Lin Mo had a very simple philosophy about life. If nothing was happening, don't make something happen. Unfortunately, his classmates seemed determined to disagree. “Lin Mo.” Someone poked his shoulder. He didn't move. “Lin Mo.” Another poke. Still nothing. “Lin Mo!” Lin Mo slowly lifted his head from his arms. “...What?” Xu An stared at him. “You were sleeping again.” Lin Mo glanced at the clock. There were still twenty-three minutes before class ended. “So?” “So?” Xu An looked offended. “The professor asked a question, and you didn't even wake up.” “I wasn't asked.” “That isn't the point!” Lin Mo yawned. The professor continued speaking at the front of the classroom, completely ignoring the two students whispering in the back. Xu An leaned closer. “Are you going to the café this afternoon?” Lin Mo blinked. Right. He had almost forgotten. A few days ago, Gu Wen had mentioned a café near the south gate of the university. It wasn't anything special. That was precisely why Lin Mo had agreed. “Yeah.” Xu An narrowed his eyes. “With Gu Wen?” “Yes.” “You two have gotten pretty close.” Lin Mo considered this. “Have we?” “You eat together.” “Sometimes.” “He gives you notes.” “He has good handwriting.” “You've gone to the library together.” “He had an empty seat beside him.” Xu An stared at him. Lin Mo stared back. Finally, Xu An sighed. “Forget it. You really don't understand.” “Understand what?” “Nothing.” Lin Mo nodded. “Good.” And went back to sleeping. The café was quieter than Lin Mo expected. It occupied the second floor of a small building outside the university's south gate. The windows overlooked a row of trees, and warm sunlight fell across the wooden tables. Gu Wen had already arrived. He was sitting beside the window with a book open in front of him. When he saw Lin Mo, he closed it. “You're late.” “Three minutes.” “Four.” “The clock is fast.” Gu Wen looked at the clock. It was, indeed, four minutes fast. He smiled. “Fair enough.” Lin Mo sat opposite him. A menu was placed in front of him. He looked at it seriously. Gu Wen watched him. “What are you choosing?” “Something cheap.” Gu Wen raised an eyebrow. “You don't seem like someone who cares about saving money.” “I care about wasting money.” “What's the difference?” “If I buy something expensive and enjoy it, that's not wasteful.” Gu Wen laughed. “Then what do you consider wasteful?” Lin Mo pointed toward the menu. “Anything with gold flakes.” “Why?” “Because I'm eating it, not putting it in a museum.” Gu Wen laughed again. The waiter came over. Lin Mo ordered a simple iced coffee and a slice of cake. Gu Wen ordered tea. For a while, neither of them spoke. Lin Mo liked it. Silence was comfortable. There was no need to constantly find something to say. He looked out the window. Students were walking along the street outside. Some carried books. Some held hands. Some were rushing toward the university gates. Normal. Peaceful. Exactly what he wanted. “You seem happy.” Gu Wen's voice interrupted his thoughts. Lin Mo looked back. “Hmm?” “Nothing happened today.” Lin Mo frowned. “What does that have to do with me being happy?” “You've been smiling.” “I have?” “Yes.” Lin Mo touched the corner of his mouth. He hadn't noticed. Maybe he really was happy. Back in his original world, there had always been something demanding his attention. Work. Deadlines. Messages. People. Here, his biggest concern was whether the cafeteria would still have his favorite noodles by lunchtime. It was almost ridiculous. And yet... He liked it. “I think university is pretty good.” Gu Wen rested his chin against his hand. “Just university?” “Food is good too.” Gu Wen smiled. “I see.” Their drinks arrived. Lin Mo took one sip. Then his expression changed. “It's good.” Gu Wen looked amused. “You sound surprised.” “I didn't expect it.” “What did you expect?” “Expensive coffee that tastes like regret.” Gu Wen nearly choked on his tea. Lin Mo looked at him seriously. “Are you okay?” “I'm fine.” “You don't look fine.” “I just didn't expect you to say that.” Lin Mo shrugged. They continued talking. Not about anything important. Classes. Professors. Games. Food. The weather. A ridiculous rumor circulating around their department. Gu Wen discovered that Lin Mo knew an unreasonable amount about games but almost nothing about campus gossip. Lin Mo discovered that Gu Wen could explain complicated academic theories in simple language but became completely helpless whenever the conversation turned to cooking. It was a pleasant afternoon. Nothing dramatic happened. No mysterious person appeared. No one started a fight. No one needed saving. No one handed Lin Mo a secret. When they finally left the café, Lin Mo felt unusually satisfied. He stretched. “Today was good.” Gu Wen looked at him. “Then we can come again.” Lin Mo nodded. “Sure.” He took two steps before stopping. “Wait.” “What?” Lin Mo turned around. “You're paying next time.” Gu Wen laughed. “Fine.” “Good.” Lin Mo continued walking. For once, he didn't notice that someone across the street had been watching the café. He didn't notice the black car parked beneath the trees. And he certainly didn't notice the man sitting inside it glance briefly toward the university gates before looking away. That person had nothing to do with him. At least... Not yet. For Lin Mo, today had simply been a pleasant afternoon. And he intended to keep it that way. After all, he had survived transmigration. He had survived university. He had survived meeting the main protagonist. He had survived meeting the second male lead. He had even survived accidentally helping a famous actor hide from his fans. Surely life would finally leave him alone now. Lin Mo was optimistic. Perhaps too optimistic. This keeps the story slow-burn: Lin Mo gets a normal day with Gu Wen, while the larger plot remains just outside his awareness.

The Café That Was Supposed To Be Ordinary