Nietzsche once said, "Human life can not be measured by the length of time. When the heart is full of love, the moment is eternal!"

When Zhu Chengtao saw the girl walk past him, the world seemed to stop. His eyes could not see anything else.

Her fair profile, pale skin, and that indescribable air of elegance…

Though she had short hair and dressed quite androgynously, making her appear like a cute boy at first glance, her waistline and the slight curve of her chest revealed her true gender.

At that moment, something deep within his heart stirred.

Zhu Chengtao had never believed in love before. He thought it was merely an illusion driven by hormones. But now, he discovered he was completely wrong.

He reached out, wanting to call out to the girl, yet hesitated at the last moment.

They didn’t know each other at all. They had never spoken. If he approached her recklessly, wouldn’t he leave a negative impression? But even if it was just a fleeting encounter, wasn’t it worth a try? Hesitation would only trap him in endless what-ifs.

With that thought, he steeled his resolve.

- - - - - - -

It was a cool morning. Office workers were beginning their busy week, while students already looked forward to the next weekend.

Another Monday had arrived.

Since they lived off-campus, they had to get up earlier than usual.

Walking beside Xu Fang, Xiaoming appeared rather lethargic, showing little appetite for breakfast.

Xu Fang looked at her helplessly.

Last night, Xiaoming had said she didn’t want to sleep alone, so Xu Fang was forced to stay in her room. But he couldn’t stand sleeping on the floor. Once Xiaoming fell asleep, he quietly returned to his own room and turned off the light for her.

In Xu Fang’s opinion, once someone was asleep, there was no need to stay by their side.

But in the middle of the night, Xiaoming somehow woke up and started shouting and scolding at Xu Fang.

Xu Fang regretted deciding to live with Xiaoming. She was such a hassle. He got angry and snapped at her, “If you keep this up, I’m leaving! You can stay here alone!”

Then Xiaoming panicked, thinking he really meant it. She grabbed his leg, refusing to let go, almost begging him on her knees.

After that mess, neither of them slept well.

After finishing breakfast, they casually strolled toward school.

Luo Xiaoming stretched her arms and leaned on Xu Fang, shifting half her weight onto his shoulder as she trailed behind.

Xu Fang glanced at her, seeing a slightly mischievous smirk on the corner of her lips.

He frowned.

(This girl… she’s definitely doing this on purpose. Saying she’s tired? That’s just an excuse. You’re perfectly fine, aren’t you?)

It was normal for drunk people to lose balance, but no one ever heard of someone too tired to walk without support.

Xu Fang refused to play along. He straightened his back and quickened his pace.

Now only 160 cm tall, Luo Xiaoming found leaning on Xu Fang’s shoulder increasingly uncomfortable, especially since he wasn’t cooperating. Soon, she let go.

“We still have twenty minutes until class. Why are you walking so fast?” she huffed.

“Aren’t you tired anymore?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? I’m so tired right now I can barely move!”

“Fine then, I’ll carry you.”

“Really?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“You said it! Don’t back out now!” Xiaoming suddenly perked up.

But when Xu Fang reached his hands behind her back, she flinched.

“You’re actually going to do it?!”

“Of course. Didn’t we agree?”

“Never mind, I’ll let you off this time. Forget it!”

“But you said you couldn’t walk!”

Xu Fang suppressed a smirk. Being held in a princess carry down the street… no matter how bold Xiaoming was, she wouldn’t dare do that in broad daylight with people passing by.

“I’m wide awake now. No need. Why are you so talkative?”

Predictably, Xiaoming firmly refused Xu Fang’s offer. Xu Fang stopped pushing too. It wasn’t like he really wanted to do it either… his stamina wouldn’t hold up anyway.

- - - - - - -

They slowly made their way to the school gate, where more and more students began appearing around them.

“Xu Fang, wait here a bit. I’ll head to class first. You come in a few minutes later.”

“Why?”

“I don’t want people getting the wrong idea about us walking in together.” Xiaoming looked up at Xu Fang, speaking somewhat awkwardly.

“…Whatever.”

As Xiaoming left, Xu Fang stood alone at the gate, idly playing on his phone. He opened thrillernovel.net to check Guxi’s status. She was still lying inside the box.

Everything seemed normal.

Five minutes later, it was eight o’clock.

He put away his phone and headed toward Building 2, where his first class was. Luo Xiaoming should already be in the classroom by now. There were still ten minutes until class.

The layout of Jiaotong University’s teaching buildings was a bit strange. Building 1 stood in the center, but Building 2 was located at the edge, very close to the main gate. Just cross the gate and turn a corner, and you’d arrive.

When Xu Fang reached the front of Building 2, he noticed a crowd of students gathered, as if something had happened.

Xu Fang wasn’t one for gossip, so he prepared to walk past. Suddenly, he heard Luo Xiaoming’s voice from within the crowd.

“If you keep this up, I’m calling the police!”

