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Chapter Text

Huff… Huff…

The sound of labored breaths echoed through the bustling campus courtyard as Cheng Xiaoshi sprinted with all his might.

"Great, just great," he muttered under his breath. "I’m already late because I stayed up all night gaming with those guys, and now the usual road is under construction, so I have to take the long way."

As if his day couldn’t get worse— Bruk! —he collided with someone, sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Ouch…” Xiaoshi groaned, rubbing his sore backside. "Seriously, could this day get any worse?"

He glanced up to see the person he had bumped into—a young man with striking white hair—already standing, dusting off his clothes and picking up a book that had fallen.

“Oh! I’m so sorry!” Xiaoshi blurted as he scrambled to his feet. “I’m in a hurry, so—”

“So what?” the man interrupted, his voice sharp. “Does that give you the right to run around without looking? What, are you the head of this campus?”

“Well, no, but I—”

“Then there’s no excuse for your actions.” The white-haired man straightened, glaring at Xiaoshi with piercing gray eyes.

Xiaoshi froze, staring. "Whoa," he whispered. "Such pretty eyes..."

“What?” The man raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

“N-no!” Xiaoshi stammered. “I mean, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to defend myself for running without looking, but I’m already an hour late! My friends told me the nice professor is out today, and he’s being replaced by the strict one who gives low grades if you’re absent! I’ve already used up all my leave, so I’m totally panicking right now—”

“Stop,” the man cut in, holding up a hand. “Why are you even telling me all this? I don’t even know you.”

“Oh, right! I’m Cheng Xiaoshi! Can I ask your na—”

“If you’re really in such a hurry, shouldn’t you be running instead of talking, Cheng Xiaoshi?” the man said, his expression bored. “And for the record, according to campus regulations, missing class without permission earns you an E grade on your final report. Surely you know what that means?”

Xiaoshi’s jaw dropped. “I DIDN’T KNOW THAT! I missed the orientation because I got sick after getting caught in the rain—”

He trailed off as he noticed the man had already walked away, clearly uninterested in his story.

“Hey! That’s rude, you know!” Xiaoshi called after him. “I was talking, and you just—”

“First, you’re late.
Second, you’re not my friend—just a random stranger.
Third, I have my own priorities, which do not include being here.
And lastly, would you please look at the time?” The man gestured pointedly at Xiaoshi’s wristwatch, his gray eyes narrowing.

Xiaoshi glanced down, then froze. “Half past ten?! No way! Class ends at eleven—how did this happen?!”

The man sighed, rubbing his temple. “Just… leave. For your sake, and mine. ”

“You’re right!” Xiaoshi exclaimed, spinning on his heel. “I need to get going! Damn, how did I not notice the time? I swear I left home at ten—”

As Xiaoshi began muttering to himself, the white-haired man tried to walk away again.

“Wait!” Xiaoshi’s voice rang out again.

The man stopped, glancing back with an exasperated expression.

“What now?”

“Can I at least know your name? Please?”

The question hung in the air, making the man pause. His brow furrowed as he seemed to weigh his options. After a brief sigh, he finally replied.

“…Guang.”

“Huh?”

“My name is Lu Guang. Now, can you please leave?” he said, emphasizing the word please.

“Lu Guang,” Xiaoshi repeated, his lips forming a soft smile. "It’s a pretty name... Lu Guang."

Lu Guang stared at him, his face unreadable.

“Well, I’ve got to go now!” Xiaoshi grinned, stepping back. “See you later, Lu Guang!” He spun around and dashed off.

Lu Guang watched the figure of Cheng Xiaoshi retreat into the distance, shaking his head as he turned to leave.

What a weirdo..

—《 ♡ 》—

Xiaoshi slumped forward on the campus canteen table, letting out a sigh of exhaustion. His stomach growled loudly, a painful reminder that he’d skipped breakfast after oversleeping.

"Ugh, finally, I get to eat after sitting all day," he muttered, his face still pressed against the table.

"Xiaoshi, don’t do that!" Xia Fei scolded, frowning at him. "How many times have I told you the tables here are dirty?"

Xiaoshi groaned but didn’t lift his head.

“I heard you were late to class today,” Liu Xiao chimed in, watching the scene with mild amusement. “That’s not like you. You’re usually wandering around campus ‘looking for air’ before class starts.”

Before Xiaoshi could answer, Xia Fei tugged at his hair, forcing him to sit up.

"Ow, Xia Fei! That hurts!" Xiaoshi complained.

“Then stop laying your face on the table,” he replied with a huff and walks to sit beside Liu Xiao.

Rubbing his scalp, Xiaoshi grumbled, "It’s because of you guys! If Vein hadn’t gotten all competitive over my high score in the mahjong game and made me stay up—"

“Now, now,” a familiar voice interrupted from behind. “That’s not a very nice thing to say about me, is it?”

Vein appeared, carrying their tray of food. Smiling mischievously, he draped an arm around Xiaoshi’s neck.

"Here I am, being a good friend and ordering your food, and this is how you talk about me?" Vein teased, tightening his hold slightly.

“Vein! Stop sneaking up on me like that!” Xiaoshi spluttered, struggling against the embrace. “Let go! I heard something crack in my neck!”

With a chuckle, Vein finally let go and slid into the seat beside him, grinning proudly.

“You’re so dramatic, Xiaoshi,” Xia Fei said, shaking his head. “I’ve seen Vein do worse, and the people on the receiving end didn’t even complain.”

"Really?" Xiaoshi raised an eyebrow. “That person must’ve been either really strong or maybe a maso—”

“That's because they fainted less than five seconds after Vein did that,” Xia Fei finished, an innocent smile on his face.

Liu Xiao stifled a laugh. “To be fair, it was their fault. They were hitting on Xian Fei, after all.”

“Right...” Xiaoshi sighed, glancing at his friends. “It's interesting how this trio that's sitting around me are so smitten yet oblivious to each other.." he thought to himself.

"Anyway," Liu Xiao said, steering the conversation back, "wasn’t your usual road to campus under construction too? Sounds like today’s been rough for you."

Xiaoshi paused, leaning back in his chair.

Xiaoshi then remembered his encounter some time ago with the beautiful boy with white hair and sharp gray eyes, a faint smile creeping onto his face.

"Lu Guang."
"My name is Lu Guang."

Then, looking at Liu Xiao, he replied softly, "Nah, it’s actually been a pretty good day."

Chapter Text

The library was quiet that afternoon, the kind of quiet that was calming and soothing. The occasional breeze drifted through the open windows, rustling pages, while sunlight streamed in, wrapping everything in its warm embrace.

Qiao Ling stretched her arms lazily on the library table, breaking the silence. “Lu Guang, do you have any book recommendations for me? I’m pretty sure I’ve read every interesting book I could find here,” she said, tilting her head in boredom.

Lu Guang, engrossed in a thick book, glanced up briefly. “I thought you came here for inspiration for your clothing designs. Why are you asking me for book recommendations?” he asked, a bit confused.

“Hah! You don’t get it, Lu Guang!” Qiao Ling exclaimed, sitting up with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. “I get my inspiration from books! Just imagine—the elegance of a dress worn by a princess who’s always underestimated. And then, during her debut, she stuns everyone with her radiance! Oh, oh—or a uniform worn by a female soldier, exuding strength yet maintaining elegance!”

Lu Guang let out a soft huff and returned his attention to his book. “Let me guess,” he muttered, “you also want a dashing crown prince to be the male lead in this ‘inspiration book’ of yours?”

“Not at all!” Qiao Ling retorted, puffing out her chest. “The crown prince trope is so overdone. I’m all about the duke plots these days. Way more interesting, don’t you think? Anyway,” she continued, leaning back, “are there even any comics in this library? I’ve never seen one.”

“This is a library,” Lu Guang replied dryly. “You can’t possibly think comics are here to boost intellectual growth.”

“ Gasp! Lu Guang, how dare you!” Qiao Ling gasped theatrically, clutching her chest. “Comics do boost creativity! You should try reading some. Who knows, it might help you with your poetry project.”

“No, thanks,” Lu Guang replied dismissively. “I’d rather read a history book than flip through pages of illustrated dialogue.”

“Boo! You’re no fun, Lu Guang!” Qiao Ling pouted, slumping against the table. “That’s probably why you don’t have any friends besides me.”

Suddenly, a buzz from her phone broke her exaggerated sulking. She picked it up immediately, her eyes scanning the screen. Then, looking around the library.

“What are you doing?” Lu Guang asked, raising an eyebrow at her odd behavior.

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” she said, fiddling with her phone. “A friend of mine from the photography major needs some input on their model’s outfit design, so I told him to come here. I promise it won’t take long. But if it bothers you, I’ll move—”

“Qiao Ling!” a voice suddenly called out from across the room, cutting her off. The loudness of the voice echoed through the otherwise tranquil library, earning a few annoyed glances from other patrons. A boy was walking toward their table, waving enthusiastically.

Lu Guang’s brows furrowed. He recognized that figure. Wasn’t this the same guy who had accidentally bumped into him earlier that morning?

“Oh! It’s you!” the boy exclaimed, his eyes lighting up as he spotted Lu Guang. His bright smile was almost blinding.

Qiao Ling looked between the two, her confusion evident. “Wait—do you guys know each other? Lu Guang, you know someone other than me?!”

Lu Guang sighed internally, his gaze shifting from Qiao Ling to the boy now standing at their table.

“ ...should I just leave? ” he wondered to himself.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

Lu Guang let out a sigh as he slurped his milkshake, the cool sweetness of the drink barely soothing his annoyance. He glanced around the bubble tea shop, taking in the bright pastel walls and cheerful atmosphere. It was a stark contrast to the tranquil silence of the campus library, his usual haven.

" Seriously, what am I even doing here? " he thought to himself. Normally, he'd be immersed in his books, but thanks to the two loud idiots, he'd been unceremoniously kicked out of the library. At least he got to enjoy a bubble tea , he supposed.

"So, Lu Guang, you're a literature major, huh?" Cheng Xiaoshi suddenly piped up, his bright and curious eyes fixed on Lu Guang.

Lu Guang exhaled softly, nodding. "Yeah," he replied, his tone flat.

"Cool! I've never had a friend from there before. It’s nice to meet you, Lu Guang!" Cheng Xiaoshi said cheerfully, his enthusiasm spilling over.

Lu Guang glanced at him, clearly unimpressed. In his mind, he was already plotting his escape from the current situation. "Friends?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Huh? Yeah, we're friends, right?" Cheng Xiaoshi tilted his head, a look of confusion on his face.

"As far as I know, friendship is a relationship built on mutual trust," Lu Guang remarked, taking another deliberate sip of his milkshake.

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled, completely unfazed. "Well, I do trust you! It’s not like you’d suddenly pull a gun out of nowhere to kill me, right?"

"Really? And why do you trust me so much?" Lu Guang smirked slightly, his tone taking on a teasing edge.

Cheng Xiaoshi froze, feeling a sudden wave of nervousness. "Oh, why is it so hot in here all of a sudden?" he thought, fumbling for a response. "Well, I—"

Before he could finish, Qiao Ling appeared from behind, carrying a waffle in her hand. "Hey! Sorry for the long wait. The queue at the waffle shop was insane," she said, then paused, sensing the tension. "Oh, did I interrupt something?"

"No," Lu Guang replied simply.

"N-no, not at all!" Cheng Xiaoshi stammered, hastily slurping his bubble tea in an attempt to look casual. Qiao Ling raised an eyebrow at him but decided not to pry, taking a seat beside him instead.

"Anyway, as much as I'd love to hang out longer, I’ve got an appointment with Shanshan," Qiao Ling said, chomping into her waffle. "So, I’ll leave after I finish this."

"Oh, it’s been a while since I last saw her. Is she still with Dong Yi?" Cheng Xiaoshi asked, clearly curious.

Qiao Ling shot him a glare, her expression unamused. "You’re really going to get punched if you ask her that. But yes, they’re still together."

"What? I was just asking! It’s not my fault she has anger issues," Cheng Xiaoshi protested defensively.

"It’s impolite to pry into someone’s relationship like that," Lu Guang commented, setting down his now-empty cup.

Qiao Ling sighed, shaking her head. "Please bear with him, Lu Guang. Xiaoshi can be... well, insensitive sometimes. He’s just dumb, really."

"Hey! I’m right here!" Xiaoshi exclaimed, clearly offended.

Lu Guang gave a small nod. "It’s alright. I’ve already figured that out from a few interactions."

Cheng Xiaoshi’s jaw dropped as he stared at Lu Guang, completely at a loss for words. He pouted, sulking like a child.

"Oh, come on. Don’t act like a kid. What, do you think you’re cute or something?" Qiao Ling teased dismissively.

"Well, I am cu—"

Before he could finish, Qiao Ling’s phone buzzed. She checked the screen and quickly stood up. "Oh, that’s Shanshan! Gotta go, guys. See you later!" She left in a hurry, leaving the two boys sitting in an awkward silence.

Lu Guang stood up, ready to make his escape. "I’ll be going no—"

"Can you play basketball?" Cheng Xiaoshi asked at the exact same moment.

Both of them froze, blinking at each other in confusion.

" Huh? " they said in unison.

Chapter Text

The sound of the basketball hitting the rim echoed in the air— clank.

“So, do you play often?” Xiaoshi asked, dribbling the ball as he faced Lu Guang, who had been silent for most of their time together.

Lu Guang hesitated before responding, his voice calm and steady, “I only play if I feel like I’m not moving enough.”

Xiaoshi chuckled, brushing a hand through his hair as the breeze rustled around them. “Yeah, I can tell. You seem like the type who’s always cooped up in a room, reading books and stuff.”

Lu Guang’s gaze shifted toward Xiaoshi, a faint frown crossing his face. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

Xiaoshi flinched slightly, his tone growing panicked. “Oh! Of course, it’s a compliment! I mean, it’s a rare hobby these days, right? I think it’s really cool!” He grinned, his voice bright and cheerful.

Lu Guang let out a small huff, brushing off the comment. “How about you?” he asked suddenly.

“Huh?”

“What’s your hobby?” Lu Guang clarified, silently wondering why he had even bothered to ask.

Xiaoshi lit up at the question, thrilled that Lu Guang was taking an interest to him. “Oh! Well, I like cooking, photography, playing games, and of course, basketball. Though I’m sure you’ve already figured out the last one.”

Lu Guang gave a small nod, his sharp eyes observing Xiaoshi’s movements. “You’re pretty good.”

Xiaoshi’s grin widened, a faint blush dusting his cheeks as he scratched the back of his head. “Really? Ah, it’s nothing, really. I just play here a lot, so I’ve pretty much memorized the hand movements and positions I need to make the shots.”

“I see,” Lu Guang replied quietly.

As silence settled between them once more, Xiaoshi broke it, his voice filled with curiosity. “Do you know why I love basketball so much?”

Lu Guang glanced at him, considering for a moment before answering, “Because it feels good to run around, feel the wind, and get that satisfying feeling when the ball goes through the hoop?”

Xiaoshi laughed, his voice warm and light. “That’s part of it, sure,” he admitted. He twirled the ball in his hands before continuing, “But the main reason is because, whenever I pass the ball to someone, it’s like I’m showing my trust in them.”

With a smile, Xiaoshi passed the ball to Lu Guang, who caught it with ease.

“So, Lu Guang,” Xiaoshi said, meeting his eyes with a playful yet sincere look. “Will you pass to me too?”

A silence settled over them after Cheng Xiaoshi threw out his question. The stillness hung heavy in the air, and not wanting to let the situation grow more awkward, Xiaoshi opened his mouth to break it.

“I mean, it’s totally okay if you don’t want t—”

“You do realize there’s only the two of us here, right?” Lu Guang cut him off, his tone dry yet pointed. “If you want to play, we’ll have to do a 1v1.”

Xiaoshi blinked, caught off guard. “...Oh.”

— 《 ♡ 》 —

Xiaoshi handed a bottle of water to Lu Guang. "Here," he said.

They had been playing basketball for an hour, and when Xiaoshi noticed that Lu Guang was starting to look tired, he suggested they wrap up the game and grab a drink.

"Thanks," Lu Guang said, taking the bottle and drinking.

"You know," Xiaoshi began, watching him, "for someone who only plays to stay active, you’re actually pretty good."

Lu Guang lowered the bottle, glanced at Xiaoshi, and replied, "Didn’t think you’d say that."

"Hey! What’s that supposed to mean? Is this about what Qiao Ling said—that I’m insensitive? Are you seriously going to believe her over me?" Xiaoshi said, frowning in protest.

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "For the record, she said you were stupid, not insensitive. And besides, she’s my friend."

"Wha—aren’t I your friend too? Come on, we just played basketball together!" Xiaoshi argued, pouting dramatically.

Lu Guang’s lips quirked into the smallest of smiles. "But I didn’t pass to you, did I? Doesn’t that mean I don’t trust you?" Lu Guang said, remembering Xiaoshi's word from before.

Xiaoshi folded his arms and grinned smugly. "But I stole the ball from you! That means I earned your trust anyway!"

Lu Guang gave him a flat look, clearly unimpressed. After a pause, he sighed. "You’re impossible."

"What? Am I wrong though?" Xiaoshi asked, now sounding unsure of himself.

Lu Guang exhaled sharply, his tone dry. "I’m going now," he said, rising from his seat.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Xiaoshi asked, immediately getting to his feet.

"Home. Isn’t it obvious? It’s getting late," Lu Guang replied, glancing at the orange and purple hues streaking the sky. He gave Xiaoshi a look as if to say, How are you not noticing this?

"Why don’t we hang ou—" Xiaoshi started, but his words were cut off by the loud rumble of his stomach.

A brief silence fell between them.

"You… didn’t hear that, right?" Xiaoshi asked sheepishly, his face flushing in embarrassment.

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "...Do you want me to pretend I didn’t?"

Chapter Text

"This is ridiculous," Lu Guang thought. "What am I even doing here? Why am I at Cheng Xiaoshi's house? I thought I wanted to rest and finish the book I was reading." He questioned his own decision to accept Cheng Xiaoshi's invitation.

((Flashback))

"…Do you want me to pretend I didn’t hear that?"

"Ah—please, just forget it!" Cheng Xiaoshi begged, desperate to make Lu Guang forget the loud rumbling of his stomach.

Lu Guang smiled, slightly amused. "I don’t know about that. It’s kind of funny if you think about it."

Seeing Lu Guang smile, Cheng Xiaoshi swore his face wasn’t red. No, it had to be the color of the afternoon sun lighting him up… right?

Then Lu Guang continued, "Don’t tell me you haven’t eaten all day?" He tilted his head, recalling something from earlier. "Considering you overslept this morning…"

"N-no! I ate lunch with my friends!" Cheng Xiaoshi said defensively. "I think I’m just hungry because of all the running we did earlier."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously hungry after all that? You’ve been energetic this whole time."

"Oh, really? Well, I am a pretty energetic person, you see~" Cheng Xiaoshi said proudly. "My friends always say I’m the one who lifts the mood in the room!"

Lu Guang gave him a sidelong glance. "I’d rather not have people like you in the room," he thought to himself before speaking aloud. "If you’re that hungry, then we should just part ways here," he said, getting up from his chair.

Instinctively, Cheng Xiaoshi grabbed Lu Guang’s wrist. "Wait—!" he blurted before realizing what he’d just done. Quickly letting go, he stammered, "Oh, I’m so sorry! I moved without thinking, I just—"

Lu Guang sighed, his sharp gaze meeting Cheng Xiaoshi’s as if silently asking, "What is it?"

"Um… well, how about we have dinner together?" Cheng Xiaoshi suggested, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Or—oh! We could just eat at my place! I’m a pretty good cook, you know?" he added, his voice bright and full of pride.

"No, thank y—"

"Please?" Cheng Xiaoshi interrupted, his tone softer this time.

Lu Guang blinked. Was that… puppy eyes? He shook his head slightly. "I must be seeing things. Maybe I'm just tired," he thought.

"Fine," he finally relented with a sigh.

Cheng Xiaoshi beamed.

"Yeah, I must’ve been feeling tired," Lu Guang thought again. There was no way he would have willingly accepted Xiaoshi's offer if he were feeling well. Yet, he still found himself trailing behind an excited Cheng Xiaoshi toward his house.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

"Come on in, Lu Guang!" Xiaoshi said enthusiastically, holding the door open as he stepped inside his cozy home.

"Sorry if I’m intruding," Lu Guang replied, hesitating slightly as he stepped through the doorway. The place felt inviting, but somehow, he couldn’t shake the sense that he didn’t belong here.

"Ayy, just chill! Make yourself at home," Xiaoshi said, grinning wide as he tossed his keys onto the table near the entrance and made his way to the couch in the living room. Lu Guang followed him silently, his gaze flicking around to take in the place.

The house wasn’t big, but it had an undeniable charm. A mix of organized chaos and warmth—a place that truly reflected its owner. There were scattered photo frames on the walls, an old but clean couch in the end of the room, and a lots of potted plants.

Xiaoshi plopped down onto the couch with a sigh, tossing his bag onto the other end and stretching like he’d just returned from a marathon. He turned to Lu Guang with a proud grin. "Alright, you can sit here! Do you have any food requests? Anything you're craving? I’ll whip it up if I can manage it!"

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow, skeptical as ever. "Do you even have the ingredients for it?" he asked bluntly, crossing his arms. His sharp question made him wonder if Xiaoshi was just too optimistic—or maybe too impulsive.

"Eh? Oh, you're right!" Xiaoshi froze, his grin turning into mild panic. "Yesterday my friend came here to play so I used a lot of ingredients, do I even have anything left?" He jumped up and darted toward the kitchen, mumbling to himself, "What do I have? What do I have?"

Lu Guang watched the scene unfold, shaking his head slightly. The boy was loud, chaotic, and unpredictable—traits Lu Guang usually avoided. But for some reason, he didn’t mind it this time. Maybe it was the way Xiaoshi’s energy filled the space, or maybe he was just too tired to reject his company.

"Lu Guang..." Xiaoshi emerged from the kitchen a few moments later, his head hanging low, an air of defeat around him.

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Guang spoke up, his voice calm. "It’s fine if you don’t have any ingredients. I can just—"

Before he could finish, Xiaoshi cut him off with an excited yell. "I found two eggs!" He held them up like they were rare treasures, his smile wide with pride.

Lu Guang blinked, caught off guard, then gave a slow, sarcastic clap. "Congratulations..." he said dryly, though he couldn’t hide the slight twitch of amusement at the corner of his lips.

"Hehe, just sit tight and wait, okay?" Xiaoshi said with newfound determination. "I promise these eggs will be worth the wait. They’ll be the best eggs you’ve ever had!" He turned and rushed back into the kitchen with a newfound sense of purpose.

Lu Guang sighed but complied, settling onto the couch. His gaze wandered across the room again. This wasn’t just a home—it was also Xiaoshi’s photo studio. The boy had mentioned earlier that he sometimes opened the studio for extra money when he had free time.

"It’s a cozy house," Lu Guang thought. There wasn’t much furniture, but it was clear Xiaoshi cared about this place. Every detail reflected the owner’s personality—a mix of lively chaos and heartfelt care. To pass the time, Lu Guang reached into his bag and pulled out a book he hadn’t finished.

The sound of pages flipping filled the room as Lu Guang began reading, though his focus wasn’t fully on the book. Occasionally, the clattering sounds from the kitchen drew his attention. The loud bang of a pan hitting the floor made him pause, followed quickly by Xiaoshi’s voice shouting, "I’m okay!"

Lu Guang closed his book briefly, pressing two fingers to his temple. "I can trust him on this one, right...?" he thought to himself, already questioning his decision to let Xiaoshi handle the cooking. Still, he stayed where he was, allowing the chaotic energy in the kitchen to carry on uninterrupted.

For some reason, despite all the noise and unpredictability, he felt oddly comfortable here.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

Lu Guang had been quietly reading his book when he realized the sound of the stove had already stopped. He set the book aside just as Cheng Xiaoshi emerged from the kitchen, a proud smile lighting up his face, carrying two plates of omurice.

Seeing this, Lu Guang stood up and asked, “Is there anything I can help with?”

“Oh, well, can you help me prepare the drink, please? You can find it in the kitchen,” Xiaoshi replied, scratching the back of his neck while putting the plate.

“Okay,” Lu Guang nodded slightly before heading to the kitchen.

Upon entering, he was surprised by how clean the kitchen was. “Huh, I didn’t expect him to be the tidy type,” he thought. His gaze swept over the space, noting the well-organized utensils and the fully equipped setup. “Ah, he did mention he likes cooking,” Lu Guang mused, slightly impressed. “Maybe I should ask him for recipe recommendations.” With that thought, he grabbed the drinks and made his way back to the table.

When he got back, he saw Xiaoshi arranging the cutlery meticulously. Lu Guang’s eyes flicked to the omurice on the table. The egg looked soft and perfectly cooked. “He must be really good at cooking,” he thought.

Noticing Lu Guang’s arrival, Xiaoshi smiled. “Oh, you’re back. Come, come, let’s eat together!"

Lu Guang complied, sitting beside him.

“Thank you for the food,” they said in unison before beginning their meal.

The room fell into a comfortable silence as they ate. For a while, the only sounds were the quiet clinking of utensils.

Unable to bear the silence for too long, Xiaoshi spoke up, his voice a little uncertain. “Sorry, Lu Guang. This is all I managed to make, even though I asked you about your favorite food earlier…” His earlier confidence seemed to falter.

Lu Guang glanced at him and shook his head. “No, this is more than enough. I’ll make sure to treat you next time.”

Hearing that, Xiaoshi’s face lit up. “Does that mean we’ll get to hang out again?” he asked excitedly.

There was a brief pause before Lu Guang replied, “If the time and situation align… sure.” His voice carried a note of hesitation, as if he wasn’t even sure of his own answer.

Xiaoshi beamed. “You can always come here if you need a photo or something—or even if you just need food!”

Lu Guang gave him a strange look. “Do you take me for a stray cat or something?”

“Well, you do look like a cat,” Xiaoshi quipped with a mischievous grin. “I mean, you’re kind of fierce… and cute. ” The last word slipped out quietly, almost to himself.

Lu Guang huffed. “You’re ridiculous.”

Another silence settled between them before Xiaoshi broke it again. “It’s nice to have someone to talk to like this,” he said softly, his tone suddenly melancholic. “I’ve been alone all this time, after all.” He smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Lu Guang paused, unsure if he should say something. The silence stretched until Xiaoshi hurriedly added, “Oh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to make things weird. That just… slipped out.”

“There’s nothing wrong with being alone,” Lu Guang said at last, looking at Xiaoshi. “In fact, being alone can strengthen your inner foundation. Nowadays, having a solid foundation is important. Too many people follow others without questioning what’s right or wrong. I think people who can stand alone are very cool because they have their own opinions.” He finished with a rare, slight smile.

Xiaoshi chuckled. “When you put it like that, I guess you’re right.” He smirked playfully. “So, I’m cool, huh?”

Lu Guang huffed again. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Thanks, Lu Guang. That actually makes me feel better,” Xiaoshi said warmly.

Lu Guang merely hummed and stood, collecting his empty plate. “I’m done eating. Here, give me your dishes.”

“Oh—Lu Guang, I can’t let you do that. You’re my gues—”

“I’ve already troubled you enough,” Lu Guang cut him off, taking Xiaoshi’s plate before heading to the sink. “Just sit tight and wait,” he said, disappearing into the kitchen.

Xiaoshi blinked in surprise. “Did he just use my words against me?” he thought, feeling baffled. Yet, he still complied and sat back on the couch.

A few minutes later, Lu Guang reappeared, looking slightly sweaty. Xiaoshi caught himself staring. “How can someone look that good after washing dishes?” he wondered silently.

“I’m done. I’ll head home now. Thank you for the food—I’ll definitely treat you next time,” Lu Guang said, picking up his bag.

“Oh, of course! It’s nothing, really. And I can’t wait for us to hang out again!” Xiaoshi replied eagerly, walking him to the door while excitedly sharing ideas for their next meetup.

Lu Guang stayed quiet, his expression unreadable, until they reached the door.

“You can pick any time you want to hang out, and I promise I’ll be there!” Xiaoshi said brightly.

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What if I pick a time when you’re swamped with work?”

“Then I’ll finish my work early so you won’t feel like you’re disturbing me!” Xiaoshi declared confidently.

Lu Guang shook his head. “You’re ridiculous.”

Xiaoshi laughed softly. “Good night, Lu Guang,” he said with a warm smile.

Lu Guang glanced at him, his expression softening. “Yeah, good night, Cheng Xiaoshi.”

As Lu Guang walked away, Xiaoshi watched him with a smile that lingered long after he’d gone. That night, no one in the world knew how they both went to bed with hearts a little lighter and smiles a little brighter— not even they themselves.

Chapter Text

Xia Fei stepped out of the dressing room with a confident spin, his new outfit catching the light just right. He turned to his companions with a smirk. “Look, does this look good on me?” he asked, clearly fishing for approval.

Vein frowned, leaning back against a display rack with crossed arms. “Ehh, why didn’t you try the outfit I recommended?” he asked, a note of disappointment in his voice. “I told you the red one would look amazing.”

Xia Fei let out an exaggerated sigh and waved him off. “No way, Vein. Red doesn’t suit me—it makes me look too flashy,” he said dismissively, brushing off Vein's suggestion.

“What?” Vein shot back, his tone firm. “Red looks good on everyone! It’s bold, it’s confident, it screams ‘look at me’—isn’t that the whole point of coming here in the first place?” He gestured dramatically, as if his argument was undeniable.

Xia Fei smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Oh, Vein,” he began, his tone dripping with mockery, “you don’t get it. I’m not here to stand out. These clothes aren’t here to make me look good. I am here to make them look good.” He placed a hand on his hip, exuding quiet confidence.

Vein blinked, momentarily caught off guard—he couldn’t deny that Xia Fei looked good in anything. Still, he muttered to himself, “But red really does suit everyone…” His brows furrowed as he frowned, clearly still hung up on his original suggestion.

Xia Fei, having tired of Vein’s lack of “real” input, turned to Liu Xiao, who had been quietly observing the exchange. “What about you? Do you think this looks good on me?” he asked, his tone still brimming with confidence.

Liu Xiao observed him quietly for a moment, his gaze calm and analytical. “It does look good on you,” he said with a small nod and a faint smile. Then he added, “But I think black would suit you better.” Liu Xiao continued, his tone even and unshakable. “It’s a neutral color. It goes with everything and brings out elegance without overshadowing the person wearing it.”

