Autumn in Ningcheng City was fleeting—so short that Pei Xi hadn’t even had time to properly savor it before winter crept in silently.
The school’s greenbelts were planted with many osmanthus trees, their fragrance permeating the air everywhere. As heavy rain fell, osmanthus blossoms scattered across the ground, their delicate scent lingering in every corner of the campus.
The temperature in Ningcheng City dropped day by day. When stepping out in the morning, exhaled breath turned into white mist, and a layer of frost coated the flowers and grass.
Pei Xi bundled up in a down jacket, thermal pants, and dug out a scarf, wrapping himself tightly before daring to venture outside.
It was exam week, and the workload was especially heavy. Pei Xi spent his days shuttling between the classroom and the library, squeezing out every bit of rest time, even reviewing problems while eating.
Pei Xi had just stepped out of the library, holding a cup of hot milk in his hands.
The exam was tomorrow, and he still hadn’t cracked two problems. He had seen Lu Li’s problem-solving approach—clear, smooth, and easy to understand. He really wanted to ask Lu Li for help, but he couldn’t risk exposing his secret identity. There was no way to ask “User 10557880” as “Xixi.”
A biting cold wind howled past. Pei Xi held the cup of hot milk to warm his wind-chapped cheeks. He really ought to buy another hat, preferably one of those styles attached to a scarf that could cover most of his face.
As he passed by the gymnasium, a burst of cheers vibrated against his eardrums. He instinctively glanced inside, only to see a sea of bustling people.
Pei Xi remembered that today was the friendly match between their department and the management department. He paused for a moment, recalling that Lu Li had sent him a message saying he had a basketball game in the afternoon and might not reply to messages promptly.
It had been a long time since he’d stepped into the gymnasium, and his memory of Lu Li playing basketball was hazy.
After a moment of hesitation, Pei Xi still walked into the gymnasium.
By the time Pei Xi arrived, the game was nearly over. Their computer science department was leading by a large margin, making the outcome of the match a foregone conclusion.
His gaze swept over the students sweating on the court, and almost immediately, he caught sight of that familiar figure.
Lu Li was wearing a black jersey today. With his naturally fair complexion, his skin looked even paler, drawing attention effortlessly.
Moving into position, raising his arm, leaping—the basketball traced an arc through the air before cleanly swishing through the net.
Cheers from the spectator stands rose and fell in waves.
Pei Xi’s eyes closely followed Lu Li’s movements, his heartbeat slightly faster than usual.
As the referee’s whistle blew, the game ended.
Pei Xi stood in a corner, watching Lu Li make his way back to the rest area step by step. Students from the spectator stands eagerly handed him bottles of water, shouting his name loudly.
Lu Li didn’t accept any. Instead, he took a brand-new bottle of mineral water from a box, unscrewed the cap, and took a few sips.
Sweat trickled down from his temple, sliding along his cheek and dripping onto his collarbone.
His breathing was heavy, his chest rising and falling noticeably. The back of his jersey was already soaked through.
He picked up his phone and turned to head back to the locker room.
Pei Xi slowly withdrew his gaze. Just as he was about to leave the gymnasium, Zhai Jiarui spotted him.
“Third Bro?!”
Pei Xi had barely stopped when he was pulled into a sweaty embrace by Zhai Jiarui.
Zhai Jiarui slung an arm around his shoulder and steered him toward the lounge, saying, “So this is where you were hiding. I was wondering where you’d gone. Come grab a bite with us later.”
Pei Xi hesitated. “I—I really shouldn’t.”
He didn’t come to watch basketball games often, but he ended up tagging along for meals quite a bit. Every time Zhai Jiarui and the others went out to eat, they’d bring Pei Xi along.
Zhai Jiarui waved it off. “It’s fine. Tonight, we’re going to that barbecue place Lin Shaojun likes. He’s treating.”
The lounge at the gym had a dedicated shower area. As soon as Pei Xi stepped inside, he was hit by the strong scent of shower gel, accompanied by the faint sound of running water.
Zhai Jiarui was already stripping off his clothes as he headed into the shower.
Pei Xi didn’t go further into the lounge, choosing to wait by the entrance instead.
“That place is pretty good. I went there with Zhai Jiarui last time,” Lin Shaojun said cheerfully as he pushed open the lounge door, followed by Lu Li. Spotting Pei Xi by the entrance, he looked surprised. “I was just about to call you. Didn’t expect you to be here. Come on, let’s go eat.”
When Pei Xi met Lu Li’s gaze, he instinctively looked away, turning his attention to Lin Shaojun. “Shouldn’t we wait for Zhai Jiarui?”
Lin Shaojun turned and called out, “Hey, Lao Zhai, we’re heading out with Lao San first. Catch up with us later.”
Almost immediately, Zhai Jiarui’s hurried voice echoed from inside. “Damn, wait for me! I’m almost done.”
