Chapter 64: A Secret Crush?

Li Tingting lay on her bed, tossing and turning.

She couldn’t sleep.

Her mind was completely filled with those few words—

[Lin Mo towards Li Tingting: Secret Crush]

This was Li Tingting’s special ability—to directly visualize and quantify people’s feelings of affection.

‘As for why it shows Lin Mo has a secret crush on her, it’s because Lin Mo is immune to all special abilities. So, when she queries Lin Mo’s affection for her, it actually reflects her own affection for Lin Mo, meaning she’s the one with the secret crush. Of course, she thinks Lin Mo is the one secretly crushing on her.’

She had been staring at this result for almost half an hour.

Ever since the food she gave Lin Mo was eaten by Shen Qingyue and Su Qianqian, the more she thought about it, the angrier she got. So, she threw caution to the wind and started using her ability to check affection levels. She had been checking non-stop.

Checking herself, checking others, checking Lin Mo.

After checking back and forth, the one that made her heart flutter the most was this.

Secret crush. Shy. Unable to express it.

The more she thought about it, the more the corners of her mouth curled up.

So that’s how it was.

No wonder he always seemed evasive every time they met. No wonder he never initiated a conversation with her.

So it was shyness.

That kind of shyness… where you like someone but don’t dare to say it out loud.

She hugged her pillow and rolled over on the bed, a happy smile still on her face.

“Tingting, what’s wrong with you?” her roommate asked, peeking over.

“Nothing, nothing!”

She buried her face in the pillow.

But her mind had already started playing a little movie.

She remembered the first time she saw Lin Mo.

That day in the cafeteria, he walked past carrying a tray.

She looked up and glanced at him.

He happened to look over at the same time.

And then—

He immediately averted his gaze.

Did his ears even turn a little red??

At the time, she just thought this guy was good-looking, her type, especially… now that she thought about it…

She had been so preoccupied with her own thoughts back then. That expression he had when he looked at her—what else could it have been but shyness?

She remembered last week in the library.

She was sitting in a corner reading.

Lin Mo came in, searched for a spot for a long time.

Finally, he sat down three tables away from her.

At the time, she thought it was strange. That spot was so out of the way.

Now that she thought about it…

That was to be a little closer to her, but not daring to sit too close!

And the day before yesterday.

When she was talking to Zhou Duoduo, Lin Mo passed by.

His steps clearly faltered for a moment.

Then he walked away quickly with his head down.

At the time, she found it baffling.

Now that she thought about it…

That was him seeing her talking to someone else and getting jealous, right?

The more Li Tingting thought about it, the more convinced she became.

The more she thought about it, the sweeter it felt.

So this guy…

Had been secretly crushing on her all along.

Too afraid to say it.

Always quietly…

‘Lin Mo, you like me. Hehe, I’m already in an unbeatable position. You other competitors are definitely just losers.’

The next day, she secretly observed the other girls’ affection levels for Lin Mo.

[Shen Qingyue towards Lin Mo: 95]

So high? This girl’s affection for Lin Mo was at a level of 95? Ridiculous.

Li Tingting frowned.

This woman… liked Lin Mo to that extent?

She remembered Shen Qingyue’s face again—gentle and soft-spoken.

She did seem like the type to quietly like someone.

But it didn’t matter. Lin Mo liked her anyway.

She looked at Zhou Duoduo next.

[Zhou Duoduo towards Lin Mo: 78]

78. Not low.

But the description was “Wants to conquer, but unsure if it’s true love.”

Hah.

Conquer.

Just as expected.

Someone like Zhou Duoduo, how could she genuinely like anyone? With so many people always surrounding her, does she really think she’s an empress or something? “Conquer.”

Li Tingting sneered.

‘Lin Mo likes me.’

She looked at Wang Xue next.

[Wang Xue towards Lin Mo: 69]

69. Likes him a bit.

But the description was “Likes him a bit, but likes someone else more in her heart.”

She still likes someone else? There’s another person?

Who? She followed the thread and took a look.

She found Wang Xue’s affection level for Zhou Duoduo…

[Wang Xue towards Zhou Duoduo: 88 (Really likes her, willing to do anything for her, including but not limited to sharing a boyfriend)]

Li Tingting froze.

What was this situation?

Wang Xue liked Zhou Duoduo?

And was willing to do anything for her?

She glanced at Zhou Duoduo’s affection level for Wang Xue—

[Zhou Duoduo towards Wang Xue: 77 (Best friend?? But can occasionally kiss and tease her)]

Li Tingting’s brain was having trouble processing this.

These two…

Forget it, she didn’t want to think about it.

She looked at Lin Xian’er next.

[Lin Xian’er towards Lin Mo: ??? (Cannot be measured)]

Question marks again. What was this woman’s deal?

Why couldn’t it be checked?

She frowned.

Finally, she looked at Su Qianqian.

This transfer student—she had never been able to figure out her deal.

Out of curiosity, she checked.

She tapped on Su Qianqian’s affection level for Lin Mo—

Her brain stalled for a moment.

Then the affection level didn’t show up for a long time.

After a long while, a single word popped up—

[Su Qianqian towards Lin Mo: Shared Illness]

Li Tingting was dumbfounded.

Shared Illness? What kind of word was that? Could affection levels be written like this?

She had never seen such a description before.

It wasn’t “like.”

It wasn’t “admiration.” It wasn’t a “secret crush,” or “infatuation.”

It was—

Shared Illness.

