Yan Zimi gradually remembered who this Yu Feng was and how they met.

He just couldn’t say anything about it—not even that he was male.

Last year, after the college entrance exams, Yan Zimi impulsively agreed to Lin Jie’s invitation to go to a gay bar, and that’s where he met this man.

He couldn’t recall the exact details, only that the man looked about seven or eight years older than him.

Although Yan Zimi went that night, he wasn’t in high spirits and barely spoke. Lin Jie handled all the socializing, even handing out his WeChat with a loud flourish.

Lin Jie had even encouraged him, saying, “You’re here already; loosen up a bit.”

The man messaged him for a few days afterward, but probably gave up when Yan Zimi barely replied.

“What are you thinking about?”

Pei Huan tapped his pen on the paper, snapping Yan Zimi back to the present.

“Hm?” Yan Zimi was startled, then shook his head. “Nothing.”

Just now, he’d deleted Yu Feng right in front of Pei Huan, but he still didn’t dare look at him. Instead, he slumped over the desk. “We’re at this question, right?”

He wasn’t sure if Pei Huan would be annoyed that he got distracted from studying.

Pei Huan tapped his pen on the desk twice more. Yan Zimi immediately sat up straight, lips pressing together in seriousness without even realizing it.

Pei Huan chuckled.

“Yan Zimi,” Pei Huan called.

“I’m listening, California st onth,” Yan Zimi replied.

Pei Huan had been a little irritated just now, but seeing Yan Zimi like this, his annoyance vanished in an instant.

Though he couldn’t quite figure out what had been bothering him in the first place.

One thing was clear—it wasn’t Yan Zimi.

Pei Huan’s listening skills were meticulous, and he shared some of his listening strategies with Yan Zimi. The entire morning went by smoothly; aside from that brief little interruption, everything else was focused and efficient.

So efficient, in fact, that Yan Zimi felt like he was back on track, ready to take the exam tomorrow if he had to.

There was another small moment—Yan Zimi managed to snag something Zhao Di wanted, and in a rare show of generosity, Zhao Di treated everyone to lunch.

In the afternoon, Pei Huan had plans to play basketball, so their next listening practice would have to wait.

Pei Huan asked him, “Want to come? Fewer people in the afternoon—I can teach you.”

Yan Zimi, of course, replied, “Sure!”

Pei Huan added, “Need me to get you some wrist guards?”

Yan Zimi thought for a moment. “Are wrist guards enough? I might need to wrap up my wrists, elbows, knees, hips, and head!”

Pei Huan laughed. “Are you mocking me?”

Yan Zimi’s eyes curved with a smile. “Who would dare, Mr. Pei?”

How could Mr. Pei not catch on? Without hesitation, he pinched Yan Zimi’s cheek. “Why should I buy wrist guards?”

Yan Zimi yelped in pain. “I really don’t need them! Last time was just an accident,” he said, rubbing his face. “Who wears wrist guards when they’re just starting to play, anyway?”

From up ahead, Zhao Di suddenly turned around. “You should wear them, Zimi. Last time, you hurt your hand, and Pei Huan was so worried.”

Pei Huan repeated, “His hands are for drawing.”

Zhao Di chuckled, holding back a slew of comments before finally settling on, “Right, right—the hands of an artist.”

He took a step back and added, “By the way, Pei Huan said the jacket he’s wearing today is yours?”

Yan Zimi nodded. “Yep.”

Zhao Di grinned. “Got a link? It’s nice—I want to see if I can find something similar.”

Yu Nan, who had overheard, laughed and turned around. “Forget it, Zhao Di. Do you even have Pei Huan’s physique?”

Zhao Di shot back, “Mind your business, would you?”

Yu Nan smirked, “Why don’t you just ask Pei Huan to let you try it on? If it fits, then buy it.”

Before Zhao Di could respond, Pei Huan flatly rejected, “No.”

Zhao Di choked on his words. “Why not?”

Pei Huan replied, “Because I’m stingy.”

Zhao Di hadn’t expected that answer and was left speechless again.

By the time Yan Zimi chimed in, saying, “I got it from a store, no link available,” Zhao Di finally thought of a comeback: It’s not even your jacket.

But he brushed it off—snapping back after the fact would just make him look defensive.

Besides, if Pei Huan were to respond with something like, What’s his is mine, Zhao Di would just end up losing the exchange again.

Lately, Pei Huan had been so close to Yan Zimi that there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t say.

Zhao Di figured he’d finally seen the “straight guy moves” that Yaya always talked about—this was exactly what she meant by Pei Huan.

During lunch, all four dormmates received a message in their class group chat. It announced a team-building trip to the beach next week, with a choice: type “1” if you’re going, “2” if you’re bringing someone, and respond within three days.

