Chapter 83: If Line Campus Story 1

Prior notice: Parallel world, unrelated to the main content, the main background is Monica and Steven's campus story, still with a five-year age difference.
Please skip if not interested.
In early September, on the first day of enrollment at Harvard University, Monica fell in love at first sight with a man named Steven.
The origin of the matter is simple.
Monica's brother, Eric, was a graduate student at Harvard University. Seeing his sister about to enter her freshman year, he was entrusted by Mrs. Perez to take on the responsibility of taking care of her.
On the first day of school, he called a roommate to help Monica move her luggage.
That roommate was Steven.
He was tall, wearing a black t-shirt and pants, standing straight. His eyebrows and eyes were beautiful, but his expression was cold and he didn't like to talk.
Occasionally, he would reply to Eric with a "Hmm" and didn't even spare a glance for Monica.
But even so, in the presence of the slightly yellowed tree outside the dormitory building, where the freshmen were sweating as they moved their belongings up and down the stairs, with no romantic atmosphere whatsoever, Monica's heart was instantly struck, uncontrollably pounding, even her greeting was a beat slow.
Realizing her loss of composure, she immediately turned sideways, hiding her overly naked gaze, and touched her cheek, which was burning hot.
The heat of late summer still lingered. She lived on the third floor, and two boys carried her heavy suitcase up the stairs, their t-shirts soaked with sweat, leaving large dark marks.
Monica followed behind, staring blankly at the side of Steven's face, as well as his slightly damp black hair tips soaked with sweat. Blushing, she pursed her lips and said hesitantly, "... Or should I help?"
"No need," Steven replied shortly, switching hands with the suitcase. "It's hot, you don't need to climb the stairs, just wait in the dorm."
In the face of someone she had a crush on, she was always initially at a loss for words. Monica followed him, unable to find any topics and could only return to the dormitory in frustration, racking her brain on how to start a conversation later.
By the time they finished moving, she had finally come up with a speech and took out a tissue to wipe away sweat and handed it to Eric and Steven.
"Thank you for your hard work. Can I treat you to a cup of coffee?"
"Thank you, but I'm not going," Steven politely replied, turning to Eric. "I'll go back to the dorm to take shower and change clothes, then I'll go to the mentor's office."
Eric nodded, and Steven turned and walked towards the door. Monica didn't want him to leave so early, and instinctively called out to him.
He paused his steps, tilted his head slightly, and his ink-like black gaze looked over in calm.
Her heart beat even faster.
Holding her phone, Monica's palms were sweaty with nervousness as she approached him, cleared her throat, and tried to find a reason. "Let's exchange Facebook contacts. When you're free, I'll treat you separately to express my gratitude."
Steven's gaze swept over her reddened ears and glanced at Eric before he shrugged, pretending to be unaware.
After giving it some thought, he decided to make it clear and said, "Actually,
He gestured to me not to bother and turned around sharply, quickly disappearing from Monica's sight.
Eric dragged over a chair and sat in a relaxed posture. The dormitory aisle was narrow, so he had to prop up his long legs as there was nowhere to put them.
He picked up the small doll that Monica had brought and played with it carefully. He looked up and saw his sister still standing in place, staring blankly in the direction Steven had left.
He leaned forward and lightly tugged her ponytail, asking if she was lost in thought.
Monica was snapped back to reality by this gesture, and she turned her head, getting straight to the point, "Brother, does he have a girlfriend?" Eric found it a bit funny and replied, "You've only met him once, and you don't know anything about him except his name, yet you want to pursue him?"
"Yes," Monica confidently replied, "Is there a problem?"
Eric placed the small doll back on the table and slowly said, "He doesn't have a girlfriend." Monica's eyes lit up.
"But," Eric continued, "I advise you to give up early. There are many girls pursuing him, but none have succeeded. You're probably not his type either."
Monica had never failed to obtain what she wanted, and upon hearing Eric's words, a wave of indignation surged within her.