Xia Fei let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. “You two are hopeless,” he muttered. He turned away, shaking his head. “Where’s Xiaoshi? At least he might have some sense.”

"Oh, he said he’s just looking around," Liu Xiao said while scanning the store, his eyes searching for Xiaoshi. "There he is," he added, pointing toward Xiaoshi, who was currently examining a shirt. Xia Fei, noticing, immediately headed in his direction.

"Hm? That’s unusual," Vein remarked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Xiaoshi. "He usually doesn't care about clothes at all and just whines for us to hurry up."

Liu Xiao glanced at Vein, then returned his gaze to Xiaoshi and Xia Fei, who were now talking animatedly about some clothes. From a distance, Liu Xiao could tell that Xiaoshi was asking for Xia Fei’s opinion on the clothes he’d been eyeing earlier. Xia Fei seemed excited, smiling and rambling while he picked up and pointed out various outfits.

"Well, maybe something interesting is happening here," Liu Xiao said, a small smile forming on his lips.

—《 ♡ 》 —

Xia Fei raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Xiaoshi, who was intently studying two shirts in front of him, visibly struggling to make a choice. “What’s this? It’s rare to see you wandering around a clothing store,” Xia Fei remarked. “Have you finally realized how boring your wardrobe is? Or did someone call you out for wearing the same thing all the time?”

Xiaoshi let out a huff. “There’s nothing like that. And for the record, it’s not the same clothes—I just have multiple pieces of the same design,” he defended.

Shaking his head, Xia Fei smirked. “Honestly, if I saw you every day, I’d think I’d traveled back in time. Your wardrobe hasn’t changed in years.”

Annoyed, Xiaoshi shot back, “Did you come here just to nag me?”

“Oh, right!” Xia Fei exclaimed, as if suddenly remembering something. “What do you think of my suit?” He struck a playful pose. “I tried asking Vein and Liu Xiao, but those two were no help at all.”

Xiaoshi gave him a quick glance and said, “It looks good. I like the style.” Then, almost under his breath, he added, “I’m pretty sure both of your boyfriends would like it too. Not that it matters—they’d probably love anything you wear anyway.”

“They are not my boyfriends,” Xia Fei interjected almost immediately, exasperated. “I can’t even imagine dating those two with how weird they are.”

Xiaoshi chuckled at his friend’s flustered tone. “You three are hopeless,” he said, shaking his head. He knew all too well that the three of them couldn’t go a single day without each other.

Then, turning back to the shirts, he asked, “Anyway, can you help me out with this? I’ve been staring at these for ages, and I still can’t decide.”

“Hm?” Xia Fei leaned in closer to examine the options. “Wait, are you seriously planning to buy one of these? What’s the occasion? Or… is there someone you’re trying to impress?” he teased, smirking. Xia Fei was certain that couldn’t be the case—Xiaoshi was far too oblivious to his own charm. “This guy doesn’t even realize he’s one of the most popular people on campus,” he thought.

To his surprise, Xiaoshi’s cheeks tinged red, and he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “It’s not like that. I just figured I should at least try to look decent.”

“Oh?” Xia Fei’s eyes lit up as a knowing smile spread across his face.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

Xia Fei placed the bottle of soy sauce into the trolley. “Xiaoshi, I found the soy sauce. Do you need anything else?” he asked. Currently, the four of them were on a grocery shopping for a sleepover at Xiaoshi’s house.

Xiaoshi sighed, clearly exasperated. “Can you just keep an eye on your two boyfriends? They’ve been gone for a while now,” he said, recalling the last time they went shopping together. Vein had managed to make a child cry, and Liu Xiao only stood by, watching the chaos with amusement.

Xia Fei sighed as well. “What am I going to do with them?” He shot Xiaoshi a glare. “Why didn’t you keep an eye on them?”

“What am I supposed to do if I’m the one watching them?” Xiaoshi retorted defensively. “Push them around in the trolley?”

“You can do anything if you put your mind to it,” Xia Fei replied with a shrug. “Alright, I’ll go look for them. Let’s meet at the cashier, okay?” Without waiting for a response, he walked off.

Xiaoshi waved him off, muttering, “Yeah, yeah,” before turning his attention back to the snack aisle. He scanned the shelves, lost in thought. I wonder what kind of snacks Lu Guang likes... I want to be thorough when he comes next time.

After finishing his selection, Xiaoshi made his way to the cashier. There, he found the trio chatting animatedly, an unmistakable aura of fondness surrounding them. He sighed inwardly. With that look, anyone could clearly see from a mile away how in love they are with each other.

“Oh, there he is,” Liu Xiao said, noticing Xiaoshi’s arrival. The three approached, ready to help with the groceries.

“Xiaoshi, isn’t this a bit much for just beef stir-fry?” Vein asked, raising an eyebrow. “You’re not trying to trick us into chipping in more than we should, are you?” His smile turned slightly menacing.

“Nah, of course not! I’m paying for all of this myself,” Xiaoshi said. “I just... thought I’d get extra in case a friend visits me again someday.” A small smile crossed his face as he remembered Lu Guang’s promise to hang out again.

“Wow, why are you being such a good friend to others except for me?” Vein teased, crossing his arms casually.

Xiaoshi shot him a look. “You should be grateful I even accepted you as my friend after that first greeting of yours.”

Vein raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “What? What’s wrong with my greeting? You should’ve been thankful I greeted you with a compliment.”

“A compliment?” Xiaoshi scoffed. “No one in their right mind would greet someone with, ‘You look tasty.’”

Vein smirked. “You didn’t even understand me at the time! And besides, that’s way better than me saying you look like rotten meat.”

Xiaoshi groaned, narrowing his eyes. “I don’t know why I put up with you."

The two continued bickering back and forth while Liu Xiao and Xia Fei exchanged knowing glances. Both silently thought the same thing: Oh, really now?

Chapter Text

Clack. The sound of the door locking echoed softly as Cheng Xiaoshi turned the key. He had decided to close the photo studio early today, even though it was the weekend. His friends were planning a sleepover, after all, and the last time he tried to keep the studio open while they were around hadn’t ended well.

He let out a tired sigh as he set the grocery bags down and flopped onto the living room couch. “Remind me again why I agreed to go shopping with you guys?” he muttered, exhaustion evident in his voice.

“Hey, are you seriously saying that after I helped you pick out some nice clothes?” Xia Fei said, narrowing his eyes.

“Right...” Xiaoshi replied, still slumped against the cushions. “Anyway, Liu Xiao and I cooked during the last sleepover, so it’s your and Vein’s turn this time. And please,” he added, “don’t let Vein do anything stupid.”

“You heard him, Vein. Get up,” Xia Fei said, his tone firm as he glanced at Vein. The latter was perched on the staircase, completely engrossed in a mahjong game on his phone. “If you don’t want to starve for dinner, we need to start cooking now.”

“Alright, alright,” Vein said with a groan, putting his phone away and following Xia Fei into the kitchen. “Though, honestly, I think the beef will still taste good even if we don’t do much to it.”

“I’ll reset your mahjong game if you do that,” Xia Fei threatened, narrowing his eyes.

“No way! That’s so cruel. I was about to get a new high score!” Vein protested, his tone playful.

Xiaoshi sighed again, shaking his head at the duo’s antics. Deciding to escape the chaos, he headed upstairs to the bedroom, where Liu Xiao was already busy setting up the makeshift beds on the floor.

“Oh, you’ve already started?” Xiaoshi said, stepping into the room. “You could’ve waited for me, you know.”

“It’s no big deal,” Liu Xiao replied with a smile, sitting down on the lower bunk bed as Xiaoshi grabbed an extra pillow. “But if you really want to repay me, maybe you can answer a question for me.”

Xiaoshi glanced at him warily, sensing something was up. “What question?”

Liu Xiao’s smile grew sly, his gaze narrowing slightly. “Oh, you’ll find out later.”

After dinner, the question finally came. Out of nowhere, Liu Xiao turned to him with a curious expression. “So—who’s this new friend of yours, Cheng Xiaoshi?”

“Right,” Xia Fei chimed in, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “Who’s the person you’re trying to impress? Do I know them? Are they from your major? Please tell me they at least have good fashion sense.”

Vein looked up from his phone, confused. “What are you guys talking about? Did Xiaoshi get into some kind of trouble and is now trying to butter someone up?”

“Shut up, Vein,” Liu Xiao and Xia Fei said in unison, not even sparing him a glance as they both fixed their attention back on Cheng Xiaoshi, waiting for his response.

“Why does it feel like I did something wrong…?” Xiaoshi thought, his face heating up under their intense stares.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

In Cheng Xiaoshi’s cozy bedroom, the soft glow of string lights draped across the walls cast a warm illumination. On a makeshift bed on the floor, Vein sat cross-legged beside Xiaoshi, who leaned against the bedframe with a pillow resting on his lap.

"So, our little puppy finally got some meat to chew on, huh?" Vein teased, reaching over to ruffle Xiaoshi’s hair.

"Ugh, can you not with your weird analogies?" Xia Fei groaned from the upper bunk, peering down at them with an unimpressed look.

"But this is actually surprising," Liu Xiao said from the lower bunk, his head propped up by one hand. He turned to Xiaoshi. "Lu Guang, isn’t it?"

"Is he another model like me?" Xia Fei asked, raising a brow. "I don’t think I’ve heard that name before."

"Wow, Xiaoshi," Vein said, clasping his hands together and faking tears. "I’m so proud of you! I didn’t think you had any interest in real-life people!"

"What are you even talking about?" Xiaoshi asked, furrowing his brows. "I just made a new friend. Isn’t that normal? I have plenty of friends."

"Sure, sure," Vein said with a chuckle, but Xiaoshi frowned, his gaze drifting to the corner of the room. "Though, I guess there is something amusing about Lu Guang," he muttered.

The three other boys exchanged amused glances, silently agreeing on the same thought: Classic Cheng Xiaoshi—oblivious as always.

Breaking the brief silence, Liu Xiao leaned back. "So, this friend of yours... Did you say they’re coming over again?"

"Oh, so that’s why you bought so many snacks earlier!" Vein teased, poking Xiaoshi’s side. "Man, the double standard is real. You’re here playing the perfect friend when you called me a lunatic the first time we met."

Xiaoshi grabbed the pillow from his lap and smacked Vein with it. "Shut up," he muttered. Then, he explained, "Yesterday, we played basketball, and we got super hungry afterward. I invited him over for dinner, but all I could find was some eggs. I even asked him what he wanted to eat, but—ugh—it was so embarrassing. So, I just want to make up for it, you know?"

"If that’s the case, why didn’t you just buy food instead of cooking?" Xia Fei asked from above, leaning over the railing of the top bunk.

"Well," Xiaoshi shrugged, "I thought we’d get to hang out longer if I cooked. We just… clicked, you know? And besides, if he sees how great I am in the kitchen, he’s definitely going to want to stay friends." He grinned like he’d just come up with the most brilliant plan ever.

The other three boys shared another knowing look. Ah, so he wants to show off to get closer.

"Alright!" Xia Fei said, hopping down from the upper bunk with surprising agility. "It’s my job to make sure you shine for your next hangout. Let’s get started—I’m ready to pull an all-nighter for this!"

"When’s the next hangout?" Liu Xiao asked, his calm gaze shifting to Xiaoshi. "Did you already set a date?"

"Not yet," Xiaoshi began, but then froze mid-sentence.

"What?" Vein asked, tilting his head. "Don’t tell me you farted. I thought we agreed you’d leave the room if you needed to do that." He pinched his nose dramatically.

"No," Xiaoshi mumbled, looking horrified. "I forgot to ask for his number."

For a moment, silence engulfed the room. Then, all at once, laughter broke out as Vein fell onto his back, Xia Fei shook his head with a sigh, and Liu Xiao let out a soft chuckle.

"Only you, Xiaoshi," Vein said between laughs, "would forget something that basic."

Chapter Text

From the kitchen, the faint sound of running water and clinking dishes signaled that Cheng Xiaoshi was finishing up the morning cleanup, while the other three lounged on the couch, casually eating breakfast.

"You know, Cheng Xiaoshi," Xia Fei said, casually munching on a piece of toast. "Why don’t you just ask that badass friend of yours for his number? You know, the girl with the short hair. Isn’t she a friend of Lu Guang too?"

"Maybe he doesn’t have her number either," Vein chimed in, his tone playful as he glanced at Xiaoshi's direction.

"You mean Qiao Ling," Liu Xiao said, leaning forward slightly to sip his tea. "Xia Fei’s got a point—she lives next door, doesn’t she?"

"I miss that girl. She’s so fun to talk to," Vein added, lounging on the couch with his phone in hand, his attention divided between the conversation and the game of mahjong on his screen.

"She really is," Liu Xiao agreed, a small smile playing on his lips. "She’s got this energy that makes everything more lively."

Just then, Xiaoshi appeared from the kitchen, drying his hands with a towel. He frowned at the group. "You’re only saying that because you enjoyed watching me get yelled at by her."

Xia Fei grinned. "Nah, it’s not just that. She’s got something special about her—like, did you ever see her design book? Seriously, her taste is on another level. Honestly, I have no idea how she manages to be friends with you, considering your terrible taste." His tone was teasing, but his words were sharp.

Xiaoshi frowned, crossing his arms. "Hey, I have great taste! It’s just that my taste is unique, so normal people might not get it." He glared at Xia Fei for a moment before continuing, "Anyway, I don’t want to rely on other people to get Lu Guang’s number. I’ll just get it myself." He plopped down on the couch with a determined expression.

"Why make it so complicated?" Vein asked, raising an eyebrow. "You could literally just ask Qiao Ling and get it in five minutes."

Liu Xiao chuckled softly. "Don’t be so harsh, Vein. Maybe Xiaoshi just want to meet his new friend."

"Exactly!" Xiaoshi said, perking up. "Besides, wouldn’t it be weird to get his number through someone else? It’s better if I ask him directly."

The three boys exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing but keeping it to themselves.

"Sure," Liu Xiao said with a smirk. "Then I take it you already know which class he's in?"

"Of course he knows. There's no way he's that stupid to think he'll meet Lu Guang by waiting for him at the front gate all day, right?" Xia Fei said, sighing and shaking his head.

At this, Xiaoshi fell silent, realizing he hadn’t thought that far ahead. The other three sighed in unison at his lack of planning.

"..I’ll ask Qiao Ling about that," he muttered reluctantly.

"'Didn't want to rely on others,' he said," Vein teased, unable to hide his grin.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

"Lu Guang? Oh, I think he already went home," said someone from Lu Guang's class, the person Xiaoshi had been asking.

"Ah, really? Okay then, sorry for taking your time," Cheng Xiaoshi said, nodding politely before walking away.

"Huh.. did he already go home? What a shame," Cheng Xiaoshi thought to himself, his footsteps slowing as he walked away. "Well, there will be tomorrow anyway," he continued in his mind.

As he exited the literature department building, Xiaoshi overheard a conversation between two students. "Do you want to go to the library?" one of them asked.

"Library, huh? Qiao Ling once also mentioned that Lu Guang likes going to the library," Xiaoshi thought. "Should I check there?" he said to himself, stopping in his tracks. He then added, "I have some spare time anyway," smiling to himself as he continued walking, secretly hoping he'd find Lu Guang there.

As he walked, he realized how far the library was from the literature department, making him feel a bit tired. He stopped at the garden near the library to sit down and have a drink.

"Glug... glug..." The sound of his drink echoed in the quiet air. "Hmm, come to think of it, I first met him near the library too. Was he headed there that time?" Cheng Xiaoshi thought, sipping his drink. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice.

"Cheng Xiaoshi?" a voice called out, making Xiaoshi look up.

"Lu Guang?" Xiaoshi said, surprised by the sudden appearance of the boy he had been searching for all day.

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow, observing Xiaoshi's tired expression. Why does he look so exhausted? he thought.

"You—why are you here?" Cheng Xiaoshi asked, pointing at Lu Guang, half-thinking he was imagining things due to his exhaustion.

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow in return. "Can't I be here?" he replied, then added, "I always come here if I have some spare time to meet Elizabeth."

"Elisa... what? Is she a foreigner?" Xiaoshi asked, feeling confused.

"Elizabeth," Lu Guang clarified. "She's a bit shy around new people." He opened his bag and began searching for something. After a while, he pulled out a bag of cat food, which made Xiaoshi even more confused.

"Why did he suddenly take that out? There's no way he's going to snack on cat food while waiting for his friend, right? Is that even safe for human?" Xiaoshi thought, feeling his mind go blank for a moment. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Lu Guang shaking the bag of cat food.

After a few seconds of Lu Guang shaking the bag and looking around, Xiaoshi suddenly heard a meow from nearby. He looked over and saw a cat with orange and white fur.

"Oh, a cat?" Xiaoshi said, his tone questioning, which made Lu Guang look at him like he was a bit crazy.

"Yeah? What else did you think it would be?" Lu Guang replied, raising an eyebrow, as if it was the most obvious thing.

There was a brief silence before Xiaoshi awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I thought you were going to eat the cat food while waiting for your... foreigner friend," he said, his tone uncertain.

Lu Guang looked at him with a weird expression and sighed. "I don't think I will ever understand what's going on in your mind," he said, shaking his head. "I can barely speak basic English."

"Oh, I also only know a few English words that my friends like to say. Although sometimes, I have to double-check if what they say is correct," Cheng Xiaoshi said. Then he added, "After all, my friends once tried to trick me by telling me that in English, for greetings, you have to say 'You look tasty.'" He sighed at the memory.

Hearing that, Lu Guang let out a small smile and said, "I can see why you're friends with them," his tone amused yet bewildered.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

Cheng Xiaoshi gently stroked Elizabeth's fur as the cat nestled against him, purring contentedly after finishing her meal. "So, you always come here to feed her?" he asked, glancing at Lu Guang, who was sitting beside him.

Lu Guang nodded. "Yeah, I found her when she was just a kitten."

"Oh, then have you seen her mother as well?" Cheng Xiaoshi inquired, curiosity evident in his tone.

"Yes," Lu Guang replied, his gaze settling on Elizabeth. "Her mother had the same fur color as hers."

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated for a moment before asking, "Then where is sh—"

"But her mother died not long after I found her," Lu Guang interjected, his voice calm but tinged with a trace of sadness. "I tried to get her to a vet, but she didn’t make it."

"Oh," Cheng Xiaoshi murmured, his tone softening. "So that’s why he feels responsible," he thought. Looking down at the sleeping Elizabeth, he added, "I’m sorry, Liz. I didn’t know that." He continued to stroke her fur, watching as she purred gently in her sleep.

Lu Guang observed the scene and offered a faint smile. "It’s rare to see her this comfortable with a stranger," he remarked. "I had to put in quite a bit of effort to get her to trust me."

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled. "I guess she takes after you, then," he quipped, smirking. "Looks like I need to put in some effort to get you to accept me too."

Lu Guang’s smile deepened slightly. "Is that why you’re offering me food at your place? Because I remind you of a cat?" he asked, amusement evident in his tone.

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed softly. "Yeah, you’re right. You’re like a fierce cat," he teased. "But I think that’s what makes me want to try even harder to be accepted by you as a friend."

Lu Guang huffed softly, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Has anyone ever told you how stubborn you are?"

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned brightly. "Nope, they say I’m reckless instead," he said, almost proudly.

"I don't think that’s something to be proud of," Lu Guang retorted with a sigh.

"Well, everyone has their moments of being reckless, don’t you think? If we never take a chance, we’ll never know what could happen. Sometimes, we just have to try and face the outcome, even if it’s not what we hoped for. After all, even a bad experience can make us stronger," Cheng Xiaoshi said with a bright smile.

At Xiaoshi's words, Lu Guang fell silent for a moment. "Huh, I never realized he had this side to him," he thought. Then, with a faint smile, he said, "You’re right. Life can be harsh sometimes."

Cheng Xiaoshi returned the smile, his expression warm. The soft orange and purple hues of the sunset melded with the gentle warmth of the sun, enveloping them in a quiet, soothing stillness. The moment felt peaceful, as if the world had paused just for them, creating a comforting silence they both shared.

"Anyway," Lu Guang began, breaking the silence. "Do you think you'll be free this weekend? I want to treat you, as I promised back then." He paused for a moment before adding, "But if you can't, it's fine. We can always do it another time."

Cheng Xiaoshi smiled warmly. "I already told you, didn’t I? I’ll always make time when you need me. That’s what friends do, right?"

Lu Guang let out a soft huff, his tone amused. "You’re way too kind for your own good."

Cheng Xiaoshi teasingly said, "Oh, is this the classic excuse of rejection because I'm being too kind?"

Lu Guang huffed fondly. "No, you're just too unpredictable for me to handle."

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled at the response, then suddenly seemed to remember something. "Ah, by the way, Lu Guang, could I get your number?"

Chapter Text

At fifteen minutes to one, Cheng Xiaoshi stood amidst the lively bustle of the mall, surrounded by the hum of conversations, the clink of shopping bags, and the occasional laughter from nearby groups. He glanced down at his watch with a small smile. In his excitement, he couldn’t help but check it every few moments, feeling like he’d arrived too early. "I wonder what we’ll do today," he thought, his mind wandering as he imagined all the things they might do.

((Flashback))

"Cheng Xiaoshi, what are your plans for the hangout later?" Xia Fei asked, his tone playful yet curious. "Are you just going to eat with him, or is there more to it?"

Xiaoshi, who was focused on a game on his phone, replied casually, "Nah, Lu Guang said he wanted to look for a book first."

"Oh, so he asked you to go with him?" Liu Xiao chimed in, raising an eyebrow. "I thought their closeness was one-sided," he thought to himself, a hint of intrigue flickering in his mind.

"So you’re that close now, huh?" Vein added teasingly, clearly enjoying the topic. "Is it because you’re always chatting with him?"

Xiaoshi rolled his eyes but replied, "No, I just told him I’d accompany him. After all, it’ll give us more time to hang out, right?"

"Wow, Cheng Xiaoshi, you really want to befriend him that badly, huh?" Xia Fei said with a smirk, though it was clear he already understood the underlying reason. Dramatically, he added, "And here we are, your dear friends, slowly being forgotten!"

"Exactly," Vein jumped in, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "I’ve said it before—there’s favoritism going on. Every time we hang out, you’re always telling us to hurry up. But now? You’re volunteering to stick with Lu Guang for as long as possible."

"You guys are so dramatic," Xiaoshi muttered with a sigh, clearly exasperated. He turned to Liu Xiao, who had been quietly observing the situation with an amused expression. "How do you even put up with these two?"

Liu Xiao chuckled. "It’s kind of amusing, if you think about it," he said with a knowing smile.

Cheng Xiaoshi shook his head and thought to himself, "Right, how could I forget how ridiculous these guys are when they’re together?"

Suddenly, Xia Fei brightened up with excitement. "Alright! The time and place are set, so now it’s my turn to help out. As your kind and fashion-savvy friend, I’ll pick out something decent for you to wear!" He immediately dove into Xiaoshi’s wardrobe, rummaging through the clothes with enthusiasm.

"Is that really necessary?" Xiaoshi asked, confused but slightly amused.

"Come on, you know how Xia Fei is," Vein said, grinning as he settled in to watch the show. "You might as well give up and go along with it. Otherwise, he’s not going to let this go."

"There’s nothing wrong with being prepared," Liu Xiao added thoughtfully. "I once read that clothes are one of the most important factors when making an impression."

Hearing that, Xiaoshi froze for a moment. "If that’s the case…" he thought. Then, with a newfound seriousness, he turned to Xia Fei and said, "I’ll leave it in your hands."

Xia Fei’s eyes sparkled with delight at the challenge ahead. "Now that’s the spirit!" he said, pulling out various outfits and holding them up for inspection.

Meanwhile, Vein and Liu Xiao exchanged amused glances, fully enjoying the spectacle of their friend getting dragged into Xia Fei’s whirlwind of fashion advice.

((Flashback ends))

"—shi."

“Cheng Xiaoshi,” Lu Guang called again, pulling Xiaoshi out of his thoughts.

“Huh? Oh—Lu Guang!” Xiaoshi said, startled. “You’re here.” He glanced at Lu Guang, who stood there looking effortlessly sharp. "Oh, he looks nice in that shirt," Xiaoshi thought.

“I’ve been calling you from a distance,” Lu Guang said, raising an eyebrow. “I thought I had the wrong person since you didn’t respond.”

“Ah, sorry, I just got lost in thought for a minute,” Cheng Xiaoshi admitted, scratching the back of his head.

Lu Guang gave him a look of concern. “Please don’t tell me you’ve got an assignment due tonight that you ditched to be here.”

“No, of course not!” Xiaoshi quickly shook his head. “Besides, didn’t I tell you I’d finish my work early if you needed me?”

Lu Guang huffed, exasperated. “You’re still going on about that, huh?” Then his eyes scanned Xiaoshi’s outfit.

“Oh.” Xiaoshi glanced at his clothes nervously. “Do my clothes look weird?”

“No, it’s fine.” Lu Guang’s voice was calm, almost distant, but his eyes lingered on Xiaoshi’s outfit for a moment before he quietly added, “It’s just... your usual style fits you better, I think.”

Xiaoshi blinked, surprised by the subtle remark, but then a warm feeling bubbled inside him. "Ah, he does understand me after all," he thought, his face lighting up as he smiled softly. “Yeah? Then I’ll wear my usual style next time we hang out.”

Lu Guang glanced away, as if trying to brush off the moment. “...You’re assuming there’ll be a next time,” he murmured, his tone indifferent. Yet, the way his gaze briefly softened betrayed the quiet care he hadn’t realized he was showing.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

"Lu Guang, what book are you looking for? I will help you search for it," Cheng Xiaoshi said, offered eagerly.

Lu Guang then shook his head, "It's fine, you should just look around and find what interest you,"

Cheng Xiaoshi then said, "Well, I think I'm interested in looking for a book right now, so I want to help you." He smiled and gently shifted closer to Lu Guang, scanning the nearby shelves. "Will you let me?" he added, his eyes hopeful as he glanced at Lu Guang.

"Again with those puppy eyes," Lu Guang thought. He shook his head and let out a soft huff, aware of the close proximity between them. Shifting slightly, he created some distance as he continued scanning the bookstore racks. "I'm looking for volume 2 of the 'Time and History' book," he said, his tone calm and focused.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes lit up as he heard Lu Guang's response. "Oh, another history book?" he said, then started searching for it as well. "If I’m not mistaken, you were reading history books when we met at the library, too, right?" Cheng Xiaoshi said.

"Yeah," Lu Guang said shortly, feeling a bit puzzled. "Does he really pay that much attention to small details like that?" he thought to himself.

"Why do you like history so much? Doesn't that make you sleepy?" Cheng Xiaoshi asked, genuinely curious.

"History is certain," Lu Guang replied after a brief pause. There was a moment of silence before he spoke again, his voice soft yet firm. "I like things that are certain and will not change."

"I see," Cheng Xiaoshi replied thoughtfully, a small smile on his face. Then, he brightened up, holding up a book. "Ah, I found it. I think this is the only one left, see? I did a good job, right?" He gave Lu Guang a hopeful glance, his smile wide and expectant.

Lu Guang looked at the book, then met Xiaoshi’s gaze, his lips curling into a subtle smile. "Thank you," he said, his tone warmer than usual. "You did a great job."

Cheng Xiaoshi’s heart lifted at the praise, and he couldn't help but smile even more brightly. His eyes sparkled with happiness as he walked alongside Lu Guang. "You see, Lu Guang. Why don't we go to the arcade first?" Cheng Xiaoshi suggested, his voice filled with excitement as they made their way to the cashier.

"Arcade? What's with the sudden plan?" Lu Guang asked, a bit puzzled.

"Well..." Cheng Xiaoshi paused, thinking about how to make the hangout last longer. "I can't possibly say that, right?" He quickly spoke the first thing that came to mind, "I treated you to dinner last time, right? So, isn’t it only fair if you treat me dinner too? And since it’s still a while until dinner, why not go to the arcade first?"

Lu Guang remained silent for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he thought it over. "I'm not good at stuff like that. I don't think it would be fun for you."

"What are you talking about? It’s already fun just being with you here," Cheng Xiaoshi replied, grinning. "And don’t worry, I can teach you if you can’t play," he added proudly.

After a brief pause, Lu Guang nodded, conceding. "Okay, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try."

"Great! Let’s go then!" Cheng Xiaoshi exclaimed excitedly.

As they played the fighting game at the arcade, the score quickly became 3-0, with Lu Guang taking the lead.

"Lu Guang, you said you couldn’t play..." Cheng Xiaoshi said, exasperated, staring at the scoreboard. "Did my skill goes numb?" he thought, struggling to believe that he was losing at his own game.

"Oh, this is my first time playing it though," Lu Guang replied, just as surprised at his own unexpected skill.

Cheng Xiaoshi stood frozen in place. “Then did I just lose to a newbie?” The thought sent a wave of frustration through him. He had wanted to prove to Lu Guang that he was a gaming pro—someone skilled enough to teach, not someone who needed teaching. But instead, he had ended up embarrassing himself. Gritting his teeth, he muttered under his breath, I can’t let it end like this. I need to prove I’m the master here.

His eyes scanned the arcade, desperate to find a way to prove himself. Then he spotted it—a punching game machine sitting in the corner. His face lit up with renewed determination as he pointed toward it. “There! Let’s play that game!” he declared with excitement.

“A punching game?” Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. “Are you sur—”

“Yes! I’ll go first!” Cheng Xiaoshi interrupted, already marching toward the machine, his confidence brimming.

Lu Guang sighed and followed him, puzzled by Cheng Xiaoshi's sudden surge of energy. "Why is he so passionate all of a sudden?"

Cheng Xiaoshi swiped his game card into the machine and began stretching theatrically. His exaggerated gestures drew stares from passersby, and even Lu Guang couldn’t help but avert his gaze in secondhand embarrassment. Finally, Cheng Xiaoshi let out a loud yell as he swung his fist at the punching bag. The machine lit up, displaying a score of 793.

“See? I’m strong!” Cheng Xiaoshi exclaimed proudly, flexing his arm for emphasis. “What do you think? Think you can beat me?”

Lu Guang crossed his arms, unimpressed. “You’re wasting way too much energy just to punch it,” he replied, stepping up to the machine.

