The alarm rang at 6:30 sharp.
Xiao Yushen opened his eyes instantly.
No snoozing. No dragging.
Another day.
He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, already sorting through the day—lectures, notes to revise, faces he might see, feelings he should ignore.
He sat up.
The room was perfectly arranged. Desk aligned. Books stacked neatly. Uniform ironed the night before.
He liked control.
Control meant fewer surprises.
In the bathroom, cool water splashed against his face. He lifted his head and met his reflection.
Calm.
Unreadable.
Good.
Keep it that way.
Downstairs, breakfast was quiet. He scrolled through his phone—class group chats overflowing with memes and noise.
Muted.
People talk too much for no reason.
He stepped outside, bag slung over one shoulder. The morning air was crisp. Students passed by in clusters, laughter echoing too brightly for this hour.
He walked alone.
As the campus gates came into view, his steps slowed slightly.
Another day. Another chance.
The thought lingered longer than he wanted it to.
Confess… or move on?
He had been circling that question for weeks.
Chen.
His name alone was enough to disturb Xiao Yushen's carefully maintained composure.
I should give up.
It would be cleaner. Simpler. Less humiliating.
But every time he tried to distance himself—
He couldn't.
Just then, he spotted a familiar figure walking a little too quickly ahead.
Chen.
His hair slightly messy from the breeze, bag bouncing lightly against his side as he hurried forward.
Chen turned as if sensing someone watching him.
Their eyes met.
Chen smiled and waved naturally.
Xiao Yushen lifted his hand and waved back. Controlled. Casual.
Inside, he exhaled slowly.
I should give up on him.
A pause.
But I can't.
Chen was still walking too fast. Almost rushing.
Xiao Yushen closed the distance between them with longer strides.
When he reached him, he spoke evenly, voice steady as always.
"Take a long breath," he said. "Don't pace."
Calm advice. Neutral tone.
As if his heart wasn't anything but steady.
They fell into step beside each other naturally.
"How was your weekend?" Xiao Yushen asked, keeping his tone light.
Chen adjusted the strap of his bag. "Mm? I went to watch a movie with Xu Jin."
A pause.
"And?"
Chen sighed dramatically. "I slept in the middle of it. Yun Hu too."
Xiao Yushen blinked. "You fell asleep?"
"It was boring," Chen admitted shamelessly. "Too cliché. Even Yun Hu lost interest after finishing the popcorn."
Xiao couldn't help it—he laughed softly.
"You went to the cinema just to sleep."
"I didn't plan to," Chen defended. "It just… happened."
They continued walking, their conversation easy, familiar.
But Xiao Yushen's thoughts were no longer calm.
Xu Jin.
Of course.
Chen always said it so casually. As if it meant nothing.
Maybe to him, it didn't.
But to others—
It did.
Xiao's gaze shifted to Chen unconsciously.
The morning sunlight softened his features. His smile was easy, unguarded. Students passing by glanced at him without even realizing they were doing it.
Chen had always been like this.
Warm.
Bright.
Unintentionally captivating.
He has too many admirers.
Too many people who would gladly stand beside him.
Too many who could offer something more open, more confident, more daring.
He's too beautiful for ordinary people.
And Xiao Yushen—
For all his composure—
Was painfully ordinary in this situation.
Reserved.
Silent.
Always calculating the right timing.
I can't afford to wait.
If he waited for Chen to notice him first… that day might never come.
Because Chen wasn't the type to see what wasn't said.
And Xiao wasn't the type to say it.
His thoughts drifted too far.
He didn't realize he had gone quiet.
Chen noticed.
He slowed slightly, stepping into Xiao's line of sight.
"Hey."
No response.
Chen frowned lightly and flicked his fingers in front of Xiao's forehead.
"What happened?"
Xiao flinched faintly, snapping back to the present.
For a split second, something vulnerable flashed in his eyes.
Then he smiled.
Smooth.
Controlled.
"Oh," he said lightly. "Nothing."
He adjusted his bag strap and looked ahead.
"Let's hurry. We'll be late."
Chen studied him for half a second longer—
Then nodded and matched his pace.
Xiao walked beside him.
Expression calm.
Heart unsettled.