【Strawberry Milkshake (Diet Version): Yaya, Yaya, are you still not up? Class is about to start! @Yasugongshang】
【Gummy Bear: Yaya @Yasugongshang】
【No Cilantro (Grad Exam Version): Yaya, wake up! @Yasugongshang】
【Strawberry Milkshake (Diet Version): Yaya, if you don’t say anything soon, I’m calling you. @Yasugongshang】
【Gummy Bear: Yaya, why aren’t you saying anything? You’re not secretly hanging out with Su Li behind our backs, are you? Who’s really the most important person in your heart? @Yasugongshang】
Looking at the string of messages in the group all tagging her, Chi Qingya was still hesitating.
It wasn’t until she saw the last message that she quickly replied to them.
【Yasugongshang: No, no, I just woke up and washed my face. I didn’t notice my phone just now, I’m so sorry everyone!!
If you have any favorite flavors, just tell me directly. I’m right near the shop, and I’ll grab one for each of you.】
As she replied, Chi Qingya admitted to herself that she didn’t really know what flavor soufflés came in.
But while they were chatting, she’d secretly looked it up online and found out it was a kind of pastry.
Soufflés came in quite a few flavors, and Chi Qingya wasn’t sure what her besties liked.
【No Cilantro (Grad Exam Version): I want matcha red bean and black sesame.】
【Strawberry Milkshake (Diet Version): I want rose, coffee, cheese, and strawberry!】
【Gummy Bear: Just get me classic vanilla and chocolate, thanks Yaya, love you the most!】
【No Cilantro (Grad Exam Version): Thanks Yaya baby! By the way, I saw on their Moments that people usually pair it with Starbucks— if you can get Starbucks too, that would be amazing! Yaya baby~】
【Strawberry Milkshake (Diet Version): Pretty please! Yaya baby is the best, you’ll definitely bring us Starbucks too, right?】
【Gummy Bear: We’re troubling you so much, Yaya baby. We’re getting up right now and waiting for you to come back— we’re having an afternoon tea meeting!! Perfect timing to help you analyze the Su Li situation!】
Reading their messages, Chi Qingya quietly memorized their requests, but after thinking it over, she decided to take a screenshot— this would make ordering easier when she got to the store.
Chi Qingya had no choice but to agree. Seeing her besties cheer in the group chat, she couldn’t help but smile.
She wasn’t far from the Starbucks either.
After a moment’s thought, she decided to have them place their Starbucks orders later.
For now, she’d go buy the soufflés first.
If she moved quickly, maybe PE class wouldn’t be over by the time she got back to school.
Then she’d just pick up the Starbucks afterward.
Chi Qingya sent the ordering link to the group, planning to bring everything back to the dorm later.
She wasn’t sure she could carry it all— just from the pictures, the soufflés looked pretty big. Bringing back so many flavors might be a struggle.
But once she gave the lemon tea to Su Li, maybe Su Li would offer to help— who knows.
Her besties didn’t like being around Su Li, so she’d just have Su Li drop it off outside.
Chi Qingya sent the Starbucks link to the group and checked the chat, but no one responded.
Maybe they were changing clothes and getting ready for their afternoon tea meeting.
Chi Qingya checked the time, opened her map app, and headed toward the soufflé shop.
But the more anxious you are, the more things go wrong.
Before she even reached the shop, Chi Qingya felt her heart start to race.
The soufflé shop was a bit of a walk from the school gate, so without hesitation, she hailed a ride— and instantly regretted it.
The shop was way more popular than she had expected, and the moment she stepped outside the campus, she noticed the route was packed with other people heading the same way.
By the time she finally made it to the shop, several of the flavors her friends had requested weren’t even available.
She asked in the group chat if they wanted to swap for other flavors, but no one replied.
Chi Qingya had no choice but to buy a mix of other available flavors.
When she finally left the store, she hit a traffic jam on the way back.
Chi Qingya carried the bags, both hands full, completely stuffed.
This was only the soufflés— she didn’t even know if her besties had placed their Starbucks orders yet.
Watching the crowd surge past outside the window, Chi Qingya caught sight of her own reflection in the glass. The expression on her face was far from happy.
If Su Li were here, she wouldn’t be going through all this alone.
Chi Qingya set the bags down on the seat and took out her phone. Still no replies in the group chat.
Not even a single Starbucks order from the link she sent.
But over on their Moments, her besties had already posted a new 3×3 photo collage, like a sneak peek for their upcoming afternoon tea party.
Back at school, Chi Qingya took the lemon water bag from a MiXue staff member and set the soufflé bags down in the shop. Only then did a small smile appear on her face.
She couldn’t help imagining the moment Su Li would take the lemon water from her and, moved to tears, apologize to her.
For someone like Su Li, a lonely girl with a one-page household registry and no family warmth, getting a drink like this from someone might make her break down crying, right?
She probably hadn’t even tried MiXue before.
Maybe Su Li would be so overwhelmed she’d promise to buy her Starbucks for life.
Chi Qingya shook the lemon water in her hand, a smile tugging at her lips, and headed toward the sports field with a bit of anticipation.
The closer she got, the harder her heart pounded.
But when she arrived, carrying the now half-melted lemon water, she realized the field was much, much larger than she’d imagined.
She stood in the middle of the track, confused, suddenly feeling like the world was far too big — and Su Li was nowhere to be found.
She didn’t have Su Li’s WeChat. She didn’t have her number. She didn’t even know where Su Li usually hung out.
Su Li didn’t live on campus.
If she didn’t come to class, then running into her might be nearly impossible.
Chi Qingya had imagined so many times the look of surprise on Su Li’s face when she got the gift, but now, standing in the middle of the track, all she could feel was a kind of unspeakable disappointment and frustration.
Her steps slowly retreated, and she gripped the handles of the bag even tighter.
Her heart was pounding hard, but looking at the steady stream of students passing by, Chi Qingya’s eyes were filled with confusion.
She turned around and walked slowly off the field, each step light like walking on clouds, yet somehow unbearably heavy.
Her eyes gradually turned misty. A wave of grievance surged in like a tide. She tried to stay composed, but her nose stung, and she felt like crying.
She checked the time— it had already been half an hour since PE class ended.
Why hadn’t Su Li waited for her on the field?
She was only half an hour late— wasn’t that all?