Just then, the lounge door opened again. Pei Xi assumed it was Zhai Jiarui, but instead, a stranger walked out.
The guy stepped out holding a few bottles of water, and his eyes lit up when he saw Lu Li. “Oh, so you’re all here. I was looking everywhere for you.”
“Xiao Ye,” Lin Shaojun greeted him.
“Here, this is for you,” Ye Rong handed him a bottle of water before turning his attention back to Lu Li. “Brother Lu.”
“Thanks, but I don’t need it,” Lu Li declined the water, glancing at Lin Shaojun. “Let’s go.”
Lin Shaojun nodded. “Alright, we’ll head out first then.”
Ye Rong quickly followed, positioning himself beside Lu Li and striking up a conversation.
Lin Shaojun clicked his tongue softly, turning to wrap an arm around Pei Xi’s shoulders as he whispered some gossip. “Our Brother Lu has charmed another innocent guy. Tsk, what a shame.”
Pei Xi trailed behind them, watching as the distance between the two gradually closed. He couldn’t hide his surprise and couldn’t help but ask quietly, “Who is he?”
“Ah,” Lin Shaojun scratched his head. “He’s part of the logistics team for our department’s basketball club.”
Pei Xi had been spending most of his time in the library lately and hadn’t visited the gym much, so he hadn’t known about Ye Rong’s existence.
Lin Shaojun gestured toward the two of them with a grin. “They’re just about a head apart in height. Don’t you think they look pretty good together?”
Pei Xi’s breath hitched slightly, forcing a weak smile. “Didn’t you say Lu Li was straight?”
Lin Shaojun sighed helplessly. “Well, that’s still better than that unreliable online fling of his.”
Pei Xi felt as if he’d been shot in the chest, a sour ache rising in his nose. How could he have forgotten? If Lu Li wanted to date, he’d never be short of options.
He watched their retreating figures with a sinking heart, the ache in his chest tightening painfully.
During the meal, Ye Rong once again took the initiative to sit next to Lu Li, showing him plenty of attention.
The others seemed used to this kind of scene, their glances toward the pair carrying a hint of knowing amusement.
Lu Li remained as aloof and unapproachable as ever, but Ye Rong didn’t mind in the slightest. He firmly believed he could warm up this stone.
Pei Xi silently ate his barbecue, his long bangs covering his eyes and hiding his slightly reddened rims.
Seeing Ye Rong place a piece of grilled meat into Lu Li’s bowl, Lin Shaojun teased, “Little Ye, why not give me some? I want barbecue too.”
“Huh?” Ye Rong smiled shyly and quickly put a piece of meat into Lin Shaojun’s bowl, saying bashfully, “Then, then you have some too.”
The others couldn’t help but chime in with a few teasing remarks. Lu Li frowned slightly but said nothing.
Pei Xi tightened his grip on his phone and couldn’t resist opening his chat window with Lu Li.
[Xixi: Sad.jpg]
[Xixi: Do you not like me anymore?]
Lu Li’s phone on the table lit up. Ye Rong, sitting beside him, happened to catch a glimpse of his wallpaper. The smile on Ye Rong’s face froze.
Seeing Lu Li’s expression change, Lin Shaojun thought his joke had gone too far. He toned down his smile and cleared his throat. “Who’s texting you?”
Lu Li gave him a cool glance. “My crush. Don’t you know?”
As soon as he said this, the whole table fell silent for a moment.
Especially Ye Rong, who forced an awkward smile, feeling utterly embarrassed.
He had heard Lin Shaojun mention Lu Li’s crush before, but he hadn’t paid it much mind. As long as they weren’t together, it meant he still had a chance.
But he never expected Lu Li to reject him so publicly, in front of everyone.
Even Pei Xi, who had been quietly eating barbecue, was taken aback. After hearing Lu Li’s words, his mood gradually improved.
Lin Shaojun knew Lu Li wasn’t angry, but he still tried to appease him by piling more meat into his bowl. “Go ahead and reply. Don’t keep your crush waiting.”
The atmosphere grew awkward, and everyone tacitly changed the subject.
[User10557880: What’s wrong?]
[User10557880: I like you. I’ve always liked you.]
[User10557880: What happened?]
[User10557880: Did someone say something that made you misunderstand?]
[User10557880: Don’t listen to what others say. If it’s about me, you can ask me directly. I won’t hide anything from you.]
Pei Xi’s phone kept vibrating, new messages popping up one after another. Even through the screen, he could sense Lu Li’s urgency.
For a moment, he didn’t know how to explain, so he went along with Lu Li’s assumption that he had misunderstood after reading comments online.
Their relationship was already at a tipping point, somewhere between friendship and romance—more intimate than friends but not as close as lovers.