“So, we finally have the semester’s team-building event!” Zhao Di, ever the social butterfly, was the first to speak up.

Their class rep was a pro at organizing events like this. Every time, it was lively and bustling, and the camaraderie among their classmates was in no small part thanks to his efforts.

Yu Nan asked, “You guys going?”

Xiao Dong had already typed “1”: “Of course! Why wouldn’t I? Aren’t you coming?”

Yu Nan and Zhao Di both followed with a “1” as well. Noticing Pei Huan hadn’t responded yet, they asked, “Aren’t you going?”

Pei Huan replied, “Hold on.”

He opened the group chat and handed his phone to Yan Zimi. “Interested?”

Yan Zimi was a bit taken aback. He skimmed through the message quickly, his eyes landing on the last line.

Lightly biting his chopsticks, he read it aloud: “Bringing someone.”

Pei Huan understood Yan Zimi’s confusion. “I’m your student, your junior, your teacher, or your little brother—take your pick.”

Zhao Di laughed. “How is Zimi your teacher?”

Pei Huan responded, “He’s my art teacher.”

The tone Pei Huan used with Zhao Di was dripping with you got a problem with that?—a far cry from how he spoke to Yan Zimi.

Zhao Di couldn’t help but wonder if he’d somehow offended Pei Huan because he was the one catching all the heat today.

After lunch, everyone went their separate ways, and Pei Huan took Yan Zimi to the basketball court.

It was still early, and the court was nearly empty—just as Yan Zimi preferred.

Before stepping onto the court, Pei Huan took off the jacket Yan Zimi had given him and draped it over a chair. Then, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing the bracelet Yan Zimi had gifted him. The small charm dangled and swung, making Yan Zimi quite happy.

Well then, he might as well roll up his sleeves too.

With the ball in hand, Yan Zimi couldn’t resist showing off a trick he’d picked up from another senior recently. He went for a basic three-step layup—just like he’d seen others do.

Of course, there was no chance of it actually going in.

“Was that right?” Yan Zimi turned to ask Pei Huan.

“It was right,” Pei Huan chuckled, “but are you taking a basketball exam?”

Yan Zimi huffed, “As long as it’s right, that’s all that matters.”

But right wasn’t enough. Pei Huan fetched the ball and held it out to Yan Zimi. “Alright, let’s see if you can just touch the ball in my hand.”

Yan Zimi laughed, “Touch the ball? That easy?”

Pei Huan said nothing, only smiled as he dribbled the ball teasingly in front of Yan Zimi.

Two minutes later…

Yan Zimi had definitely overestimated himself—how was Pei Huan so fast?

Even though Pei Huan was right in front of him, and the ball was within reach, Yan Zimi just couldn’t touch it, and Pei Huan was clearly teasing him!

Back and forth they went across the court, with Pei Huan moving effortlessly while Yan Zimi was left scrambling all over the place.

Another minute passed before Yan Zimi finally stopped, holding his ground and just staring at Pei Huan.

Pei Huan came back from three steps away, and Yan Zimi still didn’t move.

After three minutes of continuous motion, Yan Zimi was definitely out of breath, his cheeks slightly flushed. But he was determined not to show it, so he controlled his breathing, exhaling only through his nose.

His chest rose and fell with effort, his mouth slightly pursed, and he wore an expressionless face as he kept his eyes fixed on Pei Huan.

So this is what it’s like playing with a straight guy?

“All right, that’s enough.”

Pei Huan couldn’t help but laugh at Yan Zimi’s expression in that moment. He lifted the ball slightly and placed it right in front of him.

Yan Zimi raised his hand and gave the ball a solid slap, the sound echoing loudly.

“I touched it!” he declared.

Pei Huan chuckled, “Yes, you did.”

At that, Yan Zimi finally broke into a smile.

They were a good distance from the hoop, so Pei Huan handed the ball over to Yan Zimi and pointed toward the basket. “Take the ball over there and make a shot.”

Yan Zimi took the ball, his curiosity piqued. “What if I actually make it?”

Without hesitation, Pei Huan replied, “If you make it, I’ll reward you with a lollipop.”

Yan Zimi, not one to turn down a challenge, responded, “Sounds good!”

With that, he jogged slowly with the ball from one side of the court to the other. When he reached the marked line, he prepared for his shot again—three steps, then up, and—hey!

Using a bit more force this time, he finally managed to make the ball hit the rim.

“Ha ha.”

Yan Zimi was still watching the ball when he heard laughter behind him.

It was the kind of laughter that came straight from the heart, mocking and genuine.

He paused in his steps, intending to retrieve the ball, and turned to look at Pei Huan.

