---

“Liang Yi, you don’t know what I went through after we broke up. I felt like I couldn’t breathe every day.”

“I’m sorry, back then… I was going through some things.”

I sniffed and started talking, revealing that old secret. Ji Huai’an listened intently, his eyes slowly turning red.

“You fool, why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

He hugged me tightly, and his burning tears trickled down my neck.

“I’m not a fool. I planned to reconcile with you after I got into this university, but you were always with the class leader. I thought you’d moved on.”

“Shouldn’t I be saying that? Who was it that spent all their time glued to Chen Yu?”

“I was working part-time to earn money, doing something productive.”

“I was studying with the class leader, also being productive.”

“You…”

I glared at him, but before I could finish, he lowered his head and silenced me with a kiss.

Just as the sound of stumbling footsteps came from outside—probably Zhou Ke and Lu Yan returning—Ji Huai’an reluctantly let go. The moment the door opened, he had already returned to his spot.

Lu Yan dumped Zhou Ke into a chair and complained, “He’s so damn heavy, almost killed me.”

He took a sip of water and frowned, “Liang Yi, why’s your face so red?”

“Ah… just the alcohol getting to me.”

“Oh.”

I quickly turned my back to him, afraid he’d notice my swollen lips too.

After Lu Yan and Zhou Ke went to bed, Ji Huai’an was the last to shower. Halfway through, he called out in a low voice, “Liang Yi, I forgot my towel. Can you bring it to me?”

I handed it to him, but he grabbed my wrist instead. My eyes widened as he pulled me into the bathroom without warning.

“What the hell are you doing?” I scolded him quietly.

“Shh—” He winked. “I didn’t get to kiss you enough earlier. Let me make up for it.”

“…”

Then why don’t you put on some clothes first?

My ears burned, but before I could push him away, he leaned in again.

---

The next day, I went to eat with Ji Huai’an, and we ran into Chen Yu.

Ji Huai’an glanced at him briefly before immediately grabbing my hand.

Chen Yu frowned, “You two…”

“Yeah, we’re together,” Ji Huai’an answered for me, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

I glared at him and awkwardly smiled at Chen Yu.

“By the way, I didn’t make it to the dinner last night. What did you want to talk to me about?”

Chen Yu’s face stiffened, and he shook his head. “It’s nothing. I have to get to class.”

He seemed off.

Ji Huai’an squeezed my hand, signaling for me to stop looking at him.

What a jealous guy.

After that day, Chen Yu stopped asking me to do part-time jobs with him. Even when he did, he just sent me the details by phone, leaving me to arrange things myself.

Meanwhile, Ji Huai’an recommended a tutoring gig to me, teaching physics at fifty yuan an hour. If the student’s grades improved, I could even get a raise.

And so, Ji Huai’an added a new routine: taking me to tutoring sessions and picking me up afterward.

On the way back to school, he’d look at me with a beaming smile, his eyes full of pride.

“What’s with that look?” I frowned, feeling uneasy under his gaze.

“I just can’t believe that the little classmate I used to tutor is now tutoring others. It’s amazing.”

“You were the little classmate. I’m a college student now, not so clueless anymore.”

“Yes, yes. Liang Yi is the best!”

He ruffled my hair like he was coaxing a child.

---

After we reconciled, Ji Huai’an became much more touchy-feely. If we were alone in the dorm, he’d inevitably come over to mess with me. Even when the roommates were back, he’d secretly try to get me flustered, enjoying watching me blush.

Sometimes, even in class, he’d hold my hand under the desk. I’d raise an eyebrow and kick him lightly.

“Ji, pay attention in class.”

“Holding hands helps me focus better.”

“…”

After class, Ji Huai’an pulled out two movie tickets like magic, saying he was taking me to see a movie.

It was the sci-fi film I’d been looking forward to.

As we entered the theater, we ran into Chen Yu. He was alone, looking somewhat lonely.

I patted him on the shoulder and greeted him.

“You here to see a movie by yourself?”

“Yeah.”

He glanced at us, his eyes dim, and he became noticeably quieter.

When we sat down, I realized that not only were we at the same screening, but Chen Yu was seated right next to me.

He noticed us holding hands, and I saw a hint of envy in his eyes.

During the movie, Ji Huai’an kept leaning close, whispering things to me and feeding me popcorn. I felt embarrassed about showing affection with Chen Yu there, so I nudged him.

“Sit up straight. It’s awkward if people see.”

“What’s awkward? What, we’ve only just gotten back together, and you’re already tired of me?”

His eyes darkened, and I meekly shook my head.

“No, I’m just… shy.”

“Shy? You didn’t seem shy last night when you asked me to sleep with you…”

Before he could finish, I covered his mouth.

I glared at him and glanced around warily. Thankfully, everyone else was focused on the screen.

Ji Huai’an chuckled and offered me more popcorn. “Eat up, babe.”

I opened my mouth and deliberately bit his finger.

He frowned slightly and leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You’re biting me? Should I bite back?”

So childish.

To shut him up, I held out my hand for him to bite.

But instead of biting, he cupped the back of my head and kissed me.

Crap.

My face turned beet red. Just as I was about to push him away, he let go.

I looked down, too embarrassed to glance around. My whole body felt like it was on fire.

Ji Huai’an is such a menace.

---

During the movie, I exchanged a few words with Chen Yu, but he seemed distracted, barely paying attention.

After the movie, I ran into him in the restroom. I grabbed him and asked, “Chen Yu, what’s been up with you lately? You seem out of it. Did someone mess with you?”

“No…”

He answered softly, looking a bit down.

“Come on, you can tell me. I’ll help you out.”

“No, it’s nothing, really.”

Under my persistence, Chen Yu sighed and, making sure no one was around, finally whispered, “Liang Yi, actually… on the day of the school anniversary, I was planning to confess to you.”