Warm Water Burns, Chapter 5

The moment Qiu Xue arrived, Xiao Xinrui immediately grilled her about whether she was the top scorer in the province. When Qiu Xue said no, Xiao Xinrui let out a relieved sigh. Everyone hit it off right away—they came from all corners of the country, yet fate had placed them in the same city, the same university, and the same dorm room. Xiao Xinrui created a group chat, added everyone to it, and named it “Good Luck.”

After that, military training began. It was grueling and intense. Every morning, they dragged themselves out of bed half-asleep, threw on their camouflage uniforms, and rushed together to the cafeteria for breakfast. Gradually, Wen Yan forgot about the handsome man who had saved her in that downpour, never once thinking she might see him again.

During military training, Wen Yan became famous on campus—not because she marched well or sang military songs loudly, but because of that strikingly vivid, dazzling face of hers.

Someone filmed a short clip of her sitting on the grass in her camouflage uniform and posted it on Douyin. It went viral for a while, racking up over a million likes.

“Yan Yan, I propose you just drop out and become an internet celebrity. Livestream shopping is incredibly lucrative these days. Even tons of actors have quit acting to sell products on livestreams. University takes four years—why put yourself through all that suffering?” Xiao Xinrui said over lunch at the cafeteria after the morning drill ended, the four roommates sitting together at their table.

Zhong Youyou scoffed. “Stop making ridiculous suggestions. What’s so great about being an internet celebrity? Who ever heard of a top provincial scorer going into livestream sales? You’d be betraying nine years of grinding through textbooks!”

Xiao Xinrui shot back, “Don’t look down on internet celebrities. These days, they make more money than people in any other industry.”

While the two were bickering, Qiu Xue, who had been sitting next to Wen Yan, picked up her tray and stood. “Um, I’m going to go find my boyfriend. He’s eating at Cafeteria Three today too. I’m off—bye, see you in a bit.”

“Sure, go ahead,” Wen Yan said.

The moment Qiu Xue left, the topic shifted to her. Xiao Xinrui sighed. “How come some people already have boyfriends the second they start college? That’s way too fast.”

Zhong Youyou glanced toward where Qiu Xue had gone. “I asked Qiu Xue about it. She and her boyfriend started dating in high school. He’s from the class next to hers.”

“Wow, that’s actually really sweet.” Xiao Xinrui took a sip of soup. “I’ve decided—I’m going to be the second person in our dorm to get a boyfriend. None of you are allowed to beat me to it. Especially you, Yan Yan! Even though you’re gorgeous.”

Zhong Youyou couldn’t stand it. “You have to turn everything into a competition?”

Wen Yan was about to say something when she felt her phone buzz. She picked it up. It was a message from their senior class counselor, Chen Fei.

Chen Fei: [Wen Yan, once military training ends, the university will hold a grand freshman welcome gala. We need four hosts—two male, two female. Your teacher thinks you’d be a great fit. Would you like to sign up for the host audition? If so, come to my office to fill out an application form.]

Hosting was nothing new to Wen Yan. She had emceed school arts festivals and various events throughout middle and high school. After only a brief hesitation, she typed back: [Sure. When will you be in your office, Teacher?]

Chen Fei: [I’m here now. Come over after you finish eating.]

Before they knew it, the last day of military training arrived. At seven in the evening, the grand freshman welcome gala was held in the Yanqing University Comprehensive Sports Center. Spotlights descended like moonlight from the heavens, landing precisely on the center of the stage. Wen Yan stood in the heart of that glow alongside the other three hosts, while below the stage, an ocean of spectators stretched out—over three thousand freshmen gathered in one hall.

Wen Yan wore a sapphire-blue, one-shouldered floor-length gown. The dress was made of velvet, its surface shimmering with a subtle sheen like the rippling surface of a blue lake. Her silky, lustrous hair was swept up into an elegant chignon at the crown of her head, leaving her flawlessly structured face fully exposed—her brows clean and sharp with a hint of boldness, her eye makeup understated rather than heavy, her lashes long and curled, her lips full and rosy.

Standing on that stage, she created an almost overwhelming visual impact—like a blue rose in full, extravagant bloom at the very end of summer. Radiant. Breathtaking. Beyond compare.

Every pair of eyes in the room converged on her. She held the microphone with poise and grace. She had rehearsed her opening remarks countless times, and the thorough preparation left her virtually free of nerves. After she finished her segment, it was the turn of the male host beside her, Zhou Jinyu, to introduce the distinguished guests the university had invited to attend the gala.

These guests were all accomplished figures from various fields—city officials, renowned painters and calligraphers, and celebrated authors.

