Chapter Thirty-Nine: In This Day and Age, Are There Any Girls Who Chase After Someone So Desperately?

"But this kind of affection is really hard to control!"
"Who could have guessed that a freshman, barely started in college, already has a girlfriend?"
"I... sigh..."
"After finally finding someone I truly love with such devotion, I’ve lost my chance before it even began—I’m already a defeated puppy! This feeling is unbearable!"
"Ughhh…"

Back in her dorm room, Lin Wanwan could no longer suppress the heartache that came crashing through her defenses.

Ever since she learned that Xia Shu already had a girlfriend, her expression had been frozen all the way back. Her roommates sympathized, but seeing Lin Wanwan’s dramatic display, they could only find it both amusing and exasperating.

Especially Shen Jiawei, who looked at her with a teasing smile and said, "Come on, stop crying already. You’ve been single for two years in college—what’s a little more time? Actually, it’s perfectly normal. Freshmen as outstanding as Xia Shu must have a horde of admirers. If he were still single, that would be the real surprise!"

"Aww, Wanwan’s upset only because she cares so much," another roommate chimed in.

"Exactly! And let’s be honest, Wanwan, you’re not lacking in looks at all—it’s just a matter of timing. Maybe that junior only started dating recently."

"Guys like him rarely have relationships that last long as freshmen. If you really like him, you could just wait it out."

"Yeah, I think you still have a shot," the other two roommates echoed, one after the other.

Listening to their exchange, Lin Wanwan, who lay on her bed wallowing in misery, sighed even more dejectedly. "Why do I get the feeling you’re all just encouraging me to be a simp? Has anyone ever seen a girl simping for a guy nowadays? Sigh..."

"Just so you know, the term ‘simp’ is just an internet buzzword—it’s not gendered. But if you really can’t accept simping, Wanwan, then you’d better change your target fast!"

"There are so many freshmen, and plenty of attractive juniors out there. Xia Shu is great, but there are many even better ones waiting for you to discover," Shen Jiawei said, arms folded, a playful smirk on her lips.

"So now you’re telling me to cast a wide net?" Lin Wanwan raised her brows.

"Did I say that?" Shen Jiawei arched an eyebrow in return.

"Sigh, it’s not the same. I..."
"Whether I open or close my eyes, my mind is still full of Xia Shu, Xia Shu. I don’t know what kind of spell I’m under. How could I possibly just switch to another junior?"

A gloom settled over Lin Wanwan’s face.

She didn’t know what was wrong with her.

She had liked other people before, but never had she felt so completely unable to let go as she did now.

"Pfft, well, you already have the makings of a devoted girl-simp," Shen Jiawei remarked with her characteristic bluntness.

The other two roommates nodded in amused agreement. After living together for two years, it really was the first time they’d seen Lin Wanwan act like this.

It was both rare and peculiar.

"Everyone else gets lovesick in the spring, but you’re something special. If it were anyone else, I’d probably tell you to snap out of it, but since it’s Xia Shu, well—I actually think you have a shot," Shen Jiawei went on. "He really does have that kind of charm. If you manage to win him over, I’d be seriously impressed."

"But if you do take that step, don’t regret it later, and be mindful of your boundaries. Don’t do anything rash—you might not just fail with him, you could also end up making him dislike you."

She sat back down at her desk. When it came to matters of the heart, Shen Jiawei was always clear-sighted and rational.

Of course, her deep knowledge came from years of accumulation.

Right now, a copy of "How to Win Friends and Influence People" was in her hands—a book she’d been reading since freshman year and had gone through more than ten times. Its pages were almost worn through, and she’d certainly absorbed some of its essence.

To be a qualified mentor of the heart, one had to know how to see the world clearly.

"Fifteen percent of a person’s success in their career comes from professional knowledge; the other eighty-five percent comes from their ability to express ideas, lead others, and kindle enthusiasm," she quoted.

"But love is different. In love, it’s usually the most rational one who wins their share of affection."

"If you want to win, be ready to hunt."

"Right now, Xia Shu is someone else’s prey. Whether you seize him by force or wait for your chance... that’s up to you to figure out."

Lin Wanwan buried her head under her pillow, feeling feverish from Shen Jiawei’s words.

After she’d cooled down a bit, she pulled out her phone again, opened her chat with Xia Shu, and typed out a message. She hesitated for several minutes before finally pressing send. The moment she did, she shut her phone, her heart in turmoil.

Bzz bzz—

Not long after, her phone vibrated.

She hurriedly unlocked it and looked at the screen.

"Thanks for the invitation, senior. I’ll think about it," Xia Shu replied.

"Alright! [smile]"

Lin Wanwan was incredibly nervous, but when his message came through, she was inexplicably excited.

She clenched her fists. She’d given it a lot of thought lately—even if she didn’t know exactly what was going on with Xia Shu, she just liked him so much right now.

Since she couldn’t take any drastic steps, she would focus on building a rapport, at least becoming friends. In the future...

Maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance for her.