ACMS 70

Extra: If They Had Met in College 4

The others didn’t know how close Shen Hechuan and Qiao Le were. Seeing Pei Wenjing teasing him, they joined in, joking that back on welcome day they’d told Shen Hechuan to stay longer to meet Qiao Le, but he didn’t budge.

Back then, Qiao Le and Shen Hechuan hadn’t even met yet. It was normal for him not to stick around.

But now that the two were officially dating, hearing everyone joke about Shen Hechuan’s cold attitude made it feel deliciously ironic.

Still, no one crossed the line—they all knew when to stop.

That day was mostly for orientation. Once everyone had arrived, they held a short meeting where the newcomers introduced themselves.

After the meeting, they went out to eat together at a nearby restaurant.

When dinner ended, no one wanted to leave yet. Pei Wenjing suggested, “Wanna go sing karaoke? Anyone free?”

Apart from a few who had other plans, most were up for it.

So Pei Wenjing called a friend and had them book a private room. Everyone quickly paid and headed out to the next spot.

At the restaurant entrance, they paired off into car groups. Chen Hao called out to Qiao Le to ride with him.

Just as Qiao Le took a step forward, Shen Hechuan suddenly said, “There’s space in my car. You two come with me.”

Qiao Le paused mid-step. Chen Hao scampered over, slung an arm around Qiao Le’s shoulders, and said to Shen Hechuan, “Thanks, Senior! We won’t be shy, then.”

Shen Hechuan’s gaze swept over Chen Hao’s hand on Qiao Le’s neck, then calmly looked away. “You’re welcome.”

Besides the two of them, a senior girl also joined the ride. Following the ‘ladies first’ rule, she took the front seat, while Qiao Le and Chen Hao sat in the back.

Shen Hechuan started the car and casually turned on the music—an anime song began to play.

“Oh!” Chen Hao nudged Qiao Le. “It’s your favorite song. Didn’t expect you and Senior to have such similar tastes!”

Qiao Le: “…”

Well, to be fair, he’d driven Shen Hechuan’s car all weekend. He was the one who picked the playlist.

“Really?” Shen Hechuan asked with mock surprise. “Qiao Le likes this song too?”

Qiao Le looked up. His eyes happened to meet Shen Hechuan’s through the rearview mirror.

“Yeah. What a coincidence,” Qiao Le replied.

“Mm. What a coincidence,” Shen Hechuan echoed.

The air suddenly felt subtly romantic. Qiao Le couldn’t help lowering his gaze and smiling.

Chen Hao, oblivious to the pink-flavored tension, said excitedly, “Lele sings really well! He should sing a couple of songs later!”

The senior girl was intrigued. “What kind of songs do you like to sing? I prefer oldies—Cantonese ones.”

“I’m good with anything. My taste is all over the place,” said Qiao Le.

“I mostly listen to rock,” Chen Hao added. “What about you, Senior? Besides anime songs?”

“I listen to a bit of everything,” Shen Hechuan replied.

“You and Lele are so in sync,” Chen Hao said. “Even your music tastes match. You two should do a duet later!”

“Great idea,” the senior girl chimed in. “I’ve never heard Hechuan sing before.”

“What song will you two sing?” Chen Hao asked, pulling out his phone to browse the playlist.

“…We haven’t agreed yet,” Qiao Le said.

“No problem. Just agree now,” Chen Hao shrugged. “Right, Senior?”

Qiao Le had never heard Shen Hechuan sing either, so he was curious. He leaned forward and asked, “Senior, shall we sing together?”

Sensing his eagerness, Shen Hechuan didn’t spoil the mood. “Sure.”

At the KTV, when the others heard that Shen Hechuan was going to sing, the whole room erupted.

“No way—you’re singing because of Qiao Le? That’s so unfair!” Pei Wenjing teased knowingly.

Judy smacked him. “Can you shut up? This is a newbie benefit! What’s your problem?”

Pei Wenjing yelped and rubbed his shoulder where she punched him, finally quieting down.

Someone asked what song they’d sing. Before they could answer, others shouted suggestions:

“Do The Love of the Boatman’s Wife!”

“If not that, A Thousand Years Waiting for You works too!”

“Marry Me Today!”

“Liang Shanbo and Juliet!”

Nobody knew about their relationship—they were just joking around. Someone beat them to it and queued up Marry Me Today. The prelude began to play.

Amid all the cheering, Shen Hechuan and Qiao Le exchanged a glance. Since they were already here… might as well sing.

Qiao Le began:
“Spring’s blooming flowers take away winter’s sorrow,
The breeze carries a romantic air,
Every love song suddenly gains meaning,
And in this moment, I suddenly see you—”

Everyone: “Woooow—!”

Shen Hechuan naturally picked up the next line:
“Spring’s blooming scents chase away winter’s chill,
The breeze brings an unexpected love,
Birdsong draws us closer,
And right in this moment—”

He paused ever so slightly, turned to Qiao Le, and with their eyes locked, finished:
“I fall in love with you.”

“Listen to me, hand in hand, let’s walk together—”

As the chorus hit, the whole room clapped along. Some even joined in singing.

When the song ended, everyone demanded another round.

“Let Qiao Le sing another!”
“Yeah, he sounds so good—it’d be a waste not to hear more!”

Surrounded by enthusiastic peers, Qiao Le handled it with ease. Shen Hechuan, seeing how well he managed the crowd, didn’t interfere and found a seat on the couch.

No sooner had he sat down than Pei Wenjing came over and said slyly, “Real couples are just fun to watch.”

Shen Hechuan raised an eyebrow. “How much do you know?”

“Oh please,” Pei Wenjing grinned. “You should ask what I don’t know. Wanna keep me quiet? Hush money’s cheap.”

