Xu Xing leaned against Wang Zicong’s bed, diverting his gaze from the red string emerging from Wang Zicong’s chest, and casually asked, “Why did you come back so early today?”

Wang Zicong’s smile was warm and sweet, like a little ray of sunshine, and he replied, “My girlfriend said she has a new coupon for a dinner deal at a restaurant, so we’re going out tonight~”

Xu Xing couldn’t tell if Wang Zicong was this happy because he mentioned his girlfriend or if it was the allure of the new discount that made him beam.

“Oh, by the way~”

Wang Zicong’s voice pulled Xu Xing’s attention back as he took out a small, exquisite box from his bag. Inside were five slots, four of which held chocolates, with an empty spot showing he’d already eaten one.

Wang Zicong picked up one of the remaining chocolates, held it out to Xu Xing, and said, “Try it—it’s super delicious!”

Wang Zicong’s eyes sparkled with sincerity, making it impossible not to trust him. Even if the candy wasn’t as good as he claimed, no one would have the heart to say otherwise.

Before Xu Xing returned, Wang Zicong had shared other snacks with their three other roommates, but he saved this special box. It was lined with a purple tassel, cushioning the five chocolates. He had only eaten one, saving one for Xu Xing, one for Tang Mian, and the remaining two for his beloved sister.

For a foodie to part with something so dear, it showed how much Xu Xing and the others meant to Wang Zicong.

Knowing Xu Xing didn’t love sweets, Wang Zicong added, “It’s only a little bit sweet, not too much! You might even like it~”

Xu Xing took the chocolate and thanked him.

After chatting for a while, about half an hour later, there was a knock at the dorm door. One of the roommates near the door went to open it, and Lu Che stood outside.

“Class Rep, are we heading out for dinner?”

“In a bit.”

Lu Che glanced over at Xu Xing’s bed. Xu Xing, with his back turned, was bent over fixing his blankets. Lu Che’s gaze fell on Xu Xing’s round, firm backside, recalling the exceptional feel of it—a factual summary from last night’s experience.

Leaning against the bed, Lu Che waited for Xu Xing to finish tidying up while mentally considering optimal positions. When Xu Xing turned around, Lu Che quickly touched his nose, averting his eyes. “Ke Di and Zhou Mang are waiting for me; I’ll text them to hold on for a bit.”

Xu Xing replied with an “Oh,” but his idea of asking Lu Che to go out for dinner alone got stuck in his throat and went unsaid.

Xu Xing and Lu Che went downstairs together, where Zhou Mang and Ke Di were already waiting. Beside them stood a striking young woman with no makeup, and Xu Xing’s gaze was drawn to the red bow at her chest.

Wang Zicong’s girlfriend, who also knew Ke Di, greeted them with a nod.

As Xu Xing and Lu Che approached, the young woman gave Xu Xing a faint smile—polite and acknowledging their limited acquaintance, yet without seeming distant.

Xu Xing returned her smile and asked, “Are you here for my deskmate?”

The woman replied with a soft “Mm,” and her gaze shifted past Xu Xing, noticing a round figure at the top of the staircase.

“Hey, sis~”

Wang Zicong had received a message from his girlfriend and hurried down, nearly losing his balance and grabbing the dusty wall corner to steady himself.

His hand was dusted with grime as he brushed off his palm and greeted Xu Xing and the others.

Wang Zicong had a large backpack, typically packed with snacks, which Xu Xing immediately noticed was quite heavy. He’d probably filled it with snacks to give to his girlfriend. Xu Xing, having no girlfriend now or in the future, wondered if girls actually liked receiving big snack packs as gifts. He thought about it and decided that Xu Yin, for one, would surely roll her eyes.

Xu Xing observed Wang Zicong’s girlfriend, noticing how her gaze softened with Wang Zicong’s arrival, her eyes full of warmth, unlike her earlier polite smile toward him.

She reached out to hold Wang Zicong’s hand—his plump fingers, especially when compared to her slender, refined ones, made his hand look like a soft child’s hand, small and pale, bringing to mind the faint scent of hand cream from childhood.

Wang Zicong and his girlfriend left first. Ke Di leaned over to Zhou Mang, teasing, “Heh, tell me, between the two of them, who’s the one being pinned to the wall for a passionate kiss?”

Lu Che snorted, “Mind your own business.”

“??”

Ke Di was about to retort, claiming he was totally up to the task, but held his words back.

Rarely speaking up, Zhou Mang said, “Let’s go eat.”

The four of them headed to their usual spot off-campus. Dinner conversation eventually turned to Fu Dai. After a couple of bites, Ke Di picked up his phone and video-called Fu Dai, greeting the half-asleep Fu Dai over the screen, “Hey~ We’re the perfect five-man team. You have to join us over the screen for dinner!”

The drowsy Fu Dai blinked as Ke Di switched the camera to the rear, showing Lu Che and Xu Xing sitting across the table, inviting them to say hello.

With a bite of food still in his mouth, Xu Xing gave a polite smile to the camera.

