The warm breeze stirred gently through the campus courtyard. Students milled around, heading to classes or lounging under the shade of trees. Wu Suo Wei sat on a low wall, hugging his backpack to his chest, eyes occasionally flitting toward the basketball court – toward Chi Cheng, who was shooting hoops in his usual calm, focused manner.
Beside Suo Wei stood a boy with neatly parted black hair and an amused expression – Jiang Xiao Shuai had finally returned.
"Still watching him, huh?" Xiao Shuai teased lightly, nudging Suo Wei with his elbow.
"I– I wasn't!" Suo Wei blinked, cheeks flushing as he tightened his hold on his bag.
"You always say that." Xiao Shuai grinned and stretched lazily. "You've gotten even cuter while I was away."
"You were gone for barely a week," Suo Wei mumbled, flustered. "Don't say weird things..."
Just then, a smooth voice cut in behind them.
"Back from your little trip, huh?"
It was Guo Cheng Yu, hands in his pockets, his usual mischievous glint present in his eyes. His gaze briefly flicked toward Xiao Shuai, who glanced back at him with an unreadable look.
"Oh. You noticed?" Xiao Shuai replied casually.
"Hard not to," Cheng Yu said, then turned to Suo Wei, flashing a playful smile. "And I see my Wei Wei has been well protected in my absence."
Suo Wei's eyes widened. "D-Don't call me that," he stammered, voice nearly a whisper as his fingers fidgeted with the strap of his bag.
Chi Cheng's head snapped up from the court. He saw Cheng Yu standing just a little too close to Suo Wei, who looked shy and trapped between the wall and the flirtatious senior. Xiao Shuai stood beside them with a mild smirk, arms crossed.
Chi Cheng narrowed his eyes, chest tightening as he tossed the basketball aside and grabbed his water bottle.
"Hey!" Cheng Yu called out, pretending not to notice the silent tension. "Nice shot earlier, Cheng-ge."
Chi Cheng didn't respond. He simply took a slow sip from his bottle, his eyes trained on the scene like a predator sizing up a rival. Suo Wei peeked in his direction, then looked down quickly, heart thudding in his ears.
Xiao Shuai whispered close to Suo Wei's ear, "You might want to breathe. Your crush is coming."
"W-We're not–" Suo Wei began, but the shadow of Chi Cheng fell over them before he could finish.
"I need to talk to you," Chi Cheng said calmly, eyes on Suo Wei, voice low.
Suo Wei blinked. "M-Me?"
Chi Cheng didn't wait for a response. He simply grabbed Suo Wei's wrist – not harshly, but firmly – and pulled him gently along.
Cheng Yu let out a long, impressed whistle. "Oof. That's my cue."
As they walked away, Xiao Shuai turned to Cheng Yu. "You're trouble."
Cheng Yu smirked. "Only a little. But I bet you missed me."