go for it!”
He stepped forward, letting a look of joy fill his face.
“Wonderful, Ruo, I knew you had feelings for me!”
And with that, Lin Liang naturally took her hand!