Wen Lin reflects on her life as defined by mediocrity and an obsessive infatuation with Yang Qiannan. The narrative begins in the autumn of 2009, during the opening ceremony of an MBA program at the School of Management. Wen Lin, a university student working a part-time job to manage classrooms, remains behind after most guests depart. She observes Dean Lu Bingqing, the dean of the School of Journalism, engaging in superficial social pleasantries with media personnel. Wen Lin feels a sense of disillusionment upon seeing her former professor, whose academic reverence she once held, now acting as a sycophant in a tailored suit. This encounter highlights her internal conflict between her idealized view of academia and the corrupt reality of institutional politics.
While waiting in the dimming hall, Wen Lin notices Yang Qiannan sitting apart from the crowd. He is described as indifferent and detached, playing with a gold lighter while ignoring the social interactions around him. His presence commands attention despite his silence, creating a stark contrast to the boring conversations of the middle-aged leaders. Wen Lin is immediately captivated by his aura, describing him as dark and heavy like a cloudy sky. When the lights are switched off, she is startled to find Yang Qiannan standing directly in front of her. He smiles briefly before addressing Dean Lu as "Uncle," revealing a familial connection that surprises Wen Lin. She records his name in the sign-in register, noting that he never truly looked at her, treating her as invisible background noise.
After the event, Wen Lin receives a call from her roommate, Gu Li, who has just gone through a breakup. Gu Li demands pork rib soup from a specific eatery, despite being picky and demanding. Wen Lin complies, waiting in line for twenty minutes to secure the last serving. On her way back, she encounters Yang Qiannan again in the mall elevator. He exits without acknowledging her, heading toward the cinema. Driven by impulse, Wen Lin asks her classmates to deliver the soup to Gu Li so she can follow Yang Qiannan. Her friends criticize Gu Li’s entitled behavior, but Wen Lin remains silent, prioritizing her chance to be near Yang Qiannan over her own comfort or safety.
Wen Lin enters the cinema, choosing an art film that she assumes Yang Qiannan would not typically enjoy. The theater is nearly empty, with only one seat remaining next to him in the last row. Clutching a German-language textbook she borrowed from the library, she sits beside him. The atmosphere is charged with unspoken tension. Wen Lin feels a mix of anxiety and exhilaration, describing the moment as being utterly bewitched. The light from the screen falls across Yang Qiannan’s face, highlighting his sharp features and deep, unfathomable gaze. This encounter marks the beginning of Wen Lin’s descent into a one-sided obsession, setting the stage for a complex relationship dynamic where she is the devoted observer and he remains an enigmatic, distant figure.
The story establishes Wen Lin’s character as someone who sacrifices her own needs and dignity for the chance to be near Yang Qiannan. Her willingness to abandon her responsibilities and endure criticism from friends underscores the depth of her infatuation. Meanwhile, Yang Qiannan’s indifference and his connection to Dean Lu suggest a world of privilege and power that Wen Lin is eager to enter, even if only from the periphery. The narrative explores themes of social hierarchy, unrequited love, and the loss of self-identity in the pursuit of an unattainable ideal. Wen Lin’s life, once ordinary, becomes entirely consumed by her fixation on Yang Qiannan, leading her to make choices that blur the lines between devotion and self-destruction.
As the chapter concludes, Wen Lin sits in the dark cinema, her heart racing as she watches Yang Qiannan. The physical proximity contrasts with the emotional distance between them. She is acutely aware of his lack of interest, yet she cannot bring herself to leave. This moment encapsulates the core conflict of the story: Wen Lin’s internal struggle between her rational understanding of the situation and her irrational desire to be part of Yang Qiannan’s world. The novel sets up a trajectory where Wen Lin’s ordinary life will continue to be disrupted by her obsession, leading to further complications and revelations about her past and her relationship with Yang Qiannan.
The introduction of Dean Lu Bingqing as Yang Qiannan’s uncle adds a layer of institutional complexity to the narrative. It suggests that Wen Lin’s path to Yang Qiannan may involve navigating the same corrupt academic and social structures she initially despised. Her previous admiration for Lu is shattered, yet she is now drawn into his nephew’s orbit. This irony highlights the transformative power of infatuation, which can compel individuals to embrace the very things they once rejected. Wen Lin’s journey is thus framed not just as a romantic pursuit, but as a moral and psychological descent into a world where authenticity is compromised by power and status.
Wen Lin’s decision to ask her friends to deliver the soup instead of returning to her dorm demonstrates her growing disregard for social norms and personal safety. Her friends’ concerns about thugs waiting outside the school gates are dismissed, indicating that her focus on Yang Qiannan overrides her self-preservation instincts. This risk-taking behavior foreshadows future events where Wen Lin may face greater dangers or moral dilemmas in her pursuit of Yang Qiannan. The story thus builds tension through Wen Lin’s increasingly irrational actions, inviting the reader to question whether her obsession will lead to fulfillment or ruin.
The detailed description of Yang Qiannan’s appearance and demeanor serves to idealize him in Wen Lin’s eyes, reinforcing the theme of infatuation as a form of blindness. He is portrayed as mysterious, handsome, and detached, qualities that Wen Lin interprets as depth and significance. In reality, his behavior may simply reflect indifference or arrogance. The narrative invites readers to scrutinize Wen Lin’s perceptions and consider the possibility that her idealization of Yang Qiannan is a projection of her own desires rather than an accurate reflection of his character. This psychological complexity adds depth to the story, moving it beyond a simple romance into a exploration of identity, desire, and the consequences of unchecked obsession.
