I hurried upstairs and caught a glimpse of the class president leaving our dorm room. He smiled and greeted me, “Ji Huai’an is sick, so I brought him some medicine. Make sure to take care of him for me, okay?”

Take care of him for you? Who is Ji Huai’an to you?

I felt a little irritated but didn’t show it. I opened the door and went in. Ji Huai’an was eating, and there were some newly bought medicines on the table. I pressed my lips together and quickly stuffed the bag I had in my hand into the drawer. I was feeling quite frustrated.

…

Chen Yu wasn’t having an easy time in the dorm, so I had to figure out a way to help him. I posted in the dorm’s group chat, asking if anyone wanted to switch rooms.

To my surprise, quite a few people added me. After checking out the vibe of their dorms, I settled on one belonging to an art student. They seemed nice, but their schedules didn’t match. One guy liked staying up all night playing games, while the other three art students didn’t, so they didn’t get along well.

I told Chen Yu about it, and he hugged me gratefully, insisting on treating me to dinner. The day he moved was on a weekend. He now lives on the third floor, right below me, so we can keep an eye on each other.

After moving his stuff, Chen Yu dragged me out for hotpot. By the time we got back, it was already late, and curfew was about to kick in. We ended up sprinting back to the dorm building.

At the third-floor stairwell, we said our goodbyes, and Chen Yu grabbed my arm, his eyes sparkling.

“Liang Yi, let’s do part-time jobs together from now on. We can also grab meals together when we’re free.”

“Sure,” I replied.

When I got back to the dorm, only Ji Huai’an was there. The other two roommates had gone out to watch a game all night.

“Coming back this late, huh?” Ji Huai’an said in a low voice, giving me a once-over with his eyes.

“This is my dorm. Where else would I go?”

I picked up my clothes and was about to take a shower when he suddenly grabbed me, clearly upset.

“What were you doing today, and who were you with?”

“Why are you so tense?”

“Tense?” He let go of my arm abruptly, his expression cold. “I’m just worried you’re out there causing trouble again, and it reflects badly.”

Tch. Does he still think I’m that immature, reckless kid?

“Don’t worry about it. I don’t get into fights anymore.”

He snorted, still nagging like some overprotective parent about me coming back late and getting into trouble with the dorm staff.

He’d never been this talkative before. It’s like he’s turned into a nagging mom.

I was getting irritated and snapped back, half-testing him, “Why do you care so much? We already broke up. Or do you still like me?”

Ji Huai’an’s face darkened instantly, staring at me with an unfamiliar look in his eyes.

“You’re overthinking.”

“…”

Just as I thought, but still, hearing it made my chest tighten.

I forced a smile and shrugged it off. “Then that’s settled. Let’s just stay out of each other’s business.”

I went into the bathroom, and outside, I heard him slam a chair hard against the floor.

…

Chen Yu and I started hanging out more often. Whenever there was a short-term gig, he’d call me along. One weekend, we were handing out flyers at a nearby plaza. It was so hot, I almost got heatstroke.

On the way back, we had to return the frog mascot costume to get paid. Chen Yu noticed I wasn’t looking too well and bought me water and an ice cream.

“Drink some water,” he said, tearing open the ice cream wrapper and feeding it to me.

I was holding onto the heavy costume, so I couldn’t free my hands. I took a bite from his hand, and some yogurt ice cream smeared the corner of my mouth, but I didn’t notice.

Chen Yu laughed and sneakily took a photo of me. “You look so cute and silly. You could be a meme!”

He chuckled and wiped the yogurt off my mouth. I felt a little awkward with him being so close.

Suddenly, a cold voice interrupted us from behind.

“Excuse me.”

Ji Huai’an stood there, expressionless, holding a book. He looked like he had just come from the library.

Chen Yu, startled by his intense gaze, instinctively stepped back.

Ji Huai’an walked past us, radiating cold vibes the whole way.

“Hey, what’s up with that guy? The road’s so wide, why’d he have to walk through here?”

“I don’t know… maybe this side’s in the shade,” I replied vaguely, hurrying Chen Yu along to return the mascot costume.

When I got back to the dorm, the cool air conditioning felt like heaven.

Ji Huai’an frowned as he looked at me. “It’s so hot out, and you still went out with him. Aren’t you worried about getting heatstroke?”

“As long as I’m earning money, I don’t care.”

Money is what matters most to me now.

Ji Huai’an’s frown deepened. “Are you that desperate for money?”

“Yeah. If you know of any good part-time gigs, let me know.”

After all, I’m paying for school with a loan.

This was the first time I openly admitted in front of him that I was broke. Before, my pride wouldn’t let me show weakness in front of my boyfriend. But now, it didn’t matter anymore.

Ji Huai’an seemed surprised, pausing for a moment. I didn’t want to see any pity or sympathy in his eyes, so I quickly escaped to the bathroom for a shower.

…

At the end of October, it was my birthday. I never really celebrated it because, growing up, the end of the month was always when debt collectors came knocking. Life was already hard enough—no one remembered my birthday.

Except in high school, when Ji Huai’an had celebrated it twice for me.

After finishing a part-time shift at the milk tea shop, Chen Yu insisted on taking me to a movie. He always had endless things to talk about, and every time he looked at me, his eyes sparkled.

After the movie, we grabbed a late-night snack at a barbecue stand near school. Chen Yu handed me a box containing a pair of shoes.

“Happy birthday, Liang Yi!”

He checked the time and exclaimed, saying the cake should be arriving soon.

A few minutes later, a delivery guy brought a small cake to our table.

I was taken aback, feeling a bit of warmth inside. I hadn’t expected someone to go out of their way to surprise me in a place where I didn’t know anyone.

“How did you know it was my birthday?” I asked.

“I accidentally saw it when you filled out your part-time job information form. I hope you’re happy today. Make a wish!”

“Thanks.”

As I made my wish, a familiar figure in a white shirt came to mind. I hesitated for a few seconds, then blew out the candles.

Just then, Chen Yu quickly smeared a bit of cream on the tip of my nose.