Taking a calm, measured stance, Lu Guang planted his left foot forward and demonstrated a controlled jab, mimicking the precision of a professional boxer. He struck the punching bag with ease, and the machine flashed a score of 841.

“See?” Lu Guang said, turning to Cheng Xiaoshi. “It’s more efficient if you save your energy.”

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth to protest, but Lu Guang cut him off, pulling out another credit for the game. “Here, there’s one more chance to try. I’ll teach you to take a proper stance.”

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could argue, Lu Guang stepped closer, adjusting his posture and guiding his arms into the correct position. The close proximity made Cheng Xiaoshi freeze momentarily, his breath catching. By the time he regained his senses, Lu Guang had already moved behind him, his hands lightly repositioning Cheng Xiaoshi’s stance.

“There. Try it now,” Lu Guang said softly, stepping back.

Cheng Xiaoshi felt his face flush as the memory of how close Lu Guang had been just moments ago replayed in his mind. Embarrassment turned into a fiery determination, and a sudden rush of adrenaline coursed through him. Channeling all his energy—partly from wanting to prove himself and partly to shake off the awkward feeling—he mimicked Lu Guang’s movements. Taking a steady breath, he delivered a punch to the machine with newfound strength. The number on the screen shot up to 942.

His eyes widened in amazement. “I did it!” he exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement as he turned to look at Lu Guang.

Lu Guang’s calm demeanor softened as he smiled. “Yeah, I knew you could do it.”

— 《 ♡ 》 —

“Lu Guang, isn’t this a bit much?” Cheng Xiaoshi asked, glancing at the plates of food on the table. “I only made you omurice last time, but now you’re treating me to a restaurant.”

“It’s no big deal,” Lu Guang replied casually, taking a bite of his food. “You kept me company today, so it’s only fair I treat you properly.”

“But still, I—”

“Besides,” Lu Guang cut him off, setting his chopsticks down, “I think your omurice was much warmer and tastier than this.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s face lit up, a wide grin spreading across his features. “Really? Then do you think my cooking could make the ‘cat’ I’ve been trying to get close to visit my house again?” he teased, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Lu Guang smiled faintly, already used to Cheng Xiaoshi’s habit of calling him a cat. “I don’t see why not.”

“Really?” Cheng Xiaoshi asked, excitement shining in his eyes.

Lu Guang nodded. “As long as it’s not too much trouble for you.”

“No way!” Cheng Xiaoshi said with enthusiasm. “I’d leave the door open for you anytime, even if you came at midnight!”

“Do I look that miserable for food?” Lu Guang thought, though he kept the comment to himself.

Then Cheng Xiaoshi leaned forward, his tone playful yet curious. “Then, are you free next Sunday?”

Lu Guang shook his head. “I already have plans that day.”

“What plans—” Cheng Xiaoshi began, but he was interrupted by his phone ringing. Glancing at the screen, he saw it was Qiao Ling. He looked at Lu Guang, who gave a small nod, signaling it was okay to take the call.

“I’ll be back,” Cheng Xiaoshi said, excusing himself as he stepped away to answer.

“Hello? Qiao Ling, what’s up?”

“Cheng Xiaoshi, are you not at home right now? I’ve been knocking for a while,” Qiao Ling said, her tone slightly annoyed.

“Oh, I’m out at the moment. Is something wrong?”

“Not really,” Qiao Ling replied. “I just wanted to ask you for a favor.”

Cheng Xiaoshi raised an eyebrow. “If it’s about modeling for your design book agai—”

“It’s not that!” Qiao Ling interrupted. “The anime club at our campus needs help taking photos for their activities during the campus festival next Sunday. Do you think you can do it?”

“Oh, sure,” Cheng Xiaoshi said without hesitation. “I don’t have any plans anyway.” He thought to himself, "Lu Guang has plans too, after all," feeling a little sad.

“Great! I’ll let the club president know. Thanks, Xiaoshi! See you later,” Qiao Ling said before hanging up.

Cheng Xiaoshi returned to the table, scratching his head. “Ah, looks like I have plans next Sunday too. Guess we’ll have to find another time after all.”

Lu Guang nodded, unfazed. “There’s no rush. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”

Cheng Xiaoshi leaned forward, his eyes earnest. “Yeah? Then can you promise that you'll come by again?”

Lu Guang’s expression softened as he smiled. “Sure, I promise.”

Chapter Text

"Hey, Cheng Xiaoshi. When do you think we could meet that new friend of yours?" Xia Fei asked as he watched Xiaoshi eat.

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a small sigh, stirring his food absentmindedly. "Lu Guang has been really busy lately… He didn’t even reply to my good morning message today." His voice carried a hint of disappointment, and he poked at his meal with less enthusiasm than usual.

Vein raised an eyebrow and chimed in, "Oh? So you two usually chat?"

"Well, yeah." Xiaoshi nodded, then continued, "We've both been busy with our heavy campus schedule, so I figured I’d get to know him better through chat." Then, in a quieter voice, he added, "Though, I'd rather meet him in person."

"Ugh, look at this guy being so smitten," Xia Fei sticking out his tongue. "Vein, can you knock some sense into him?"

"Nah, I don’t think I can. He’s too far gone already," Vein said with a playful shrug.

"Yeah, yeah, say whatever you want," Cheng Xiaoshi muttered, rolling his eyes.

"But to be fair, it's understandable for Lu Guang to be busy. It is exam week, after all," Xia Fei pointed out.

"Right, you should try to control yourself, Cheng Xiaoshi," Vein teased.

Xiaoshi just huffed again before changing the subject. "Anyway, where's Liu Xiao? Didn’t he say he’d come here after his exam?"

"Oh, he said he’d be a bit late," Xia Fei answered, slurping his drink.

"Why? Is our genius Liu Xiao struggling with the exam?" Cheng Xiaoshi grinned.

"You’re talking as if your grades are any better," Vein remarked.

"That’s right, Cheng Xiaoshi. You’re the last person who should be saying that with your average scores," Xia Fei added.

"Hey, a pass is still a pass," Xiaoshi defended himself, looking offended.

"Wait, isn’t that Liu Xiao?" Vein suddenly pointed at a familiar figure walking toward them. But then, his eyes landed on the person walking beside him. "Who's that with him?"

"Hm? I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before," Xia Fei muttered, staring.

"Lu Guang?" Cheng Xiaoshi suddenly stood up, eyes wide in surprise.

"Eh?"

"Hm?"

Xia Fei and Vein looked at him in confusion.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

"Greetings, my name is Lu Guang. Sorry for disturbing your lunch," Lu Guang said politely, giving a slight bow.

"Nice to meet you, Lu Guang. I'm Xia Fei from the communication department," Xia Fei introduced himself with a friendly smile. "It’s an honor to finally meet the guy whose name constantly comes up in our conversations with Cheng Xiaoshi," he teased, nudging Xiaoshi.

"What are you even saying? I don’t do that!" Cheng Xiaoshi exclaimed, his face turning slightly red.

"Ah, that’s right. Thank you for taking care of Cheng Xiaoshi on our behalf," Liu Xiao added with a smile, looking at Lu Guang.

"It must be exhausting dealing with this child," Vein sighed dramatically. "Feel free to ignore him whenever you get tired, or better yet, just call me if you ever feel like punching—ow!"

Cheng Xiaoshi stepped on Vein’s foot under the table, all while maintaining an innocent smile. "Just ignore these guys, Lu Guang. They're a work to be ignored."

"That’s rude, Cheng Xiaoshi," Liu Xiao said, raising an eyebrow. "Are you sure you should be saying that?" A knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

"Right! How could you say that to me? I’m literally a walking piece of art!" Xia Fei pouted.

Vein sighed. "He wants those extra brownie points so badly that he’s throwing us under the bus."

"What are you—" Cheng Xiaoshi started, but Lu Guang suddenly spoke up.

"It’s alright. He’s been kind to me ever since we met," Lu Guang said. Then, he turned to Xiaoshi. "Though, sometimes I wish he would calm down for a second."

At that, Cheng Xiaoshi grinned widely. "See? I’m a good friend. Even Lu Guang said so!" He looked proud.

His three friends simply stared at him, unimpressed, while Lu Guang remained indifferent.

"Anyway, why are you two together?" Cheng Xiaoshi asked, looking at Lu Guang. "Do you guys know each other?"

"Ah, no," Lu Guang replied. "Liu Xiao approached me earlier. He said he was a friend of yours and invited me to lunch."

"I think Lu Guang thought I was messing with him at first," Liu Xiao said with a smile.

"Sorry about that," Lu Guang added after a brief pause. "I’m just.. not very good with people."

"It’s okay. It’s my fault too for approaching you so suddenly," Liu Xiao replied, smiling—much to Cheng Xiaoshi’s annoyance.

"But the literature and film department buildings are pretty far apart. How did you two even meet?" Xia Fei asked, cutting into their conversation.

"There’s a collaborative project between the film and literature departments," Liu Xiao explained. "And to my surprise, Lu Guang and I were assigned as a team. I guess fate brought us together." He smiled—though for some reason, that only seemed to annoy Xiaoshi even more.

"Oh, I think I heard about that. It’s a project where the film department creates a short movie using a script from the literature department, right?" Xia Fei recalled.

"Yeah, but only the top three students from each department were selected," Liu Xiao said.

"Oh? So you’re a smart one, huh?" Vein said, glancing at Lu Guang. "So different from our Xiaoshi." He sighed, shaking his head.

"It’s nothing," Lu Guang said modestly. "I was just fortunate."

"Don’t say that," Cheng Xiaoshi said. "You always try your best, so you deserve to take some credit." Then he continued, looking straight at Lu Guang. "I’m sure you’ll do great."

His three friends immediately gave him knowing looks, as if teasing him without words.

Lu Guang, however, just stayed silent for a moment before replying, "...Sure." His voice held a hint of uncertainty.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

As they walked toward the campus gate, ready to head home, Cheng Xiaoshi turned to Lu Guang with a curious expression.

"It's such a coincidence that you're on the same team as Liu Xiao," he remarked, his voice filled with excitement. "I bet the two of you will create the best movie and win all the prizes."

Lu Guang remained silent for a moment before replying, "You're thinking too highly of us."

Cheng Xiaoshi shrugged. "Nah, it's only right for me to say that. You two are the smartest people I know, after all," he said proudly.

But Lu Guang didn’t respond, his silence lingering in the air.

Sensing something off, Cheng Xiaoshi frowned slightly. "Lu Guang?" he called. "Is something wrong?"

Lu Guang shook his head. "No, it's not that," he said. Then, after a brief pause, he admitted, "I just have a little difficulty writing the script."

"Oh?" Cheng Xiaoshi perked up. "What is it? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Lu Guang exhaled, his gaze growing distant. "I just don't think I have enough experience to fully capture the emotions in the story," he admitted.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes lit up, and then, as if struck by an idea, he grinned. "How about this? Let's go hang out."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "Hang out?"

"Yeah!" Cheng Xiaoshi nodded enthusiastically. "What's better than experiencing it yourself to gain inspiration?"

Lu Guang stayed quiet, contemplating the suggestion. "You have a point," he murmured. Then, in a neutral yet curious tone, he asked, "But why would you come with me?"

Cheng Xiaoshi huffed a laugh. "Because I want to, obviously," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Besides, wouldn’t it be more fun if we hung out together?" His smile was warm.

Lu Guang let out a small huff, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "Aren't you afraid that I might take advantage of you someday?"

Cheng Xiaoshi merely shrugged, his grin never fading. "If it’s you, I wouldn’t mind." Then, with a reassuring nod, he added, "Don’t worry. You can count on me to make sure you have fun—and get all the inspiration you need."

For a moment, Lu Guang just looked at him, something unreadable in his expression. Then, finally, he let out a quiet chuckle, the warmth in his eyes barely perceptible.

"Alright."

Chapter Text

The sun shone warmly that day, as if granting its blessing to the festivities. Cheng Xiaoshi, filled with excitement, eagerly patted the seat next to him. "Lu Guang, here, here!" he called out enthusiastically. They were at the festival, watching an opera together.

Lu Guang let out a small huff but made his way over nonetheless. Cheng Xiaoshi was still grinning, his hand tapping insistently on the seat beside him.

"Calm down," Lu Guang muttered as he sat down. "It’s not like someone else is going to take my seat when you’re shouting like that."

"You never know," Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled. "What if someone really comes and takes your place?"

Lu Guang gave him an indifferent glance. "Then that’s that."

"No way! That means we’d be separated!" Cheng Xiaoshi whined dramatically.

Lu Guang simply huffed again. "Just be quiet. The opera is starting."

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted in response but settled down as the performance began. As the opera reached its climax, he was completely immersed, his eyes shining with excitement. When the final note was sung and the curtains fell, he immediately burst into enthusiastic applause, clapping loudly and grinning from ear to ear with blank eyes.

"That was amazing!" he exclaimed, his excitement barely contained.

Beside him, Lu Guang clapped as well, but in his usual composed manner—calm, measured, and far less dramatic than his companion. He nodded slightly. "It was well done," he admitted.

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to him with a teasing smirk. "Come on, Lu Guang, that’s all? No 'That was incredible!' or 'I’m so moved!'?" He mimicked an exaggerated expression of awe.

Lu Guang simply gave him a flat look. "I enjoyed it."

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled at that. "Well, at least you enjoyed it—that’s good enough for me."

With the opera over, the two wandered through the festival, eventually stopping at a food stall.

"Lu Guang, this mochi is so good! You have to try it," Cheng Xiaoshi said, his words slightly muffled as he stuffed another bite into his mouth.

Lu Guang glanced at him and sighed. "Slow down, or you’ll choke."

Right at that moment, Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes widened as he started coughing, having choked on the mochi. Lu Guang quickly patted his back and handed him some water.

"Hah… I didn't think I’d actually choke," Cheng Xiaoshi said after taking a big gulp, scratching his head sheepishly.

"I told you so," Lu Guang said flatly. "Why are you in such a rush, anyway? It’s not like we’re in a hurry."

Cheng Xiaoshi shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no! We have limited time to try everything at the festival. I can’t let my hungry stomach get in the way, right?" He looked determined, while Lu Guang simply stared at him blankly.

Just then, Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes lit up as he spotted something interesting. "Oh! That looks fun!" He pointed toward a white tent.

Lu Guang followed his gaze. "A tarot shop?" he asked.

"Yeah! Let’s try it, Lu Guang!" Cheng Xiaoshi said excitedly.

The tent flap rustled as it was pushed open. "Uh, hello?" Cheng Xiaoshi called out as he peeked inside. The tent was dimly lit, filled with all sorts of mysterious trinkets—glowing crystals, stacks of old cards, and the faint scent of incense lingering in the air. He stepped in hesitantly, with Lu Guang following behind, arms crossed.

At the center of the tent sat an old woman in a flowing robe, her face partially hidden by shadows. She lifted her head slowly, her eyes gleaming. "I've been expecting you," she said in a deep, mystical voice.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. "Wait, really?" He leaned toward Lu Guang and whispered, "Do you think she says that to everyone who walks in?"

Lu Guang sighed. "Obviously."

The fortune teller cleared her throat dramatically. "Come, sit. Let me read your fates."

Cheng Xiaoshi sat eagerly, while Lu Guang hesitated before finally settling into the chair across from the woman. She shuffled a deck of tarot cards with practiced ease and laid three of them down on the table. Slowly, she turned the first card over, gasping theatrically.

"Oh my," she said, looking between the two of them. "You both have a very fortunate fate!"

Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes sparkled. "Ooooh, what kind of fortune?"

The woman flipped over another card, nodding wisely. "You will soon encounter something wonderful—something that will bring you great happiness."

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. "Really? What is it? Money? Fame? Free food?"

The fortune teller gave him a mysterious smile. "That is for fate to decide. But one thing is certain—this happiness will stay with you for a long time."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "That sounds… vague."

The woman simply chuckled. "Such is the nature of fate."

Cheng Xiaoshi, however, was fully convinced. "You hear that, Lu Guang? We’ve got good luck ahead! Maybe we’ll find a stall giving out free dumplings!"

The woman gathered her cards with a smile. "Regardless, your paths are bright. Enjoy what is to come."

Cheng Xiaoshi clapped his hands together, grinning. "Alright! I can’t wait to see what this happiness is!" He turned to Lu Guang excitedly. "Maybe it’s something totally unexpected!"

Lu Guang stood up. "Knowing you, it’s probably just free snacks or a festival game prize."

Cheng Xiaoshi huffed. "Well, that's still a win in my book!"

The fortune teller chuckled as she watched them leave, shaking her head. "Soon enough, they'll realize where their true happiness lies."

Cheng Xiaoshi stood before a display of lanterns, eyes darting between the different shapes and colors. "Lu Guang, which one do you think we should buy?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.

Lu Guang let out a small sigh. "You've been staring at them for five minutes. Just pick one already."

"But they both look good," Cheng Xiaoshi pouted, shifting indecisively between two lanterns.

Lu Guang crossed his arms. "Then I'll go find a spot while you decide. I'll text you the location."

"No! Let’s go together!" Cheng Xiaoshi quickly blurted out, grabbing one of the lanterns without further hesitation. "There, done! Now, let's go!" He beamed, holding his chosen lantern like a prized treasure.

Lu Guang shook his head but said nothing as they walked through the festival in search of an open space. The cool night breeze carried the scent of food and distant laughter, blending with the warm glow of countless lanterns already drifting into the sky.

When they finally found a quiet spot, Cheng Xiaoshi carefully set his lantern down and glanced at Lu Guang. "So.. what are you wishing for?"

Lu Guang gave him an unreadable look. "Why should I tell you?"

Cheng Xiaoshi huffed. "Oh, come on! I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

Lu Guang exhaled through his nose, a small amused smile tugging at his lips. "You're probably wishing for everyone’s happiness."

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. "Wha—how did you know? Can you read minds?!"

Lu Guang smiled. "No, you're just too easy to read."

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted at that, but the warmth in Lu Guang's voice made his face heat up for an entirely different reason.

They lit their lanterns, watching as the warm glow illuminated their wishes before carrying them into the vast night sky. Their eyes followed the soft flickering lights until they were nothing more than tiny specks.

"Alright! Let’s go, Lu Guang! We need to hurry and find a good spot for the fireworks!" Cheng Xiaoshi exclaimed, grabbing Lu Guang’s wrist without thinking.

"Wait—" Lu Guang started, startled by the sudden pull, but Cheng Xiaoshi had already taken off, weaving through the thinning festival crowd.

By the time they reached a quiet hill overlooking the festival grounds, Cheng Xiaoshi suddenly realized he was still holding onto Lu Guang’s wrist. He quickly let go, stepping back awkwardly. "Ah—uh, sorry. I didn’t even notice…"

Lu Guang exhaled, rubbing his wrist briefly before giving a small nod. "It’s fine. We needed to hurry anyway."

"Yeah.." Cheng Xiaoshi muttered, scratching his head, still feeling the lingering warmth of Lu Guang’s skin against his fingertips.

Then, unexpectedly, Lu Guang spoke. "Cheng Xiaoshi."

"Hm?" Cheng Xiaoshi turned, only to find Lu Guang looking at him—not with his usual indifferent gaze, but something softer, something unreadable.

"Thanks for coming with me today," Lu Guang said, a rare, genuine smile crossing his lips. "I had a lot of fun."

For a moment, Cheng Xiaoshi forgot how to breathe. Lu Guang didn't smile like that often—open, sincere, warm. His heart stuttered before a slow smile spread across his face. "Yeah.. me too."

Just then, the first firework exploded in the sky, bathing them in brilliant shades of gold and crimson. Lu Guang turned to watch, his expression unreadable in the flickering light.

"Wow," he murmured. "Don’t you think the fireworks are even more beautiful this year?"

Cheng Xiaoshi wasn’t looking at the fireworks. His gaze lingered on the soft glow illuminating Lu Guang’s features, on the way his eyes reflected the colors of the sky.

He smiled, heart steady and warm. "Yeah.. I think so too."

Chapter Text

The sun shone brightly over the bustling campus festival, casting a warm glow over the various booths and activities spread across the grounds. Laughter and excited chatter filled the air as students roamed around, some dressed in elaborate costumes, while others enjoyed the food stalls and games.

For Cheng Xiaoshi, however, today wasn’t just about enjoying the festival—it was also about fulfilling a favor for the anime club. They had asked for his help in photographing their club activities, capturing the spirit of their passion during the event. Fortunately, the weather was perfect, making his task much easier.

As he walked through the festival, camera slung over his shoulder, he turned to Qiao Ling, who was walking beside him in an eye-catching cosplay outfit.

"Qiao Ling, can you explain in more detail what exactly I’m supposed to photograph?" he asked, adjusting his camera strap.

"Eh, I was only given a rough idea," Qiao Ling replied with a casual shrug. "You should probably ask the club president for specifics."

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a sigh. "Alright," he muttered, before his eyes flicked to her outfit. "But wait—why are you in cosplay too? Are you part of the anime club now?"

Qiao Ling grinned, striking a playful pose. "Nope! I just wanted to get into the festival spirit. Besides," she added proudly, "this is a great chance to find inspiration for my next clothing designs!"

"Of course it is," Cheng Xiaoshi said, shaking his head with a chuckle.

"Anyway, I’m off to explore now," Qiao Ling announced, waving a hand. "Good luck with your job, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I’ll manage," he replied, watching as she disappeared into the crowd. Turning his attention back to his task, he exhaled. "Guess I should head to the anime club room first."

Arriving at the anime club room, Cheng Xiaoshi knocked on the door, waiting for a response. A voice from inside called out, "Come in!"

Pushing the door open, he stepped inside to find a lively room filled with posters, figurines, and shelves lined with manga. Several club members were busy with last-minute preparations, adjusting costumes and setting up props.

A young girl, clearly the club president, approached him with a welcoming smile. "Oh! You must be Qiao Ling’s friend—Cheng Xiaoshi, right?"

"Yeah, that’s me," Cheng Xiaoshi said, shaking the president’s hand. "Nice to meet you, President."

"Great! I was worried you might get lost trying to find our room," the president joked.

"Nah, I just took a quick look around the festival before coming here," Cheng Xiaoshi admitted, scratching his head.

"That’s fine! As long as you’re here, that’s all that matters," the president replied cheerfully.

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could respond, another door in the room suddenly swung open.

"President, the costume fits perfectly, I don’t think there’ll be any pro—"

The voice stopped abruptly.

Cheng Xiaoshi turned at the sound, only for his eyes to widen in shock. Standing there, dressed in white dress cosplay outfit, was none other than Lu Guang.

As they walked through the festival, Cheng Xiaoshi kept sneaking glances at Lu Guang, who looked unfairly good in his cosplay. "Seriously, does he have to look this good?" he thought, biting the inside of his cheek. He wanted to keep looking—just a little longer—but every time Lu Guang so much as shifted, he quickly averted his eyes, afraid of getting caught. Desperate to distract himself, he cleared his throat and tried to start a conversation.

"So, you're helping the anime club?" Cheng Xiaoshi asked, hands tucked into his pockets.

Lu Guang gave a small nod. "Yeah," he replied. "I wasn’t sure about it, but I figured there’s no harm in trying something new."

Cheng Xiaoshi hummed in response, studying him for a moment before saying, "You look good in that."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "You think so?"

"Yeah." Cheng Xiaoshi glanced away, a thought slipping through his mind before he could stop it. Too good, actually.

"What about you? Why are you here?" Lu Guang tilted his head slightly, curious.

"Ah, well, it’s kinda the same reason as you," Cheng Xiaoshi explained. "Do you remember that time we were having dinner and Qiao Ling called me? She told me the anime club president needed someone to photograph their activities, so I figured I’d help out."

"I see," Lu Guang mused. "So, you’re good at photography."

Cheng Xiaoshi scratched his cheek, feeling a little pleased but trying not to show it. "Not really. I just take pictures of whatever looks beautiful to me."

Lu Guang looked at him for a moment before nodding. "That makes sense."

The brief silence that followed felt oddly comfortable. Then, Lu Guang exhaled lightly. "Alright, I should get going now," he said, taking a step away. Then, in a voice just barely above a mutter, he added, "Good luck with your job."

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked at the rare display of encouragement, then grinned. "Yeah, I’ll see you later, Lu Guang."

Hours passed, and Cheng Xiaoshi had been busy capturing the festival’s atmosphere. His camera was filled with pictures of cosplayers, club members in action, and candid moments of excitement and laughter. Just as he was about to wrap up, a thought suddenly struck him. "If Lu Guang is helping the anime club, shouldn’t I take a picture of him too?"

His gaze wandered through the crowd until he finally spotted Lu Guang. As expected, the outfit looked amazing on him. The way the fabric fit, the way he carried himself—it was effortlessly cool, almost like he belonged in a photoshoot.

Without thinking, Cheng Xiaoshi raised his camera. Click.

Then another. Click. And another. Click.

By the time he snapped out of it, his camera roll was nearly full—entirely of Lu Guang.

Meanwhile, Lu Guang, who had been aware of the camera’s lens on him for some time now, sighed inwardly. "If he needed a picture, why didn’t he just ask instead of sneaking around like that?". Still, he chose not to call Cheng Xiaoshi out on it. Instead, he simply adjusted his posture ever so slightly, shifting into a more natural stance.

"If he’s going to take pictures, they might as well turn out decent," Lu Guang muttered to himself, subtly posing as casually as possible.

As the sun began to set, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang sat on a quiet bench in the garden near the library. Lu Guang had insisted on stopping by to feed Elizabeth, the cat that often lingered around the area.

"Good job today, Lu Guang." Cheng Xiaoshi handed him a cold drink, watching as Lu Guang took it without hesitation and drank.

"Thank you for your hard work too," Lu Guang replied, his voice calm as ever.

Cheng Xiaoshi stretched with a dramatic sigh. "Man, I’m so tired. I can’t believe tomorrow is already Monday. Why do weekends always fly by so fast?"

Lu Guang glanced at him. "People say time feels faster when you’re having fun."

Cheng Xiaoshi huffed. "You’re right. Today was really fun. Maybe I should try cosplaying too next time."

Lu Guang took a sip of his drink and nodded slightly. "Hmm, I think it would suit you just fine.

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned at the unexpected approval, rocking back on his heels. "You know, today went by pretty fast. Kinda makes me wish the festival lasted longer." He glanced at Lu Guang. "So, what’s your plan now? Heading home?"

Lu Guang shook his head. "No, I’m stopping by the library first. I want to work on my short film script for a bit." He took another sip of his drink before glancing at Cheng Xiaoshi. "You can head home first if you want."

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated for a moment before smiling. "Hmm.. I think I’ll stay for a bit. Is that okay? I promise I won’t bother you."

Lu Guang glanced at him before giving a small smile. "Sure."

Inside the library, the two settled at a table near the window. Lu Guang immediately got to work, typing away at his laptop, completely absorbed in his script. Meanwhile, Cheng Xiaoshi wandered between the bookshelves, scanning for anything that looked remotely interesting. He wasn’t much of a reader, but if he was going to wait, he might as well find something to pass the time.

After browsing for a while, he finally picked out a book and returned to their table—only to stop in his tracks.

Lu Guang had fallen asleep, his head resting on his folded arms. His laptop was still open, the words of his script unfinished on the screen. His face, usually so serious and focused, was peaceful in sleep, his breathing slow and even.

Cheng Xiaoshi stood there for a moment, watching him. He let out a small sigh and shook his head with a smile. "Guess even you have your limits, huh?" he muttered.

He placed his book down and pulled out a chair, careful not to make too much noise as he sat across from him. His gaze lingered on Lu Guang’s sleeping face, and without thinking, he muttered under his breath,

"Sweet dreams, Lu Guang."

For once, Cheng Xiaoshi found the silence surprisingly comfortable.

Chapter Text

The university library was silent, the air filled with the faint scent of old books and the soft tapping of Lu Guang’s keyboard. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden tables where students sat buried in their studies.

Cheng Xiaoshi sat across from Lu Guang, his chin resting on his palm as he absently traced circles on the table. He had tried to read a book earlier, but after reading the fifth paragraph, he had given up instead. His eyes drifted to Lu Guang, who was completely immersed in his laptop, fingers moving effortlessly over the keyboard.

For a while, Cheng Xiaoshi simply watched him, listening to the quiet rhythm of typing. He liked being here with Lu Guang—even if he wasn’t doing anything useful. But the stillness was starting to weigh on him.

“…Lu Guang,” he murmured, voice barely above a whisper.

Lu Guang didn’t look up. “Hm?”

"Ugh, I don't want to disturb his work," Cheng Xiaoshi thought. He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "Nothing."

Lu Guang finally glanced at him, noticing the way Cheng Xiaoshi’s fingers idly tapped against the table. He stared for a moment, then exhaled softly. “You’re bored.”

Cheng Xiaoshi lowered his gaze, a little embarrassed to be caught so easily. “…A little.”

There was a brief pause before Lu Guang closed his laptop with a soft click. “Do you want to go play some basketball?”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, slightly surprised. “Huh?”

“You’re clearly restless,” Lu Guang said, standing up and stretching his arms. “And I’m almost done anyway.”

Cheng Xiaoshi looked up at him, eyes widening just a little. “…Are you sure?”

Lu Guang rolled his eyes. “Do you want to go or not?”

A small, gentle smile tugged at Cheng Xiaoshi’s lips. He nodded. “Yeah. I’d like that.”

As they walked out of the library, the quiet hum of the afternoon surrounded them. The golden hues of the setting sun painted everything in soft, warm light. Cheng Xiaoshi walked beside Lu Guang, occasionally glancing at him, a content expression on his face.

Lu Guang noticed. He let out a small sigh, turning his gaze away just as a subtle warmth crept up his ears.

Idiot.

Though, this time, the word felt softer than usual.

Cheng Xiaoshi stood at the free-throw line, spinning the basketball between his fingers. Above them, the sky had deepened into rich hues of orange and violet, the last remnants of daylight stretching lazily across the horizon. A cool breeze drifted through the empty court, rustling the trees and making the streetlights flicker to life.

Taking a steadying breath, Cheng Xiaoshi aimed for the basket. “Alright, watch this,” he said, confidence clear in his voice.

The ball sailed through the air—only to bounce off the rim with a dull thud.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked before straightening up, clearing his throat. “…That was just a warm-up.”

Lu Guang stood with his arms crossed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Your aim is getting worse.”

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted, retrieving the ball. “Oh, is that so? Then why don’t you prove you can do better?” He tossed the ball at Lu Guang with a playful smirk. “Go on, let’s see it.”