"I've made up my mind. I'm going to win Steven over." She raised her chin and declared clearly, "Just wait and see."
The beginning of school was the busiest. Various ceremonies, activities, and lectures kept Monica busy and disoriented.
Finally, two weeks later, she had another chance to see Steven. This time, it was to celebrate their success in a business competition. Eric and Steven went out to eat, and they also invited Monica and Ryan, a friend from a different major.
It was approaching dusk when the four of them walked out of the school gate and strolled towards the commercial street in the faint twilight.
It took Monica an hour just to get dressed today. She wore a white dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a fitted waist, paired with small heels. She meticulously applied beautiful makeup, and because of her seriousness, her roommate even teased her about going on a date.
She thought it didn't make much difference, and she felt somewhat happy. Although there were only four people, young master Eric still reserved a private room.
Monica chose the seat next to Steven and carefully sat down, protecting the hem of her dress.
She sprayed perfume, not too strong, very light and fresh, slowly diffusing in the air around her.
In an instant, Steven's nose was filled with her fragrance. He usually didn't like being surrounded by unfamiliar scents, but this time he didn't say anything and instead turned the lazy Susan and placed the menu in front of Monica, being a gentleman and saying, "You choose."
Monica took the menu, lowered her head, and casually asked everyone if they had any dietary restrictions. In her heart, she quietly noted Steven's preferences. She vowed that she had never been so attentive to Eric before. The waiter first brought two bottles of wine, and Monica also drank a little red wine.
Steven stood up, poured a bit into her tall glass, and handed it to her. Monica was focused on the menu, reaching out to take it but then hesitated.
Inadvertently, she touched his slender fingers.
She was taken aback for a moment.
The touching of their skin created a tingly electric current that flowed through her fingertips, quickly spreading throughout her body.
She recoiled as if being electrocuted, her ears turning red. The sensation of his skin lingered on her fingertips, burning hot like fire, repeatedly roasting her sanity.
She hid her hand under the table, palm covering the small patch of skin she had just touched of his, and began to regret her action.
If only she could have stayed there a little longer.
During the meal, Steven got up and went to the restroom.
Ryan noticed that Monica's gaze was fixated on Steven's back and jokingly raised his glass to his lips, saying, "Does he have money? You've been staring at him."
Monica was very straightforward and said, "I want to pursue him."
"Ha—" Ryan, who was in the middle of drinking, sprayed it out.
Eric, disgusted, moved his chair aside and threw him a few tissues, saying, "Can't you have a little dignity?"
"Oh my god." Ryan wiped his mouth and looked at her with an incredulous expression, "Are you drunk, sis? You've only met a few times."
"Today is the second time," Monica honestly replied.
Ryan earnestly advised, "Brother advises you, Steven is a heartless man. Don't let his face deceive you. How many pretty girls have been cried by his icy demeanor? There are so many good men we can have, he's not worth it."
"I'm different," Monica retorted.
"In what way?"
Monica hesitated for a long time and couldn't come up with a reason.
She anxiously stood up, patting the table and raising her voice, "Whether you believe it or not, give me a month. I will definitely get Steven."
Eric didn't say anything, just smiled at her.
"Is that so?" a cold voice sounded from behind. Monica turned her head in shock and saw Steven appearing behind her. She didn't know when he had come back.
He looked at her calmly and said, "Then I'll wait and see."
And that has nothing to do with the main story.
Side Story 2: If Line Campus Story 2
Her thoughts were overheard by herself, so Monica decided to pursue him openly.
During the common class on Monday, the classmates in the classroom keenly noticed that Steven, who had always been a woman repellent, had a beautiful girl sitting next to him whom they had never seen before.
Whispers could be heard around them, but Monica paid no attention.
Steven asked, "Where did you get my schedule?"
"It's not yours, it's my brother's," Monica cunningly smiled, "He just happened to tell me which classes he takes with you."
