The rain grew heavier, pounding against the umbrella with a dull thud.
Pei Xi walked close to Lu Li, their shoulders occasionally brushing. The faint scent of mint lingered around him.
The dense rain swept against his face, damp and cool, bringing him back to his senses.
He was sharing an umbrella with Lu Li. Both of them were consciously keeping their distance, but the downpour was too heavy—they had to stay close to avoid getting soaked.
They hurried along. By the time they reached the dormitory building, Pei Xi noticed that the left side of Lu Li’s shoulder was completely drenched, while he himself was dry from the waist up, with only his pants cuffs and shoes wet.
A complicated feeling stirred in Pei Xi’s heart. He watched as Lu Li closed the umbrella, and the two of them entered the elevator one after the other.
Inside the elevator, it was just the two of them, quiet and still.
Pei Xi stood behind Lu Li, gazing at his back.
The pure white T-shirt was soaked through, clinging to his back and faintly outlining the muscles beneath.
The subtle scent of mint filled the cramped space, growing thick and palpable.
Pei Xi had said “thank you” too many times—even he felt the words had grown cheap. Yet, he didn’t know how else to express his gratitude to Lu Li.
“Ding—”
The elevator doors slid open slowly.
The two walked into the dormitory one after the other.
Lin Shaojun’s attention was still fixed on his phone screen. Hearing the door open, he reluctantly glanced over, took a quick look at them, and immediately returned his focus to the game. “It’s pouring outside. I thought you two wouldn’t make it back.”
Zhai Jiarui glanced at Lu Li’s umbrella and asked curiously, “How come you two came back together?”
Pei Xi quickly explained, “I ran into Lu Li at the library. Luckily, he had an umbrella.”
Lin Shaojun chuckled. “Oh? Lu actually brought an umbrella when he went out? That’s rare.”
Lu Li took off his damp shirt and tossed it into the laundry basket. “I checked the weather forecast before I left.”
Pei Xi was wiping water droplets off his books with a tissue. Just as he was about to throw the crumpled paper into the trash, his eyes met Lu Li, who had just walked in from the balcony—shirtless.
His pupils dilated in shock, and he quickly turned his head away, shifting his gaze.
What in the world is this?!
In an unnoticed corner, Pei Xi’s ears flushed red.
As the game’s “Victory” announcement echoed, Lin Shaojun finally spared a glance at Lu Li, adopting an interrogative tone as he accused, “Are you dating someone lately?”
Pei Xi pretended to tidy his desk while secretly perking up his ears.
Lu Li poured himself a glass of water, pulled out a chair—its legs scraping against the floor with a harsh screech and said expressionlessly, “What gave you that impression?”
Lin Shaojun leaned in curiously to peek at his phone, but before he could see anything clearly, Lu Li flipped the phone face down on the table and shot him a cold glance. “What do you want?”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk.” Lin Shaojun didn’t dare snatch Lu Li’s phone. He could only force a dry laugh. “Still denying you’re dating someone?”
Lu Li didn’t understand his logic. “Which eye of yours saw me dating anyone?”
Lin Shaojun retorted, “Isn’t it obvious? You’ve changed your phone wallpaper to your girlfriend’s photo, and you’re grinning at your phone every day. It’s seriously creepy, you know?”
After all, Lu Li was famously known as the “Ice King”—always wearing a cold, unfriendly expression toward everyone, as if they owed him money.
Lu Li fell silent for a few seconds before replying, “I’m not dating.”
At least not yet.
He kept that last thought to himself, seeing no need to explain further.
Lin Shaojun widened his eyes, looking at him skeptically. “Really? Then what’s up with your phone wallpaper?”
A faint smirk tugged at the corner of Lu Li’s lips as he snorted coldly. “No obligation to inform.”
Lin Shaojun stared at him for a moment before exclaiming in surprise, “You… you… Lu, are you secretly crushing on someone? Is that why you said you’re not dating—because you haven’t won them over yet?”
“Pfft.” Zhai Jiarui couldn’t help but chuckle.
Lu Li’s expression darkened. “Shut up.”
“Hey, come on, I was just joking. But are you serious?” Lin Shaojun looked at Lu Li, letting out an exaggerated gasp. “With a face like yours, you’re secretly pining for someone? Who is she? Is there really someone you can’t win over?”
Lu Li ignored him, unlocking his phone to check his Douyin notifications. His pinned friend still hadn’t responded—not even a single read receipt.
His mood visibly soured.
“Are you in an online relationship?”
“Man, what’s gotten into you?”
“Lu, have you been possessed by something?”
Lin Shaojun kept rambling, his face full of disbelief.
From behind his bed curtain, Pei Xi quietly listened to their conversation. Hugging his knees, he curled up in the corner of his bed and let out a silent sigh.
A secret crush… So even Lu Li had someone he couldn’t win over.
He suddenly remembered the umbrella Lu Li had tilted toward him and the sight of Lu Li’s soaked shoulder.
That familiar ache welled up in his heart again.
A heavy, suffocating feeling settled in his chest.
“Ding-dong—”
[You have a new message. Please check.]
The vibration of his phone snapped Pei Xi out of his daze. He took a deep breath, pushing down the frustration in his heart, and repeatedly reminded himself that they were just roommates. Thinking any further would cross a line.
“Hah.” Pei Xi opened his Douyin notifications and saw the two messages from [User10557880]. A lump caught in his throat, nearly choking him.
