Wu Suo Wei had been gaining traction for his sharp, stylistic skating, and Coach Xu had high hopes for him to win nationals this year. He trained hard every damn day.
Life in the dorms was simple but rhythmic.
He'd wake up at 5 a.m. for his morning runs, shower, throw on a clean shirt, and grab breakfast with Xiao Shuai, who was also an early riser. After that, he'd catch up on assignments or watch figure-skating clips to study his form. He always reviewed Coach Xu's notes, even though the man's handwriting looked like tangled noodles.
Sometimes, he and Chen Rui played League of Legends late into the night. Other times, he'd sneak into the medical department with Xiao Shuai just to keep him company and somehow always left with a few free pain-relief patches as reward.
After classes, he'd hit the basketball court with Da Qiang, sometimes joined by Xiao Shuai. Then it was straight to the gym for lower-body strength work. Regionals were coming, and Wu Suo Wei refused to be anything less than ready.
He wore a white half-tank with a graphic print and loose gym shorts. Headphones in, he focused on his sets, squinting at the chart his coach had scribbled on a page.
"Are you also confused by the chart?"
"Eh?"
"Here, look at my notes. It'll help you."
A tall guy stood beside him—soft features, dark navy athleisure, straight-cut hair with multiple piercings along his left ear. His voice was calm but carried a quiet sympathy.
Wu Suo Wei recognized him instantly. "Senior Wen Zhuyan! What are you doing here?"
"Came to check up on you."
"Save me, please! Coach Xu is ruthless with these sets. Look! I'm going to end up with muscle fatigue!"
"Hmm," Wen Zhuyan smiled. "Don't overdo it. Take it one set at a time. Rest properly. And if you're sore—swim. Always works for me."
"Seriously? I'll try that."
Zhuyan glanced over the messy chart, sighing. "Coach's handwriting is a crime."
"Tell me about it."
Wu Suo Wei kept lifting, sweat dripping, unaware of a few girls peeking through the door.
"Zhuyan-ge, you're a genius! That note you left about rotational speed on the forward jump it helped a ton! You've gotta show me your trick."
"Tomorrow. Practice your jumps with Coach today," Zhuyan said, laughing. "Finesse the basics, kiddo."
"Oh, there you are, Wen Zhuyan!"
A girl's voice made everyone turn. Petite, fair, bob-cut hair, denim skirt, white T-shirt under an oversized jacket—Sang Zhi.
"Oh right! The banners. Totally forgot," Zhuyan said, scratching his neck.
Wu Suo Wei had seen her around before always at the rink or near the running track. She was famous: one of China's top five female skaters, a national and international champion.
"Oh, you must be Wu Suo Wei, the new star recruit?"
"Eh? You know me?"
"Of course. Coach won't shut up about you 'Look at Wu Suo Wei, up before sunrise every day.'"
"That's… a bit much," he mumbled. "You guys are way better than me."
Zhuyan patted his back. "Coach doesn't exaggerate. You've got real potential."
Wu Suo Wei turned red. He wasn't used to compliments, especially from people he admired.
As they left, he noticed the plaster on Sang Zhi's knee. That explained her absence from practice this semester.
Fridays were freer. Wu Suo Wei met Da Qiang at the basketball court. Xiao Shuai sat on the sidelines, lost in a webnovel.
"DaWei, don't you have practice?"
"In the evening. I've got time. What're you reading?"
"It's a romance between an idol and his childhood crush."
"Nice. I like sports and horror manga."
"Wu Suo Wei! Dunk for us!" Da Qiang yelled.
They played until their shirts stuck to their skin. Wu Suo Wei was light on his feet, jumping higher than anyone, dunking twice just to show off.
Then a voice from the other side of the court cut through the laughter.
"Oh, look—it's that guy from the gangbang photos," someone sneered.
Wen Chao. Of course.
His group snickered. Wen's girlfriend, Lily Zhang, leaned in. "Really? He doesn't look the type."
"Yeah," Wen said loudly, staring at Xiao Shuai. "Those innocent ones are the filthiest inside."
The whispers spread. Xiao Shuai froze, pale as chalk. Wu Suo Wei's stomach dropped.
"What the hell did you say?" Da Qiang barked.
"Wen Chao, apologize!" Wu Suo Wei snapped. "Xiao Shuai's a hundred times better than you'll ever be."
"You bastard! Think you can match me?"
"No," Wu shot back. "I could never stoop that low. God forbid I end up pathetic like you."
The crowd murmured. Lily Zhang eyed Wu Suo Wei curiously.
Da Qiang stepped forward. "Since you love leaks so much, maybe I'll leak your gambling records to the student bulletin."