"Well, that works out." He slid the notebook on the table towards her and calmly said, "Since you're his sister, you can take notes for him in this class."
"Huh?" Monica didn't react for a while and looked around, "Where's my brother?"
"Skipping class and going on a date," Steven glanced at her indifferently, "He's your brother, don't you care if he comes or not?"
Monica muttered softly, "I don't care about him, I came for you."
Steven pretended not to hear and took out his laptop from his bag, opening it.
At this moment, behind them...
Suddenly, a boy came over and hooked his neck, looking at Monica while asking Steven, "What's going on? Girlfriend?"
"Eric's sister," he replied.
"Oh," the boy realized, his curiosity fading away. Just then, Monica spoke seriously, "We're not girlfriend and boyfriend yet, but I will work hard for it."
Her voice was not loud, but it was enough to quiet the classroom.
Everyone was stunned.
"I..." the boy was shocked, stopping the curse that was about to come out of his mouth in time. "Wow, the beauty is bold."
The bell rang just in time, and the professor stepped into the classroom, breaking the stagnant atmosphere. Everyone withdrew their gazes and prepared for class.
As a graduate student, Monica couldn't understand the lecture at all. She held her pen without moving and secretly glanced at Steven, who was attentively listening to the lecture.
He caught her restless and fiery gaze and lightly tapped his notebook with his fingertips, signaling her to take notes.
Soon, Monica wrote a note and handed it over.
He glanced at it and saw three words written: I don't understand.
It also came with a cute crying emoticon.
Steven looked at the note's creator and found her looking at him with the same pitiful eyes.
Her beautiful eyes sparkled with shattered light, her lips slightly pursed, and her cheeks fair and soft.
No wonder almost all the boys in the classroom had their eyes glued to her.
Steven withdrew his gaze, held the pen in his palm, uncapped it, and recapped it.
The crisp sound of "click clack" seemed to cover up whose thoughts were disturbed.
When class was over, Monica quickly rushed out of the classroom and returned five minutes later. Steven had prepared himself and used his patience once again, "Monica, your time is precious, and you shouldn't waste it on such things—"
"Here!" she breathed lightly, with a few beads of sweat on her forehead but a bright look in her eyes, "I was too tired from the early morning class, so I just ordered two cups of coffee on my phone right before class ended. This cup is for you."
Her words stopped him in his tracks.
Unaware, Monica continued to take things out of her bag, "Have you had breakfast? I just bought some bread. I don't know which kind you like, so I bought them all according to my taste. You'll definitely like them!"
Seeing him coldly staring at her without saying a word, her movements slowed down, and she asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Steven felt a sense of helplessness as if hitting cotton with a hammer. "I've already had breakfast."
"Oh..." her voice trailed off, becoming lower, accompanied by obvious disappointment, "...then, do you want the coffee?"
Her tone was like a wet kitten in the rain.
He didn't refuse, only said, "Just leave it there."
The disappointment vanished instantly, and Monica immediately became happy, raising her eyebrows,
"If you like it, I'll buy it for you every day."
"No need," he was merciless, "There's no need for you to do something meaningless like that. Moreover, you don't like early morning classes; you've been dozing off the whole time."
"Although I don't like early morning classes, I like you," Monica blurted out without thinking, confidently.
"It's because I want to see you that I can get up early."
The words were loud and powerful, and the surroundings fell back into silence in an instant. Steven looked up at her and remained silent for a while. It wasn't until the bell for the second class rang that he straightened his body and continued to look at the podium as if nothing had happened.
Despite the noise around them, Monica managed to catch his calm voice.
He whispered two words softly, "Is that so?"
For more than a week, Monica would come almost every other day.
As her graduate classes were mostly scheduled in the evenings, which coincided with his major courses, she would come whenever she had free time, rain or shine, to accompany Steven in class.