[User10557880: Baby, you haven’t renewed our streak today.]
[User10557880: Secretly watching.jpg]
Wait! Baby?!
Since when did they start calling him “baby”?
Is that even appropriate?!
[User10557880: Read?]
[User10557880: Why aren’t you replying?]
Pei Xi clenched his fingers, torn between shock and panic. Remembering that this user was his top supporter, he swallowed his questions with difficulty and quickly renewed their streak.
[Xixi: Renewed.]
[Xixi: Kneeling in apology.jpg]
[User10557880: Are you hungry?]
[User10557880: It’s raining heavily in Ningcheng. It’s not safe to go out. How about ordering delivery?]
[User10557880: What do you want to eat? I’ll order for you.]
Pei Xi suddenly remembered that both he and [User 10557880] had IP addresses in Ningcheng, which had once led to rumors that he was living with his top supporter.
When he first met [User 10557880], the other’s IP address wasn’t in Ningcheng but in Beicheng—the same place where he had sent the Polaroid photo. Coincidentally, most of their time in Ningcheng overlapped.
He had always assumed that, given the other’s financial means, they must be a small business owner or a wealthy second-generation heir.
But now, it seemed that wasn’t the case.
Could it be that his top supporter was actually a student, just like him, studying in Ningcheng?
If he narrowed it down further, could they possibly be a student at Ningcheng University, just like him?
Thinking this far, Pei Xi felt a creeping sense of dread.
This was not something he wanted to face.
He had never intended to reveal his true identity to anyone, even though User-ge had spent a lot of money on him. He didn’t want his streaming work to affect his real life—at least not until after graduation.
He pondered for a long time how to gently decline the other’s enthusiasm without hurting their pride.
[Xixi: I’m not hungry right now. I just had some snacks. I’ll grab some late-night food at the school gate once the rain stops tonight.]
[Xixi: I remember you’re from Beicheng. Are you working in Ningcheng now?]
Pei Xi tentatively steered the conversation in that direction.
[User 10557880: I’m not from Ningcheng.]
[User 10557880: I’m just studying at Ningcheng University.]
The words “Ningcheng University” startled Pei Xi so much that his hand trembled, and his phone fell directly onto his face, making him gasp in pain.
His heart was now in turmoil, unable to calm down for a long time. So, his top supporter was not only a student but also a fellow student at his university.
Pei Xi rubbed his sore cheek, staring at the chat window with User-ge. His fingers unconsciously scrolled the screen as unease and confusion clouded his mind, leaving him unsettled.
Lin Shaojun: “Lu-dog, what are we eating tonight?”
Lu Li: “Isn’t it still raining?”
Zhai Jiarui: “Let’s just order takeout.”
Lin Shaojun sighed: “If only takeout could be delivered right to the dorm door.”
Lu Li: “Just pick something to eat and order the same for me.”
Lin Shaojun: “Alright.”
Hearing Lu Li’s voice, Pei Xi suddenly remembered the address User-ge had once given him.
Beicheng, Huanhu Jiayuan, Ningcheng University.
No, Lu Li wasn’t gay, so he naturally wouldn’t be interested in a cross-dressing streamer. There was no way he could be his top supporter. Pei Xi quickly dismissed the thought.
Perhaps noticing his prolonged silence, User-ge sent another message.
[User 10557880: What’s wrong? Are you surprised that I’m a student?]
Pei Xi took a deep breath, his hands trembling even as he typed.
[Xixi: Yeah, I thought you were already working. I didn’t expect you to be a student like me.]
[Xixi: What year are you in?]
[Xixi: Is it okay to ask?]
[Xixi: Little cat lying down.jpg]
[User 10557880: Freshman.]
[User 10557880: Do I seem old to you?]
【User 10557880: I don’t mind you asking me anything, as long as you want to ask.】
Pei Xi found it hard to imagine that his top supporter was not only from the same school but also a freshman in the same grade. They might have even crossed paths on campus.
He thought for a long time, unsure of what to say. Unlike User-ge, he didn’t like anyone online prying into his real life—it felt intrusive. But User-ge seemed the opposite. He didn’t appear displeased at all; instead, there was a faint hint of excitement.
Pei Xi politely stopped there. Although he was curious about User-ge’s online identity, asking further would be too impolite.
His mood right now was utterly shattered.
【Xixi: Hmm… I initially thought you were much older than me…】
【Xixi: You usually don’t talk much either. It seems like every time you watch my livestream, you just want to send me some votes.】
【Xixi: Later, whenever there was drama in the livestream, you’d help calm things down, comfort me, and give me sincere advice. It made me feel like you were very mature, almost like the head of our family.】
【Xixi: So I was really surprised to find out we’re around the same age.】
After a long while, the other person finally replied.
【User 10557880: So, do you prefer someone older than you?】
Pei Xi: “??”
Did the topic just jump too quickly? He felt like he couldn’t keep up with User-ge’s train of thought.
【Xixi: I’m not sure…】
【Xixi: I’ve never been in a relationship, and I haven’t met anyone I like yet.】
As he typed this, Pei Xi guiltily glanced at Lu Li, who was leaning against the headboard playing with his phone.
【User 10557880: Then, do you think I fit your ideal type?】
“Thud—”
“Ouch.”
Pei Xi’s pained gasp broke the silence in the dorm.
“What happened?”
“What’s going on?”
Pei Xi rubbed his cheek and mumbled, “It’s nothing. I accidentally dropped my phone on my face.”