Lu Guang caught it effortlessly, his expression unreadable. Without a word, he lined up his shot and, with a single flick of his wrist, sent the ball soaring. It arched smoothly through the air before swishing cleanly through the net.

Cheng Xiaoshi exhaled, shaking his head in amused disbelief. “How do you always make things look so easy?”

Lu Guang barely glanced at him as he dusted off his hands. “Because it is.”

Cheng Xiaoshi rolled his eyes but smiled nonetheless. They continued playing, the rhythmic sound of bouncing basketballs and their occasional chatter filling the quiet court. The game wasn’t particularly competitive—more like an unspoken excuse to spend time together. As the minutes passed, the golden glow of sunset faded, replaced by the soft hum of streetlights.

After sinking another effortless shot, Lu Guang suddenly spoke. “Cheng Xiaoshi.”

“Hm?” Cheng Xiaoshi paused mid-dribble, looking up.

Lu Guang watched him for a moment before tilting his head slightly. “Is there something you want right now?”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, caught off guard. “Huh? What’s with the random question?”

Lu Guang only shrugged. “Just answer it.”

Cheng Xiaoshi twirled the ball between his hands, a slow, teasing smile forming on his lips. He took a step closer, his voice turning softer. “I’ve been waiting for you to keep your promise, you know.”

Lu Guang narrowed his eyes slightly. “Promise?”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’ve already forgotten. You said you’d come over for dinner again.” He sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. “Wow… so easily forgotten. I might just shed a tear.”

Lu Guang exhaled through his nose, shaking his head. “You’re being dramatic.”

“And you’re avoiding the question.” Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, spinning the basketball between his fingers.

Lu Guang let out a small sigh. “Isn’t that just me troubling you again?”

Cheng Xiaoshi paused, tilting his head before flashing Lu Guang a smile. “How is it troubling me? I was the one who asked you to keep your promise.” He spun the ball once more before adding brightly, “But if you want to, I wouldn’t mind hanging out again.”

Lu Guang blinked, caught off guard for just a second. He looked away, fingers curling slightly at his sides.

“You always say whatever you want.." Lu Guang muttered.

Cheng Xiaoshi only laughed, tossing the ball toward him. “And yet, you always come—even when you say no.”

The rich aroma of Cheng Xiaoshi’s cooking filled the house, blending with the soft simmer of bubbling broth. Lu Guang sat on the couch, one arm resting on the armrest, his gaze idly following Xiaoshi’s movements in the kitchen.

The house still felt just as warm as the last time he visited—lived-in, comfortable, carrying the same inviting atmosphere as its owner. Ever since meeting Cheng Xiaoshi, Lu Guang had started noticing it more and more—that warmth that made him feel oddly at home. It was strange. At first, he had seen Cheng Xiaoshi as nothing more than an annoyance.

But now..

“Alright, here it is!” Cheng Xiaoshi’s voice broke through his thoughts as he walked in with a bright grin, carefully setting down a steaming hotpot on the dining table.

Lu Guang didn’t move from his spot on the couch, his gaze shifting toward Cheng Xiaoshi instead. “Cheng Xiaoshi, isn’t this portion too much for just the two of us?”

Cheng Xiaoshi scratched his head sheepishly. “Oh, I guess I got a little too excited while making it.” Then, as if to brush it off, he continued with a grin, “Well, what else can we do except eat it all? Come on, dig in!” He handed Lu Guang a bowl enthusiastically.

Lu Guang accepted it with a small shake of his head. "Does he think I eat that much?"

Still, he took a bite. “…It’s good.”

Cheng Xiaoshi lit up at the rare praise. “See? That means you should eat at my place more often!”

Lu Guang gave him a look but didn’t argue. The conversation flowed easily—Cheng Xiaoshi filling the silence with his usual chatter while Lu Guang listened, occasionally responding.

By the time they finished eating, the table was mostly cleared, and a comfortable warmth lingered in the air. Cheng Xiaoshi stretched with a satisfied sigh while Lu Guang casually checked his phone.

“I should get going now,” Lu Guang finally said, setting his phone down and adjusting his bag.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “Already?”

“Yeah, it’s already dark outside,” Lu Guang replied. Then he went quiet for a moment before adding, “I’m going to be busy preparing the short film this week, sorry if I will take a while to reply to your messages later.”

“Oh.. yeah, of course.” Cheng Xiaoshi nodded, but his fingers tapped idly against the table. After a brief pause, he muttered, "..Guess that means I won’t get to hang out and annoy you for a while, huh?”

Lu Guang paused at the doorway. He exhaled softly, then glanced back.

“…You can stop by sometimes if you want.”

Cheng Xiaoshi looked up, surprised. “Huh?”

Lu Guang looked away. “I don’t think it’d hurt to get an outside perspective on the project.”

For a second, Cheng Xiaoshi just stared at him before a slow, teasing smile spread across his face. “Are you saying you actually want my opinion?”

Lu Guang rolled his eyes. “I’m saying that I wouldn’t mind hearing it.”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled, resting against the doorway. “Alright, alright. Just make sure to take breaks, okay? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

Lu Guang glanced at him and nodded, then muttered with a small smile, “I will,” before turning to leave.

Cheng Xiaoshi watched him leave, the soft click of the door fading into the quiet night. Even after Lu Guang was gone, the echoes of their conversation lingered in the air, warm and familiar—just like the meal they had shared, just like the feeling of having him there.

Chapter Text

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city—the perfect backdrop for an important day. Today was the screening of Lu Guang and Liu Xiao’s short film, and Cheng Xiaoshi wasn’t about to miss it. Since he and Qiao Ling lived next door to each other, they had decided to go together to support their friends.

Not that he hadn’t already been supportive. Over the past few weeks, he had been cheering Lu Guang on through messages, checking in on his progress, and even dropping by to watch some of the filming. But none of that compared to being there in person. Watching the film on a big screen, surrounded by an audience, made it feel more real. And as much as he told himself he was just being a good friend, there was something about seeing it firsthand—seeing Lu Guang’s work come to life—that made showing up feel important.

"Qiao Ling, what's taking you so long?" Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Ugh, shut up, Cheng Xiaoshi," Xu Shanshan shot back, rolling her eyes. "Unlike some people, some of us actually care about looking good. Putting on makeup takes time."

"Yeah, right," Cheng Xiaoshi said, rolling his eyes. Then, narrowing them slightly, he added, "Why are you even here? Don’t you usually stick to your boyfriend, Dong Yi?"

Xu Shanshan huffed. "He’s busy today so i have to go with you guys instead."

"Ah, are you getting dumped?" Cheng Xiaoshi teased, grinning.

Xu Shanshan’s glare sharpened instantly. "Say that again, and I’ll dump this makeup on your face instead."

"Hah, as if you can do that," Cheng Xiaoshi shot back smugly.

Their argument escalated quickly, voices overlapping until—

"Enough, you two."

Qiao Ling finally emerged, fixing them both with a look. "I swear, you argue like kids. The whole neighborhood probably heard you by now."

Both of them went silent, still glaring at each other before turning away with a huff.

Qiao Ling then shifted her focus, eyes landing on Cheng Xiaoshi. "And you," she said, arms crossed, "didn’t I tell you to dress up properly?"

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned. "Hey, I did dress up properly!"

Xu Shanshan snorted. "A plain t-shirt and that same blue jacket? Yeah, real fancy."

Cheng Xiaoshi crossed his arms with a huff. "Well, someone told me I look good in this, so your opinion doesn’t really matter to me," he said, sticking out his tongue playfully.

Qiao Ling raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And who might this someone be?"

Cheng Xiaoshi faltered for a fraction of a second, but before he could respond, Xu Shanshan smirked and unlocked her phone, turning the screen toward him.

"You know," Xu Shanshan said, her tone casual but teasing, "Dong Yi and I saw you at the festival the other day."

She unlocked her phone and turned the screen toward them. The image showed Cheng Xiaoshi holding onto Lu Guang's wrist—his expression focused, caught in a moment that didn’t quite look like something between just friends.

Qiao Ling, who had been watching quietly, leaned in to get a better look. Her brows furrowed slightly before she asked, "Wait… isn’t this Lu Guang?"

Cheng Xiaoshi stiffened. "Huh? No—I mean, yes, but—"

"You two seemed pretty close here," Xu Shanshan remarked, watching him carefully.

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth to argue, but before he could, a sharp thud echoed as Qiao Ling set her hand firmly on the table.

"Cheng Xiaoshi," she said, her voice edged with frustration. "You didn’t even tell me when you first got to know him, and now I find out like this that you two are this close?"

"Wait—It’s not like that!" Cheng Xiaoshi stammered, flustered. "Lu Guang and I are just friends!"

Xu Shanshan tilted her head, unconvinced. "Really? Because from where I was standing, it didn’t exactly look casual."

She scrolled and showed another picture.

This time, it was of Cheng Xiaoshi watching Lu Guang during the fireworks. His expression—unintentionally captured—was unreadable, but there was something undeniably soft about it. Focused. Attentive.

Cheng Xiaoshi stared at the image longer than he meant to.

"..That’s just how I look," he muttered, but the words felt weak even to himself.

Qiao Ling exhaled, crossing her arms as she fixed Cheng Xiaoshi with a serious look. "Look, Lu Guang is a good person," she began, her voice calmer but firm. "He's thoughtful, responsible.. and honestly, he’s the type who doesn’t like to say no, even when he probably should. Have you ever thought about that?" She glanced at him, watching his reaction carefully. "Maybe that’s why he just goes along with you—because it’s easier than arguing. But that doesn’t mean you should take it for granted. You need to be aware of when you're pushing things too far, Cheng Xiaoshi."

Cheng Xiaoshi’s chest tightened unexpectedly. He forced a small laugh, waving a hand dismissively. "It’s not like that.. We’re just.. friends."

The words left his mouth easily, but for some reason, they felt heavier than they should have. Just friends.

That’s what they were, right? That’s all it was supposed to be.

But then—why did it feel strange?

He lowered his gaze, fingers unconsciously tightening around the hem of his jacket.

Shouldn’t I be thinking that way?

I just wanted to be close to him—that’s all. We get along, so of course I don’t want to drift apart.. That’s normal, isn’t it?

Yet, for some reason, the thought of Lu Guang merely "going along with him" left an uneasy weight in his chest.

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city—the perfect backdrop for an important day. Today was the screening of Lu Guang and Liu Xiao’s short film, an event they had poured their hard work into. As always, Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling had come together, since their houses were right next to each other, with Xu Shanshan tagging along as well.

But the atmosphere felt heavier than it should have. Qiao Ling’s words from earlier lingered in Cheng Xiaoshi’s mind, stirring an unease he couldn’t quite shake. The awkward silence between them only made it worse. As soon as they arrived at the auditorium, he muttered a quick excuse and walked off, ignoring Xu Shanshan calling after him. Right now, he just needed a moment alone—to think, to make sense of the confusion in his head.

"Is Lu Guang really just ‘going along’ with me?"

"Have I been annoying him this whole time?"

"Am I just a burden to him?"

The thoughts gnawed at him, each one sinking deeper, making his chest feel unbearably heavy. He was so lost in his own head that he barely noticed when someone approached—

"Yo, Cheng Xiaoshi! What are you doing standing here like a lost puppy?"A heavy slap landed on his shoulder, making him jump.

"Vein, seriously, you need to stop that," Xia Fei sighed, crossing his arms. "One of these days, you're actually going to give someone a heart attack."

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked at them before forcing a small smile. "Ah.. it’s you two."

Xia Fei narrowed his eyes. "What’s with that weak reaction?"

"Yeah, you usually have something snarky to say by now," Vein added. "Did someone steal your breakfast or something?"

"It’s nothing," Cheng Xiaoshi said quickly, waving them off. "Just.. thinking about stuff."

Vein and Xia Fei exchanged a glance before Xia Fei crossed his arms. "Right. Because standing around looking like you just lost a fight with your own thoughts is totally normal."

"I’m fine," Cheng Xiaoshi said, forcing a grin that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Vein scoffed. "Yeah, sure. And I’m the emperor of China."

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could protest, Xia Fei’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and then smirked slightly.

"Liu Xiao just texted. He and Lu Guang are done with their prep."

"Yeah?" Vein perked up. "Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go find them!"

Cheng Xiaoshi stiffened. "I think I’ll pass—"

Before he could finish, Vein had already grabbed his arm, dragging him along. "Nope, you’re coming with us."

They spotted Lu Guang and Liu Xiao near the entrance of the main hall, finishing a conversation with a few other students. As soon as Liu Xiao saw them, he smiled.

"You guys finally made it," Liu Xiao said, his usual calm demeanor lightened by the excitement in his voice.

"Of course we did," Xia Fei replied, grinning. "You think we’d miss your big moment?"

"Yeah, congrats in advance," Vein added, giving Liu Xiao a smile. "I bet your film is going to blow everyone away."

Liu Xiao chuckled. "I hope so. But it wasn’t just me—Lu Guang worked just as hard."

At the mention of his name, Lu Guang gave a small nod before his eyes naturally drifted toward Cheng Xiaoshi.

Liu Xiao turned to him as well, smiling. "Glad you’re here too, Cheng Xiaoshi."

"Yeah, of course. Wouldn’t miss it," Cheng Xiaoshi muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.

But something felt off. His usual energy was nowhere to be seen, and it didn’t take long for Liu Xiao, Xia Fei, and Vein to notice. The way he avoided Lu Guang’s eyes, the slight tension in his shoulders—it was subtle, but telling. The three of them exchanged quick glances, silently coming to an unspoken agreement.

Liu Xiao cleared his throat and clapped his hands together. "Anyway, we should probably go check on the seating arrangements," he said casually. "Xia Fei, Vein, let’s go."

"Huh? But we just got here—" Vein started, only to be pulled along by Xia Fei.

"Come on," Xia Fei insisted, dragging him away. "They’ll catch up."

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could object, the three of them were already gone, leaving him alone with Lu Guang.

Silence settled between them.

Lu Guang was the first to break the silence. "You’re acting strange," he stated, his sharp eyes studying Cheng Xiaoshi closely. "What’s wrong?"

Cheng Xiaoshi tensed, forcing a chuckle. "What? Nothing’s wrong."

Lu Guang didn’t buy it for a second. "Then why do you look like you’ve done something wrong?"

"I don’t—!" Cheng Xiaoshi started, then faltered, unsure how to respond.

Lu Guang let out a quiet sigh. "Is this about me not replying to your messages?"

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, caught off guard. "Wait.. what?"

"I saw them," Lu Guang admitted, his voice even. "I just didn’t have time to respond."

"Oh." Cheng Xiaoshi looked away, kicking at the ground. "It’s not like I was waiting or anything.."

Lu Guang tilted his head slightly, watching him. "Really?"

A brief silence stretched between them before Cheng Xiaoshi finally spoke again, voice quieter.

"Your short film," he muttered. "It’s definitely going to be great."

Lu Guang’s expression softened slightly. "You haven’t even watched it yet."

"I don’t need to," Cheng Xiaoshi said, finally looking up, his voice quieter but certain. "I always believe in you."

Lu Guang blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, a small breath of laughter escaped him.

"If that’s true," he murmured, his voice uncharacteristically soft, "then I guess I should say.. I wouldn’t have made it through all this without you."

Cheng Xiaoshi froze for a second, eyes widening.

Lu Guang studied him for a moment before exhaling quietly. Then, with a small nod toward the entrance, he said, "Come on, let’s go in together." His tone was even, familiar—like nothing had changed.

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, that strange feeling still sitting heavy in his chest. It wasn’t unpleasant, just… confusing. Like something was shifting, but he couldn’t quite grasp what.

Still, as Lu Guang started walking, Cheng Xiaoshi found his feet moving on their own, following after him—just like always.

The screening had ended, and as expected, Lu Guang and Liu Xiao’s short film had received the loudest applause. They had won every prize, and the celebration afterward had been filled with congratulations and laughter. At some point, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang found themselves alone—most likely on purpose, courtesy of their friends.

Now, they sat in their usual spot, a small garden near the library. The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, casting soft shadows on the ground. It was peaceful. Too peaceful.

Lu Guang was the first to break the silence.

"You’re still being weird."

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a short laugh, leaning back against the bench. "I’m always weird."

"You know that’s not what I meant."

Cheng Xiaoshi exhaled, crossing his arms over his chest. "I’m just tired."

Lu Guang gave him a flat look. "You don’t get tired from just sitting and watching a film."

"Well, maybe you don’t," Cheng Xiaoshi muttered.

Lu Guang didn’t respond immediately, just kept his sharp gaze trained on him. The weight of it made Cheng Xiaoshi shift in his seat, suddenly restless.

"Did something happen?" Lu Guang asked finally.

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated. "Not really."

Lu Guang narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly unconvinced. "You’re acting off."

"It’s nothing, okay?" he muttered. "Can’t I just sit here without being interrogated?"

Lu Guang studied him for a moment, then let out a small sigh. Instead of pressing further, he leaned back against the bench, tilting his head up slightly as he looked at the trees above them.

"You do this a lot, you know," he said, voice quieter now.

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned. "Do what?"

"Act like something’s bothering you but refuse to talk about it."

Cheng Xiaoshi clicked his tongue. "Maybe I just don’t want to be annoying."

Lu Guang turned his head to look at him again. "You’re only annoying when you bottle things up."

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a short laugh. "That’s a new one. I thought you liked it when I shut up."

Lu Guang didn’t respond immediately. He just kept looking at him, gaze unreadable.

Then, after a beat, he spoke. "No. I prefer you the way you usually are."

Cheng Xiaoshi froze.

It wasn’t just the words—it was the way Lu Guang said them. Calm. Certain. Like it wasn’t even up for debate.

His heart did something strange in his chest, an uncomfortable twist he didn’t know how to deal with.

So he did what he always did when he felt like this—he deflected.

"Damn, Lu Guang, since when did you become so sentimental?" He shot him a lopsided grin, hoping it would lighten the mood.

Lu Guang didn’t take the bait. "I’m not being sentimental. I’m just telling you the truth."

For a second, neither of them spoke. The quiet stretched between them, heavier than before, charged with something unspoken.

Cheng Xiaoshi swallowed. He should say something. Joke it off. Move on.

But for some reason, he couldn’t. Because in that moment, something in his chest finally snapped into place.

The late-night messages. The way he always wanted to be around Lu Guang. The way his chest felt too tight whenever he thought about losing him.

Ah.

Maybe I don’t want to be just friends with Lu Guang.

Maybe I never have.

Chapter Text

Cheng Xiaoshi stared at his phone, his heart pounding as he hit send. The room was silent for only a few seconds before—

BANG!

His door swung open violently, slamming against the wall. Standing there, completely stunned, was Qiao Ling.

“YOU LIKE LU GUANG??” she practically screamed.

Cheng Xiaoshi flinched. “Ye—”

“Oh my god! Cheng Xiaoshi! Why didn’t you tell me earlier?! I was so mean yesterday—I thought—”

She suddenly paused, her expression shifting as if she just realized something. Crossing her arms, she looked at him closely.

“I honestly thought you were just, like, obsessed with being his friend or something,” she admitted. “I figured you were only forcing yourself into his life because you found him interesting, and since he kept avoiding you, that made you even more determined.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “Wait, what?”

Qiao Ling sighed dramatically and sat down on the couch. “I thought you were just curious about him because he’s not the type to get close to people easily.”

Cheng Xiaoshi rubbed the back of his neck, looking away. “I guess… at first, I just thought I wanted to be his friend really badly.”

Then he exhaled, his shoulders sinking slightly. “But now, I get it.”

Qiao Ling tilted her head. “So, you’re sure? You’re really, really sure it’s not just admiration or anything like that?”

Cheng Xiaoshi inhaled deeply, as if steadying himself. Then, he looked her straight in the eye.

“Yes.”

His voice was steady as he continued.

“I like him, Qiao Ling. I like how he’s always the one keeping things together when I lose control. I like how he doesn’t just tolerate me—he understands me. He sees through me, even when I try to hide what I’m feeling.

I like how he never sugarcoats things but still looks out for me in his own way. I like how, even when he scolds me, it’s because he cares. I like how he trusts me, even when I mess up. Even when I don’t trust myself.

And it’s not just that.” His voice softened.

“I want to be with him. I want to see him when he’s tired, when he’s frustrated. I want him to lean on me, not just the other way around. I want to be the person he relies on, the one he chooses to be with.

I don’t just like him, Qiao Ling.” He swallowed, then admitted, “I love him.”

Qiao Ling stared at him, taking in his words. Then she groaned loudly, throwing herself back onto the couch in exaggerated frustration.

“Ugh, you’re completely gone. This is so much worse than I thought.”

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Qiao Ling sat up again and let out a huff. “It means you’re head over heels for Lu Guang, and now I have to deal with your lovesick self.”

Then, after a pause, she added, “But you know what? Thinking about it now… you two actually fit together pretty well.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “Huh?”

“I mean, look at you,” Qiao Ling said, waving a hand at him. “You’re childish, reckless, and impulsive. Meanwhile, Lu Guang is calm, rational, and acts like an adult.”

“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” Cheng Xiaoshi pouted.

Qiao Ling rolled her eyes. “It means that you balance each other out, dummy. Lu Guang keeps you from getting into too much trouble, and you probably make his life more exciting—annoying, but exciting.”

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth to argue but then hesitated.

“..You really think so?”

Qiao Ling smiled. “Yeah. I think, in his own way, Lu Guang probably needs you just as much as you need him.”

Cheng Xiaoshi felt his face heat up slightly. He rubbed the back of his neck, looking away.

“..That would be nice.”

Qiao Ling leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “So? What are you gonna do about it then?”

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a deep sigh and sank onto the couch, rubbing his face.

“For now… I think I’ll just keep quiet about it.”

Qiao Ling raised an eyebrow. “Really? That doesn’t sound like you at all.”

He let out a weak chuckle. “I just.. I don’t want to mess things up. If I say something and things get weird between us, I don’t know what I’d do.”

Qiao Ling studied him for a moment before nodding. “I get it. But you won’t be able to keep it in forever, you know.”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Don’t remind me that.”

Qiao Ling chuckled, leaning back against the couch. “Well, whatever happens, I’ll be here for you both.”

Cheng Xiaoshi stared at his drink, deep in thought, before suddenly blurting out, “I think I like Lu Guang.”

The conversation at the table came to a brief halt as his three friends glanced at him.

“I see,” Liu Xiao said simply before taking another sip of his drink. “That’s surprising,” he added with a small smile.

“Congrats,” Xia Fei mumbled, not even looking up from his phone as he continued scrolling.

Vein let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. “Ah, man, I lost the bet.” He fished out some cash from his wallet and handed it to Liu Xiao with a groan. “You win this time.” Liu Xiao simply gave him his usual calm smile in response.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, confused. “Wait, is that it? Aren’t you guys surprised?”

Liu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Are we supposed to be?”

Vein leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. “Did you even realize how you’ve been acting since you met him? I honestly thought you had some kind of condition with how much you grin every time he texts you.”

Xia Fei nodded, a teasing grin on his face. “Yeah, and when you see him, it’s like you’re the happiest person on earth. Honestly, you look like you might start wagging your tail.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s face flushed. “Am I really that obvious?” he muttered.

“Yes,” all three of them answered at the same time.

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could even process that, Vein suddenly smirked and pointed between him and Xia Fei. “Honestly, you two are the easiest people to read.”

Xia Fei frowned. “Excuse me?”

Vein waved his hand dismissively, a playful grin on his face. “You two have zero mystery. It's like reading a book with no plot twists. That’s why you,”—he pointed at Cheng Xiaoshi—“were so easy to figure out. And you,”—he turned to Xia Fei, giving him a teasing look—“are even worse when you're excited about something. You practically light up.”

Liu Xiao chuckled. “He’s not wrong.”

Xia Fei scoffed, crossing his arms. “I think I have at least some mystery.”

“Sure,” Vein said sarcastically. “Like how you subtly try to hide something from us, but then make that guilty face every time.”

Liu Xiao chimed in. “Or how you instantly put on that ‘I hate this’ face whenever you don’t like something."

Xia Fei shot them both a glare. “Shut up, you two.”

Meanwhile, Cheng Xiaoshi groaned and slumped onto the table. “Ugh… I don’t even know what to do. What if this ruins everything?”

Liu Xiao glanced at him and asked, “So you’re just going to sit here and suffer instead of doing something about it?”

“Well, I just don’t—”

“You’re scared, aren’t you?” Vein interrupted with a knowing smirk.

“…Yeah,” Cheng Xiaoshi admitted slowly.

Xia Fei sighed, finally setting his phone down. “Cheng Xiaoshi, I’ve watched you make all sorts of dumb decisions without hesitation. And now, when it actually matters, you’re hesitating?”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned again. “It’s not that simple! I don’t even know how to get closer to him. We’re both so busy with classes, and I barely get to see him unless it’s by chance.”

Xia Fei raised an eyebrow. “But it’s almost semester break, right?”

Cheng Xiaoshi sat up, looking even more distressed. “Yeah, but I can’t just keep asking him to hang out. I don’t want to bother him too much..”

Vein scoffed. “You’re overthinking this like it’s some kind of final exam. You don’t even stress about your actual exams this much.”

Cheng Xiaoshi sighed. “With exams, if I mess up, I can always retake them. But this? I don’t get a second chance.”

Liu Xiao smirked and leaned forward. “How about this?”

"A compilation video?" Lu Guang asked, looking at Liu Xiao, who was sitting in front of him, his expression one of curiosity.

"Yes, doesn’t that sound like a blast?" Xia Fei said, practically bouncing in his seat at the campus cafeteria. "It’s Liu Xiao’s assignment to create a compilation video of fun activities to do at semester break, and you don’t even have to worry about the costs—Liu Xiao’s got money to burn."

Vein, lounging lazily in his chair, grinned. "Yeah, don't worry. He could probably buy a whole building and still not care about the price."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow, still unsure. "But why me? We’re not exactly close, are we?"

Xia Fei’s eyes lit up with enthusiasm. "That’s exactly why! It’ll be a great chance for us to bond and hang out more."

"Yeah, totally," Vein chimed in, nodding eagerly. "Cheng Xiaoshi’s friend is a friend of ours too, so we’d love to get to know you better."

Liu Xiao, who had been quietly listening, leaned forward slightly with a thoughtful expression. "Actually, I think you’re exactly who we need for this project," he said, his tone serious but kind. "When we worked together before, I saw how much effort you put into your work. I’m confident you can bring something to the table that none of us could."

Lu Guang blinked, taken aback by the sudden praise. "Do I need to make a script for it?" he asked, still a little hesitant.

Xia Fei waved a hand dismissively. "Nah, no script needed. Just relax and have fun. It’s all about enjoying the experience, not sticking to a rigid plan." He flashed a grin, clearly confident.

Vein leaned back in his chair. "Yeah, just relax. If we need a model, it'll probably be Xia Fei. He’s always camera-ready, no matter the prep."

Xia Fei raised an eyebrow. “Oh, so now I’m only good for the camera, huh?”

Vein smirked. "Nah, you're always looking good, camera or not."

Lu Guang thought for a moment, "Why does this sound so... obnoxious?"

Cheng Xiaoshi, who had been sitting silently, awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, his eyes avoiding Lu Guang’s. "It’s okay if you don’t want to join... you really don’t have to force yourself," he said, his voice tinged with nervousness. He was still trying to navigate the awkwardness of being around Lu Guang, especially now that he had come to terms with his own feelings.

Lu Guang, sensing Cheng Xiaoshi’s still being awkward around him, turned to him. "Do you want me to come?" he asked, his gaze steady.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the question. "..yes?" he stammered.

Lu Guang nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile on his lips. "Then I’ll come too." He turned to Liu Xiao, a hint of apology in his voice. "I hope it’s not too much of an inconvenience."

The three friends exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with a shared sense of accomplishment. Cheng Xiaoshi, though still feeling the rush of nervousness, couldn't help but let a small, hopeful grin tug at his lips. He silently wished this could be the start of something more—something real—between him and Lu Guang.

Chapter Text

The first day of semester break had finally arrived. In the past, Cheng Xiaoshi would have looked forward to sleeping in, enjoying a carefree morning without any obligations. But reality had other plans. His three friends had insisted on leaving early for the plans, reasoning that things might be cheaper that way. Not that money was an issue—more than anything, they simply wanted to push him and Lu Guang into sorting out the awkward tension that had been lingering between them these past few days.

And so, at seven in the morning, Cheng Xiaoshi found himself sitting at the train station, a bag resting at his feet. He wasn’t sure if he was waiting for his friends or for Lu Guang—but either way, he had come to realize that some things mattered more than extra sleep.

Just as he was lost in thought, a familiar voice broke through the quiet morning.

“Oh, I was right. I figured you’d come early again.”

Cheng Xiaoshi looked up to see Lu Guang standing in front of him, hands in his pockets, the usual calm expression on his face.

“Oh, Lu Guang.” He tried to sound casual, but there was still an awkward stiffness in his tone. “Good morning.”

Lu Guang gave a small nod. “Morning.” After a brief pause, he asked, “Can I sit here?”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, snapping out of his thoughts. “Oh, yeah, sure.” He shuffled to the side, though he instinctively left a small gap between them. His heart pounded a little too fast every time he snuck a glance at Lu Guang. "Why does he already look so good this early in the morning?" he thought.

A quiet lull settled between them, the distant sounds of the station blending into the background. The morning air was crisp, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. It wasn’t exactly uncomfortable—just a silence neither of them seemed to know how to fill.

Cheng Xiaoshi found himself sneaking another glance at Lu Guang, who was gazing ahead, seemingly lost in thought. He always looked so composed, like he had everything figured out. It made Cheng Xiaoshi feel even more ridiculous for acting the way he had been these past few days.

“You’ve been quiet lately,” Lu Guang finally said, his voice steady but soft.

Cheng Xiaoshi tensed slightly. “…Have I?”

Lu Guang nodded, still looking straight ahead. “Yeah.”

Cheng Xiaoshi bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted to say something, but the words felt stuck. It wasn’t like he had meant to be distant—he just didn’t know how to act around Lu Guang lately. It was frustrating.

A breeze passed through, rustling the train schedules pinned to the station walls.

“…I thought you’d ask why,” Cheng Xiaoshi muttered after a while.

“I figured you’d tell me if you wanted to,” Lu Guang replied simply.