Pei Xi’s gaze fell on Lu Li’s face. That usually calm, indifferent expression was now filled with anxiety. His brows were furrowed, his face tense, looking utterly distressed.
Pei Xi clutched his phone, deliberately not replying to Lu Li’s messages right away. Like a childish kid, he wanted to pay Lu Li back for the unease and sadness he had caused him.
But the satisfaction didn’t last long perhaps only a few seconds before it was replaced by more hurt.
Pei Xi put down his skewer and sighed silently.
[Xixi: Mm…]
[Xixi: Secretly observing.jpg]
The dinner gathering hadn’t ended yet when Ye Rong left early.
No one said anything, silently swallowing the matter as they continued eating and drinking.
Ye Rong’s departure didn’t affect their good mood from winning the match earlier that day.
By the time the gathering ended, it was almost nine in the evening.
It was Friday, so Lin Shaojun and Lu Li didn’t follow the group back to school—a car came to pick them up.
Pei Xi returned to the dormitory with Zhai Jiarui.
[User 10557880: You haven’t given me today’s reward yet.]
[User 10557880: Crying soybeans emoji.jpg]
Just as Pei Xi was about to enter the bathroom with his change of clothes, he saw the message from Lu Li and couldn’t help but smile.
[Xixi: You weren’t good today, so no reward.]
[User 10557880: I was good.]
[User 10557880: I was very good.]
[User 10557880: I want a reward.]
[User 10557880: Please.jpg]
Reading his messages, Pei Xi’s heart pounded rapidly, a sweet feeling flooding his chest.
The “reward” he had promised Lu Li was just sending him a photo every day. It couldn’t really be called a reward, more like a perk for his top supporter.
After all, Lu Li had given him so much.
As Pei Xi browsed through his photo album, the image of Ye Rong and Lu Li walking side by side suddenly flashed through his mind. He pursed his lips, feeling as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, the faint smile on his face quickly fading away.
He finally understood what it felt like to have the vinegar jar overturned.
Silently, he opened another album on his phone—a collection of the most revealing photos he had ever taken.
His hands trembled as he selected a few of them.
After much hesitation, he still sent the photos.
[Xixi: Photo.jpg]
[Xixi: You have to stay this good all the time.]
[Xixi: You can’t like anyone else but me.]
[Xixi: Bossy kitten.jpg]
At the same time, Lin Shaojun stretched in the cramped car, his long legs struggling for space. Just as he was about to complain to Lu Li about changing cars, he turned and saw Lu Li frantically wiping his nose, startling him. “Holy shit?! Lu, are you having a nosebleed?”
The driver glanced in the rearview mirror and quickly turned the car around, searching for a nearby hospital. “Young master, let’s go to the hospital first.”
“No need.” Lu Li’s voice was noticeably flustered as he stuffed his phone back into his pocket, not wanting Lin Shaojun to see its contents.
Lin Shaojun had no idea what was happening. Seeing the blood on Lu Li’s face, he anxiously said, “Was it because of the basketball game this afternoon? Did the intense exercise cause it? Maybe we should still go to the hospital to be safe.”
“No need, let’s go home.” Lu Li certainly couldn’t tell him the real reason. He hadn’t expected his own reaction to be so intense.
Seeing Lu Li insist on going home, the driver didn’t press further and drove him back to his apartment in the city center.
The lights in the apartment were on. Lu Li dragged his tired body inside and collapsed onto the sofa.
Dazedly, he stared at the ceiling light, his restless emotions surging like turbulent waves, stirring up turmoil within him.
He took out his phone, opened the photo album, and found the two photos he had carefully saved.
One of the photos showed [Xixi] casually sitting on the soft cushion of a bay window. He was dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit—the upper part a form-fitting black style with puffed sleeves, while the snow-white apron below barely covered the top of his thighs. His slender legs were naturally crossed, and the ultra-thin, sheer stockings revealed his plump, adorable toes.
On his head, he wore a pair of bunny ear hair clips, looking soft, cute, and undeniably sexy—utterly captivating, like candy wrapped in poppy.
As for the other photo [Xixi] sent, the moment his gaze fell on the screen, his breath caught, and he was lost in thought for a long time.
In this photo, [Xixi] was curled up on a soft sofa, wearing a loose, off-white knit sweater that revealed his delicate collarbone. His long hair cascaded naturally, adding a touch of lazy allure.
On the lower half, he wore a black pleated miniskirt, with his legs pressed together and knees lightly touching.
What caught the eye most was the small, red mole on the inner side of his thigh—strikingly vivid against his porcelain-white skin.
Lu Li stared intently at that mole, desire surging violently in his eyes.
If he were to pinch it hard, would it flush and spread into a faint pink?
Lu Li took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, feeling as if a fire were raging inside him.
He grabbed a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and gulped down most of it, yet the restless heat remained unbearable.