Chapter 2

These past few days, I’d tried my best to act normal and chat with him, but pretending I knew nothing was impossible.

During his class, whether it was my imagination or not, I felt like his mood was low, as if he was suppressing some anger.

Some girls in class would rush to give him coffee and desserts after class, asking about his day.

Seeing him surrounded, I felt a pang of sadness.

But who was I, anyway? I wasn’t even his friend, just an online girlfriend to confide in.

I sent him a message:

"Do you have a lot of people chasing you?"

He looked down at his phone, the corner of his mouth curving into a beautiful smile.

"Missing me, baby?"

The girls around him started asking,

"Professor, do you really have a girlfriend?"

He nodded, still playing with his phone.

"Is the professor’s girlfriend pretty?"

"Duh, the professor’s so handsome, his girlfriend must be gorgeous."

I snorted quietly. *Your professor doesn't even know what his internet girlfriend looks like.*

"I’d love her no matter what she looked like."

"Wow, how enviable."

I casually sent a message:

"Aren’t you afraid I’m ugly?"

I looked up to see Julian still smiling at his phone. A message came through:

"Then aren’t you afraid I’m ugly?"

In the six months Julian and I had been chatting, he had never asked me for photos, and naturally, I hadn't asked for his either.

But I wasn’t a kid anymore. These were just adult games, who really took them seriously?

Not knowing each other’s true identities was probably for the best.

Julian and I always had great chemistry, whether we were chatting or gaming.

I’d even imagined what it would be like to sit across from him and talk.

I just never expected to "meet" him this way.

I replied, "Not at all."

He replied, "Me neither."

"Chloe, quick, check the academic system! The list of thesis advisors is out!"

I checked meticulously several times. After confirming that Professor Julian was my thesis advisor, I completely broke down.

Mia was green with envy, but I would have gladly swapped with her.

The advisor created a WhatsApp group and added us, his students.

"Submit your outline to my office by Monday of next week."

Help! Pretending nothing happened was going to be incredibly difficult.

After all, we'd both witnessed how open we were in private.

And now we were supposed to meet as professor and student, in such a pure, innocent relationship? The thought filled me with dread.

Even though we’d barely FaceTimed in six months, I couldn’t be 100% sure he wouldn't recognize my voice.

I knocked on his office door, deliberately speaking in a high-pitched voice.

"Professor, this is my thesis outline."

He looked up at me. "Didn’t you answer a question in class?"

"Yes, Professor."

"Then speak normally."

Being called out directly made me even more embarrassed.

"Okay, Professor."

His hands were distinctly jointed, long, and especially beautiful.

And his face was beyond perfect. His hooded eyes gave him a sharp look.

A high nose bridge, and when he wore a coat, he just had an inherent cool vibe.

His physique? Thinking of the pictures he’d sent me, my face involuntarily grew hot. His body was simply flawless.

"Chloe, what are you thinking about?"

How could I be thinking those things right in front of him?

"Sorry, Professor, what did you just say?"

"The overall framework of your thesis is fine, but the innovative point isn’t very clear yet. Go back and refine it."

"Thank you, Professor."

Just as I was about to leave, he unexpectedly asked,

"Is there a student named 'Lee Ann' in this school?"

Oh my god! I had thought, *since it's just an online boyfriend, no need for my real name,* and made up "Lee Ann" for myself.

I had hinted to him that I was a senior in college, but never mentioned which school.

Since the game matched nearby players, there were only a few universities in the area.

Did he recognize me and ask on purpose? No, could he have been looking for me all this time?

"I don’t know anyone by that name," I said, feigning calm.

"Professor, do you need me to ask around for you?"

"No need. Just revise your outline well and head back."

The moment I stepped out of his office, I sprinted back to my dorm. *No, this can’t go on. I’ll be discovered eventually.*