Something about the way he said it made Cheng Xiaoshi’s chest tighten. He hadn’t even realized Lu Guang noticed the shift in his behavior so clearly.

“…It’s nothing, really,” he admitted, exhaling. “I guess I was just overthinking things.”

Lu Guang finally turned to look at him, studying his face for a moment before nodding. “That sounds like you.”

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a small laugh. “Yeah, yeah, laugh at me all you want.”

“I wasn’t laughing.”

“You were in your head.”

Lu Guang shook his head, but a barely-there smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Cheng Xiaoshi stared at him for a beat before leaning back, shoulders loosening. Maybe he had been making things more complicated than they needed to be. Sitting here, just talking like this—it felt natural. It felt enough.

And just as that thought settled in, a familiar voice called out from a distance.

“Oi! What’s with the two of you looking all dramatic this early in the morning?”

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to see Xia Fei waving at them, Liu Xiao walking beside him with Vein trailing behind.

“Wow, what an intense morning chat,” Vein teased, grinning.

Liu Xiao gave them a knowing look. “We should get going. The train will leave soon.”

As they all boarded, Cheng Xiaoshi found himself sitting beside Lu Guang again. The steady hum of the train, the quiet chatter of his friends—it was comforting. He could still feel his heart beating a little faster than usual, but it wasn’t like before. The nervous tension had softened into something easier, something he could breathe through.

His body grew heavier with drowsiness, the early morning finally catching up to him. “Ugh… I’m really not made for waking up this early,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Lu Guang glanced at him. “Then sleep.”

Cheng Xiaoshi barely had the energy to respond. His head tilted slightly, resting against Lu Guang’s shoulder before he could think too hard about it.

Lu Guang stiffened for a second but then let out a quiet sigh, shifting just enough to make it more comfortable.

Cheng Xiaoshi could still feel the slight buzz of his own heartbeat, but it wasn’t nerve-wracking anymore. It was just.. there. Warm. Familiar.

The tension that had been sitting in his chest for days finally eased. As his eyes fluttered shut, a single thought lingered—

Yeah… this is enough for now.

—

At some point during the ride, Lu Guang, who had been sitting still, eventually gave in to the gentle sway of the train. His head slowly leaned to the side, resting lightly against Cheng Xiaoshi’s. Neither of them stirred, lost in their own quiet peace.

No one else seemed to notice—except for Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao, who exchanged glances from across the train car.

Xia Fei grinned, holding up his phone. “Should we?”

Vein smirked. “Obviously.”

Liu Xiao just chuckled, tilting his head. “Maybe just one.”

And so, without a sound, they took their evidence.

As soon as they stepped off the train, Xia Fei stretched his arms high above his head with a dramatic sigh. “Finally, we’ve arrived. Ugh, my legs are sore from that long ride.”

Vein smiled, shaking his head. “Just stretch a little—you’ll be fine.”

Xia Fei groaned dramatically. “No, at this point I think I need a full-on massage.”

Cheng Xiaoshi adjusted his bag, unimpressed. “You’re overreacting. I didn’t mind the ride at all—I even got some sleep.”

Xia Fei opened his mouth to argue, but Liu Xiao casually held him back. “There’s a bathtub at the hotel. You can rest later.”

Xia Fei huffed, crossing his arms. “You truly understand me the most.”

Vein scoffed. “No, you just switch moods too easily.”

Xia Fei shot him a glare. “You shut up.”

Vein turned to Cheng Xiaoshi. “But seriously, I think you got the best deal. Sleeping the whole ride, huh? Must’ve been nice.”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. He glanced at Lu Guang, looking a little guilty. “Lu Guang, you’re not sore or anything, right?”

Lu Guang adjusted his bag and looked at him, his expression calm but with a hint of warmth. “I’m fine. You looked like you needed the rest.”

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, clearly embarrassed. “Still.. sorry for using your shoulder like that. I should’ve been more careful.”

Lu Guang didn’t seem bothered by it. He gave a small, reassuring smile. “It’s alright, Cheng Xiaoshi,” he said softly, his voice steady and kind. “Don’t worry about it.”

Xia Fei, who had been watching the interaction with a knowing look, finally let out a dramatic sigh. He crossed his arms and tilted his head. “Huh. This is interesting.”

Cheng Xiaoshi, still flustered, glanced at him. “What?”

Xia Fei shrugged. “Nothing. Just funny how you’ve never leaned on Vein. Not even once.”

Vein scoffed, crossing his arms. “And let's keep it that way.”

Liu Xiao, watching the scene unfold with an amused smile, finally spoke up. “Alright, alright, that’s enough.” He clapped his hands together loudly, drawing attention back to him. “Let’s stop with the drama and head to the first location for the video shoot.”

Cheng Xiaoshi looked up, eager to get away from the teasing. “So, what’s the first activity?”

Xia Fei grinned. “Picnic!”

Liu Xiao sighed. “Of course. Always thinking about food.”

Xia Fei chuckled. “Hey, fresh air and good company. What's not to like? Let's go, Liu Xiao.”

Liu Xiao turned and started walking, a small smile playing on his lips as the others followed.

As they walked toward the picnic area, Cheng Xiaoshi found himself walking beside Lu Guang again. There was something about Lu Guang’s quiet presence next to him that put him at ease, even if his heart was still racing a little. Every now and then, he’d steal a glance at Lu Guang, and every time, he’d quickly look away, trying to hide the small smile tugging at his lips.

Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao were too busy with their own banter to notice, but the trio did exchange amused glances. It was clear that while Cheng Xiaoshi was still feeling a little shy, he was also quietly enjoying the moment more than he let on.

The shooting continued, with Xia Fei striking a series of poses while Cheng Xiaoshi expertly maneuvered the camera. Liu Xiao and Lu Guang offered occasional direction, their voices a low hum against the whir of the camera.

Vein, however, remained a silent observer, arms crossed, seemingly indifferent to the entire affair. His detached air was finally broken by Cheng Xiaoshi, who turned to him with a raised eyebrow. “Hey, Vein, what exactly is your role here?”

Vein smirked. “Moral support.”

Xia Fei snorted. “More like dead weight.”

“Excuse me?”

The two started bickering, but Liu Xiao swiftly redirected their attention back to the shoot. The atmosphere remained lighthearted as they continued filming, the picnic setup providing a bright and cheerful backdrop.

Then, without warning, raindrops began to fall.

Cheng Xiaoshi looked up. “Uh-oh.”

Lu Guang pulled out an umbrella from his bag just as the rain started getting heavier. Cheng Xiaoshi followed suit, unfolding his own umbrella.

Meanwhile, Xia Fei, Liu Xiao, and Vein stood frozen, watching the rain soak into the picnic blanket.

“…Did neither of you bring an umbrella?” Liu Xiao asked.

Xia Fei glared at Vein. “I told you to pack one.”

Vein scoffed. “And I told you I wasn’t in charge of packing!”

Liu Xiao sighed. “Unbelievable.”

Cheng Xiaoshi, watching their little argument, couldn’t help but laugh. Then, without hesitation, he walked over and handed his umbrella to them. “Here. You guys figure it out.”

Xia Fei blinked. “Wait, then what about you—?”

Cheng Xiaoshi turned back toward Lu Guang and, without a word, stepped under his umbrella, standing close beside him. The movement was so natural that Lu Guang didn’t even flinch—he simply adjusted his hold on the umbrella so they were both covered.

Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao fell silent.

Then, Xia Fei let out a low whistle. "Smooth move, Cheng Xiaoshi," he remarked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Always know how to take advantage of a situation."

Vein and Liu Xiao couldn't help but grin. Liu Xiao shook his head, chuckling.

Then, slowly, they turned to look at the single umbrella in Xia Fei’s hand.

“…So,” Xia Fei started.

“…How exactly are we supposed to fit three people under this?” Vein finished.

Liu Xiao just smiled. “Guess we’ll have to get really comfortable.”

As they tried—and inevitably failed—to share the tiny umbrella, Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled, glancing at Lu Guang. "This is kind of fun, isn't it?" he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Lu Guang, couldn't help but smile. "Yeah," he agreed, his voice soft. "It is."

After wrapping up their picnic shoot, the group decided to head straight to the hotel as the sky darkened and the rain poured relentlessly. Xia Fei groaned as he shook off the excess water from his jacket.

“Geez, I’m completely soaked. This doesn’t feel right,” Xia Fei muttered, shivering slightly as he wrung out his damp sleeves.

Vein, on the other hand, smirked, clearly unfazed. “But that was fun, wasn’t it?”

Xia Fei shot him a glare. “You’re the one who suggested just using a jacket instead of an umbrella. You should’ve just worn the jacket yourself so Liu Xiao and I could’ve shared the umbrella properly.”

Vein shrugged with a smug look. “Hey, you’re the one who agreed. Don’t blame me now.”

Before Xia Fei could argue further, Liu Xiao returned from the hotel registration desk, holding two key cards. He handed one to Cheng Xiaoshi with a small smile.

“Here, this is your room. You’ll be with Lu Guang,” Liu Xiao said.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “My room with who—?”

Lu Guang, standing beside him, gave a polite nod. “Thank you for this. I’m sorry for being an inconvenience.”

Xia Fei huffed. “Ayy, don’t be so formal, Lu Guang. I thought we were getting closer already.”

Vein stretched his arms and yawned. “Alright, let’s get to our rooms. I wanna take a hot shower real quick.”

“Hey, I called dibs on the shower this morning!” Xia Fei protested, pouting.

“Oh, shut up. We can just shower together if you want,” Vein teased with a smirk.

Cheng Xiaoshi, who had been quietly listening, blinked in surprise. “Wait, you guys shower together?”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes. “Of course not! He’s just being annoying.”

Vein chuckled. “Or am I?”

Liu Xiao sighed at their antics and shook his head. “Let’s just go already.” He turned toward the elevator, leading the group.

Cheng Xiaoshi stood in silent contemplation, his mind racing with thoughts. "Roommate? Me? And Lu Guang? Seriously?" He barely registered anything around him, lost in imagining the awkwardness—or worse, the unpredictability—of sharing a room with him.

Before he even realized it, the elevator door had opened, and Lu Guang had already stepped out.

Suddenly, Vein gave him a firm push. “This is your stop. We’re on a different floor,” he said with a smirk.

Xia Fei grinned mischievously. “Good luck.”

Liu Xiao added with an innocent smile, “Don’t do anything weird.”

“You guys—” Cheng Xiaoshi turned to protest, but before he could say anything, the elevator doors shut.

A voice called him back to reality.

“Cheng Xiaoshi, let’s go. Our room is this way,” Lu Guang said, already walking down the hall.

With a deep sigh, Cheng Xiaoshi followed, dragging his feet slightly.

The moment they stepped in, Cheng Xiaoshi let out a sigh of relief at the sight of two separate beds. “Of course. No way they’d actually go that far,” he muttered under his breath.

Lu Guang, noticing his hesitation by the door, raised an eyebrow. “Why are you just standing there? Come in.”

Taking a deep breath, Cheng Xiaoshi finally stepped inside. The room was warm and inviting, much more comfortable than he had expected.

Lu Guang set his bag down and loosened his collar. “Mind if I take a shower first?”

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated for a split second before quickly nodding. “Um, yeah, sure. Go ahead.” His voice came out softer than he intended.

Just as Lu Guang was gathering his clothes, he suddenly sneezed. Once, twice—then a third time.

Cheng Xiaoshi instinctively stepped closer. “Lu Guang, are you okay?” His brows knitted together in concern. “Do you feel sick from the rain?”

Lu Guang glanced away, adjusting the towel in his hands. “It’s nothing,” he said lightly, though the small cough that followed made Cheng Xiaoshi sigh.

“You always say that,” Cheng Xiaoshi murmured before turning toward the door. “Wait here, okay? I’ll go grab some medicine. You take a hot shower in the meantime.”

Lu Guang looked up. “You don’t have to—”

“It’s fine,” Cheng Xiaoshi cut in with a reassuring smile. “Besides, I could probably use some medicine too. So just let me do this, alright?”

There was a brief silence before Lu Guang exhaled quietly. “..Alright.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. “Good. I’ll be back soon.” With that, he slipped out the door, leaving Lu Guang standing there, watching after him.

As soon as the door clicked shut, Lu Guang let out a small huff and ran a hand through his damp bangs. His gaze drifted to where Cheng Xiaoshi had just been standing.

He’s really messing with my mind these days..

Shaking his head, Lu Guang grabbed his clothes and headed toward the bathroom, hoping the warm water would wash away the strange warmth lingering on his face.

By the time he stepped out of the shower, steam curling around him, a knock sounded at the door. He ran a towel through his hair before opening it, only to be met with Cheng Xiaoshi’s usual bright smile.

“I’m back,” Cheng Xiaoshi announced cheerfully.

Lu Guang couldn’t help but smile slightly. “Welcome back.”

“Look, look! I got us a bunch of medicine and vitamins—just to be safe,” Cheng Xiaoshi said, holding up a small bag. Then his expression turned serious as he looked at Lu Guang. “Now, you need to rest.”

Lu Guang frowned. “But I’m—”

“No buts. Lay down now.” Cheng Xiaoshi’s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Lu Guang sighed in defeat and settled onto the bed. After taking the medicine, he could already feel the drowsiness creeping in.

Cheng Xiaoshi pulled the chair closer and sat beside Lu Guang’s bed, watching over him.

“You’re being really serious about this,” Lu Guang murmured, his voice softer now, his gaze barely meeting Cheng Xiaoshi’s.

Cheng Xiaoshi exhaled, resting his arms on the edge of the bed. “Of course I am. I’m worried about you, you know.”

Lu Guang blinked at him sleepily before letting out a small huff. “You should shower too, or you’ll get sick as well.”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled. “Just go to sleep, Lu Guang.”

A quiet pause. Then, in a barely audible voice, Lu Guang muttered, “Good night, Cheng Xiaoshi.”

Cheng Xiaoshi watched him for a moment, the soft glow of the bedside lamp casting gentle shadows over his face. His lips curled into a small smile.

“Good night, Lu Guang,” he whispered. He stayed still for a while, his gaze lingering on Lu Guang's peaceful expression.

As Lu Guang drifted off to sleep, Cheng Xiaoshi sighed to himself, his face growing warm.

“Really… I’m not a strong soldier,” Cheng Xiaoshi muttered under his breath, feeling flustered as he glanced at Lu Guang one last time. He stood up quietly, making his way to the bathroom. As he stared at his reflection in the mirror, he couldn’t help but sigh.

I’m not going to make it through this.

Chapter Text

The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a soft glow across the small hotel room. A faint breeze drifted in through the slightly open window, rustling the curtains as birds chirped outside.

Lu Guang sat on the edge of the bed, gazing down at the still-sleeping figure beside him. Cheng Xiaoshi was sprawled out, his breathing slow and even, completely unaware of the world around him.

With a small sigh, Lu Guang reached out and gently shook his shoulder. "Cheng Xiaoshi," he called, his voice calm yet firm.

A muffled groan came in response as Cheng Xiaoshi scrunched up his face, turning away in protest. But slowly, his eyelids fluttered open, and he blinked drowsily at Lu Guang.

"Hmm.. Morning, Guang Guang.." His voice was thick with sleep, and he gave a small, sleepy smile before closing his eyes again, as if planning to drift back off.

Lu Guang stiffened slightly. "Guang Guang?"

He stared at Cheng Xiaoshi, caught off guard by the nickname. There was something about the way he said it now—soft, warm, almost affectionate—that made Lu Guang freeze for a moment.

"He sounds like a puppy when he said that." The thought came unbidden, and Lu Guang had to stop himself from reacting. Something about the way Cheng Xiaoshi looked—his messy bedhead, the way he blinked up at him with sleepy eyes—that made the comparison even stronger.

Lu Guang exhaled through his nose, shaking his head at himself. "Don’t be ridiculous."

Deciding not to comment, he reached out again and shook Cheng Xiaoshi’s shoulder more firmly. "Wake up," he said, his voice more insistent this time.

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Wait—" His body suddenly jerked upright as his brain finally caught up with reality. "Lu Guang?"

Lu Guang huffed, his lips twitching slightly. "Morning."

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked at him for a few seconds before stretching with a yawn. As he slowly woke up, a fleeting thought crossed his mind, "I could get used to waking up to Lu Guang like this.."

But before he could linger on the thought, he ran a hand through his messy hair and muttered, "Oh.. right. I almost forgot we’re on a trip."

Lu Guang watched him with a small smile. "You shouldn't wake up so suddenly. You'll just make yourself dizzy."

Cheng Xiaoshi puffed his cheeks. "Not my fault! You caught me off guard."

Lu Guang huffed a quiet laugh but didn’t say anything, his expression unusually soft.

After a beat of silence, Cheng Xiaoshi turned to him, his brows drawing together slightly. "Wait—how are you feeling now? You seemed really out of it last night." His voice carried a hint of concern.

Lu Guang gave a small nod. "Yeah, I think I was just exhausted. But I’m fine now." He paused for a moment, then added, "Thanks for taking care of me."

Cheng Xiaoshi's face heated up slightly. He quickly waved a hand, as if brushing the moment away. "Oh, it was no big deal! I’d do it anytime if you needed me to."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow, lips quirking in amusement. "I’d rather not."

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, clearly offended. "Huh? Why not?"

Lu Guang sighed, glancing toward the nightstand where several medicine bottles were still scattered. "You literally bought every single medicine you could get your hands on. It was unnecessary."

"Hey!" Cheng Xiaoshi crossed his arms in protest. "I was just making sure! What if you suddenly got worse?"

Lu Guang shook his head in amusement but didn’t argue further. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "Anyway, as much as I’d love to let you sleep in, we need to eat breakfast." He pulled out his phone and showed Cheng Xiaoshi the chat with Vein. "The trio already went ahead earlier."

Cheng Xiaoshi peeked at the screen and let out a small groan. "Ah.. You should’ve just woken me up earlier."

"You looked too comfortable sleeping." Lu Guang slipped his phone back into his pocket before standing up. "Come on, let’s find something to eat."

At that, Cheng Xiaoshi’s expression softened, a gentle smile forming on his lips. "Alright, let’s go."

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries from nearby shops. The streets were already coming to life, soft chatter filling the air as people started their day. The golden sunlight filtered through the trees, casting long, gentle shadows on the pavement.

Cheng Xiaoshi walked beside Lu Guang, their steps naturally falling into sync without a thought. Their shoulders brushed every now and then, but neither of them moved away. It was comfortable—familiar in a way that didn’t need acknowledgment.

“Anything in particular you wanna eat?” Cheng Xiaoshi asked, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

Lu Guang glanced around thoughtfully, his eyes scanning the nearby cafés and small eateries. “Something light, maybe.”

Cheng Xiaoshi hummed, his gaze flicking between different places. “Something warm would be nice, too.. Oh!” His face lit up as he pointed toward a small café nestled between two buildings. “That place looks good.”

Lu Guang followed his gaze. The café had a wooden sign swaying slightly in the breeze, and through the large windows, they could see soft lighting, wooden furniture, and the cozy hum of early customers enjoying their breakfast.

Without hesitation, Cheng Xiaoshi reached for Lu Guang’s wrist and tugged him toward the entrance. “Come on, let’s go!”

Lu Guang let himself be pulled inside without protest. As they stepped in, the scent of freshly baked bread and coffee wrapped around them, warm and inviting. The quiet hum of morning conversations and the soft clinking of cups against saucers made the space feel even cozier.

A waitress greeted them with a friendly smile and guided them to a small table by the window. The seats were close together, and the sunlight spilling through the glass bathed the table in a golden glow, making the atmosphere feel intimate in a way that neither of them commented on.

Cheng Xiaoshi flopped into his seat, sighing dramatically as he picked up the menu. “Hmm.. I feel like getting something sweet,” he mused, tapping his fingers against the laminated page.

Lu Guang glanced at him before sighing. “You’ll just get hungry again if you only eat sweets.”

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted, resting his chin in his palm. “But sweets make mornings better.”

Lu Guang shook his head, amused. “You say that about everything.”

Cheng Xiaoshi only grinned before peeking over at Lu Guang’s menu. “What about you?”

Lu Guang set his menu down, his choice already made. “Something simple.”

Cheng Xiaoshi rolled his eyes with a knowing smile. “You always say that.”

“And you always order too much,” Lu Guang countered, arching an eyebrow.

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed softly, the sound warm and easy, like the sunlight filtering through the window. “Yeah, yeah. But at least that means we can share, right?”

Lu Guang didn’t answer immediately. Instead, his gaze lingered on Cheng Xiaoshi—the way the morning light caught in his eyes, the way he smiled so effortlessly, like this moment, just the two of them.

Eventually, Lu Guang exhaled and let a small, almost imperceptible smile slip through. “..Fine.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, clearly satisfied, before they placed their orders.

As they waited, the conversation drifted into easy chatter—small moments, shared memories, playful teasing that carried a softness beneath it. The café around them faded into the background, the quiet hum of life continuing on, but in this small pocket of time, it felt like the world had slowed just a little.

Cheng Xiaoshi stirred his drink absentmindedly, watching the foam swirl in lazy circles before glancing up at Lu Guang. “Where do you think today’s shoot will be?”

Lu Guang took a slow sip of his coffee, eyes flicking toward him over the rim of his cup. Then, after a brief pause, he said, “Liu Xiao said we’re going to the amusement park.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, surprised. “Oh?” A slow smile spread across his lips, excitement flickering in his eyes. “That actually sounds kinda fun.”

Lu Guang hummed. “Just don’t get too distracted.”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “No promises.”

Lu Guang sighed but didn’t argue. Instead, he glanced outside, watching the city continue to wake up. The world moved at its usual pace—cars rushing by, people hurrying along the streets—but here, in this small café, time felt a little slower. A little lighter.

Maybe it was the warmth of the coffee in his hands. Or maybe, it was the person sitting across from him.

The amusement park was alive with the hum of roller coasters, the occasional burst of laughter, and the scent of sweet cotton candy mixed with fried snacks. Bright neon lights flickered against the early evening sky, adding to the vibrant atmosphere.

Cheng Xiaoshi was practically bouncing with excitement as he stood in line at the entrance, eyes wide as he took in the sights. “I can’t believe we’re actually here! It’s been forever since I’ve been to an amusement park!” His voice was filled with unfiltered enthusiasm, a grin stretching across his face.

Lu Guang, standing beside him, was noticeably calmer, but there was a softness in his gaze as he looked at Cheng Xiaoshi. “Don’t get too carried away,” he said with a small smile, though it lacked the usual teasing edge. He seemed to enjoy Cheng Xiaoshi’s energy more than he let on.

Behind them, Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao walked in sync, observing the two with varying degrees of amusement.

Xia Fei nudged Vein. “Look at Cheng Xiaoshi,” he whispered, smirking. “He’s like a totally different person when Lu Guang’s around.”

Vein chuckled. “I’ve never seen him this excited about anything before.”

Liu Xiao, as usual, remained composed, but there was a subtle smile on his lips. “Lu Guang seems to have that effect on him.”

As they entered the park, Cheng Xiaoshi instinctively linked his arm with Lu Guang’s.

Lu Guang glanced down at their joined arms before looking up at Cheng Xiaoshi with a raised eyebrow. “Why are you holding on so tightly?”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. “So you don’t get lost.”

Lu Guang scoffed lightly. “I think you’re the one more likely to get lost.”

Cheng Xiaoshi shrugged, his grip unwavering. “Well, if that happens.. at least we’ll be lost together.”

Lu Guang blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then, with a small shake of his head, he let out a quiet chuckle. “You’re impossible.”

Lu Guang glanced down at their joined arms, then up at Cheng Xiaoshi, who was looking at him expectantly. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “You’re not going to let go, are you?” he asked quietly, his voice soft with an underlying fondness.

“Not a chance,” Cheng Xiaoshi grinned.

The rest of the group walked ahead, already caught up in a debate about which ride to tackle first. None of them seemed to notice the smaller, more private moment unfolding behind them.

As they passed a candy stall, Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes lit up. “Let’s get some cotton candy.”

Lu Guang arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t that too sweet for you?”

“Come on, just one,” Cheng Xiaoshi coaxed, nudging him playfully. “I bet you’ll love it.”

Before Lu Guang could protest, Cheng Xiaoshi was already pulling him toward the stall. He sighed but let himself be led. When they reached the counter, Cheng Xiaoshi promptly ordered the biggest cotton candy available and shoved it into Lu Guang’s hands.

“Here, you hold it,” he said with a mischievous grin.

Lu Guang stared at the oversized pink fluff. “You don’t actually expect me to finish this, do you?”

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, then shrugged, trying to act casual. “Well.. we could just share?”

Lu Guang exhaled but didn’t argue, instead taking a bite with an unreadable expression. Cheng Xiaoshi watched closely.

“Well?”

Lu Guang swallowed. “It’s sweet.”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned. “That’s the most non-answer you could’ve given.”

Lu Guang smiled. “You asked.”

The group wandered through the park, stopping at different attractions, until they arrived in front of a towering roller coaster. Vein’s eyes gleamed. “Alright, who’s coming with me?”

“I’m in!” Xia Fei declared.

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, glancing at Lu Guang, who was watching the ride with an unreadable expression.

“You going?” Cheng Xiaoshi asked.

Lu Guang took a moment before answering. “I’ll sit this one out.”

Without thinking, Cheng Xiaoshi leaned his head lightly against Lu Guang’s shoulder. “Then I’ll stay with you.”

Lu Guang hesitated. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

And that was that.

Or at least, that should have been that.

Because after Xia Fei and Vein returned—buzzing with adrenaline—Xia Fei turned to the group with an evil grin.

“Alright. Let’s go again!”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s jaw dropped. “Again? Didn't you already went twice?"

“Three times, actually,” Liu Xiao corrected.

Vein stretched. “I’m in. It’s fun watching Xia Fei scream like his life depends on it.”

“Hey!”

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to check on Lu Guang, who was standing slightly behind the group, rubbing his temple.

He was clearly tired.

Cheng Xiaoshi bit his lip.

Without hesitation, he stepped closer and laced his fingers with Lu Guang’s.

Lu Guang blinked. “What are you—”

“No time to explain,” Cheng Xiaoshi whispered, already tugging him backward.

“Hey! Where are you two going?!” Xia Fei called.

“Bathroom!” Cheng Xiaoshi lied.

Vein snorted. “They totally ran away.”

Liu Xiao simply shook his head, amused.

Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t stop until they reached a quieter part of the park. He glanced around quickly and spotted the Ferris wheel.

“Perfect,” he muttered.

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. “You dragged me all the way here to ride the Ferris wheel?”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. “Consider it a strategic retreat.”

Lu Guang gave him a long look. “You just wanted an excuse to get on this, didn’t you?”

“..No.” Cheng Xiaoshi rocked on his heels. “But you are tired, so.”

Lu Guang blinked.

Cheng Xiaoshi glanced away, rubbing his neck. “I mean, I know you won’t say it out loud, but I can tell.”

Lu Guang’s expression softened. “You’re more observant than I give you credit for.”

“Was that a compliment or an insult?”

“Depends.”

“Hey!”

Lu Guang chuckled. “Come on.”

They boarded the Ferris wheel just as the ride started moving. The city stretched far in the distance, its golden glow contrasting with the amusement park’s colorful lights.

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a slow breath. “It’s kinda nice, huh?”

“Yeah.”

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to look at him. The dim cabin light made Lu Guang’s features softer, his usually sharp eyes more relaxed.

For a moment, Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated.

Then, he asked, “Do you regret it?”

Lu Guang frowned slightly. “Regret what?”

“You know.. this. Us. Spending all this time together. Letting me drag you everywhere.”

Lu Guang was silent for a few seconds.

Then, finally, Lu Guang exhaled and said, “If I regretted it, I wouldn’t be here.”

It wasn’t anything dramatic. Lu Guang wasn’t even looking at him when he said it—just gazing out at the city lights below, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

It wasn’t fair.

It wasn’t fair how Lu Guang could say things so simply, so effortlessly, without realizing what they did to him. Without realizing how Cheng Xiaoshi had spent the entire day trying—trying so hard—to act normal, to keep his feelings buried beneath playful teasing and stupid jokes.

But they were getting too big. Too loud.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s heart did a weird little flip.

He blinked. “That’s.. kind of a confession, you know.”

Lu Guang sighed. “It’s not.”

“It totally is.”

Lu Guang gave him an exasperated look. “Cheng Xiaoshi.”

“Yes?” Cheng Xiaoshi teased, leaning closer.

Lu Guang shoved his face away.

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed, but there was something warm in his chest that he couldn’t ignore.

For the rest of the day, no matter where they went—whether it was standing in line, sharing an impromptu snack, or simply walking side by side—Cheng Xiaoshi stayed close. It wasn’t something they talked about, but neither of them seemed to mind.

And maybe, just maybe, neither of them wanted to.

As the sun began to set, casting a soft golden glow over the park, Cheng Xiaoshi couldn’t help but feel a rush of warmth in his chest, the unspoken feelings he had for Lu Guang building inside him.

It was getting harder to ignore, harder to pretend like he didn’t feel it.

Chapter Text

The last echoes of laughter and the scent of fried snacks lingered as the group exited the amusement park. The sky had already begun its slow descent into sunset, streaks of orange and pink blending across the horizon.

Cheng Xiaoshi swung his camera bag over his shoulder, turning to his friends with a grin. “Alright, next stop—the beach!”

“How come you’re still energetic?” Xia Fei groaned, dragging his feet. “You say that like we didn’t just survive three hours of roller coasters.”

“You were the one dragging everyone onto the wildest rides,” Vein smirked, stretching his arms. “You even forced Lu Guang to go.”

“He’s right. Lu Guang, are you okay? Do you want to lean on me?” Cheng Xiaoshi asked, his tone filled with exaggerated concern.

Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao exchanged glances, clearly seeing through his act. "And he said he doesn't know what to do," they all thought in unison.

Lu Guang nodded slightly. “Just a little tired.”

Cheng Xiaoshi perked up. “Ah, then should I massage you?”

Vein let out a dramatic gasp. “Oh my, so sly.” He turned his head away, as if giving them privacy.

“What did you just say?” Cheng Xiaoshi snapped, narrowing his eyes.

Vein grinned mischievously. “What’s wrong? Did I strike a nerve?”

That was all it took to spark a playful argument between the two, their banter escalating as they threw lighthearted jabs at each other.

Meanwhile, Liu Xiao and Lu Guang stood to the side, silently watching the chaos unfold.