She stared at those two words for a long time.

What did it mean?

Did it mean getting sick together?

Or…

She suddenly felt a chill run down her back.

She looked up and happened to meet Su Qianqian’s gaze.

In the cafeteria, Su Qianqian was sitting next to Shen Qingyue, chatting and laughing with her.

Noticing Li Tingting’s stare, she turned her head.

And smiled at her.

A very gentle smile.

But as Li Tingting looked at that smile, she felt a bit creeped out.

Because that smile…

And those two words…

Were too strange. But…

She quickly comforted herself.

‘Who cares about Shared Illness or not? Besides, my ability level is only C-rank, not high, and I haven’t really trained my mental power much. It’s normal for there to be problems. I won’t worry about it.’

Anyway, Lin Mo liked her.

That was enough.

Another day passed.

In the school cafeteria.

Li Tingting had dressed up a bit on purpose.

She wore a new dress.

Applied light makeup.

Carrying her tray, she looked around.

Lin Mo was sitting in his usual spot.

Surrounded by a group of people.

Zhou Duoduo, Wang Xue, Lin Xian’er, Shen Qingyue, Su Qianqian…

‘Why is it this group again? Why are you always clinging to my Lin Mo? Lin Mo likes me, ME!!!!! Do you understand?????’ Li Tingting calmed the chaotic thoughts in her heart, controlled her expression, and walked over.

“Good morning, Lin Mo.” Lin Mo looked up.

“Ah… morning.”

Li Tingting sat down diagonally across from him.

Perfect to see his profile.

She secretly observed him.

Hmm, his ears weren’t red.

Maybe it was because there were too many people, and he was embarrassed.

She glanced at Zhou Duoduo again.

This woman was dressed so seductively today.

Showing her shoulder on purpose, huh?

She glanced at Su Qianqian again.

Su Qianqian was talking to Shen Qingyue and didn’t look at her.

But Li Tingting still felt a bit uneasy.

Those two words, “Shared Illness,” were still stuck in her mind.

Forget it, she wouldn’t think about it. She decided to test Lin Mo.

After the meal, everyone got up and started leaving their seats.

Carrying her tray, she pretended to accidentally walk next to him.

“Oops.”

She let out a soft cry.

Lin Mo turned to look at her.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing. I almost slipped.”

She smiled.

Lin Mo nodded.

“Well, be careful when you walk.”

Then he continued walking forward.

Li Tingting stood where she was.

‘That’s it? Just that? You blockhead!!!! You have a secret crush on me? I give you an opportunity and you don’t take it?? You really are a blockhead!!!!’

She looked back at Lin Mo’s retreating figure.

He was walking fast. Not looking back.

But his ears…

Did they seem a little red again? It was a bit far, hard to see clearly, but they probably were.

Sure enough!

Shy!

Too shy to say much!

Afternoon.

Teaching Building corridor.

Li Tingting ran into Lin Mo again.

Lin Mo was alone, carrying books, heading towards the library.

Li Tingting’s eyes lit up.

Opportunity!

She walked over quickly.

“Lin Mo!”

Lin Mo stopped.

Turned to look at her. “What’s up?”

Li Tingting walked up to him.

“That… I wanted to ask you a question.” “What question?”

Li Tingting looked at him.

“What do you think… of me as a person?”

Lin Mo was dumbfounded.

“Huh?”

“Like… do you think my personality is good? What kind of person am I?”

Li Tingting blinked.

Lin Mo scratched his head.

“You’re fine… pretty enthusiastic… friendly and cheerful.” “Just that?”

“And… also quite…” Lin Mo was truly stumped. How was he supposed to answer this?? How does one even answer a question like this???

Li Tingting smiled.

“Thanks for the compliment.” Lin Mo quickly nodded. ‘This girl is a bit off…’

“Well… I should get going?”

“Okay, bye-bye.”

Lin Mo turned and left.

His steps were even faster than before.

Li Tingting stood where she was.

Watching his retreating back.

She glanced at his ears again.

Hmm.

Red.

Sure enough.

Too shy to stay any longer.

Evening.

Dormitory.

Li Tingting lay on her bed. Took out her phone.

Opened Lin Mo’s WeChat.

In the chat window, there still wasn’t a single message.

‘He really doesn’t dare to message first.’

It’s fine.

She would take the initiative.

She typed a line:

「Lin Mo, are you free tomorrow? I’d like to treat you to bubble tea.」

Sent.

Waited five minutes.

No reply.

Ten minutes.

No reply.

Twenty minutes.

‘Why isn’t he replying?’ She was getting a bit anxious.

But comforted herself:

‘He must have seen the message. He’s too nervous and doesn’t know how to reply.’

Yes, yes.

That must be it.

Another ten minutes passed.

Her phone vibrated.

She quickly opened it.

Lin Mo: 「Ah? Bubble tea? Tomorrow I already have plans with someone…」

Li Tingting froze.

Plans with someone?

With who?

She quickly asked:

「With who?」

Lin Mo: 「Zhang Yang and a few others to play basketball…」

Li Tingting breathed a sigh of relief.

So it was with guys. She replied:

「What about the day after tomorrow?」

Lin Mo: 「The day after tomorrow I’m not sure, probably nothing for now…」

Li Tingting smiled.

「Okay, then it’s the day after tomorrow!」

After sending it.

She pressed her phone to her chest.

The day after tomorrow.

Bubble tea.

Alone.

She had already started thinking about what dress to wear.