Zhou Jinyu worked his way through the list until the sixth name.

“And our final guest is someone truly special. Please welcome him with a warm round of applause! Chairman Fu Lanzhuo of Yaoheng Group. Mr. Fu is also an alumnus of Yanqing University. We are deeply grateful that he could take time out of his incredibly busy schedule to return to campus and join our Class of 2022 freshmen welcome gala. Welcome, Mr. Fu!”

Wen Yan paused for a beat, her gaze drifting to the right side of the stage—

The man wore a dark suit, jacket open to reveal a matching vest and tie. As the final guest to appear, his presence was entirely different from the others who had walked out from backstage before him. He looked younger than all of them, yet carried no less authority—if anything, there was an added layer of the precise, reserved composure unique to the business elite.

The broadcast director cut the camera feed, and Fu Lanzhuo’s upper half appeared on the massive screens suspended above the sports center.

The audience erupted in screams.

Author’s Note:
———————-
Chapter 4: Aurora – I Like Someone Mature

“He’s so handsome!”

“Why did they invite someone this big? The university really values our class!”

“They invite a big name every year. It’s tradition. Last year they even had a celebrity. And Fu Lanzhuo used to go to this school.”

“First time seeing him in person—he’s actually this good-looking!”

Xiao Xinrui and Zhong Youyou were sitting together, eyes fixed on the stage. Xiao Xinrui nudged the person beside her with her elbow. “This Yaoheng chairman… he looks really familiar. Like I’ve seen him somewhere before.”

“On TV?” Zhong Youyou offered.

“No! Let me think…”

Once Fu Lanzhuo had taken his seat in the reserved VIP row at the front of the audience, the spectators on all four sides gradually quieted down.

Wen Yan was looking out over the crowd when her gaze inadvertently met Fu Lanzhuo’s.

His eyes were calm and distant, impossibly deep.

It was Wen Yan’s turn to announce the next segment. She pulled her gaze back, caught the faint sound of her own heartbeat, and spoke into the microphone: “Dear fellow students, starting tonight, we officially become members of Yanqing University. May we never forget where we came from, never take this moment for granted, and in the days ahead, each shine in our own way. And now, please enjoy an electronic music performance brought to you by the Student Electronic Music Association—’Set Sail on Dreams’!”

Thunderous applause broke out as the lights began to shift.

Wen Yan and the other three hosts stepped off the stage, and a wine-red curtain slowly closed behind them.

The sapphire-blue figure disappeared completely from view. Fu Lanzhuo withdrew his gaze.

Yanqing University’s welcome gala was exceptionally grand. Each performance on stage outshone the last, and the audience below blazed with enthusiasm. Every person held two glow sticks handed out free by the university—mostly blue and red—and the interweaving beams of light merged into a shimmering sea. The atmosphere was electric.

The first two acts had just finished, giving Wen Yan a brief reprieve. The next several performances would be announced by the other two hosts; she and Zhou Jinyu were paired together for the second half of the evening.

The faint sound of a bright, soaring song drifted from the stage. Wen Yan lifted the hem of her gown with both hands, stepped around two cardboard boxes stacked with props, and sat down on a wooden stool to rest. As she lowered her head, the crystal hairpin in her updo swayed gently.

“Chairman Fu, just a moment, please! Could you take a look at this document?”

The voice made Wen Yan look up.

Over there stood Fu Lanzhuo, intercepted by a man in black-framed glasses and a black suit who appeared to be his assistant.

Fu Lanzhuo’s expression was cool and indifferent as he took the document and flipped through it.

He read quickly. Before long, he accepted the fountain pen his assistant offered and signed the paper.

Wen Yan hesitated for a moment, then gathered her skirt and stood.

On her feet was a pair of exquisitely beautiful blue pointed-toe heels. Two thin blue silk ribbons were wrapped around her pale, slender ankles, swaying up and down with each step she took.

The first thing Fu Lanzhuo noticed was those feet. His final stroke on the signature pressed a little too hard, nearly piercing through the paper.

“I’ve signed it. Head back to the office.” Fu Lanzhuo handed both the pen and the document to the man beside him.

“Understood, Chairman Fu. If there’s nothing else tonight, I won’t disturb you again.” The assistant snapped the folder shut crisply and gave Fu Lanzhuo a slight bow.

Once the assistant turned and walked away, Wen Yan finally spoke. “Mr. Fu.”

Fu Lanzhuo turned his gaze toward her.

Their eyes met, and Wen Yan felt a faint heat rise to her cheeks. “Do you remember me? Last month, we met. You saved me.”