Xia Fei shook his head and crossed his arms. “Okay, seriously—how did you, Liu Xiao, and Lu Guang not scream at all on that ride?”

Vein smirked. “Simple. I had fun.”

Liu Xiao gave a small shrug. “It wasn’t that bad.”

Xia Fei gawked at him. “Not that bad? I almost had a heart attack!”

Cheng Xiaoshi nodded eagerly. “Yeah! My soul nearly left my body!”

Lu Guang adjusted his glasses, his tone flat. “That might’ve been because you were too busy shouting the whole time.”

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted, turning to him. “What, so you weren’t even a little nervous?”

Lu Guang met his gaze, unimpressed. “It’s just physics.”

Xia Fei groaned, nudging Cheng Xiaoshi. “Can you believe this? We’re the only normal ones here.”

Cheng Xiaoshi sighed dramatically. “Truly, we suffer alone.”

Liu Xiao, Vein, and Lu Guang exchanged a glance but said nothing—clearly, they were more than used to the two being this dramatic.

By the time they reached the beach, the golden hour had fully settled in, casting everything in warm, honey-like hues. Waves lapped gently at the shore, the scent of salt and the cool evening breeze replacing the artificial excitement of the amusement park.

Liu Xiao glanced up from his phone. “We should start before we lose the light.”

“Got it!” Cheng Xiaoshi was already adjusting his camera. “Xia Fei, you ready?”

Xia Fei flicked his damp hair back with a smirk. “Born ready.”

As Xia Fei moved into position, Vein leaned against Liu Xiao with an exaggerated sigh. “Look at him, so dramatic. It’s like he thinks he’s the main character or something.”

“I am the main character,” Xia Fei shot back, shaking off a stray drop of water in Vein’s direction. “Unlike you, I actually have screen presence.”

Liu Xiao, barely reacting to Vein's weight against him, hummed. “You do look good on camera.”

Vein gasped, clutching his chest. “Complimenting another man right in front of me?” He turned to Liu Xiao with mock betrayal. “Have I been replaced?”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide the smirk tugging at his lips. “You’d be jealous of a rock if Liu Xiao said it looked nice.”

Liu Xiao, unbothered as always, replied smoothly, “I’d compliment you too, but your ego’s already unbearable.”

Vein smirked. “So you do think I’m handsome.”

Liu Xiao didn’t even blink. “You’re manageable.”

Xia Fei groaned. “This is painful to watch.”

Vein draped himself over Liu Xiao’s shoulder dramatically. “Jealous?”

Xia Fei rolled his eyes but didn’t bother hiding the small smile tugging at his lips. “You wish.”

Liu Xiao, ever the observer, simply watched them both before murmuring, “Alright, Xia Fei. Focus. Try looking a little more natural.”

Xia Fei sighed, but as he followed the direction, his movements unconsciously relaxed—Vein’s teasing and Liu Xiao’s calm presence making it impossible to feel awkward.

Meanwhile, Cheng Xiaoshi focused on getting the perfect shots, adjusting his angle to catch the way the sunset reflected off the water. In between shots, his gaze flickered to Lu Guang, who stood a few steps away, staring out at the ocean.

The others were chatting nearby, but Lu Guang seemed lost in thought, his expression unreadable as the waves rolled in and out. The golden light of the setting sun cast soft shadows over his face, making his usual sharp features look strangely gentle.

Cheng Xiaoshi found himself watching him for a little too long.

Without thinking much of it, he snapped another shot before turning to Lu Guang with a grin. “Hey, help me check the framing?”

Lu Guang blinked, as if pulled from a daze, then stepped closer. He glanced at the camera screen, his fingers barely brushing Cheng Xiaoshi’s as he adjusted the settings slightly.

“Your exposure’s a little off.”

Cheng Xiaoshi hummed. “Yeah? Lemme see.” He leaned in—maybe a little too close, their shoulders almost touching as he peered at the screen.

Lu Guang didn’t move away.

For a moment, Cheng Xiaoshi forgot about the shot entirely, his focus lingering on the proximity instead. The soft glow of the sunset made Lu Guang’s features look a little softer, a little less distant.

His heart did something weird.

Before he could make sense of it, a wave crashed against his legs, completely soaking his jeans.

“Ah—!”

Vein howled with laughter. “Oh, that’s tough.”

Cheng Xiaoshi staggered back, dripping. “Are you kidding me?”

Lu Guang sighed. “That was bound to happen.”

Cheng Xiaoshi pushed his bangs back, pouting. “A little heads-up would've been nice.”

Lu Guang glanced at him, unimpressed. “Would you have actually listened?”

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth to argue—then stopped. “..Maybe.”

Lu Guang offered his hand without a second thought. Cheng Xiaoshi stared at it for a brief moment before taking it, the contrast between Lu Guang’s warmth and his own damp skin sending a strange shiver up his spine.

Their fingers curled together naturally—just for a second longer than necessary.

Then, as if remembering themselves, they let go, the touch fading but the warmth lingering.

By the time they wrapped up filming, the sun had dipped lower, painting the sky in deep purples and gold. The breeze had cooled, but the lingering warmth of the day still clung to the air.

Liu Xiao glanced at his phone and spoke up, his voice as steady as ever. “I already asked someone to prepare food for us nearby. Should be ready soon.”

Xia Fei perked up. “Oh, nice! I’ll help set things up.”

Vein stretched lazily. “Yeah, I’ll come too.”

Lu Guang dusted the sand off his sleeves. “I’ll help—”

Liu Xiao cut in smoothly. “No need. You and Cheng Xiaoshi should walk around for a bit.”

Lu Guang blinked. “Huh?”

Xia Fei grinned. “Yeah, you’ve been standing around all day. Go take a break.”

Vein smirked, eyes glinting. “A nice little stroll under the sunset. Sounds romantic, doesn’t it?”

Cheng Xiaoshi coughed. “What? Who said anything about romance?”

Vein raised an eyebrow. “Did I say anything about you thinking it’s romantic?”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, running a hand over his face. “You guys are the worst.” Then, without looking at Lu Guang, he muttered, “Come on, let’s go.”

Lu Guang didn’t answer right away, but after a brief pause, he nodded. “Alright.”

Cheng Xiaoshi turned toward the shoreline, walking a little too fast at first—like he could outrun the warmth creeping up his neck. Lu Guang followed, his pace steady, until without thinking, Cheng Xiaoshi slowed just enough for them to fall in step together.

The conversation had been flowing effortlessly, filled with little remarks about the ocean breeze, the way the waves stretched endlessly into the horizon, and how the sky shifted colors so gradually it almost felt like time had slowed. It was nothing particularly deep, but it was easy—natural.

Cheng Xiaoshi kicked at the sand absentmindedly, watching as his footprints disappeared with each wave. “If I hadn’t been acting weird, you probably wouldn’t have come, huh?”

Lu Guang looked at him, expression unreadable. “What do you mean?”

Cheng Xiaoshi sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I mean, you’re not really the type to go on spontaneous trips like this. And I wasn’t exactly the best company before we left..” He hesitated before adding, “If I’d just acted normal, you wouldn’t have felt like you had to come.”

Lu Guang didn’t answer right away. The sound of the waves filled the space between them, steady and constant. Then, in a voice just as steady, he said, “I didn’t come because I felt like I had to.”

Cheng Xiaoshi glanced up, surprised. “What?”

Lu Guang exhaled softly. “You weren’t yourself. It was obvious something was on your mind.” His gaze shifted to the ocean, but his tone remained even. “And when you’re quiet, it feels.. off.”

Cheng Xiaoshi felt something tighten in his chest.

Lu Guang continued, matter-of-factly, “You’re always loud. Annoying, even.”

“Wow. Thanks.”

Lu Guang ignored him. “So when you suddenly weren’t, it was hard not to notice.” Finally, he turned back to Cheng Xiaoshi, his eyes calm but direct. “I didn’t come because I felt obligated. I came because I was worried about you.”

Cheng Xiaoshi stiffened, caught off guard. He had expected some kind of snarky remark, maybe a sarcastic ‘yes, you’re hopeless’—but not this. Not the quiet, almost too-direct honesty in Lu Guang’s voice.

“..Oh,” he muttered, feeling oddly exposed. “So that’s why you agreed?”

Lu Guang hummed. “Something like that.”

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth, then closed it again, not sure what to say. His face was getting way too warm, and the look in Lu Guang’s eyes wasn’t helping. He quickly turned away, clearing his throat. “Anyway! We should head back. Liu Xiao, Xia Fei, and Vein are probably waiting for us.”

Lu Guang didn’t argue. “Alright.”

But as they turned toward the distant glow of the boardwalk lights, Cheng Xiaoshi was painfully aware of how close they were walking—of the way their shoulders nearly brushed, and how, despite the chill of the evening breeze, the warmth in his chest wasn’t fading at all.

As they made their way back, the warm glow of string lights illuminated the small dining area set up near the beach. A variety of dishes were spread out on a large picnic mat, and the scent of grilled seafood mixed with the salty ocean breeze. Liu Xiao, Xia Fei, and Vein were already sitting around the food, clearly having made themselves comfortable.

“You guys took forever,” Xia Fei complained, dramatically stretching his arms. “I was this close to starving, and to make things worse, I had to listen to Vein ramble about ocean conspiracy theories.”

Vein scoffed, resting his weight lazily on one arm. “Hey! All I said was, what if the ocean is way deeper than we think?”

“..The ocean is deep,” Lu Guang deadpanned as he sat down on the mat.

Vein immediately pointed at him. “See? At least someone gets it!”

Liu Xiao, who had been calmly unpacking the remaining food, finally spoke. “Eat first. You can debate ocean depths later.” He handed a food container toward Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang.

Cheng Xiaoshi plopped down beside Lu Guang, picking up one of the boxes. “Did you order all this, Liu Xiao?”

Liu Xiao nodded, his tone as steady as ever. “I checked the place beforehand. The food is good, and the portions are enough for everyone.”

Xia Fei grabbed a piece of grilled seafood and took a satisfied bite. “Good thing you did. If Vein had picked, we’d probably be eating something weird.”

Liu Xiao spoke as he reached for a skewer. “Vein did try to convince me to order something called ‘mystery seafood mix.’”

Cheng Xiaoshi raised a brow. “That sounds concerning.”

“It was a risk worth taking,” Vein argued.

Conversation flowed easily as they ate, the group settling into a comfortable rhythm of lighthearted banter. Vein and Xia Fei bickered playfully between bites, while Liu Xiao chimed in occasionally with sharp but amusing remarks. Lu Guang ate quietly, observing more than speaking, but there was a noticeable ease in his posture, a quiet acceptance of the lively energy around him.

At one point, Cheng Xiaoshi noticed Lu Guang reaching for a bottle of water. Without thinking, he picked it up first and handed it over. Their fingers brushed briefly, and for a second, Lu Guang just looked at him before taking it with a small nod.

Cheng Xiaoshi turned his focus back to his food, pretending that his heartbeat wasn’t just a little faster than usual.

By the time the food was mostly gone, the sunset had faded into deep purples and golds, the ocean reflecting the soft glow of distant lights along the shore. The air was cool but not cold, the kind of perfect temperature that made you want to stay just a little longer.

Someone cracked open another bottle of alcohol, and before long, Cheng Xiaoshi was definitely a little tipsy—not drunk, just lightheaded enough that everything felt extra nice. The food tasted better, the air felt softer, and the laughter around him felt like something he could sink into without thinking.

At some point, Xia Fei had launched into a story about a disastrous group project he’d been stuck in, complete with exaggerated impressions of his teammates.

“—and then this guy, I kid you not, turns in a completely blank document and says, ‘Oh, I thought someone else would do my part.’”

Vein whistled. “Damn. If that were me, I’d have thrown hands.”

“You always want to throw hands,” Liu Xiao pointed out, calmly taking a sip of his drink.

“And one day, it’ll be justified.”

Liu Xiao hummed thoughtfully. “In fairness, you did let the guy into your group in the first place.”

“I had no choice!” Xia Fei groaned. “He was assigned to us! It’s not my fault!”

Cheng Xiaoshi snickered, resting his chin in his hand. “Man, that sounds fun.”

Xia Fei scoffed. “Fun? It was traumatizing.”

Lu Guang, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. “You’re still talking about it, though.”

Xia Fei groaned. “Because I need people to know my suffering!”

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed, but the motion made his head feel floaty. He blinked, then grabbed his drink again, only for Xia Fei to suddenly squint at him.

“..You good?”

“Hm?” Cheng Xiaoshi hummed, blinking lazily at him.

Xia Fei leaned closer, inspecting him like he was some kind of science experiment. “You’re looking too relaxed.”

Cheng Xiaoshi tilted his head, considering this. “Isn’t that, like.. a good thing?”

“Not when you’re that relaxed.”

Vein grinned. “He’s definitely getting tipsy.”

“I’m not!” Cheng Xiaoshi protested, but his words came out slower than usual. “I just feel.. floaty.”

Lu Guang sighed. “That’s called being tipsy.”

“Nuh-uh.” Cheng Xiaoshi wagged a finger at him. “It’s called being happy.”

Vein snickered. “Yeah, he’s gone.”

Xia Fei hummed, then exchanged a look with Vein and Liu Xiao—one of those silent conversations that definitely meant trouble. Then, casually, he turned to Lu Guang. “Hey, since he’s getting like this, maybe you should take him for a walk or something.”

Cheng Xiaoshi nearly choked. “What? Why?”

Xia Fei shrugged. “Clear your head. Walk it off. Unless you wanna sit here and get even more drunk.”

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth to argue, then paused, as if actually considering it. He swirled the drink in his hand, lips pursed.

Before he could take another sip, Lu Guang quietly reached over and took the cup from him. “That’s enough.” His voice was calm, but there was a weight behind it, something firm yet careful.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked at him, clearly caught off guard. “Huh? Hey, I wasn’t gonna chug it or anything.”

Lu Guang didn’t say anything right away. He just set the cup down out of reach, his fingers lingering against the rim for a second longer than necessary. Then, finally, he sighed. “You’re already unsteady.”

“I’m fine,” Cheng Xiaoshi insisted, waving a hand dismissively—though the motion made him wobble slightly.

Lu Guang watched him for a moment, then stood up. “Come on.”

Cheng Xiaoshi squinted at him. “Huh?”

“A walk,” Lu Guang said simply. “You’ll feel better.”

Vein smirked. “He just wants to make sure you don’t do anything dumb.”

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned, lifting his chopsticks and pointing them accusingly at Vein. “I do smart things.”

Liu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “You once tried to charge your phone in a toaster.”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, rubbing his face. “I hate all of you.”

Xia Fei clapped him on the back. “Nah, you love us.”

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a dramatic sigh, then turned to Lu Guang, still mildly flustered. “Fine, let’s just get this over with.”

Lu Guang gave him a look—one of those unreadable ones that made Cheng Xiaoshi’s brain short-circuit a little. Then, quietly, he stood.

“Alright.”

And just like that, Cheng Xiaoshi found himself walking off into the night with Lu Guang, the warmth of the alcohol still lingering in his chest.

The night air was cool against Cheng Xiaoshi’s flushed skin, but it did little to settle the warmth still buzzing in his chest. He kicked at the sand, letting out a huff. “I swear, those guys live to mess with me.”

Lu Guang, walking beside him with his hands in his pockets, let out a soft chuckle. “They’re not that bad.”

Cheng Xiaoshi shot him an incredulous look. “Not that bad? Did you miss the part where they set me up just now?”

Lu Guang gave him a sideways glance, his expression calm but amused. “They’re just looking out for you.”

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a dramatic sigh. “Yeah, well, they have a really weird way of showing it.” But his voice lacked any real annoyance, and he kicked at the sand again, this time more absentmindedly.

Lu Guang didn’t say anything for a moment. Then, quietly, he added, “They’re good friends.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sincerity in Lu Guang’s tone. He rubbed his neck, suddenly feeling sheepish. “..Yeah. I mean, they’re annoying, but I guess they’re alright.”

Lu Guang hummed in quiet agreement. They walked a little further, the waves lapping softly at the shore beside them.

Cheng Xiaoshi sneaked a glance at Lu Guang. The dim glow of the distant lights cast a soft shadow across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jaw, the quiet focus in his gaze. He looked.. really nice. Unfairly nice.

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a slow breath, his steps dragging slightly against the soft sand. “Still, I can’t believe they roped you into this.”

Lu Guang, who had been walking quietly beside him, glanced over. “I don’t mind.”

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned, kicking at the sand. “You don’t have to say that just to make me feel better.”

“I’m not.” Lu Guang’s voice was calm, steady. “I wanted to come.”

Cheng Xiaoshi paused. “..Not just to mess with me for being tipsy?”

Lu Guang turned to fully face him, the dim beach lights casting a soft glow on his features. “I wanted to spend time with you.”

Cheng Xiaoshi huffed, rubbing the back of his neck. “But why do you even wanna spend time with me?”

Lu Guang shot him a sidelong glance, his expression as calm as ever. “Because we’re friends.”

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, feeling something twist in his chest. “..No.”

Lu Guang stopped walking, turning to him with a small frown. “No?”

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth, then shut it again. His head was spinning—not from the alcohol, but from the way Lu Guang was looking at him, waiting for an answer. His fingers curled into his palms. “I mean…”

He should’ve let it go. He should’ve just laughed and moved on.

But instead, memories flooded his mind all at once. Their conversations, the way Lu Guang always seemed to understand him, the quiet concern in his eyes even when he didn’t say much.

The late-night texts that stretched on longer than they should have, neither of them willing to be the first to say goodnight. The way Lu Guang always made time for him, even when he pretended to be annoyed about it.

The shared laughter over dumb jokes. The quiet moments of complaining about life. The effortless way they fell into step with each other.

Cheng Xiaoshi clenched his jaw. "I shouldn’t ruin it."

But the words slipped out before he could stop them.

“I like you.”

Shit.

Chapter Text

Cheng Xiaoshi slumped against the sofa, letting out a long, suffering groan. His head lolled back against the cushion, one hand ruffling his already messy hair while the other loosely held a half-empty beer can.

“I ruined everything,” he muttered, voice muffled against his sleeve.

Xia Fei, lazily lounging beside him, arched a brow. “That’s not exactly new. You ruin a lot of things.”

Vein, stretched out comfortably on the opposite end of the couch, smirked. “Yeah, you’re gonna have to be a little more specific.”

Liu Xiao, sitting on the floor with his back against the couch, took a slow sip of his drink before asking, “What did you do?”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned again, dragging a hand down his face. “Something stupid.”

Xia Fei made a vague gesture. “Again, not specific.”

Liu Xiao exhaled. “Did you get into a fight with Lu Guang or something?”

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a bitter laugh. “That would be better than this.”

Vein tilted his head. “Then what? Did you say something weird?”

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, staring down at the beer can in his hand. His grip tightened slightly.

“..I told him I like him,” he mumbled.

A beat of silence.

Xia Fei blinked. “What?”

Liu Xiao sighed, setting his drink down. “I didn’t think it would happen this soon.”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, covering his face with both hands. “I wasn’t planning on saying it! It just—came out!”

Xia Fei leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Okay, okay, hold on—how did he react?”

Cheng Xiaoshi tensed. The room went quiet before he slowly sank further into the couch.

“..He just stared at me,” he muttered. “Didn’t say anything. Just—nothing. Like his brain completely crashed.”

Vein snorted. “That’s kinda funny. I can’t imagine Lu Guang doing that face.”

Cheng Xiaoshi shot him a glare. “It’s not funny! That means he doesn’t like me back!”

Liu Xiao raised an eyebrow. “That’s a big assumption.”

Cheng Xiaoshi sat up abruptly, his movements a little clumsy from the alcohol, but his expression was dead serious. “No, it’s not! If he liked me, he wouldn’t have just stood there like a statue, right? He would’ve said something! But he didn’t! He just froze!"

Liu Xiao exhaled. “Or he was just caught off guard?”

Cheng Xiaoshi scoffed, waving a hand. “Oh, come on, you know Lu Guang! When has he ever been caught off guard? He’s always calm. Always collected. If he liked me, he wouldn’t have just shut down like that!”

Xia Fei and Vein exchanged amused looks. Liu Xiao, meanwhile, took another sip of his drink, clearly unconvinced.

Cheng Xiaoshi, still caught up in his own spiral, continued. “He definitely thinks I’m weird now. And clingy. And so annoying—”

“That part isn’t new,” Xia Fei cut in.

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned. “You’re not helping!”

Vein smirked. “I think you’re being dramatic.”

“I’m not!” Cheng Xiaoshi snapped, gesturing wildly. “I confessed to him out of nowhere! And then—then I panicked and started rambling about something else—”

Vein raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned. “I don’t know! The weather? Penguins? It just kept getting worse!”

Xia Fei choked on his drink. “Penguins?”

“Yes! And Lu Guang just stared at me the whole time! So I panicked even more, grabbed his wrist and dragged him back to the table.”

Xia Fei blinked. “So that’s why you suddenly grabbed me after that?”

“Yes.”

Vein burst out laughing. “You’re a disaster.”

Cheng Xiaoshi scowled. “I know! And now I can’t go back!”

Liu Xiao hummed, taking a sip of his drink. “Avoiding him makes you look guiltier.”

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, sinking into the couch. “I hate this.”

Liu Xiao sighed. “So what now? You’re just gonna avoid him forever?”

“Yes,” Cheng Xiaoshi said immediately. “I’m never going back to my room. I’m sleeping here tonight.”

Xia Fei shrugged. “Fine by me, but you’re stuck with the couch.”

Vein stretched his arms. “Yeah, bed’s only big enough for the three of us.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “..You guys sleep together?”

Vein smirked. “Bet you wish you could do that with Lu Guang.”

Cheng Xiaoshi choked. “What the hell?!” His face burned hotter, and he grabbed the nearest pillow to smack Vein with it.

Xia Fei smirked. “If you’re that lonely, maybe Vein can cuddle you on the couch.”

Liu Xiao nodded. “Yeah, the sofa’s big enough. It should be fine.”

Vein scowled. “Excuse me?!”

Lu Guang let out a slow breath, rubbing his temples. The memory replayed itself in his mind, refusing to be ignored.

—

"I like you."

For a moment, the world had gone still.

Lu Guang had stood there, frozen, his brain short-circuiting. It wasn’t often that he was caught off guard—he was used to thinking two, three steps ahead, predicting outcomes before they happened.

But he hadn’t seen this coming.

Cheng Xiaoshi, of all people, had been the one to break the silence. And what did he say next?

Not “Forget I said that,” not “Just kidding.”

No. Instead, he had blurted out—

"Did you know penguins propose with pebbles?"

Lu Guang had blinked. "What?"

Cheng Xiaoshi, clearly panicked, nodded to himself as if convincing himself that this was a normal conversation. "Yeah, they find a smooth pebble and give it to the one they like. And if the other penguin takes it, then bam—penguin marriage.”

Lu Guang had just stared at him.

"Anyway," Cheng Xiaoshi continued, forcing a laugh, "the weather's been nice today, huh? I mean, kinda hot, but you know, could be worse. At least it’s not raining."

What.

Lu Guang barely had time to process this absurd shift in conversation before Cheng Xiaoshi grabbed his wrist.

"Okay, let’s go back!"

And just like that, he had dragged Lu Guang back toward their table, acting like the last thirty seconds had never happened.

By the time they reached the others, Cheng Xiaoshi had already announced, "I’m sleeping in their room tonight," before Lu Guang could get a single word out. Then, with absolutely no explanation, he had yanked a very confused Xia Fei along with him and disappeared.

—

Now, sitting alone in his hotel room, Lu Guang pressed his fingers against his forehead.

What the hell just happened?

How was he supposed to respond to that?

The confession itself had been enough to throw him off, but what was he supposed to do when Cheng Xiaoshi immediately followed it up with penguins and weather?

Was it supposed to be a joke? A distraction? Was he hoping Lu Guang would ignore it?

Lu Guang exhaled slowly. His fingers curled slightly against his knee.

If Cheng Xiaoshi thought Lu Guang hadn’t taken it seriously, then—

"Then what?"

Then Cheng Xiaoshi would assume it didn’t matter? That Lu Guang didn’t care? That it was something he could just brush off and forget?

The idea sat uncomfortably in his chest, like a weight pressing down on him.

Lu Guang frowned, his fingers tightening against the fabric of his sleeve. Cheng Xiaoshi had always been loud, impulsive, and reckless with his words. But he wasn’t careless.

That confession—it wasn’t something said lightly. Even if Cheng Xiaoshi had immediately tried to cover it up with nonsense, even if he had dragged Lu Guang back before he could react, even if he was now avoiding him altogether—

It was real.

And Lu Guang..

He exhaled sharply.

"Why couldn’t I stop thinking about it?"

It wasn’t just the words. It was the look in Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes when he said them. It was the way his fingers had twitched slightly at his sides, like he had been resisting the urge to fidget. It was the way he had tried so hard to act normal afterward, like he was terrified of what would happen if he didn’t.

Lu Guang had seen him scared before—faced with danger, confronted by the unknown. But this was different.

Cheng Xiaoshi hadn’t been scared of Lu Guang.

He had been scared of Lu Guang’s response.

And Lu Guang had...

He had just stood there.

Did that make him an idiot?

His chest felt tight again, something unspoken clawing at the edges of his thoughts. His mind had been circling around one question ever since it happened, ever since the words had left Cheng Xiaoshi’s lips.

"Why does this bother me so much?"

The answer should have been simple. It should have been obvious. But every time he tried to grasp it, it slipped through his fingers, leaving him restless and frustrated.

Lu Guang wasn’t clueless. He wasn’t naïve. He understood emotions, maybe even better than most people. But when it came to this—when it came to Cheng Xiaoshi—

His thoughts were a mess.

And he hated that.

The room felt different without Cheng Xiaoshi’s usual presence—quieter, stiller. Lu Guang sat on the balcony of their lodging, staring at the vast ocean stretching beyond the horizon. The sky had begun turning orange, the sun slowly sinking into the waves. A gentle breeze swept past, cool against his skin, but it did little to clear the thoughts swirling in his head.

Inside, Liu Xiao was seated near a small table, carefully adjusting his camera equipment. Vein, as usual, lounged on the couch, looking far too comfortable for someone who had invited himself into someone else’s room.

Xia Fei and Cheng Xiaoshi had gone off somewhere. “We’re just taking a walk,” Xia Fei had said before dragging Cheng Xiaoshi out the door.

Now, it was just the three of them.

Lu Guang exhaled slowly before speaking.

“..How do you know if something is worth trying?”

Vein turned his head lazily. “What kind of question is that?”

Liu Xiao didn’t answer right away. He finished packing up his camera, then looked up, calm as always. “Are you talking about Cheng Xiaoshi?”

Lu Guang remained silent, but that was answer enough.

Vein chuckled, arms resting behind his head. “I figured this would happen sooner or later.”

Lu Guang sighed, his gaze still on the ocean. “I don’t know.”

“Don’t know what?” Liu Xiao asked, his tone steady.

“I don’t know if I like him.”

Vein raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on. Seriously?”

Liu Xiao studied him for a moment, then nodded slightly. “Okay. And then?”

Lu Guang pressed his lips together before finally admitting, “Even if I do like him.. relationships like that don’t always last. There’s no guarantee things will stay the same forever.”

Vein clicked his tongue. “Wow. That sounds like a business contract.”

For once, Liu Xiao let out a small sigh. “Lu Guang, if you think that way, then you’ll never do anything in life.”

Lu Guang turned to him.

Liu Xiao met his gaze. “Nothing is guaranteed. Not relationships, not work, not even life itself. If you only do things with a guaranteed outcome, you’ll never do anything at all.”

Vein smirked. “Yeah. With that logic, what’s the point of living? There’s no guarantee we’ll live long, or succeed, or be happy. But we still live. We still try.”

Lu Guang frowned slightly. Their words made sense—too much sense.

But still.

“I just.. don’t want to let him down.”

Vein scoffed. “It’s Cheng Xiaoshi. Do you really think he’d just give up that easily?”

Liu Xiao leaned back slightly. “He’s a good person, Lu Guang. He’s not the type to fall apart just because things don’t go as planned.”

Vein grinned. “And honestly? I’ve never seen him get this close to anyone other than you.”

Lu Guang hesitated. “What do you mean?”

Liu Xiao and Vein exchanged glances.

Liu Xiao spoke first. “Cheng Xiaoshi is friendly, but he doesn’t actually get close to people that easily. With you.. it’s different.”

Lu Guang turned back toward the ocean, his thoughts running in circles.

"Different, huh?"

Was that what he felt, too? That things were somehow different with Cheng Xiaoshi?

He didn’t like uncertainties. He didn’t like letting things happen without knowing where they were going. But with Cheng Xiaoshi, everything felt so natural—like they were already one step closer than he’d realized.

“..I don’t know how to deal with this,” he finally admitted.

Liu Xiao gave him a small, knowing smile. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now.”

Vein patted Lu Guang’s shoulder with a smirk. “Yeah, but if you overthink this, someone else might snatch him up first.”

Lu Guang shot him a sharp look. “He’s not an object.”

Vein only laughed. “Relax. I’m just saying—if you don’t take a step, don’t be surprised if he thinks you’re not interested.”

Lu Guang closed his eyes briefly.

This was all unfamiliar. This feeling, this uncertainty.

But one thing was clear—Cheng Xiaoshi mattered to him.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough for now.

Lu Guang turned to Liu Xiao and Vein, his thoughts still restless.

“..What about you three?”

Vein raised an eyebrow. “What about us?”

“Your relationship.”

Liu Xiao held Vein’s gaze for a moment before looking back at Lu Guang. “We’re not dating, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Lu Guang frowned slightly. “But you’re more than just friends?”

Vein let out a quiet chuckle. “Yeah, you could say that.”

Lu Guang waited for an explanation.

Liu Xiao finally answered, “We care about each other. More than friends, maybe. But we don’t feel the need to define it.”

Vein stretched his arms. “Yeah, why put a label on it? What matters is that we’re happy the way we are.”

Lu Guang absorbed their words. A relationship without rigid definitions, but with undeniable depth.

Vein smirked. “I think that’s what you need to consider, Lu Guang. It’s not about whether a relationship will last forever—it’s about what you feel now.”

Liu Xiao added, “If he’s important to you, if you care about him—then why wait for a certainty that will never exist?”

Lu Guang didn’t respond immediately.

But for the first time, he was starting to consider it.

