Not able to watch any further, Qin Yue stood up.
"Let's go. The rain is letting up"
Xu Wei's head snapped up.
"Perfect timing. I just realized why Bai Jinhai won't be friends with me. He's probably just embarrassed and needs me to make the first move. He should have just said so earlier instead of acting so coy."
Qin Yue gave him an obscure look
"Right..."
Xu Wei felt he was agreeing and nodded his head.
"I knew it. From now, I'll make sure to do my part."
He patted his chest with great conviction and Qin Yue winced, feeling slightly sorry for Bai Jinhai. Was it too late to say something now?
"I don't think that necessary..."
But Xu Wei wasn't listening anyone and had dashed off, leaving Qin Yue behind.
Qin Yue pinched his nose and walked out in resignation. He could only say sorry to Bai Jinhai in his heart.
Xu Wei would probably give up if he got tired. Although that was highly unlikely.
Walking with his head lowered, Qin Yue was lost in thought.
He had always been used to being alone but after spending this much time with Xu Wei, he was actually a bit unaccustomed to walking by himself now.
The rain had slowed to a drizzle, leaving the ground wet and slippery.
Qin Yue stepped carefully, avoiding puddles as he followed the familiar path back toward the dormitory.
Halfway there, a gust of wind picked up, sending droplets of rain sideways dampening the back of his neck.
When he finally reached the dorm building, the warmth from inside was well appreciated.
Students milled about the entrance, shaking off umbrellas and chatting in small groups.
Qin Yue climbed the stairs to the second floor slowly when he heard his name from behind.
"Qin Yue! Hey! Wait for me!"
Qin Yue turned around.
"Done already?"
Xu Wei chuckled and rubbed his hair.
"I didn't find him."
Qin Yue hummed
"Figures."
"Do you think he's hiding from me?"
Qin Yue shook his head.
"I doubt that."
Xu Wei sighed in relief.
"Oh that's good. I'll go again later."
They stepped into the dorm hallway and Qin Yue unlocked their door.
Unprepared for the rain, neither of them had on jackets and had caught a chill.
Xu Wei was about to plop onto his bead when Qin Yue angled his head towards the bathroom.
He sighed in resignation and went to shower, muttering under his breath.
"You're even more nagging than my mom."
While he was in the shower, Qin Yue made two cups of ginger tea and sipped while waiting for Xu Wei to come out.
A few minutes later, he came out with steam radiating off his body.
"That was so comfortable."
Qin Yue got up from his bed and grabbed a towel, heading to the bathroom.
"There's some tea in that cup. Drink it."
Without waiting to see Xu Wei's reaction, he stepped into he bathroom and closed the door.
Xu Wei picked up the cup and sniffed it then scrunched up his nose. However, he finished the contents of the cup, shuddering strongly as he put down the empty cup.
He dressed up in warm clothes and snuggled into his bed.
When Qin Yue came out of the bathroom, he wasted no time I'm getting dry and dressed. Even going as far as to blow dry his hair, causing Xu Wei who had only toweled his casually to click his tongue.
"So meticulous."
Xu Wei rolled onto his side, propping his head up with one hand.
"So, Qin Yue, I've been thinking. We should totally make this dorm our command center for… life domination!"
Qin Yue blinked.
"Life domination?"
"Yes! School life! Campus life! Making friends! Having fun! Studying smart!"
Xu Wei waved both arms with enthusiasm.
Qin Yue leaned back in his chair and regarded him silently. There were many ways to describe Xu Wei, and "relentlessly optimistic" was at the top of the list.
"Mm. Just..keep your command center contained to your side of the room."
Xu Wei pouted, but relented.
He reached into his drawer and picked out a snack from his large collection. He sat upright and started munching.
"You know, I think Bai Jinhai might actually be impressed with me if he sees my snack lineup. It shows discipline, right?"
Qin Yue didn't answer. If he did, he would probably say Xu Wei was way too obsessed with Bai Jinhai.
Xu Wei was used to his lack of response and remained undeterred.
"I just don't get him. He seems so serious all the time. Not even a hint of a smile yesterday when I tried to be friendly."
Qin Yue didn't comment. He didn't need to. Xu Wei's disappointment was loud enough for him.
A few minutes of quiet followed, punctuated only by the sound of dripping rain outside and occasional mutters from students in the hallway.
Then Xu Wei sat up suddenly.
"Hey! Why don't we check out the cafeteria tomorrow? Support the local business?"
Qin Yue raised an eyebrow.
"We both know the real reason why you want to go there."
Xu Wei chuckled sheepishly.
"It's a challenge! And maybe a little curiosity. You know how it is."
"I actually don't know how it is."
Xu Wei completely ignored that.
"I'm not even being pushy. I just feel like Bai Jinhai and I have are just meant to be"
Qin Yue didn't point out how ambiguous his words were and finally worked up a shard of interest.
"Really?"
Xu Wei nodded solemnly at his enquiry.
"I don't know why but it seems like out fates are meant to intersect."
Qin Yue felt like laughing, but not wanting to spoil Xu Wei's mood, he covered it up with a laugh.
"If that's how it is then I guess you really should go ahead and get your fated person."
Xu Wei looked at him as though he had found a kindred spirit.
"Only you understand me."
Qin Yue shook his head silently, all he had to do was be supportive.
Soon, the dorm started to settle into night. Lights dimmed in neighboring rooms, doors clicked shut, and the soft hum of students moving about gradually quieted.
Qin Yue and Xu Wei remained in their room, the only sound the faint tapping of rain against the window.
Xu Wei yawned.
"Well I guess I should sleep too. Big day tomorrow!"
Qin Yue nodded, adjusting his blanket.
"Yeah.. tomorrow."
Xu Wei smiled faintly, satisfied with the acknowledgment.
"Goodnight."
Qin Yue, already half-asleep, muttered, "Goodnight."
The room fell quiet, save for the rain and the occasional light snores from one of them.