Fu Lanzhuo looked at her. “I remember.”

“I never got the chance to thank you last time. And also… your jacket and your umbrella—they’re still with me. I haven’t had a chance to return them…”

“Could you drop the formal ‘you’?” Wen Yan’s words were cut short. She blinked, caught off guard.

“Using the formal address makes me feel old.” Fu Lanzhuo smiled faintly.

“…”

She had only been showing respect. Besides, given Fu Lanzhuo’s status—and the fact that he was a VIP guest invited by the university—formality seemed only natural.

“I didn’t mean it that way. You actually—er, you look very young. Not old at all,” Wen Yan tried to explain.

“I know you didn’t mean it that way.”

The words had barely left his lips when his phone began to ring, buzzing against his pocket.

“Wen Yan! Come over here for a second—Teacher Cai needs you!” Wen Yan heard Zhou Jinyu calling from somewhere.

“Could you wait for me a moment?” Wen Yan could only say to Fu Lanzhuo, though she immediately felt it was presumptuous. He probably didn’t have the time to wait for her.

As if reading her thoughts, Fu Lanzhuo pulled out his phone and said, “No need to return them.”

Wen Yan paused, looking at him.

“The jacket and the umbrella. No need to return them,” Fu Lanzhuo said. With that, he answered the call and walked away first.

Wen Yan watched his retreating figure for a while before turning around, hitching up her skirt and striding toward the direction Zhou Jinyu had called from.

He was an enormously important man with a thousand matters to attend to every day. The cost of retrieving a jacket and an umbrella might very well delay him from earning another hundred million, Wen Yan thought suddenly.

So he simply didn’t care.

“Teacher Cai, is something the matter?” Wen Yan asked as she stepped into the dressing room.

The person looking for her was Cai Wei, one of the teachers in charge of organizing the gala. He said, “One of the students scheduled to perform suddenly isn’t feeling well. His group’s act will most likely be pushed to later. You and Zhou Jinyu will need to adjust your announcing script accordingly.”

“Understood.”

By the time the gala ended, all four hosts were exhausted. Wen Yan’s gown and heels had been lent to her by a teacher from the university’s arts department, so once the event was over, she changed out of them to return them. After changing, she walked with the other female host toward the dressing room to remove their makeup.

The backstage corridor wasn’t wide, cluttered with performance props. The nearest rooms were rest areas; the dressing room was at the very end of the hallway. Suddenly, a male student blocked Wen Yan’s path, holding a large bouquet of vivid, eye-catching red roses. Wen Yan didn’t recognize him at all—his face was completely unfamiliar.

“W-Wen Yan, hi! Your hosting tonight was amazing! You must be exhausted. These roses are for you!” His voice was clear but a little hurried.

“Oh, what beautiful roses!” Xu Ke, walking beside Wen Yan, spoke up first with a teasing grin. “I’m a host too, you know. How come I don’t get any?”

Her question stumped the boy and made the atmosphere a little awkward.

He rubbed the top of his head, cheeks flushing a shade pinker. “These are specifically for Wen Yan. Um, Wen Yan, I’m also in the Law School. My name is Ren Xinghe. C-Can I add you on WeChat?”

“Thank you, but…” Wen Yan had just opened her mouth to respond when her peripheral vision caught a tall figure at the other end of the corridor.

Around the bend ahead—which seemed to lead toward the VIP lounge—Fu Lanzhuo stood talking with a university administrator. His bearing was completely at odds with the slightly cluttered surroundings, as though he carried an invisible barrier around himself. His gaze moved past the person he was speaking with and landed on this side.

Noticing that, Wen Yan grew even more uneasy. She finished her sentence: “Roses this beautiful—I think, um, you should keep them and enjoy them yourself. Thank you so much, though.”

She had done her best to decline gently, without hurting his feelings.

“I see…” The boy’s voice was unmistakably disappointed. “Forget about WeChat, then… But please take the flowers, okay?”

His words were sincere, tinged with a hint of pleading. Wen Yan found it hard to refuse again. “Okay… thank you.”

“Don’t mention it! Happy new semester—I’m sure we’ll see each other again!” The boy pressed the bouquet into Wen Yan’s arms, then turned and walked off.

Xu Ke laughed again. “He’s so adorably awkward. You could tell he was nervous out of his mind. But he’s genuinely sweet. And honestly, he’s not bad-looking either.”

“Wen Yan, isn’t he your type?” Xu Ke asked.

That gaze was still fixed on this direction. To confirm, Wen Yan glanced over—and sure enough, he still hadn’t looked away. It made her fingers tighten slightly around the bouquet. “Mm. I like someone mature.”