And slowly, his thoughts began shifting toward one simple realization.

Maybe uncertainty wasn’t something to fear.

Maybe, he just had to take one small step forward.

Chapter Text

The festival buzzed with energy—bright lights strung overhead, the scent of sizzling street food in the air, and the sound of laughter and chatter filling the space. Crowds moved in waves, weaving between stalls selling everything from handmade trinkets to freshly grilled skewers.

Cheng Xiaoshi adjusted the strap of his camera bag, expecting to follow along as usual, capturing candid shots for Liu Xiao’s project. But as they reached the entrance of the festival, Liu Xiao suddenly turned to him with an unreadable expression.

“You’re off duty for this one.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “Huh?”

Vein smirked, crossing his arms. “Yeah, we decided we don’t need an extra hand for this clip.”

Xia Fei grinned, throwing an arm around Cheng Xiaoshi’s shoulders. “You know what that means, right?” He nudged him forward, and Cheng Xiaoshi stumbled slightly. “You and Lu Guang should just enjoy the festival. Go have fun.”

Cheng Xiaoshi tensed. His gaze instinctively flicked toward Lu Guang, who stood a step behind him, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable as ever.

"But I'm the photographer here??" Cheng Xiaoshi blurted out, looking between them in disbelief.

"Not today, you're not," Vein said smugly. "We don’t need extra hands getting in the way."

Cheng Xiaoshi scowled. "I don't wanna hear that from you. You haven't lifted a finger this whole time!"

Vein gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Excuse me! I am providing moral support."

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned. “Ugh, no. Not from you. If anyone's gonna kick me out, at least let it be Liu Xiao.”

Liu Xiao finally looked up, his expression calm as ever. "Go."

Cheng Xiaoshi opened his mouth—then shut it, scowling. "This is rigged."

Vein laughed, already steering him in the opposite direction. "Just go make some memories or something."

Before Cheng Xiaoshi could argue, he was suddenly left standing beside Lu Guang, watching the others disappear into the festival crowd.

A tense silence stretched between them.

“..So,” Cheng Xiaoshi started, rubbing the back of his neck. “Guess we’re doing this.”

Lu Guang exhaled, his breath barely visible in the crisp night air. “Seems like it.”

They stood there. Too long.

Cheng Xiaoshi shifted on his feet, suddenly hyper-aware of how weird this looked—just standing there, doing absolutely nothing. He cleared his throat, forcing out a laugh. “Uh. Okay. Walking. Let’s do that.”

Lu Guang didn’t say anything, but when Cheng Xiaoshi started moving, he followed without hesitation.

The festival was lively, but the atmosphere between them remained stiff. Cheng Xiaoshi shoved his hands into his pockets, eyes darting around for something—anything—to fill the silence. Usually, conversation with Lu Guang wasn’t difficult. They bickered, teased, exchanged dry remarks. But now.. now it felt different.

Because he had confessed.

And Lu Guang hadn’t said anything.

Cheng Xiaoshi internally cringed at the memory. He had blurted it out, panicked, and immediately tried to change the topic to something absurd before dragging Lu Guang away like nothing had happened.

A disaster.

An absolute disaster.

Lu Guang had probably forgotten about it. He hoped Lu Guang had forgotten about it.

Cheng Xiaoshi suddenly grabbed Lu Guang’s wrist, tugging him toward a nearby stall. “Oh—look! Takoyaki!” His eyes practically sparkled under the festival lights. “Let’s get some!”

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow but let himself be dragged. “Didn’t you eat before we got here?”

Cheng Xiaoshi scoffed. “That was an hour ago. Do you expect me to survive on just that?”

Lu Guang sighed, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. “And yet, you’re still here, putting up with me.”

Lu Guang exhaled, feigning exasperation. “More like tolerating you.”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled, rocking back on his heels. “Sure, sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

They ordered and stood by the side, waiting for their food. The festival lights cast a soft glow over everything, making Lu Guang’s usually sharp features look a little gentler, a little softer. Cheng Xiaoshi caught himself staring and quickly looked away.

“So..” Cheng Xiaoshi started, glancing around at the glowing lanterns and bustling festival stalls. “Kinda nostalgic, huh?”

Lu Guang hummed, his gaze drifting over the familiar sights. “A little.”

Cheng Xiaoshi nudged Lu Guang lightly. “Remember last time? You said you weren’t into festivals, but you still stayed till the very end.”

Lu Guang let out a small sigh. “That’s because you refused to leave.”

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted. “Hey, I just wanted to make the most of it. Besides,”—his voice softened slightly—“it was nice hanging out with you.”

Lu Guang hesitated, his gaze flickering toward Cheng Xiaoshi before looking away. “..You say things like that too easily.”

Cheng Xiaoshi tilted his head. “Why not? It’s the truth.”

Lu Guang shook his head. “You were the one dragging me around the whole time. I didn’t exactly have a say in it.”

Cheng Xiaoshi smirked. “Uh-huh. And yet, somehow, you never let go of my hand.”

Lu Guang stilled for a moment before turning his attention toward the festival lights. “..You’re insufferable.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, rocking on his heels. “And yet, here you are. Again.”

Lu Guang didn’t reply, but the slight shift of his gaze told Cheng Xiaoshi he wasn’t wrong.

A brief silence passed before Cheng Xiaoshi spoke again, voice a little softer. “It’s nice, though. Coming here with you.”

Lu Guang’s fingers twitched in his pockets. He looked away. “Yeah.”

“Well, let’s make this one even better than last time.”

Before Lu Guang could respond, their order was ready. Cheng Xiaoshi eagerly grabbed the tray of steaming takoyaki, handing a portion to Lu Guang.

As they walked, the awkwardness between them gradually softened, settling into something quieter, more familiar.

Lu Guang glanced to the side and sighed. “You’re bad at using chopsticks.”

Cheng Xiaoshi struggled to keep hold of a piece of takoyaki, nearly dropping it before managing to catch it at the last second. “It’s the chopsticks’ fault,” he muttered.

A quiet breath of amusement escaped Lu Guang before he could stop it.

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to him instantly, eyes bright. “Was that a laugh?”

Lu Guang’s expression smoothed over in an instant. “No.”

“You totally laughed.”

“You’re imagining things.”

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled but let it go, looking ahead at the lantern-lit stalls lining the festival path. The golden glow reflected in his eyes, making them seem even warmer.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The sounds of the festival—laughter, distant music, the occasional call from vendors—filled the space between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Just.. there.

Lu Guang took a slow bite of his takoyaki. He wasn’t usually one for festivals, but walking like this—side by side, their pace naturally matching—didn’t feel bad somehow.

Cheng Xiaoshi, chewing thoughtfully, suddenly turned to him. “Hey.”

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow.

“Remember last time?”

Lu Guang blinked. “What?”

Cheng Xiaoshi gestured vaguely around them. “The last time we went to a festival together. It kinda feels the same, doesn’t it?”

Lu Guang’s grip on the tray tightened slightly.

Yeah. It did.

The same warm lights, the same lingering scent of festival food in the air. The same person beside him, pulling him into something unexpected yet oddly easy to fall into.

“..You bought that dumb mask,” Lu Guang said after a pause.

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped. “Excuse you, it was not dumb. It was a quality purchase.”

“You wore it for five minutes and then left it at the table.”

“I was testing it!” Cheng Xiaoshi defended. “Besides, I got distracted.”

Lu Guang glanced at him. “By what?”

In truth, it had been frustrating—having Lu Guang right next to him and not being able to see his face properly. The usual sharpness in his eyes, the way his lips curved ever so slightly when amused. All of it blurred behind the cheap festival mask.

Cheng Xiaoshi exhaled softly, tilting his head as if searching for the right words. “I don’t know.. something,” he murmured, almost to himself. His fingers toyed with the edge of his sleeve, a restless habit.

Lu Guang didn’t push, but the way Cheng Xiaoshi averted his gaze made something stir in the back of his mind.

They kept walking, their hands occasionally brushing as they maneuvered through the crowd. Neither of them mentioned it.

Then, as they passed a row of game stalls, Cheng Xiaoshi stopped. “Oh.”

Lu Guang followed his gaze. A claw machine stood among the games, filled with various plush toys. But instead of looking at them, Cheng Xiaoshi just seemed lost in thought.

Lu Guang’s eyes landed on a small, round penguin near the front. A memory surfaced.

“Penguins, huh,” Lu Guang mused.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, snapping out of his daze. “Huh?”

Lu Guang glanced at him, expression unreadable. “You wouldn’t shut up about them last time.”

Cheng Xiaoshi stiffened. He knew exactly what Lu Guang was referring to.

That night—his accidental confession, the way he had scrambled to cover it up by rambling about penguins like his life depended on it.

His face burned instantly. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He forced a laugh, waving a hand. “I mean, penguins are fine, I guess, but—”

Lu Guang just gave him a pointed look. Calm, unreadable—but patient.

Cheng Xiaoshi shut up.

Lu Guang turned back to the machine. Without another word, he exchanged a few coins and began maneuvering the claw. Cheng Xiaoshi watched, his heart inexplicably picking up speed.

Within seconds, the claw latched onto the penguin plush. The machine let out a soft chime as the prize dropped.

Lu Guang retrieved it and, without hesitation, held it out.

“Here.”

Cheng Xiaoshi stared. “..Why are you giving it to me?”

“Since you like penguins so much.” Lu Guang’s tone was even, but his fingers twitched slightly against the plush fabric.

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, covering his face with one hand. “I don’t like penguins! I just—I was just saying stuff! You know that!”

Lu Guang hummed, unconvinced. “So you don’t want it?”

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated. He should’ve just said no. He really should have. But Lu Guang was still holding it out, waiting, and—

Before he could stop himself, he grabbed it.

“..Thanks,” he muttered, clutching the penguin against his chest like a shield. His fingers curled around the soft fabric, and despite everything, a small, reluctant smile tugged at his lips.

Lu Guang gave a quiet nod, slipping his hands back into his pockets. His fingers twitched slightly against the fabric.

Cheng Xiaoshi shifted, gripping the plush tighter as if it could somehow ground him. His face was burning, and he knew if he looked at Lu Guang now, he’d probably just embarrass himself more.

But he couldn’t help it.

A grin tugged at his lips—wide, a little stupid, and completely impossible to stop.

Lu Guang sighed, glancing at him from the corner of his eye. “What?”

“Nothing,” Cheng Xiaoshi said, still grinning.

Lu Guang clicked his tongue but didn’t push. His ears, however, were suspiciously pink.

Neither of them said anything else.

And they kept walking.

The festival lights flickered overhead, their glow reflecting off the lively crowd. People moved around them, chattering excitedly as they found spots to watch the fireworks. The air smelled like caramelized sugar and roasted food, a mix of festival scents lingering around them.

Cheng Xiaoshi tugged the strap of his camera bag absentmindedly, eyes scanning the sky with barely contained excitement. His whole body practically buzzed with anticipation.

“Do you think the fireworks will be as big as the last festival?” he asked, rocking back and forth on his heels.

Lu Guang, standing beside him, kept his hands in his pockets, watching Cheng Xiaoshi instead of the sky. “We’ll see,” he said simply.

Cheng Xiaoshi hummed thoughtfully. “The ones last time were insane. Remember that huge golden one at the end? It was like the sun exploded or something. So cool.”

“You nearly tripped trying to film it.”

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped dramatically, turning to him with an exaggerated look of offense. “I was trying to capture art, Lu Guang.”

“Right. By almost face-planting into the pavement.”

“That’s called dedication.” Cheng Xiaoshi placed a hand on his chest.

Lu Guang sighed, but there was a small, almost imperceptible curve to his lips.

The crowd started gathering in the open area where the fireworks would soon begin. People were chatting excitedly, pointing toward the darkening sky. The atmosphere buzzed with an electric kind of anticipation.

Cheng Xiaoshi, always unable to stay still for too long, bounced on the balls of his feet, hands stuffed in his pockets. “I bet this year’s finale is gonna be crazy. What if they have those fireworks that explode into shapes? Like animals? Oh, imagine if there’s a—”

Lu Guang listened.

Not because he had anything to add, but because—somehow—he liked listening. The way Cheng Xiaoshi’s words tumbled out, unfiltered, his voice rising and falling with excitement.

Lu Guang took a slow breath, steadying himself.

"Now or never."

“Cheng Xiaoshi,” he said.

Cheng Xiaoshi barely registered it at first, too distracted. “Hm?”

Lu Guang exhaled, gaze steady.

“I like you.”

For a split second, nothing happened.

Then, right on cue, the first firework exploded overhead.

A brilliant gold bloom spread across the sky, followed by a deep, thunderous boom that rattled through the air.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s entire brain short-circuited.

Wait.

Wait, what.

Another firework shot up—a crackling red streak, shattering into a hundred tiny sparks.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s mouth opened, closed, then opened again. “Wait, wait, wait, hold on.” He waved his hands, his voice coming out slightly panicked. “What did you just say?”

Lu Guang looked at him, unimpressed. “You heard me.”

“I think I did, but there were fireworks, and I might be hallucinating from the festival food, and I need verbal confirmation before I embarrass myself.”

Lu Guang exhaled, rubbing his temple. Then, softer this time, but clear as ever—

“I like you too.”

Cheng Xiaoshi forgot how to breathe.

For a moment, the sounds of the festival—the laughter, the distant music, the buzz of people moving past them—faded into nothing. All he could hear was the rush of blood in his ears and the steady, certain weight of Lu Guang’s words settling into his chest.

"He likes me too."

Lu Guang held his gaze, his usual guarded expression softening. There was something unspoken there—not hesitation, not doubt, but care. As if he was carefully choosing each word, making sure Cheng Xiaoshi understood.

“I’m not good at expressing things,” Lu Guang admitted, his gaze flickering away for a second before finding its way back. “But when I’m with you.. it’s different.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s throat tightened.

Lu Guang exhaled, his voice quieter now, but steady. “Your world—it’s warm.” A small pause. Then, as if deciding something in that moment, he continued, “And I want to see more of it.”

Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t know what to do with himself.

There was something too big, too overwhelming sitting in his chest—something that curled around his ribs, spreading warmth through his entire body. He tried to grab hold of it, name it, contain it, but it kept spilling over, too much to hold properly.

Lu Guang turned to him fully this time, hands slipping into his pockets. “Can we take this slow?”

Cheng Xiaoshi barely let him finish before nodding. Once, twice—then more, rapid and enthusiastic. “Yeah. Of course. Whatever pace you want.”

His voice came out a little breathless, heart racing faster than he could keep up with. “I’ll go as slow as you need. No rush. No pressure. I mean, I already kinda thought you’d never—”

Lu Guang shot him a look.

Cheng Xiaoshi shut up.

But then Lu Guang huffed, something almost like amusement flickering across his face. “I appreciate that.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, giddy and unable to hide it. His face was burning, his hands twitching slightly at his sides like he wasn’t sure what to do with them. For a second, he hesitated, biting his lip. Then, before he could second-guess himself, he reached out—

Fingers brushing against Lu Guang’s sleeve. Just barely. Just enough to feel the fabric beneath his touch.

Lu Guang didn’t pull away.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s grin softened. “So..” He rocked back on his heels. “That means you’re stuck with me now, huh?”

Lu Guang gave him a dry look, but his eyes—warm, patient—said something else entirely. “Unfortunately.”

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed, tilting his head slightly. “That’s not convincing at all.”

Lu Guang sighed, long-suffering. Then, in a voice so quiet that Cheng Xiaoshi barely caught it over the festival noise—

“..I don’t mind.”

The warmth in Cheng Xiaoshi’s chest swelled, bright and impossible to contain.

Yeah. This was real. And he didn’t mind either.

“..Then,” he started, a little hesitant, a little playful, “if we’re taking it slow, can I at least hold your hand?”

Lu Guang blinked. Then, to Cheng Xiaoshi’s absolute delight, he let out a quiet laugh.

“You’re unbelievable,” Lu Guang muttered, shaking his head. But his fingers twitched slightly, and after a moment, he reached out—

His hand met Cheng Xiaoshi’s, fingers slipping between his like they belonged there.

The warmth was immediate. Solid. Real.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s grin stretched even wider, his entire face practically glowing. “Whoa,” he breathed. “You actually said yes.”

“Don’t make me take it back.”

“Nah, too late.” Cheng Xiaoshi squeezed his hand, triumphant. “You’re stuck now.”

Lu Guang sighed, but there was no real exasperation in it. If anything, he squeezed back—just slightly.

The fireworks continued to burst overhead, filling the sky with color.

But neither of them were really watching anymore.

The walk back to the hotel was quieter than the festival. The cool night air had settled in, the distant hum of the city filling the spaces between their footsteps.

Cheng Xiaoshi was still buzzing with leftover energy, practically bouncing with every step. He glanced at Lu Guang, who walked beside him with his usual calm demeanor—though the tips of his ears were a little red, and that was enough to make Cheng Xiaoshi grin.

“I still can’t believe it.” He stretched his arms behind his head, exhaling dramatically. “Like, you actually said it. Out loud. In real life. No hallucinations or festival food poisoning.”

Lu Guang shot him a sideways glance. “You’re overreacting.”

“Am I?” Cheng Xiaoshi smirked. “‘Your world is warm, and I want to see more of it,’” he mimicked in an exaggerated, dramatic voice, clutching his chest. “Come on, you gotta admit, that was smooth.”

Lu Guang sighed, shaking his head. “I regret everything.”

Cheng Xiaoshi only laughed. “Too late. No take-backs.”

By the time they reached the hotel, Cheng Xiaoshi was still grinning like an idiot, and Lu Guang—while clearly trying to act unaffected—hadn’t once told him to shut up. Small victories.

They made their way to their room, and as soon as the door clicked shut behind them, Cheng Xiaoshi flopped onto his bed with a satisfied sigh. “Ahhh, nothing beats lying down after a long day of walking.”

Lu Guang hummed, setting his phone on the nightstand before sitting down on his own bed. He leaned back slightly, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the lingering tension of the day.

Cheng Xiaoshi shifted, resting his chin on his arms as he glanced over at Lu Guang. After a beat of silence, he hesitated before speaking.

“..Hey.”

Lu Guang looked at him. “What?”

Cheng Xiaoshi fidgeted slightly, pressing his cheek against the mattress. “Were you lonely last night?”

Lu Guang blinked. “What?”

Cheng Xiaoshi rubbed his nose, his voice quieter now. “I mean, yesterday, I slept in Xia Fei’s room. And Vein and Liu Xiao were there too. So, uh.. did you feel lonely being here by yourself?”

Lu Guang didn’t answer right away. His fingers curled slightly against the sheets, and he glanced to the side, as if debating whether to respond honestly.

Then, finally, in a voice just barely above a whisper—

“..A little.”

Cheng Xiaoshi sat up immediately, eyes widening. “Wait, really?”

Lu Guang’s expression remained neutral, but there was the faintest dusting of pink on his cheeks. “It was quiet,” he admitted. “Too quiet.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s heart did a weird little flip.

It wasn’t like Lu Guang to admit things like this. Not directly, anyway. And now that he had, Cheng Xiaoshi had no idea what to do with the overwhelming warmth that spread through his chest.

His lips curled into a slow, mischievous grin. “Well, since you missed me so much—”

Lu Guang cut him off. “I didn’t say that.”

“—let’s push the beds together.”

Lu Guang stared at him. “What.”

Cheng Xiaoshi was already scrambling off his bed. “Come on, we’re literally sleeping in the same room anyway. Might as well make it cozier.”

Lu Guang gave him a flat look. “We agreed to take things slow.”

“And this is slow! It’s not like I’m asking you to cuddle me—” Cheng Xiaoshi paused, then perked up. “Actually, now that I think about it—”

Lu Guang pinched the bridge of his nose. “I regret answering your question.”

Cheng Xiaoshi only grinned wider, already dragging his bed closer. The legs scraped against the floor obnoxiously, and Lu Guang sighed before standing up to help—probably just to stop him from making an even bigger mess.

After some minor adjustments and multiple arguments over alignment, the beds were finally pushed together. Cheng Xiaoshi plopped onto the now-larger bed, arms stretched out as he beamed up at Lu Guang.

“Perfect.”

Lu Guang sat on the edge, still looking mildly skeptical. “..I guess it’s fine.”

Cheng Xiaoshi wiggled his fingers toward him. “C’mon, test it out. It’s comfier now.”

Lu Guang rolled his eyes but lay back anyway, his head resting on the pillow beside Cheng Xiaoshi’s. The ceiling light cast a soft glow over both of them, the hotel room quiet aside from their breathing.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Cheng Xiaoshi turned his head slightly. “Hey.”

Lu Guang hummed in response.

Cheng Xiaoshi smiled, softer this time. “I’m really happy, you know.”

Lu Guang turned his head as well, their faces just close enough that he could see every detail—Cheng Xiaoshi’s slightly messy hair, the way his expression softened in the dim light.

“..Me too,” Lu Guang admitted, barely above a whisper.

Cheng Xiaoshi beamed. “Good.”

Then, with absolutely no warning—

“Since we’re taking it slow, can I still cuddle you?”

Lu Guang groaned. “Go to sleep, Cheng Xiaoshi.”

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed, stretching his arms behind his head. “Worth a shot.”

Lu Guang sighed, but his lips twitched upward. Maybe, taking things slow wouldn’t be so bad.

Chapter Text

The soft hum of the air conditioning filled the hotel room, blending with the faint rustling of sheets. Morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over the bed. The warmth of it reached Cheng Xiaoshi’s skin, but he barely noticed.

His attention was completely, entirely, wholly consumed by the person beside him.

Lu Guang was still asleep.

Cheng Xiaoshi lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, quietly watching him.

His white hair was slightly ruffled, strands falling messily over his forehead. His breathing was slow and steady, his expression soft, almost peaceful.

It was rare—so rare—to see Lu Guang like this. Usually, he was sharp and composed, always aware, always a step ahead. But now, in the quiet of the morning, he looked different. Less guarded.

Beautiful.

Cheng Xiaoshi swallowed.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been staring, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop.

His fingers twitched against the sheets, an urge bubbling up inside him before he could even think about it.

Before he could stop himself, he reached out.

His fingertips brushed lightly against Lu Guang’s hair, barely a touch, but warmth bloomed in his chest anyway.

It was soft.

Softer than he had imagined.

His heart skipped a beat.

Carefully, he smoothed down a few stray strands, the motion slow, gentle, almost reverent.

Then, just as quickly, he pulled his hand away—

But it was too late.

Lu Guang stirred.

His brows furrowed slightly, his breathing hitching. A faint crease appeared between his brows as his eyelashes fluttered—

And then, slowly, his gray eyes cracked open.

Cheng Xiaoshi froze.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Lu Guang blinked, his gaze hazy with sleep, still caught between dreaming and waking. His eyes, usually sharp and unreadable, were soft in the morning light.

“..What are you doing?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Cheng Xiaoshi jolted upright. “Nothing! I wasn’t—” He cut himself off, looking anywhere but Lu Guang. “I mean—I just—”

Lu Guang’s gaze sharpened slightly, still drowsy but amused. “You were touching my hair.”

Cheng Xiaoshi wanted to die on the spot.

“I wasn’t! I mean—I was, but—” He groaned and buried his face in his hands. “I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

A small silence stretched between them.

Then, quietly—

“..You didn’t have to stop.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s brain short-circuited.

His face burned as he peeked out from between his fingers. “Huh?”

Lu Guang yawned slightly, rubbing his eyes. “It was nice.”

Oh.

Oh no.

Cheng Xiaoshi was not prepared for this.

His heart was doing something ridiculous in his chest, hammering against his ribs.

“I—” He swallowed hard. “You—you can’t just say stuff like that, y’know.”

Lu Guang, still half-asleep, hummed. “Why not?”

“Because—” Cheng Xiaoshi flailed, words failing him completely. “Because you—”

Lu Guang just looked at him, his expression unreadable.

Then—

“We’re really dating, right?”

Lu Guang blinked, clearly not expecting the question.

He tilted his head slightly. “..Yes.”

Cheng Xiaoshi squinted at him. “Like, for real?”

Lu Guang exhaled softly. “Would you like me to take it back?”

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped, horrified. “No! Absolutely not.”

Lu Guang’s lips twitched. “Then why are you asking?”

Cheng Xiaoshi scratched his cheek, feeling slightly ridiculous. “I dunno. It just.. feels kinda unreal, y’know?”

Lu Guang’s gaze softened.

“It’s real,” he said simply.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s chest tightened.

Then, slowly, his lips curled into a bright, breathless smile.

“..Good.”

Lu Guang’s expression didn’t change much, but there was something warm in the way he looked at Cheng Xiaoshi—something steady, something quiet, something certain.

A sudden thought popped into Cheng Xiaoshi’s head.

He hesitated, then glanced at Lu Guang through his lashes. “Hey.”

Lu Guang hummed in acknowledgment.

“Can I hold your hand?”

Lu Guang blinked, his eyes flickering slightly in surprise.

Cheng Xiaoshi immediately panicked. “I mean—you don’t have to! I just—I was just thinking—”

Lu Guang exhaled softly.

Then, without a word, he reached out.

His fingers curled around Cheng Xiaoshi’s, slow and deliberate, his grip firm but gentle.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s breath caught in his throat.

Warm.

Lu Guang’s hand was warm.

His heart nearly burst out of his chest.

He squeezed back instinctively, his grip tightening ever so slightly.

Lu Guang didn’t pull away.

Cheng Xiaoshi beamed, his entire body practically buzzing with happiness.

“You’re really serious about this, huh?” he said, his voice softer this time.

Lu Guang’s thumb brushed idly against his knuckles.

“..Would you like me to not be?”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s grip on his hand tightened. “No way.”

Lu Guang chuckled quietly.

Cheng Xiaoshi watched him for a long moment, his heart swelling with something big, something overwhelming, something impossible to contain.

And then—

“I’ll make you happy, y’know,” he said, voice full of certainty. “I’ll make you proud.”

Lu Guang stilled.

For a second, his eyes flickered with something unreadable.

Then—

“I know.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s breath hitched.

Lu Guang gave his hand a gentle squeeze.

Cheng Xiaoshi melted.

His entire body relaxed, sinking into the bed, his fingers still intertwined with Lu Guang’s.

This was real.

And he wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

The elevator doors slid shut with a quiet hum, enclosing Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang in a space much too small for the sheer energy radiating off Cheng Xiaoshi.

He bounced on his heels, his excitement barely contained, eyes darting toward Lu Guang every few seconds. The contrast between them was stark—Cheng Xiaoshi nearly vibrating, while Lu Guang stood beside him, perfectly composed, hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie.

Cheng Xiaoshi inhaled deeply, then turned to Lu Guang. “I still can’t believe it.”

Lu Guang gave him a sidelong glance. “You’ve said that five times already.”

“Because it’s unbelievable!” Cheng Xiaoshi ran a hand through his already-messy hair, exhaling sharply. “I mean, last night—you actually said yes. You. To me.”

Lu Guang’s lips curved slightly, though he didn’t say anything.

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned dramatically. “Oh god, what if I dreamed the whole thing?” His head snapped toward Lu Guang, eyes suddenly filled with panic. “Wait. Did I? Did I dream it?”

Lu Guang let out a soft chuckle. “You didn’t dream it.”

Cheng Xiaoshi relaxed for all of half a second before the excitement surged back in full force. “That means I can tell them.”

Before Lu Guang could even react, Cheng Xiaoshi lunged for the elevator panel, stabbing the button for their friends’ floor with unnecessary urgency.

Lu Guang sighed. “You know pressing it multiple times won’t make it go faster, right?”

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to him, deadly serious. “You don’t know that.”

Lu Guang gave him a flat look. “I do.”

The elevator dinged before Cheng Xiaoshi could argue further. The moment the doors opened, he bolted.

“Xiaoshi—”

“No time! This is urgent!”

Lu Guang sighed but didn’t resist when Cheng Xiaoshi grabbed his wrist and pulled him along. His longer strides made it easier to keep up despite Cheng Xiaoshi’s erratic pace.

It wasn’t long before they reached their destination—the hotel room where Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao were staying.

Cheng Xiaoshi skidded to a stop in front of the door, barely managing to avoid crashing into it. He raised a fist, when he suddenly hesitated.

Lu Guang tilted his head. “Having second thoughts?”

“No,” Cheng Xiaoshi said quickly. “Just.. I gotta make sure I say it right. This is an important moment, y’know?”

Lu Guang gave him an amused look. “It’s not a marriage proposal, Cheng Xiaoshi.”

“Yet.”

Lu Guang sighed. “Just knock.”

Cheng Xiaoshi took a deep breath, lifted his hand—

—and promptly forgot the door was locked as he tried to push it open.

The door didn’t budge.

Instead, his forehead lightly bumped against the wood.

Lu Guang stared. “You good?”

Cheng Xiaoshi let out an embarrassed chuckle, rubbing his head. “Yeah. Totally. Just.. testing the durability of hotel doors.”

Lu Guang shook his head fondly. “You’re unbelievable.”

Just then, the door finally unlocked with a soft click.

Liu Xiao stood on the other side, looking entirely unsurprised to see them. His expression was neutral, a book still in one hand as he took in Cheng Xiaoshi’s barely-contained excitement. Without a word, he stepped aside to let them in before returning to his seat at the small desk in the corner of the room.

The scene inside was exactly what one would expect from three guys sharing a room—messy blankets, an open bag of chips on the nightstand, and the faint sound of Xia Fei’s quiet snoring.

Vein was sprawled on the bed next to Xia Fei, his arm thrown over his eyes. The two of them had somehow ended up tangled in the same blanket.

Cheng Xiaoshi barely spared a second before bursting into the room.

“We’re dating!” he announced at full volume.

Xia Fei, still half-asleep, blinked slowly. “..What?”

“I said—” Cheng Xiaoshi threw his arms out dramatically. “Lu Guang and I are dating!”

A long silence.

Then, from Vein, voice thick with sleep—

“You came all the way here just to say that?”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “Uh. Yeah?”

Xia Fei groaned, finally shifting under the blanket. “Bro, couldn’t this have waited?” His voice was muffled against the pillow.

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned. “What? No! This is huge!”

Liu Xiao, who had already resumed reading, simply flipped a page. “It was obvious.”

Xia Fei turned his head slightly, one eye cracking open. “It's—” he glanced at the bedside clock, “—too early for this.”

“It’s almost noon,” Cheng Xiaoshi pointed out.

