The professor's words elicited a burst of laughter. Sheng Chenjin nodded, playing along with the professor, "Naturally, Professor. Your lectures are very engaging. I'll pay close attention from now on."
The professor nodded, seemingly quite pleased with Sheng Chenjin's "reflection."
Afterward, Sheng Chenjin genuinely listened to the professor's class with a serious demeanor. This prompted the professor to pat Sheng Chenjin on the shoulder after class, encouraging him, "Young man, I have high hopes for you. You can definitely do it."
Sheng Chenjin smiled and nodded at the professor.
However, while Sheng Chenjin was interacting with the professor, Shi Xinxin had already quietly walked away.
Sheng Chenjin hurried after her, "Wait for me, Shi Xinxin."
Shi Xinxin continued to walk without looking, seemingly determined to ignore Sheng Chenjin. Sheng Chenjin appeared extremely excited.
"What do you want to eat? You decide, I'm treating," Sheng Chenjin caught up to Shi Xinxin and chattered beside her.
He recalled that in the past, Sheng Chenjin was a man of few words who rarely smiled. Shi Xinxin couldn't understand what had gotten into him; it seemed like he became exceptionally talkative after arriving in America.
Sheng Chenjin continued to talk to himself, "I've been to America on business trips before, but only for short periods. I'm not very familiar with New York either. We could explore New York together, and then the weekends won't be so boring."
Shi Xinxin completely ignored Sheng Chenjin's suggestion. She walked straight into the cafeteria they usually frequented.
Sheng Chenjin still followed Shi Xinxin. However, this cafeteria required card payment. As Shi Xinxin finished ordering and swiped her card, she left. Sheng Chenjin looked rather awkward, as he didn't have a card at all. He had to find someone nearby to borrow one from.
By the time Sheng Chenjin brought his food over to find Shi Xinxin, her table and even the surrounding tables were already filled with people, leaving no seats for Sheng Chenjin.
Sheng Chenjin felt a little at a loss.
Actually, Shi Xinxin felt a little secretly delighted. To see the once arrogant, poker-faced Sheng Chenjin in such a predicament, standing there flustered, made her chuckle, as if a prank had paid off.
After much effort, Sheng Chenjin finally found a seat relatively close to Shi Xinxin, his eyes fixated on her. He had been ignoring the girls who tried to strike up conversations with him.
The moment he saw Shi Xinxin leaving, Sheng Chenjin rushed after her, not even bothering to finish his meal.
"Are you going back to rest now?" Sheng Chenjin asked, trailing behind Shi Xinxin like a shadow.
As usual, Shi Xinxin gave Sheng Chenjin no reply. Yet, Sheng Chenjin continued to follow her.
When afternoon arrived, it was the same class. Seeing Shi Xinxin and Sheng Chenjin one after the other, and noticing how Shi Xinxin completely ignored Sheng Chenjin's attempts to talk to her, the classmates knew that Sheng Chenjin hadn't succeeded yet. They started to cheer Sheng Chenjin on.
Sheng Chenjin could only smile awkwardly, "Thank you, thank you. I'll keep trying."
Shi Xinxin secretly observed Sheng Chenjin. He was truly unlike the man he used to be.
The day continued with the same routine as midday. However, tonight, Shi Xinxin didn't go to the bar for drinks. She went straight back to her apartment.
Sheng Chenjin also chattered all the way behind Shi Xinxin, following her back to her apartment.
Just as Shi Xinxin was about to close the door, Sheng Chenjin propped it open with his hand. "Can you just say a word to me? You've ignored me all day. I feel like I'm performing a one-man show."
Sheng Chenjin looked somewhat pathetic.
Shi Xinxin replied coldly, "Don't you know you've been performing a one-man show all along?"
With that, Shi Xinxin, with a surge of strength she didn't know she had, slammed the door shut.
Sheng Chenjin sighed in resignation, but then called out towards the apartment, "Shi Xinxin, I will definitely wait until you can accept me again."
There was still no reaction from inside the apartment.
Sheng Chenjin stood outside Shi Xinxin's apartment for a while. The elderly neighbor lady came over again. "Young man, still pursuing her so persistently?"
Sheng Chenjin was very polite to the old lady. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you for yesterday. If it weren't for you, I might have collapsed outside."
The old lady waved her hand. "It's nothing, just a small favor. But pursuing this Chinese girl won't be easy. It seems she barely pays you any attention."
"She should. It was my fault before. She should absolutely make me suffer a bit," Sheng Chenjin said, his eyes filled with remorse whenever this matter came up.
"You're such a gentle young man. This girl is fortunate; she's lucky to have you loving her," the old lady said with a hint of envy in her voice.
But Sheng Chenjin shook his head. "It's not that she's lucky. Actually, I'm the lucky one. She loves me too, and perhaps even more deeply than I love her, but she hasn't shown it and has always suppressed it because I wasn't good enough. I will change my ways from now on."
As he said this, Sheng Chenjin's face was turned towards the apartment, as if he desperately wanted Shi Xinxin to hear his words.
Watching Sheng Chenjin's expression and hearing his words, the old lady could tell that Sheng Chenjin truly loved the girl he was pursuing.
"Are you going to stand here all night?" the old lady asked, tilting her head.
Sheng Chenjin paused for a moment, then smiled wryly. "No, I'll stand here for a little while longer, just to keep her company, and then I'll leave. After all, I need to be in good health for the next phase of my plan, don't I?"
The old lady gave Sheng Chenjin a thumbs-up. "Good, young man, you've finally figured it out. There are many ways to pursue a girl. Choose one that is good for you and good for her, instead of being stubbornly persistent. I wish you success, young man. It would be a great pity if this girl doesn't accept you."
"No, she is wonderful. It would be a regret for me if I were to lose her," Sheng Chenjin quickly corrected the old lady. Only he knew how fortunate he was in this love, to be so loved by Shi Xinxin.
The old lady left without disturbing Sheng Chenjin further.
Sheng Chenjin stood outside Shi Xinxin's apartment for another half hour before turning and heading back to his own apartment next door.
Inside the apartment, Shi Xinxin could feel everything. To be honest, having Sheng Chenjin by her side all day made her feel incredibly warm, which was why she hadn't gone out to drink herself into oblivion.