Shen Hechuan chuckled and clinked glasses with him. After a sip of his drink, he said, “Don’t go spreading rumors.”

“I get it,” Pei Wenjing said knowingly.

Qiao Le had just joined the student council. If others found out about their relationship, there’d definitely be gossip.

“So,” Pei Wenjing leaned in, “how did you two meet? Why didn’t anyone hear a thing? Who chased who?”

Who chased who?

Shen Hechuan thought back to the day they met.

That shuttlecock landing at his feet, and Qiao Le’s racket left at his place.

His gaze drifted across the room to where Qiao Le was singing. He didn’t answer.

—

After the event, everyone went their separate ways. Since Shen Hechuan had been drinking, he didn’t drive. He handed his keys to Qiao Le.

Once they got in the car, Qiao Le turned on the music, then paused and picked a new song.

As the familiar prelude began, Shen Hechuan glanced at him. Qiao Le, steering the wheel, hummed along:
“Spring’s blooming flowers take away winter’s sorrow,
The breeze carries a romantic air…”

Shen Hechuan leaned back in his seat, the smile on his lips refusing to fade.

When they arrived at the Linjiang Villa, Shen Hechuan said, “It’s late—why not stay the night?”

“That’s not really appropriate…” Qiao Le said playfully. “We’re not married yet.”

Shen Hechuan undid his seatbelt and leaned in. “You’re not of legal age yet. But if you want, we can get a head start on—”

Qiao Le covered his mouth, laughing helplessly. “I’m only eighteen!!”

“Mmph mmph—”

“What are you saying?”

Shen Hechuan pulled down his hand. “Then I’ll wait until you graduate.”

“Graduate?” Qiao Le said. “I just started! What if I go to grad school?”

After a pause, Shen Hechuan replied, “Then we’ll register next year when you hit legal age.”

“I haven’t agreed yet! We just met!”

“Then I’ll just work harder.”

Qiao Le laughed, then returned to the topic. “I can’t stay tonight. I have to take Xiao Man to kindergarten tomorrow.”

Shen Hechuan didn’t push. “Then drive safe.”

“Okay.”

They leaned in for a soft kiss. Shen Hechuan got out and told him to text when he got home. Qiao Le agreed and drove off.

—

Back home, his parents and brother were already asleep. He tiptoed in and messaged Shen Hechuan.

A video call came in. It was late, so they only chatted a bit before hanging up.

The next morning, after his parents left early, Qiao Le took Qiao Man to kindergarten.

Qiao Man saw the parked car and gasped, “Whoa! Such a big car—so cool!”

Qiao Le plopped a little yellow duck cap on his head. “Cool, huh? Hop in—I’m driving a tank to take you to school today.”

“Really?!” Qiao Man pushed up the brim blocking his eyes, eyes shining. “That’s awesome!”

Qiao Le laughed and helped him in. The little guy looked around with excitement, just like Qiao Le had the first time.

After dropping him off, Qiao Le picked up breakfast for two and drove to Shen Hechuan’s house.

When he arrived, Shen Hechuan was already working in the study.

Qiao Le unpacked breakfast and knocked on the door. “Want to eat something first?”

Shen Hechuan stood up. “What did you get?”

“Some buns and dumplings, soy milk, fried dough sticks—picked up a bit of everything,” Qiao Le said, dragging him to the table. “Bought it nearby, so it’s still hot—eat up.”

“Did you eat?”

“A little. But I could eat more.” He handed over a cup of soy milk. “Here—less sugar, just how you like it.”

Shen Hechuan took a sip. It was exactly right.

They chatted while eating. When talk turned to the student council, Shen Hechuan mentioned he was preparing to step down as president.

“Why?” Qiao Le asked.

“I can’t balance everything.”

Though final-year classes were fewer, Shen Hechuan still had student council work and his family business to manage. It was too much.

Qiao Le had joined partly because of him, and partly to push himself. He hadn’t expected Shen Hechuan to be stepping down so soon.

But it didn’t matter—because they were together now.

Thinking that, Qiao Le couldn’t help smiling.

Shen Hechuan noticed and asked, “What’s got you so happy?”

Qiao Le told him the truth. Shen Hechuan was a bit surprised. “Because of me?”

“Yeah,” Qiao Le said. “What? Don’t believe you’re that charming?”

“It’s not that,” Shen Hechuan smiled. “I guess… it’s not unexpected.”

“Huh?”

“You gave me your racket the first time we met,” he reminded him. “For someone who plays badminton, that’s kind of a big deal.”

Qiao Le half-blushed and retorted, “What do you mean gave it to you? I was just storing it temporarily, okay?”

“Was that so?”

Shen Hechuan didn’t argue. He leaned in and kissed him.

“Then let’s store it for a lifetime.”

—

On Shen Hechuan’s graduation day, Qiao Le specially ordered flowers from the florist at the school gate.

The blue Malta roses were a perfect match for Shen Hechuan’s composed and noble temperament. Qiao Le personally handed him the bouquet, and everyone around couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow!”

Over the past year, Qiao Le and Shen Hechuan’s relationship had become public, and their dating photos had appeared on the campus forum several times. There was no need to hide it anymore.

“Congratulations on your graduation.” Qiao Le placed the flowers into Shen Hechuan’s hands.

With one arm holding the bouquet, Shen Hechuan wrapped the other around Qiao Le and kissed him lightly by the ear. The card tucked into the bouquet slipped to the ground in the movement.

Shen Hechuan let go of Qiao Le and bent down to pick it up. His gaze happened to fall on the writing:

[A graduation gift for my boyfriend. My boy—I’ll spoil him.]
[Shen Hechuan, happy graduation!]

Shen Hechuan: “……”

A kind of awkward bliss welled up inside him.