“As long as you’ve learned, that’s good.”
He had planned to go to sleep after sending the message, but Lu Xianyan seemed to want to continue talking.
The topic revolved entirely around what had happened in the bathroom earlier.
Shu Ci replied half-heartedly.
When Lu Xianyan sent “You were calling out very softly”, Shu Ci turned off his phone, refusing to respond any further.
Shu Ci felt embarrassed for the rest of the night, but didn’t dwell on it.
However, he noticed that Lu Xianyan seemed to care about it.
Before, Lu Xianyan would only reach out for practical matters—like helping him hang laundry, fold clothes, or bring dinner—usually just two or three messages. But now, he occasionally sent messages asking where Shu Ci was.
It reminded him of awkward small talk from some previous admirers.
At home, he also spent noticeably more time in the living room. Sometimes, when Shu Ci sat on the sofa, he could sense a dip next to him—Lu Xianyan sitting properly beside him, watching a movie together.
Once, in a movie, the word “Zhu” appeared, and Lu Xianyan suddenly asked if he counted as a “Zhu.”
Shu Ci could hear the expectation in his tone.
Lu Xianyan even slightly raised the corners of his mouth and immediately changed Shu Ci’s WeChat nickname to “Zhu” in front of him.
Shu Ci didn’t notice—there was a little heart behind the word.
Of course, most of the time Lu Xianyan remained quiet, tending to practical matters.
But after accidentally locking eyes with him a third time, Shu Ci realized how much Lu Xianyan enjoyed staring at him.
Had he always liked staring at people like this? Shu Ci couldn’t tell.
When returning home with three others, Lu Xianyan always walked on his right rear side.
Was this… a sign that their relationship was improving?
Shu Ci didn’t mind close friendship, especially since he and Lu Xianyan had known each other for many years.
He wanted to be good to Zhu.
So he would squeeze into the kitchen to compliment Lu Xianyan while cooking, or ask for help when feeling lazy.
The result… Lu Xianyan became clingy.
Whenever Shu Ci went somewhere alone, Lu Xianyan would call to ask where he was and say he would wait at home.
Wherever Shu Ci stayed in the living room, Lu Xianyan followed.
It was very dog-like behavior.
Shu Ci didn’t mind; he even felt he was seeing a rarely shown side of Lu Xianyan—a true friend.
He had always thought that way.
Until one time, after being held and biting Lu Xianyan’s neck to finish a symptom, Lu Xianyan leaned to his ear and whispered hoarsely that he wanted to help him—
Shu Ci’s shoulders trembled.
He was completely stunned.
He felt strange, his mind blank, only able to stare at him dazedly.
Both alluring and pure.
A few seconds later, Shu Ci was lifted onto the dining table.
Lu Xianyan seemed to enjoy picking him up like this.
Shu Ci didn’t know that this was a wild wolf’s trick—swaying the anxious little bunny to make him fearfully expose his soft belly willingly.
The little bunny didn’t expect the wolf to actually act.
“Mm…”
The sound was urgent, carrying a hidden whimper.
Lu Xianyan apologized again.
The slight bow of his posture gave Shu Ci the odd impression of training a dog.
Why did he always mistake Lu Xianyan for a dog?
Even when Shu Ci didn’t bite, Lu Xianyan’s humble attitude made him feel guilty: “It’s not… that serious…”
He explained carefully, word by word, the scent on his lips drifting around Lu Xianyan.
“You probably haven’t dated before. Things like this are only for people you’re very close with.”
Lu Xianyan: “We’re Zhu, isn’t that close enough?”
The word “Zhu” made Shu Ci tone soften: “Even as Zhu, this isn’t okay. Not just yesterday, but kissing too—those are only for a boyfriend.”
Lu Xianyan’s expression showed he understood: “Would you allow your future boyfriend to do this?”
Shu Ci thought uneasily: “…I suppose.”
Lu Xianyan: “I won’t do these things anymore.”
He then handed over a plush toy: “I also brought pork belly rice from near Wuda. Are you hungry?”
His sincerity melted Shu Ci’s temper. They went to the living room together. Shu Ci was puzzled: “Aren’t you going to the lab?”
“I took a day off,” Lu Xianyan leaned slightly closer, “If you ignore me, I can’t do anything right.”
From his calm tone, Shu Ci could hear the hurt and unease.
Lu Xianyan truly cared about him.
Shu Ci secretly curved a smile.
A friend’s concern was something worth appreciating.
But he gradually realized something was off—Lu Xianyan would touch his mouth when he had symptoms, knock on the bathroom door after he went in awkwardly, and always stared at him intently.
The focus in his gaze made Shu Ci feel like a bunny being devoured by a wolf.
He didn’t mention it in front of Lu Xianyan, but during a badminton meet with Zhou Mingran, he hinted indirectly: “We’re pretty close, right? I have a question for you.”
Zhou Mingran chuckled, wiping sweat, pulling Shu Ci into a hug: “You still think we’re best? You’re practically a baby with Lu Xianyan!”
He complained, pulling him closer: “Lu Xianyan hasn’t found a place yet? How long are you keeping him? How did you end up living together? Did he approach you first?”
Shu Ci shook his head.
Thinking about the start of this arrangement, he said: “I thought he had a little cat. If he had nowhere to stay, it would be too sad.”
Zhou Mingran: “He has a cat?”
Shu Ci: “Haven’t you seen his Moments? He has a cute tabby cat, though I haven’t seen it since he moved in.”
Zhou Mingran quickly checked his Moments: “Look, there’s nothing here.”
Shu Ci leaned over, confused.
Comparing, Zhou Mingran growled: “So this little guy is only visible to you! What’s he thinking?!”
In the three’s dynamic, Zhou Mingran always considered himself Shu Ci’s closest friend. When he first met Shu Ci, he was still a delicate, pink-toned youth, prettier than most girls, carrying a heavy backpack quietly to school.
After several encounters, he invited Lu Xianyan to join as a friend.
At first, Shu Ci was startled being surrounded, anxiously holding his backpack straps. But when he realized they were friendly, his eyes softened, and he smiled obediently at them.