Alarmed, he pushed closer and sure enough, it was Xiaoming. What was she doing here instead of going to class?

- - - - - - -

Zhu Chengtao’s mind was collapsing.

He had only tried to politely ask for her contact information. But the girl bluntly rejected him, leaving Zhu Chengtao deeply embarrassed.

His friend, seeing how rudely she treated Zhu Chengtao, stepped forward and blocked her path, warning her to be more respectful and not act so arrogantly just because she was good-looking. Zhu Chengtao quickly pulled his impulsive friend back.

Things might have ended there… until several other boys showed up, apparently knowing the girl. All of them were smiling. One of them called out to Zhu Chengtao: “Dude, are you confessing? Give it up. This person’s a guy!”

Xiaoming shot a glare at the grinning Wenjian, unwilling to linger, and turned to leave.

“Wait - really a guy?” Zhu Chengtao stared at her in disbelief.

“Yes! Stop bothering me!”

Wenjian, as if things weren’t chaotic enough, added with a smirk: “He’s my roommate. Pretty hot, right?”

“Zhou, shut up!”

“Hehehe…”

“No way!” Zhu Chengtao looked from Xiaoming to Wenjian, shouting, “You’re lying, right?!”

Sure, Zhu Chengtao had vision issues, but he wasn’t blind. He could tell male from female. Were these two deliberately messing with him? Why not just say so?

He hated being made fun of. It felt like they were trying to humiliate him on purpose.

Unbeknownst to him, a crowd had formed around them. Many seemed to know Luo Xiaoming and were watching the scene unfold with amusement.

His friend said, “Bro, let’s go. Not worth it.”

“Fine.”

Zhu Chengtao appeared calm on the surface, but silently activated his ability.

Ever since childhood, Zhu Chengtao had realized his eyes were different. When he focused intently on someone, he could see their “Information.”

Seven types of Information: Name, Gender, Age, Mood, Health, Status, Lifespan.

This ability drained immense mental energy, but over time, he’d developed the habit of scanning everyone he met.

For example, his friend beside him: Liu Wenhao, 19 years old, male, kidney deficiency, lifespan 65.

His father: rheumatism, lifespan 86. His mother: healthy, lifespan 95.

Of course, these details weren’t fixed. They could change dynamically.

Activating his ability, Xiaoming’s figure entered Zhu Chengtao’s pupils. Strings of numbers floated before his eyes, then merged. In seconds, the image turned gray.

Gray? Gray?!

Normally, when he used his power, the person would glow, with information displayed clearly within the illuminated form. If the figure turned gray, it meant what he was “seeing” wasn’t human.

This only happened when viewing animals, like looking at a dog.

Zhu Chengtao refused to believe it. He activated his ability again.

Still gray.

“What exactly are you?” Zhu Chengtao couldn’t help grabbing Xiaoming’s shoulders, staring into her eyes as he activated his power once more.

Still gray.

An animal? A humanoid creature? A demon?

Zhu Chengtao was shocked. He’d never seen a demon or ghost before, but this was the only explanation. He wouldn’t believe his ability had failed.

Her shoulders hurt from his grip. Luo Xiaoming flinched back, frightened at first, then furious.

This guy was insane! Absolutely preposterous!

“If you don’t let go, I’m calling the police!” she snapped, teeth clenched in anger.

Zhu Chengtao froze, still dazed.

“Move aside, move aside…” Xu Fang struggled through the crowd and stood beside Xiaoming. “No fighting, please…”

Seeing Xu Fang, Xiaoming’s eyes lit up. “Xu Fang! He’s harassing me! Call the police!”

“Bro, what’s wrong with you?” Liu Wenhao tugged at Zhu Chengtao, worried he’d escalate things. He was puzzled. Zhu Chengtao was usually calm and rational. Why was he acting so strangely today?

Sigh. All because of a woman.

“Maybe you should let go,” Xu Fang said to Zhu Chengtao. “Security will be here soon. It’ll get messy.”

Zhu Chengtao slowly released Luo Xiaoming, offering her an apologetic look. “Sorry… I’m not feeling well today.”

His first love was over.

“Hmph, don’t think an apology fixes everything…”

“That’s enough, Xiaoming. Calm down…” Xu Fang said. “Hey? Wenjian, you’re here too?”

“Man, long time no see! You moved out without even saying goodbye, Xu Fang?”

“Let’s go. Standing around won’t help. Class is starting.”

The crowd gradually dispersed. The incident was just a minor disturbance. Students filed into their respective classrooms.

Zhu Chengtao walked away, dejected. He needed some time alone.

Just moments ago, to confirm it wasn’t his ability failing, Zhu Chengtao had scanned the guy who intervened, Xu Fang. But his ability completely failed. Nothing appeared.

This usually only happened when he “looked” at things that weren’t even living!

What had gone wrong…?

“Brother Tao, where are you going…”