Wen Chao's face went white. "What are you idiots waiting for? Get them!"
"Xiao Shuai, Dawei, RUN!" Da Qiang shouted.
Wu grabbed his backpack and bolted. Xiao Shuai followed, still shaken.
One of Wen's thugs, Max, chased after them.
"Shuai! Head to the west building ; the nurse's office has security guards! Go!"
They split. Wu Suo Wei ran east, baiting Max.
"Catch me if you can, dumbass!" he yelled, legs burning.
After a long chase, Max collapsed on a bench, gasping. Wu Suo Wei ducked behind the old swimming-pool building, spotted an abandoned storage shed, and slipped inside.
Cool wooden floor. Shade. Finally.
He lay down, panting until he heard voices.
He opened his eyes. Two upside-down figures stared back at him. One standing, one kneeling. Disheveled clothes. The air heavy.
Oh no. A couple's spot. Of course. I am screwed again! My luck is truly rotten these days...
He scrambled up, facing away. "I didn't see anything! Sorry! Just let me hide for a minute, I swear I'll be gone."
The taller guy lean, sharp-eyed, cigarette between his fingers watched him.
"What's your name?"
"Wu Suo Wei."
"Wu Suo Wei?"
"Yeah. I named myself that. Problem?"
The man smirked. "You seem to attract problems."
Wu Suo Wei blinked. "Tell me about it." He poured water over his head, soaking his hair.
The other man, Wang Shuo, scowled. "You're the idiot who dumped beer on Wen Chao!"
"That asshole deserved it."
"You know who his family is?"
"Why should I care?"
"Watch your mouth, delivery boy."
"Maybe teach your cousin manners first."
"You—!"
"I've got training," Wu Suo Wei said, grabbing his bag. "Enjoy your… whatever this is. Oh, and tell Wen Chao not to mess with us again."
He ran off.
Chi Cheng exhaled smoke, amused. "Troublemaker."
Wang Shuo glared. "You want him, don't you?"
Chi Cheng said nothing.
"He's straight. Not like us."
Chi Cheng flicked his cigarette. "Don't call me out here again."
He left for the gate, where a black Mercedes waited.
"Finally!" Guo Chengyu waved from the passenger seat. "Grandpa called you too?"
Chi Cheng nodded.
"Dragged me into it," Chengyu grumbled as they drove toward the Chi estate.
The mansion buzzed with laughter. Hawaiian-themed birthday party. Chairman Chi Huiesang, head of Chi Enterprises, wore a floral shirt and sun hat, beaming when his grandson walked in.
"Xiao Cheng! You came! Haven't seen you in ages!"
Chi Cheng handed him a small black box. "Happy birthday, Laoye!"
Chairman Chi opened it eagerly—a vintage Kodak film camera. Inside the box was an old film negative.
He froze. His parents' faces looked back at him from decades ago.
"Xiao Cheng… how did you..."
Madam Chi appeared with a tray of food. "You've lost weight again," she said, setting dumplings on the table.
"Soup dumplings?" Chairman Chi grinned.
"Made them myself," she said proudly.
Tears welled in the old man's eyes. "This… this is the best gift I've ever received."
Chi Cheng only smiled faintly and started eating.
"See, Chengyu? That's filial piety. You just gave me a massage coupon."
"Hey! It's the thought that counts!"
Chairman Chi chuckled. "Cheng, when are you going to settle down, hm?"
"Laoye, please; not today."
"His type's too specific," Chengyu teased.
Chairman Chi leaned back. "Listen, son. College is for figuring yourself out. When I was your age, I flirted with your Laolao by day and ran factory machines by night. I don't care who you end up with—just find someone worth your effort. I'll be happy either way."
"You really are the Gen-Z grandpa," Chengyu said.
"One hundred percent!"
They laughed and clinked their beers.
Meanwhile, back in downtown Beijing, Wu Suo Wei was doing what he did best—taking care of people.
He brought Xiao Shuai to The Courtyard, his grandparents' noodle shop, hoping to lift his mood.
"Laolao! I brought a friend! We're starving!"
His grandmother fussed, quickly filling the table with dishes. The quiet afternoon filled with the smell of broth and garlic.
Xiao Shuai tasted the noodles, eyes brightening. "Dawei… this is amazing."
"Right? Family recipe. Laolao guards it like state secrets."
They ate in silence for a while, comfort in every bite.
Wu Suo Wei finally said, "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Wen Chao's just another spoiled bastard. Don't let him get to you."
Xiao Shuai nodded slowly. "It's fine. It just… caught me off guard. It's been a while since it came up."
He took a sip of iced tea, breath steadying. Then, softly, he began to explain what really happened.