At first, he tried to dissuade her, but eventually gave up and accepted her presence without any disturbance, even though he noticed the various ambiguous glances from his classmates. After all, Monica was just acting on a whim, and he believed she wouldn't be able to keep it up for long.
Steven thought to himself.
Outside the window, the sky was pitch black, and the classroom was empty. It was quiet all around, with only the sound of his fingers tapping on the keyboard. Monica felt a bit tired and rested her cheek on the table.
She asked him in a low voice, "It's already 9 o'clock, the teaching building is about to close. When will you finish?"
"You can go if you're tired."
"No." She persisted, "There's an activity going on in the club recently. On the way back to the dorm, there's a road with special beautiful lights. I want to walk with you."
"And then?"
"Hmm?"
Steven stopped what he was doing, turned his head to look at her, his profile illuminated by the lights, and said, "Go for a walk with you, and then what?"
Monica locked eyes with him, her heart racing, and her cheeks turning red. "Don't you think it's romantic? In that kind of setting, maybe you might even fall for me."
"I won't." Steven closed his computer, put it in his bag, stood up neatly, and looked at her again, "Are you coming or not?"
"Where are we going?" Monica stood up blankly.
"To the lights." He walked towards the door with his bag on his back, not looking back, "To shatter your baseless fantasies."
The lights that Monica mentioned were actually a small path sandwiched between two rows of trees. The branches were entwined with colorful light bulbs, creating a vibrant and dreamy scene, resembling something out of a fairy tale. It was beautiful, but only if there weren't so many people.
The short alleyway was crowded with students coming and going, taking pictures or strolling around, making it lively and far from the quiet and enchanting atmosphere that Monica had imagined. Steven noticed her hesitating footsteps and a disappointed look on her face, and asked, "Are you coming or not?"
"I'm coming!" She forced herself to perk up, "I'm already here."
The lights twinkled overhead, forming a colorful galaxy. The two walked side by side, maintaining a fist's distance, without saying a word. The surrounding voices were loud and laughter filled the air, but it couldn't melt the distance between them.
Monica's attention wasn't focused, and in a daze, she accidentally bumped into someone coming towards her, losing her balance and bumping into Steven. She quickly apologized, "I didn't do it on purpose. Someone just bumped into me."
Steven said, "Don't look at me, look at the road."
She blinked her eyes and said, "How did you know I was looking at you?"
He averted his gaze and stopped speaking. However, Monica seemed to have discovered a new world, as her previous frustration disappeared.
Their distance suddenly closed in with this sudden moment, and she didn't step back. Instead, she leaned against his shoulder and quietly reached down to grab his sleeve.
Steven stopped in his tracks.
"There are too many people here, I'm afraid of getting separated from you," she bit her lip, playfully shy.
"Just let me hold your hand for a while..."
Steven calmly replied, "This is a small path, it won't get to the point where we will get separated."
Monica teased, "I don't care, if you don't let me hold your hand, then you can't walk either."
Steven: ...
He compromised and let her hold his sleeve as they continued to walk forward.
But for Monica, this was just the beginning.
After walking a few steps, she let go of his sleeve and reached down to hold his hand.
Their palms touched, and the unfamiliar warmth of their skin transmitted to Steven, furrowing his brow.
He wanted to pull away, but he realized that she had wrapped her whole arm around his.
"There are so many people watching," she said. "Give me some face and don't push me away, otherwise I won't be able to face anyone tomorrow."
The combination of a handsome man and a beautiful woman attracted attention. Steven glanced around and indeed many gazes turned towards them, curious about their relationship.
He moved his lips, glanced at the end of the path ahead, and didn't say a word of refusal.
"I really like you," Monica happily held his arm, her cheek against his shoulder. "It would be great if you could hug me and kiss me."
Steven was silent for a moment, then he withdrew his arm. Looking into her pretending-to-be-grieved eyes, he reached out and touched her forehead. In the darkness of the night, he softly said,
"Monica, don't take advantage of my kindness."