I love you.

Jihai froze. "Chunlan, what did you say?"

Chunlan felt her palms sweat as she stared at him. Did she say it out loud? What should she do? She had no plans of denying it but she was just too embarrassed to repeat it.

Mustering her courage, she exhaled and said softly." Jihai, I.....love you." Her eyes darted around her surroundings as her cheeks turned into a beautiful shade of pink.

She clasped her hands as she noticed the place turn silent. Finally she couldn't take it anymore and turned to face him. "Jihai, I-"

"I have to go. I can't be late for my shift." He stood up abruptly, picking his bag from the floor beside him, his expression cold and stiff . "Thank you for the food, I'll see you later." 

Chunlan stood up, intending to pack the food for him to carry looked up to see him already boarding a cab. She sat down, blankly staring at the food. What just happened? Why didn't he respond? Could it be she was going too fast? She bit her lower lip, her heart sinking in disappointment.

When she reached her dorm, her sour mood increased further and her best friend, Su Menxiang finally couldn't take it any more.

"Lan'er, tell me what happened. As your best friend I will give you only the best advice." She sat beside her.

Getting no response, she coaxed further. "A problem shared is a problem half solved. Look, you are ruining your beauty if you keep frowning like this!"

After a while, Chunlan finally responded. "I confessed my feelings to Jihai."

"And?"

Chunlan swallowed her discomfort."He rejected me."

Menxiang stood up."Impossible!"

Chunlan's eyebrow arched." Are you saying that I am lying?"

"Everyone knows Jihai's love for you can climb clouds and soar through heavens! How is it possible he rejected you? Chunlan, this must be a misunderstanding." Menxiang shook her head firmly in denial.

Chunlan sighed dejectedly."I know."

"Why don't you try again? This time, be more straightforward and don't take no for an answer! Chunlan, I believe you can do it!" 

Chunlan chuckled softly. Her friend was still a hopeless romantic. "Okay."

Chunlan gazed at her friend who was trying on different skirts and frowned slightly. "Where are you going?"

"Wang Qishen is celebrating his twenty fourth birthday this evening. Are you coming?"

Chunlan sighed. "Menxiang, must you go?"

Menxiang stilled."What do you mean?"

"You and Qishen aren't meant to be together. You are already betrothed, and Bingwen is kind to you. Is it that difficult to love him?"

"I have loved Qishen since we were children." 

Chunlan touched her friend's shoulder in consolation. "What I am saying is give Qishen the satchel you brought for him. If he rejects you tonight, promise me you will give Mingwen a chance."

"Okay."