Pei Huan only laughed harder.

“What are you laughing at?” Yan Zimi asked.

Pei Huan proceeded to perfectly illustrate what he found so funny. He picked up the ball, mimicking Yan Zimi’s earlier moves—three steps, then a jump, a stiff, awkward shot.

Yan Zimi stared, speechless.

Oh no, it was kind of funny.

Still, with remarkable self-control, Yan Zimi managed to maintain a straight face as he watched Pei Huan.

Yan Zimi clearly didn’t have the jumping ability for a dunk, so he turned to Pei Huan for help. “Can you assist me?”

Pei Huan was puzzled. “How do you want me to help?”

Yan Zimi stepped a little closer and lightly jumped towards the basketball hoop. “Just like that.”

It was vague, but Pei Huan understood immediately. He chuckled and walked over without hesitation, bending down to scoop Yan Zimi up effortlessly.

Caught off guard by the sudden lift, Yan Zimi gasped, and in the blink of an eye, he was right in front of the hoop. With a quick throw, he sank the ball!

It was just like the video he had watched—it felt amazing!

However, in an unfortunate twist of fate, the ball fell back down, directly hitting Pei Huan on the head.

Pei Huan gasped sharply, clearly surprised, and Yan Zimi hurriedly jumped down. “Are you okay?”

Pei Huan casually touched his head, still recovering from the unexpected hit. “Is this revenge for me laughing at you?”

Seeing that Pei Huan was fine, Yan Zimi smirked. “Yeah, that’s what you get for mocking me.”

Before long, Pei Huan’s friends arrived, and Yan Zimi knew he couldn’t hog Pei Huan’s attention. He casually said he was going to buy some water and left the court.

Counting the number of friends who showed up, Yan Zimi bought several bottles of water. When he returned, they had just made a shot and were lounging around, ready for a break.

Yan Zimi lifted the bag he was carrying.

Immediately, someone noticed. “Hey, did the junior buy this for me?”

Yan Zimi nodded, a grin spreading across his face.

The crowd rushed over, each taking a bottle until only Pei Huan was left. He glanced at the now-empty bag and looked back at Yan Zimi, puzzled. “I didn’t get one?”

Yan Zimi shrugged innocently. “Yup, just you.”

Yan Zimi said it casually, but he still pulled out Pei Huan’s energy drink from behind him.

Pei Huan smiled as he took it, tipping the bottle back to drink.

Yan Zimi crumpled the empty bag in his hands and glanced at Pei Huan’s mouth. “I’ve already had some of that.”

Pei Huan paused for a moment, then continued to drink, his gaze focused ahead.

After finishing a good portion, he capped the bottle and replied, “So you’ve had it, no big deal.”

Yan Zimi chose not to respond further. He couldn’t believe he forgot to check whether the cap was new.

So, it was fine to have had a sip.

He took the remaining water and heard Pei Huan ask, “What took you so long to get the drinks?”

Yan Zimi chuckled, “I saw a cat outside just now,” he said, excitement creeping into his voice. “I didn’t know there were wild cats around campus. It was so cute!”

Pei Huan raised an eyebrow, “So, you were teasing the cat?”

Yan Zimi shook his head, “No, I wanted to play with it, but it ran away.”

Pei Huan asked, “You like cats?”

Yan Zimi nodded enthusiastically, lifting both hands to emphasize, “Yeah! It was white and really small, super fluffy!”

Seeing Pei Huan’s lack of interest in cats, he only replied with a simple “Oh.”

It seemed this hobby wasn’t something they could share, but Yan Zimi still felt the urge to express, “Cats are really adorable. I often watch cat videos online.”

Pei Huan asked, “What’s ‘watching cat videos’?”

Yan Zimi explained, “It’s when you watch videos of other cats,” he chuckled softly, “It’s super enjoyable!”

Pei Huan laughed, “Are they really that cute? What do cats do in those videos?”

Yan Zimi thought for a moment, then moved a bit closer to Pei Huan, leaning down to gently bump his head against Pei Huan’s shoulder. He gave it a little shake and a rub, mimicking the playful movements of a cat.

Yan Zimi’s playful rubbing turned out to be a bit too close for comfort, as he accidentally nudged his nose against Pei Huan’s collarbone.

After his little performance, he exclaimed, “It does this!”

Pei Huan, momentarily taken aback, blinked as he processed the unexpected contact. It took him a moment to regain his composure before he said, “Water. Give it to me.”

Yan Zimi, still caught up in the playful atmosphere, quickly handed over the bottle, but his cheeks were slightly flushed. Pei Huan accepted it, his mind lingering on the brief, intimate moment they had just shared.