Xia Fei let out a sleepy sigh, turning his head toward Cheng Xiaoshi with half-lidded eyes. “I’d be even happier if you let me sleep five more hours.”

Vein, still face-down on the pillow, lazily lifted a hand and waved it in the air. “May your love be as strong as my desire to stay unconscious.”

Lu Guang, standing beside him, let out a quiet chuckle.

Cheng Xiaoshi turned toward him instantly. “You hear that? They think it’s not a big deal.”

Lu Guang tilted his head slightly. “You expected confetti?”

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped. “You get me.”

Xia Fei groaned, flopping back onto the bed. “I’m going back to sleep.”

Vein did the same. “Seconded.”

Cheng Xiaoshi crossed his arms. “Wow. No support. No celebration. This is a betrayal.”

Liu Xiao, still sitting on the chair, glanced at Lu Guang. “So, you finally said yes, huh?”

Lu Guang hummed. “I decided to take things at my own pace.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. “And that pace led us here!”

Lu Guang sighed softly, but there was an unmistakable fondness in his expression.

Cheng Xiaoshi rocked on his heels, then turned toward him. “Hey, hey. Say it.”

Lu Guang blinked. “..Say what?”

Cheng Xiaoshi grabbed his arm, practically vibrating. “Say I’m your boyfriend.”

Vein let out a half-conscious groan. “Oh my god.”

Xia Fei muttered something unintelligible into his pillow.

Lu Guang exhaled slowly, then—

“..You’re my boyfriend.”

Cheng Xiaoshi dissolved.

He clutched his chest like he’d just been shot by cupid himself. “Say it again.”

Lu Guang arched a brow.

Cheng Xiaoshi grabbed both of his hands, his expression pure delight. “Please?”

Lu Guang sighed, but—

“You’re my boyfriend.”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned so hard it hurt.

“I love this,” he declared. “I love you saying that.”

Lu Guang, despite himself, smiled. It was small, but real.

Liu Xiao shook his head in amusement. “You’re in for a ride, Lu Guang.”

Lu Guang glanced at Cheng Xiaoshi, who was still practically buzzing with joy.

Then, quietly—

“..I don’t mind.”

Cheng Xiaoshi flopped onto the bed, burying his face into the nearest pillow. “I’m gonna die. I’m actually gonna die.”

From beside him, Xia Fei let out a low groan, barely cracking one eye open. “If you’re gonna die, at least don’t do it on my leg."

Cheng Xiaoshi then sat up abruptly, hands clasped in front of him. “I swear, Lu Guang, I’m gonna make you so happy.”

Lu Guang blinked. “What?”

Cheng Xiaoshi nodded, determined. “I’m gonna be the best boyfriend ever. You’re gonna be so glad you said yes.”

Vein let out a sleepy mumble, his words slightly slurred. “That sounds like a threat..”

“It is,” Cheng Xiaoshi said seriously. He turned back to Lu Guang. “You’re gonna be so happy. And proud. Just you wait.”

Lu Guang gazed at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, his expression softened.

“..I’ll hold you to that.”

Cheng Xiaoshi beamed.

Vein groaned. “God, please let me sleep.”

Xia Fei threw a pillow at Cheng Xiaoshi’s face.

Cheng Xiaoshi yelped, but when he pulled the pillow away, his grin was still unwavering.

Because this?

This was the happiest he had ever been.

— 《 ♡ 》 —

The train was quiet, filled with soft murmurs and the occasional rustling of fabric as passengers shifted in their seats. The day had been long, and exhaustion was starting to settle over everyone.

Well. Almost everyone.

“Lu Guang, look at this!” Cheng Xiaoshi shoved his phone toward him. “Isn’t it great?”

Lu Guang glanced at the screen. It was a photo from earlier—one of the few where they were both in the frame. The warm glow of festival lights softened the scene, making everything look almost unreal.

“It’s decent.”

“Decent?!” Cheng Xiaoshi gasped. “I’m definitely framing this in my house later!”

Lu Guang looked away, pretending to be unbothered. “Why would you frame it?”

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. “Because it’s a great picture! And—” He tilted his head playfully. “—it’s us.”

Lu Guang's lips curled into a faint smile as he leaned back against his seat. “I’m tired.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. “Huh?”

Without another word, Lu Guang shifted slightly and rested his head against Cheng Xiaoshi’s shoulder.

Cheng Xiaoshi immediately stiffened. His brain crashed. His entire body went rigid.

“Wha—”

“Be quiet,” Lu Guang mumbled, already closing his eyes. “I’m sleeping.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. His brain struggled to process the fact that Lu Guang—his boyfriend—was casually resting against him like this, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

Across from them, Xia Fei, Vein, and Liu Xiao exchanged knowing glances.

Xia Fei smirked. “Oh? So it’s Xiaoshi’s turn now?”

Cheng Xiaoshi, still frozen, blinked. “Huh? What do you mean?”

Vein grinned. “You really don’t remember?”

Cheng Xiaoshi frowned. “Remember what?”

Liu Xiao, still flipping through his book, finally looked up. “On the train ride to the trip, Lu Guang did the same thing.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes widened. “No way. I would’ve noticed.”

“You didn’t,” Xia Fei said, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “Because you fell asleep first.”

Vein crossed his arms. “Yeah, Lu Guang was literally leaning on you for half the trip.”

Cheng Xiaoshi slowly turned to Lu Guang, eyes filled with disbelief. “..Seriously?”

Lu Guang didn’t move, but the faintest hint of amusement tugged at his lips.

Liu Xiao flipped another page. “You even moved in your sleep at one point. We thought Lu Guang would wake you up, but he just adjusted and kept sleeping.”

Xia Fei let out an exaggerated sigh. “Man, Lu Guang gets a peaceful nap both times, and Xiaoshi didn’t even get to appreciate the first one.”

Vein nodded. “Kinda unfair, don’t you think?”

After a long pause, Cheng Xiaoshi grumbled, “..Right, I feel cheated.”

Lu Guang finally opened his eyes just enough to glance at him. His voice was still quiet, still relaxed.

“Then enjoy it properly this time.”

Vein let out a low whistle. “Lu Guang’s actually smooth when he wants to be.”

Meanwhile, Cheng Xiaoshi had gone completely still. He was sure that if he moved even a little, his heart would literally leap out of his chest.

He could feel the weight of Lu Guang against him, warm and steady. His hair tickled the side of Cheng Xiaoshi’s neck, and every slow breath Lu Guang took sent another round of static through his entire body.

Oh god.

His ears were burning. His face was burning. His soul was burning.

But he didn’t move.

Not even a little.

Vein laughed. “We should’ve figured this out way earlier.”

Liu Xiao turned a page. “Noted for future use.”

Cheng Xiaoshi glared at them, but he couldn’t even argue. Not when Lu Guang was still comfortably resting against him, his breathing soft and even.

So, instead, Cheng Xiaoshi sighed.

Then, very, very quietly—so quietly that no one except Lu Guang could hear—he murmured,

“..I hate you.”

Lu Guang’s lips curled slightly, just the faintest hint of a smile.

“No, you don’t.”

Cheng Xiaoshi huffed, shifting slightly so that Lu Guang could rest against him more comfortably. His fingers twitched, like he wanted to reach up and touch him but was too flustered to actually do it.

Finally, after a long pause, he mumbled,

“..Right. I love you.”

Lu Guang’s smile grew just a little.

“..Yeah, I know.”

And just like that, the rest of the train ride was silent.

Except for Cheng Xiaoshi’s heart, which refused to stop racing.

By the time they got back to the city, it was already dark. Instead of heading home immediately, they stopped by a small bar near campus to wind down.

At first, it was normal. Just casual drinking, Vein exaggerating how exhausted he was, and Xia Fei playfully arguing with him. But then—

Cheng Xiaoshi had one drink too many.

At first, it was just the usual tipsy excitement—more laughing, more clinging to Lu Guang’s arm like a koala. But then his eyes started losing focus, and his words became slower, looser.

Lu Guang, who had been nursing his own drink, noticed immediately.

“Cheng Xiaoshi,” he said, setting his glass down. “You should stop now.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, his eyes hazy. His head tilted slightly as he stared at Lu Guang.

Then, out of nowhere—

“You’re so pretty,” Cheng Xiaoshi mumbled, his voice full of awe.

Lu Guang barely reacted. “You’ve said that three times now.”

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted. “I mean it every time.”

Xia Fei raised an eyebrow, grinning. “At this rate, he’s gonna start writing poetry.”

Vein snorted. “Or propose.”

Liu Xiao, as always, remained unreadable—but the fact that he hadn’t turned the next page suggested he was at least mildly entertained.

Cheng Xiaoshi, meanwhile, was still completely in his own world. He reached out clumsily, patting Lu Guang’s shoulder with the sincerity of someone bestowing a great honor. “Your boyfriend must be soooo happy to have you,” he declared.

Lu Guang stilled. His usual composure flickered, just for a second.

Then, he tilted his head slightly, lips curving into the faintest smirk. “And why do you think that?”

Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t hesitate. “Because you’re smart, and patient, and really, really cool,” he mumbled, his voice dipping into something softer. “And you take care of people. Even if you act serious all the time, you actually care a lot.”

Lu Guang’s expression shifted.

Cheng Xiaoshi chuckled sleepily. “Anyone who gets to be your boyfriend is, like, the luckiest person ever.”

Vein exhaled dramatically. “Man, I feel like I shouldn’t be here for this.”

Xia Fei pressed a hand to his chest. “This is dangerously close to a love confession.”

Liu Xiao simply sipped his drink. “It’s already past that point.”

But Lu Guang wasn’t paying them any mind. His full attention was on the very drunk, very honest person in front of him.

Then— A soft breath of laughter left Lu Guang’s lips.

“..Cheng Xiaoshi,” he murmured.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked up at him. “Mm?”

Lu Guang’s gaze softened. He leaned in slightly—just enough for their faces to be close, just enough for his next words to be spoken quietly, like something meant only for them.

“You’re my boyfriend.”

Cheng Xiaoshi froze. His drunken haze momentarily cleared as he stared, eyes wide.

Then—

A realization dawned in his expression, slow and warm. “Oh,” he mumbled. His lips curled into a sleepy smile. “Right.”

Lu Guang hummed. “Right.”

Cheng Xiaoshi’s grin widened, giddy and fond. “That’s kinda crazy.”

Lu Guang sighed, shaking his head, but the small smile lingering on his lips betrayed him. “Drink some water.”

“Okay,” Cheng Xiaoshi hummed, obediently taking a sip. His gaze never left Lu Guang, warm and steady despite the hazy effects of alcohol.

Xia Fei stretched his arms above his head, grinning. “It’s like watching a drama unfold in real time.”

Vein smirked. “Yeah, except the ending was obvious from the start.”

Liu Xiao, ever composed, took a slow sip of his drink. “Obvious to everyone but them.”

Lu Guang huffed a quiet laugh, but he didn’t deny it. His eyes flickered back to Cheng Xiaoshi, who was still looking at him like he was the only thing in the room that mattered.

For so long, Lu Guang had been used to standing in the shadows, comfortable in his own quiet solitude. But Cheng Xiaoshi had never let him stay there. With all his reckless brightness, all his unwavering warmth, he had pulled Lu Guang into the light without hesitation.

Like the sun warming the cold surface of the moon, he had changed Lu Guang before he even realized it was happening.

And maybe—just maybe—Lu Guang didn’t mind.

He let out a slow breath, the corners of his lips curling just slightly.

“..Yeah,” he murmured, voice quiet but sure. “I guess it was always supposed to be this way.”

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked at him, then grinned—wide, bright, and full of something undeniably fond.

And just like that, the warmth settled in Lu Guang’s chest, steady and certain as the sun rising after the longest night.

Chapter Text

One Year Later

Moving in together should have been a simple process. But, as always, nothing involving Cheng Xiaoshi was ever simple.

The house was in complete chaos—boxes were everywhere, half-unpacked furniture cluttered the living room, and somehow, a ridiculous amount of noise filled the space. It wasn’t even just Cheng Xiaoshi this time.

"Two hours," Xia Fei groaned, dropping onto the couch like his soul had left his body. "Two hours of being here, and I already have a headache."

Vein, sprawled out dramatically on the floor, raised a hand. "One hour for me. This place is cursed. Or maybe just Xiaoshi himself."

"Hey!" Cheng Xiaoshi scowled. "You guys make it sound like I’m some kind of living disaster!"

"You are," Xia Fei and Vein deadpanned in unison.

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped, clutching his chest. "Lu Guang! Do you hear them?"

Lu Guang, calmly unpacking a box of books, didn’t even look up. "They’re not wrong."

Cheng Xiaoshi turned to him in betrayal. "Hey! You’re supposed to back me up!"

Qiao Ling, leaning against the kitchen counter, smirked. "Don’t worry, Lu Guang. If you ever get tired of dealing with him, my place is right next door."

Lu Guang gave her a flat look. "I’ll keep that in mind."

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted. "Unbelievable. You guys act like I’m unbearable or something."

Vein, still lying on the floor, muttered, "Because you are."

"You already said that!"

"And I stand by it," Vein replied.

Liu Xiao, who had been silently organizing the bookshelf, finally spoke. "Are you sure you’ll be able to focus on your writing here?" He gestured at the general chaos. "This doesn’t seem like the best environment for a writer."

Lu Guang didn’t seem the least bit concerned. "It might actually be useful. I could use the experience as inspiration."

Cheng Xiaoshi perked up instantly. "Ohh! Like for a romance novel?"

Lu Guang finally turned to look at him, expression flat. "A tragicomedy."

Silence.

Xia Fei snorted. "Damn. That’s worse than just ‘comedy.’"

Vein shook his head, grinning. "He didn’t even hesitate."

Cheng Xiaoshi dramatically clutched his chest. "Are you saying my existence is tragic?"

Lu Guang placed another book on the shelf. "More like living with you is."

"Wow! Betrayed by my own—" Cheng Xiaoshi paused mid-sentence, eyes narrowing. "Wait. You said tragicomedy. That means there’s romance in it too, right?"

Lu Guang, still focused on stacking books, hummed noncommittally.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s eyes gleamed as he leaned in, his face way too close. "Who's the love interest, hmm? Don’t tell me it’s me, Lu Guang. That’d be pretty embarrassing for you."

Lu Guang didn’t even glance at him. "The fool who willingly chose this life."

Silence.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked. "That’s.. wait." His eyes widened. "I'm the fool?"

Qiao Ling burst out laughing. "Oh my god, he just realized that he’s the idiot."

Vein smirked, elbowing Lu Guang. "So basically, you're writing a book about you two?"

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, throwing an arm around Lu Guang. "That’s right! A beautiful story about an intelligent, handsome young man who sweeps his poor, unlucky housemate off his feet—"

Lu Guang cut him off. "A headache-inducing nightmare in written form."

Xia Fei snorted. "He didn’t even hesitate."

Liu Xiao, who had been quiet until now, added calmly, "You do realize tragicomedies usually end in disaster, right?"

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped, turning to Lu Guang in mock betrayal. "You're dooming us?!"

Lu Guang smirked. "Just being realistic."

Cheng Xiaoshi groaned, dramatically flopping onto Lu Guang’s shoulder. "You’re so mean."

Qiao Ling smirked, arms crossed. "Lu Guang, if you ever regret this, my place is literally next door. I can hide you."

Xia Fei snickered. "Yeah, we’ll bust you out anytime. Just say the word."

Vein stretched lazily. "Seriously, I’ve been here an hour, and I already need noise-canceling headphones."

Cheng Xiaoshi scoffed, tightening his arm around Lu Guang. "Too bad for you guys, he’s not going anywhere."

Lu Guang hummed. "Mm. Questionable decision on my part."

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped dramatically. "Excuse me? You’re saying moving in with me wasn’t the best decision of your life?"

Lu Guang glanced at the half-unpacked mess. "Let’s just say I have mixed feelings."

Cheng Xiaoshi pouted, leaning in closer. "Oh? Should I remind you why you agreed?"

Lu Guang’s gaze flickered toward him, unreadable. "..Go ahead."

Cheng Xiaoshi grinned, voice dropping teasingly. "Because you like being around me. Because you want to see me every day. Because, deep down, you actually—"

Lu Guang flicked his forehead lightly. "Because you wouldn’t stop asking."

Cheng Xiaoshi yelped, rubbing his forehead. "Hey!"

Vein groaned. "If this is what living together is gonna be like, I’m never visiting again."

Liu Xiao sighed. "I give them a week before one of them starts sleeping on the couch."

Cheng Xiaoshi ignored them, still looking at Lu Guang with a smirk. "You’re stuck with me now."

Lu Guang exhaled, but his lips twitched slightly. "..Yeah. I am."

When the others finally left, Cheng Xiaoshi shut the door with a loud click and whirled around, practically vibrating with excitement.

Lu Guang had just set down the last of his boxes, carefully arranging them against the wall. He barely had time to straighten up before Cheng Xiaoshi bounced toward him, grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright!" Cheng Xiaoshi declared. "Now it’s just us!"

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "Yes. That’s usually how living together works."

"Yeah, yeah, but—" Cheng Xiaoshi waved his hands dramatically. "Now it’s real! Before, you were just visiting. But now, no more ‘Oh, I should head home’ or ‘I’ll be back later.’ This is it! Your home. With me!"

Lu Guang smirked faintly. "You make it sound like you won a prize."

Cheng Xiaoshi crossed his arms, tilting his head. "I did win a prize. The very exclusive, very elusive Lu Guang, now available in my home twenty-four seven." His grin widened as he leaned in. "I’m never letting you go."

Lu Guang exhaled, shaking his head. "I feel like I should be concerned."

"You shouldn’t," Cheng Xiaoshi said confidently. Then he softened just a little, eyes bright with something real beneath all the teasing. "I mean it, though. I’m really happy you’re here."

Lu Guang stilled, his gaze meeting Cheng Xiaoshi’s.

There was a pause, the kind that stretched warm between them, not awkward, just there. Like something waiting to settle into place.

"Yeah," Lu Guang murmured. "Me too."

For a moment, the weight of those words lingered between them.

Then Cheng Xiaoshi, never one to dwell too long in silence, suddenly clapped his hands together. "Alright! Now let’s celebrate!"

Lu Guang sighed. "By unpacking?"

"No!" Cheng Xiaoshi groaned. "That’s work. We’re celebrating. And that means takeout!"

Lu Guang gave him a flat look. "We have food here."

"Yeah, but cooking takes effort. Effort we do not have after a long, exhausting day of moving." Cheng Xiaoshi plopped onto the couch, stretching his arms dramatically. "I am officially out of commission."

Lu Guang crossed his arms. "You spent more time talking than actually helping."

"Hey, emotional support is very important," Cheng Xiaoshi shot back.

Lu Guang sighed again, but this time, it was more resigned than annoyed. He pulled out his phone. "Fine. What do you want?"

Cheng Xiaoshi perked up immediately. "Surprise me."

Lu Guang narrowed his eyes. "You always say that, then complain when it’s not what you wanted."

"Not always," Cheng Xiaoshi defended. "Just.. most of the time."

Lu Guang shook his head. "We’re getting hot pot."

Cheng Xiaoshi gasped. "I love hot pot."

"I know," Lu Guang said dryly, already scrolling through the menu.

Cheng Xiaoshi scooted closer, peering over his shoulder. "Ooooh, get the spicy broth."

"You can’t handle spicy," Lu Guang pointed out.

"Can too."

"You cry every time."

"Okay, but it’s a delicious kind of pain," Cheng Xiaoshi argued. "Isn’t that what love is about? Suffering, but happily?"

Lu Guang didn’t even look up. "I worry about you sometimes."

"Aw," Cheng Xiaoshi grinned. "You care."

Lu Guang ignored him. "What else?"

"Extra beef. Oh! And those fish balls with the cheese inside. And—wait, wait, let me see—" Cheng Xiaoshi tried to grab Lu Guang’s phone, but Lu Guang smoothly leaned away, keeping it just out of reach.

"You’re not hijacking the order," Lu Guang said.

"But what if I want more things?"

"Then say it like a normal person."

Cheng Xiaoshi sighed, flopping against Lu Guang’s shoulder dramatically. "Fine. I want extra mushrooms, tofu, and—" He paused, blinking at the menu. "Wait. They have those cute little mochi desserts now?"

Lu Guang glanced at the screen. "Looks like it."

"We have to get them," Cheng Xiaoshi said seriously.

"You’re just going to complain they’re too sweet," Lu Guang pointed out.

"Yeah, but then I’ll force you to eat them instead," Cheng Xiaoshi said smugly.

Lu Guang sighed but added them to the cart anyway.

Cheng Xiaoshi beamed. "See? You’re such a good boyfriend."

Lu Guang paused slightly at that, just for a fraction of a second. Then, smoothly, he pressed the order button. "Done."

"Yay!" Cheng Xiaoshi cheered, immediately flopping across Lu Guang’s lap like a puppy claiming its favorite spot.

Lu Guang gave him an unimpressed look. "You have your own space, you know."

"Yeah, but you're my space too." Cheng Xiaoshi grinned up at him. "And I’m not going anywhere."

Lu Guang exhaled, but the corners of his lips twitched slightly. He let his fingers idly brush against Cheng Xiaoshi’s hair, barely noticeable, like a quiet acceptance.

"..You’re impossible," he muttered, but he didn’t pull away.

Lu Guang lay on the bed, a book open in his hands, eyes scanning the pages with practiced ease. The bedside lamp cast a warm glow over the room, filling it with a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

At least, it would have been peaceful—if not for the fact that Cheng Xiaoshi had been staring at him for the past ten minutes.

Lu Guang could feel it.

Every time he turned a page, every time he adjusted his position slightly, every time he pretended to focus on the words in front of him, that unwavering gaze never left.

He tried to ignore it.

But after another minute of silence, he sighed and closed his book with a soft thud. "If you have something to say, just say it."

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, caught red-handed. But instead of looking embarrassed, he grinned. "I was just thinking."

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "About what?"

Cheng Xiaoshi propped himself up on his elbows, watching him closely. "That you're finally here."

Lu Guang tilted his head. "I've been here all day."

"Yeah, but—" Cheng Xiaoshi sat up properly, crossing his legs. His grin softened, turning into something quieter, more sincere. "You're really here. Like, for good. No more ‘I should head back home,’ no more ‘I’ll stop by later.’"

He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Because this is our home now."

Lu Guang felt something warm settle in his chest.

Cheng Xiaoshi said it so easily—so naturally. Our home.

Cheng Xiaoshi had spent the last two years waiting for Lu Guang to be ready, never pushing, never rushing.

Just waiting.

And now, they were finally here.

Lu Guang set his book aside and looked at him properly. "So.. you're happy?"

Cheng Xiaoshi's eyes crinkled as he smiled. "Very."

There was a brief pause.

And then—

Cheng Xiaoshi shifted a little closer. Just a small movement, barely noticeable.

But Lu Guang did notice.

He waited, watching as Cheng Xiaoshi bit his lip, clearly debating something in his head.

Then, in a softer voice, he said, "Can I ask for one more thing?"

Lu Guang’s gaze didn’t waver. "What is it?"

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated. His fingers fidgeted slightly with the hem of his shirt before he looked up, meeting Lu Guang's eyes.

"If I kissed you right now," he asked slowly, "would you stop me?"

Lu Guang’s breath caught.

For a moment, he didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t breathe.

Cheng Xiaoshi’s smile was still there, but his eyes held something different—something quieter, more vulnerable. He was serious.

"I've been waiting for one year," Cheng Xiaoshi murmured, his voice warm and unwavering. "But it was never really about the wait—I'd wait as long as it takes. I just.. I think this moment is right. We’re right. But if you’re not ready, I’ll wait. As long as you need."

Lu Guang felt his heart stutter.

One year.

Cheng Xiaoshi had waited.

And now, he was giving Lu Guang an out. Telling him it was okay if he needed more time.

But Lu Guang didn't need more time.

So instead of answering, he acted.

Slowly.

Carefully.

Making sure Cheng Xiaoshi had every chance to pull away if he wanted to.

But he didn’t.

He froze.

His breath hitched, and Lu Guang could see the exact moment he realized what was happening.

Soft.

Their lips met in the gentlest, most tentative touch. It was barely even a kiss—just a hesitant press, like testing the waters.

And then—

Cheng Xiaoshi pulled back, eyes wide, breath catching in his throat. Then, as if something inside him finally clicked, his entire face lit up.

"Wait.. did you just—"

Lu Guang, still slightly dazed, blinked at him. "..Yeah"

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a stunned breath before a grin broke across his face—bright, uncontrollable, completely overjoyed.

"That actually happened!" he repeated, laughing now, almost giddy. He grabbed Lu Guang’s hands, squeezing them tightly. "You kissed me! You finally kissed me!"

Lu Guang exhaled, half exasperated, half amused. "It wasn’t that dramatic—"

"It was!" Cheng Xiaoshi cut in, eyes shining. "I waited a whole year for this, Lu Guang! One year! Do you understand how long that is? I should get a trophy or something!"

Lu Guang sighed. "You're being ridiculous."

"No, I’m being appropriately excited!" Cheng Xiaoshi declared, grinning so wide his cheeks might start hurting. His hands were still wrapped around Lu Guang’s, gripping them like he never planned on letting go. "Does this mean I get morning kisses now? And goodnight kisses? And ‘just because’ kisses—"

Lu Guang stared at him blankly. "If you shut up, maybe."

Cheng Xiaoshi was still beaming, eyes crinkling with uncontained joy. His fingers were still wrapped around Lu Guang’s hands, gripping them tight like he was afraid to let go.

Lu Guang sighed, amused. "You’re really that happy?"

Cheng Xiaoshi nodded furiously. "Of course I am!" His voice was light, almost breathless, like he couldn’t believe what just happened. "Do you even know how long I’ve wanted to do that?"

Lu Guang raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked, then suddenly looked very flustered. His grip on Lu Guang’s hands tightened. "I-I mean—!"

Lu Guang tilted his head. "You wanted to?"

Cheng Xiaoshi's ears turned red. "Obviously." His voice was quieter now, but no less certain. "I mean.. it’s you."

Lu Guang felt his own heart stutter.

The weight of those words settled between them, warm and heavy.

"..I see," Lu Guang murmured, watching him carefully. Then—without really thinking—he leaned in again.

This time, he didn’t pull away immediately.

This time, he lingered.

The kiss was slow, soft—gentler than before. There was no rush, no hesitation. Just warmth. Just Cheng Xiaoshi.

And Cheng Xiaoshi melted.

His fingers curled into Lu Guang’s shirt, gripping tight like he never wanted to let go.

When Lu Guang finally pulled back, he studied Cheng Xiaoshi’s face. The dazed expression. The way his lips parted slightly, like he was still processing what just happened.

"..Better?" Lu Guang asked.

Cheng Xiaoshi blinked.

Then—slowly, his lips curled into the softest, most lovestruck smile Lu Guang had ever seen.

"Oh."

Lu Guang huffed a quiet laugh. "Oh?"

Cheng Xiaoshi suddenly flopped forward, burying his face into Lu Guang’s chest. "Ohhh, I love this."

Lu Guang felt warmth creep up his neck. "You’re ridiculous."

"Mmhm." Cheng Xiaoshi nuzzled closer.

They ended up tangled together, Cheng Xiaoshi half on top of Lu Guang, draped over him like a human blanket. Their legs brushed under the covers, and Cheng Xiaoshi’s arms looped lazily around Lu Guang’s waist.

It was.. warm.

Comfortable.

Nice.

Cheng Xiaoshi sighed happily. "I could stay like this forever."

Lu Guang huffed, but didn’t move away. "You probably will."

Cheng Xiaoshi laughed, pressing his face against Lu Guang’s shoulder. "You’re the one who kissed me again, you know. So technically, this is your fault."

Lu Guang rolled his eyes. "Go to sleep."

Cheng Xiaoshi just smiled, but didn’t let go. Instead, he tilted his head up slightly, eyes searching Lu Guang’s.

"..Can I?" he asked, voice quieter now.

Lu Guang blinked. "Can you what?"

Cheng Xiaoshi hesitated, then swallowed. "Can I kiss you too?"

Something in Lu Guang’s chest tightened.

"..You don’t have to ask, you know."

Cheng Xiaoshi let out a small laugh. "I do."

Lu Guang frowned slightly. "Why?"

Cheng Xiaoshi fidgeted, suddenly unable to meet his gaze. "Because I think if I start, I won’t be able to stop."

Lu Guang felt his breath catch.

For a second, neither of them moved. The room felt smaller, quieter, as if everything had narrowed down to just the space between them.

Then, after a beat, Lu Guang gave the smallest nod.

Cheng Xiaoshi didn’t hesitate anymore.

He leaned in, pressing a kiss to Lu Guang’s lips—soft, uncertain at first. But the second he felt Lu Guang relax into it, something inside him snapped.

He tilted his head, deepening the kiss slightly, his hands moving to grip at Lu Guang’s shirt. He didn’t want to pull away.

But eventually, he had to breathe.

When he did, his forehead pressed lightly against Lu Guang’s, their breaths mingling in the quiet.

And then—before Lu Guang could even speak—Cheng Xiaoshi let out a small, breathless laugh.

"I was right," he murmured, grinning.

Lu Guang blinked at him. "About what?"

Cheng Xiaoshi bit his lip, looking way too happy.

"If I kiss you, I might not be able to stop."

Lu Guang exhaled a laugh, shaking his head slightly. "Ridiculous."

But Cheng Xiaoshi could see the way Lu Guang’s ears were red.

His grin widened. "Then what if I just—"

Before he could finish, Lu Guang silenced him the only way he knew how.

Another kiss.

Cheng Xiaoshi made a surprised noise against his lips but melted immediately.

When Lu Guang finally pulled back, Cheng Xiaoshi was staring at him like he’d just won the lottery.

"You’re in trouble now," Cheng Xiaoshi whispered, absolutely delighted.

Lu Guang sighed, letting himself fall back against the pillows.

Cheng Xiaoshi, of course, followed.

They ended up tangled together, Cheng Xiaoshi practically sprawled on top of him, arms looped around Lu Guang’s waist.

"See?" Cheng Xiaoshi hummed, nuzzling into his shoulder. "Now you really can’t escape."

Lu Guang didn’t even try.

Instead, he just wrapped his arms around Cheng Xiaoshi in return.

"..I wasn’t planning to."

And this time, they let themselves sink into the warmth completely.