Lu Che, on Xu Xing’s right, rested his arm on the back of Xu Xing’s chair and raised an eyebrow, flashing a knowing look at Fu Dai.

Fu Dai’s gossip-filled intentions were squashed on the spot.

After a brief chat, the call ended, and Zhou Mang stepped out to take a call. Ke Di was left with Xu Xing and Lu Che, attempting to persuade Lu Che to go to the bar with him over the weekend, when Lu Che abruptly remarked, “Leaving your girlfriend behind to hit the bar—doesn’t that seem a little inappropriate?”

Although Ke Di didn’t get into any real trouble at the bar, even if he just went to have fun and get a bit drunk, it still didn’t sit right with Lu Che. In the past, he hadn’t thought much of it, but ever since he and Xu Xing had become a couple, he’d only wanted to stay close to him, sticking to him like glue. Unlike Ke Di who could leave his girlfriend to spend time with friends at a bar, Lu Che would have rather spent every spare minute with Xu Xing.

“…”

Xu Xing watched Ke Di’s reaction closely. Sure enough, Ke Di seemed uncomfortable whenever the topic of his girlfriend came up.

Ke Di forced a grin, joking, “Che, you’re right,” and brushed off the conversation, turning his attention outside. “Where’s Mangmang gone off to for so long?” he muttered.

But—

When Ke Di said “Che, you’re right,” it wasn’t just a throwaway line. He genuinely meant it.

Ke Di really liked his girlfriend—it was love at first sight. Jiang Lian’s gentle and pure nature had him completely enamored. Ever since meeting her at Zhou Mang’s birthday party, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Afterward, he begged Zhou Mang to set them up, but Zhou Mang only said, “She’s not right for you.”

Ke Di shrugged it off, assuming Zhou Mang just didn’t want his childhood friend caught up with someone who switched girlfriends as often as he did.

He had even thought about giving up on Jiang Lian, not wanting to risk ruining both his relationship and his friendship with Zhou Mang.

But that thought dissolved the moment he saw Jiang Lian again.

Eventually, Ke Di won Jiang Lian’s heart, and Zhou Mang merely told him, “Take good care of her.”

Over time, Ke Di realized that Jiang Lian was Zhou Mang’s unrequited love… and his heart sank.

He also began to feel guilty; Jiang Lian went to Zhou Mang whenever she was concerned about Ke Di—whether it was his studies, smoking, drinking, or even reminding him to bundle up when it was cold.

Their relationship was supposed to be just the two of them, but somehow, it had created a burden for a third person.

Ke Di felt like a jerk. Winning Jiang Lian’s heart had come at the expense of Zhou Mang’s feelings, and her concern for Ke Di had likely hurt Zhou Mang every time.

Caught in this mess, Ke Diwas looking for a balance but was ultimately stumbling around in the dark.

·

After dinner.

The four of them returned to campus, with Zhou Mang and Ke Di walking ahead while Xu Xing and Lu Che trailed behind, a few steps apart. Xu Xing had slowed his pace deliberately, creating a little space for just the two of them.

Unaware of this, Lu Che kept pace beside him. When they reached a quiet corner, Xu Xing suddenly felt his left hand being taken.

“??”

Lu Che looked over in surprise, only to find Xu Xing slipping a piece of chocolate into his hand. Of course, Lu Che was eager to see this as more than a gesture of sharing sweets—it was just the kind of move Xu Xing, with his subtle charm, would pull off.

Xu Xing quickly let go, stuffing his hands into his pockets, clearing his throat, and keeping his gaze forward. “My deskmate gave it to me. I don’t like sweets, so you can have it.”

A while back, Xu Xing had told him, “I don’t like sweet things.”

Lu Che had laughed, saying, “That’s perfect—I’ll take care of all the sweet things for you.”

As they reached the dormitory building, Lu Che unwrapped the chocolate, tossing the wrapper in a trash bin near the stairs. The chocolate melted smoothly on his tongue, its flavor rich but not overly sweet.

Xu Xing, casually, asked, “How does it taste?”

His deskmate had gone out of his way to save him one of his favorite chocolates, so Xu Xing asked only to give a proper response later.

As they climbed the third-floor staircase, Ke Di and Zhou Mang had already disappeared around the bend.

Xu Xing turned to see Lu Che paused behind him. Then, suddenly, he felt a grip on his arm, and he was pressed against the stairwell wall. Lu Che’s shadow leaned over him, and a moment later, warm lips covered his own.

Xu Xing instinctively parted his lips, letting Lu Che’s gentle but eager kiss deepen.

Their lips lingered, entwined with an unspoken tenderness.

Finally, Lu Che pulled back, brushing his thumb over Xu Xing’s lips, his gaze intense, and voice low as he asked, “Sweet enough for you?”

Xu Xing, a little flustered, gave him a light shove. Eyes cast down, he cleared the imaginary dust from his shoulder, his throat working as he swallowed. He licked his lips and replied, “A little sweet.”