Li Beimo strode briskly into the study. After powering on his computer, he lingered without moving the mouse, his heart swelling with a frantic anxiety. Never had he imagined that he would witness his senior's competition—and see their face—in such an unexpected manner. Just as his unease reached its peak, his phone chimed with a message from Xia Kelan containing a link.
Li Beimo pressed his thin lips together, logged into his account, and was about to click when a message from Little Sun popped up first.
"I'm here, what's up?"
Half an hour earlier, Li Beimo had just arrived home and immediately messaged Su Wanwan. Upon seeing her reply, his fingers trembled uncontrollably, as if seized by Parkinson's, shaking incessantly. After a long moment, he finally managed to type out a complete sentence:
"Could you give me your address? I have something I want to send you."
Su Wanwan yawned lazily in bed, her delicate brows knitting slightly. Had they really grown close enough to exchange gifts? Li Beimo seemed to sense the awkwardness and hesitated before adding,
"I just finished a competition today and placed second."
"I thought, after all these years and your many teachings, I'd like to give you the prize as a token of my gratitude."
Su Wanwan propped herself up on her elbows, her slender fingers tapping the screen.
"What is it?"
Li Beimo picked up his phone, opened the jewelry box, and took a photo of the diamond necklace, sending it over. Su Wanwan casually opened it, but her expression froze the next moment. That necklace... looked strangely familiar...
After waiting long without a reply from Little Sun, Li Beimo's mind raced nervously.
"Maybe she's in the restroom... or eating..."
"This necklace is nice; any girl should like it..."
"At least it's a token of my sincerity—surely my senior won't refuse..."
His anxiety mounting, he finally clicked to replay the video. Meanwhile, Xia Kelan idly scrolled through Li Beimo's recent social media posts and noticed a new update today—a photo of a car, accompanied by the words:
"Securing second place in my first competition is quite an experience."
"That car..." Xia Kelan zoomed in obsessively, muttering under her breath,
"No way... could it really be him?"
She grabbed her phone and rushed upstairs, banging open Su Wanwan's door. Su Wanwan glanced at her.
"You mean to tell me that the online stranger is Li Beimo?"
Xia Kelan stared dumbfounded.
"Damn, you're like a mind reader!"
The two exchanged phones and read through their conversations. Xia Kelan sighed,
"My goodness, this world is far too small!"
"I'm suddenly curious—how will Li Beimo react when he learns you're the senior he admires?"
Su Wanwan lay back flat, staring at the ceiling.
"His online persona is so different from the real him. I thought he'd be chatty."
Xia Kelan nodded in agreement.
"Same here! That goofy old soul Li Beimo doesn't seem like the guy who calls you 'senior' online and occasionally sends memes."
"Let's just wait for his reply!"
...
When the aerial footage of Xicheng appeared, Li Beimo sensed something amiss. A drone circled the familiar yet strange race track. He reassured himself they all looked alike and tried not to overthink it. But when twenty cars took to the track, his composure faltered.
His handsome, thick brows furrowed deeply as his hands gripped the armrests, as if he could peel off his skin in frustration. Then, he saw himself—saw Su Wanwan—saw Xia Kelan.
"Lanlan's sky... Xia Kelan..." The shared character 'Lan' struck a chord.
"So... Su Wanwan is... the senior?"
He struggled to accept this reality, trying to recall their first meeting and the rude things he had said. On reflection, her tone matched her online manner—warm and eager to offer advice.
What exactly had he said?
"I hate it when people touch my car."
"Stop staring at me."
"Your gaze makes me uncomfortable."
"You really know how to talk big."
"My affairs don't concern you."
The words echoed mercilessly in his mind, tormenting his nerves. Overwhelmed, he clasped his head, dumbfounded. How could he have spoken so harshly to the senior he admired for so long?
"What have I done?"
His usually calm heart roiled with turmoil, the first time he felt such dread and fear. Surely, the senior despised him now. Amidst this turmoil was a faint, guilty joy—years of anticipation had culminated, however clumsily. They must have some fate.
But that thought was quickly extinguished as he saw the comments flooding with the name Fu Liangmu, and the light in his eyes dimmed. How could a man like that stand beside his senior?
Li Beimo sat silently until night fell before lifting his stiff hand. Unconsciously, he had watched the entire race thrice. His eyes stung as they caught the phone screen's glow, blinking hard, his gaze lingering on the chat with Su Wanwan. Little Sun had yet to reply.
Hesitating, torn, deleting and retyping, he finally mustered courage:
"Se... senior..."
"How about... we meet?"
Meanwhile, Su Wanwan dined with Xia Kelan, who nearly spat out her porridge.
"Wow, he's asking you out directly—probably to apologize, right?"
Su Wanwan hummed slowly,
"Ask him where."
"Got it!"
The trio quickly agreed on a location. After finishing her plain porridge, Su Wanwan left with Xia Kelan.
When they arrived, Li Beimo was already waiting inside the private room. The door creaked open. Like a startled bird, Li Beimo sprang up, his composed face etched with nervousness.
Upon speaking, he stammered uncontrollably,
"Se-se-se... sen..."
Clearing his throat, chiding himself for weakness, he managed,
"Se... senior!"
The address felt strangely shy on his tongue. Standing awkwardly, his solemn eyes shimmered with unease. Beneath the bright lights, Su Wanwan clearly saw his ears flush a deep crimson...