Midterms were scheduled for next week.
Each teacher would conduct their own exam in class, counting for 30% of the final grade.
The astronomy club members had only returned on Tuesday, and by the time things settled down, it was already Wednesday. From the class group chat, Ye Ran learned that none of the teachers had given out review guides—apparently, everything covered in lectures was “important.”
A few professors from public courses said they’d assign essays instead. Compared to the unpredictable major exams, that sounded a lot easier.
Across campus, everyone’s energy was finally subdued by the looming midterms.
The forum’s trending posts were no longer things like “Campus heartthrob and his boyfriend’s love life exposed,” “PE department playboy gets beaten up by two girlfriends,” or “Green Vine Restaurant launches new lunch deal—buy a meal, get a free drink, call 132xxxx for details.”
Instead, they were filled with students begging seniors for exam tips about particular professors.
In this tense atmosphere, Ye Ran decided to study at the library with Little Fatty.
“The library’s packed lately. Can’t even find seats on the first three floors,” Little Fatty said as he climbed into bed after his shower. “Ye Ran, let’s head out early tomorrow, yeah?”
Dorm 211’s lights were bright.
Night had fallen, the sky heavy and dim. Streetlamps cast a pale glow over the light drizzle, and the few evergreens outside the dorm stood thin and soaked under the rain.
Brother Shu stood by the window, book of literature excerpts in hand, murmuring aloud:
“Alas, alas—what a desolate autumn scene—”
“Oh, come on, Poet Laureate,” Little Fatty rolled his eyes. “It’s already winter. What autumn are you even talking about?”
Ye Ran was at his desk, packing the books he’d bring to the library the next morning. Hearing that, he looked up at Brother Shu.
Every night, Brother Shu got sentimental. He loved to wear headphones and gaze at the stars. But in reality, the guy was a tall, broad-shouldered one-eighty, all muscle, with a pair of black-rimmed glasses giving him a scholarly look—a strange contrast to his poetic airs.
Little Fatty teased him constantly for being “emo” at night, something Brother Shu firmly denied. He said he wasn’t emo, just inspired.
Every artsy type has their quirks, and Brother Shu’s was—
—soaking his feet.
Ye Ran finished tidying up and was about to climb into bed when he turned around and saw Brother Shu carrying a thermos in one hand and a black herbal pouch in the other. He tossed the pouch into a basin, and in an instant, the water turned pitch dark, filling the air with the faint, bitter scent of mugwort.
“Hey, Ye Ran, wanna soak together?”
Maybe because he’d been caught looking, Brother Shu immediately waved him over, all enthusiasm. He even shifted his legs aside to make space, more than enough for another pair of feet.
The basin was enormous. It could probably fit three pairs of feet, no problem.
From the next bunk, Little Fatty poked his head out, glancing between Brother Shu and Ye Ran, visibly tempted.
Ye Ran smiled and declined. “No, I’ve already showered.”
“Alright then,” Brother Shu said, a little regretfully. “Soaking your feet’s good for your health. I really recommend you guys do it too. I bought two whole boxes of mugwort pouches this year—definitely won’t finish them. If you ever wanna soak, just let me know.”
“Sure, sure!” Before Ye Ran could say anything, Little Fatty suddenly remembered something. “Hey, Brother Shu, didn’t you tell me your biggest dream in college was… uh, what was it again?”
“To soak feet with my roommates,” Brother Shu said solemnly, clutching his thermos.
“Right! That’s it!” Little Fatty’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Well, you’ve already completed one-third of your mission. Who knows if you’ll manage the other two-thirds before graduation.”
Brother Shu blinked, confused. “Why only one-third?”
“You forgot? We soaked together last month.” Little Fatty said with utter sincerity.
Brother Shu: “?”
Their eyes met, and in that firm, utterly convincing gaze, Brother Shu saw something like disappointment.
Wait, what?
The words “Impossible” were on the tip of his tongue but he swallowed them back. No way… had he actually soaked feet with Lin Feipeng before?
Foot soaking, the sacred combination of health maintenance, friendship, and heartfelt conversation, had always been Brother Shu’s ultimate brotherhood ritual.
And he’d already done it once without even remembering?
“Really…?” he asked uncertainly. “How did it feel?”
Little Fatty, realizing he’d hooked him, said casually, “Well, you drank two bottles of beer that night, so it makes sense you forgot. How did it feel? Hmm…”
He was about to throw out a random adjective when he caught Ye Ran’s curious gaze from the corner of his eye and immediately switched gears:
“Of course it felt amazing! Hot water, sweating out all the fatigue—like your whole body’s floating, soaring through the clouds!”
Brother Shu’s eyes lit up, clearly impressed. Hearing something so poetic from Little Fatty was a once-in-a-lifetime event. “Exactly! That’s exactly it!”
Ye Ran glanced at the dark water in Brother Shu’s basin. “…The mugwort does smell nice.”
A faint, soothing bitterness filled the air—not too strong, not too weak.
His childhood friend liked mugwort baths too.
“Ye Ran, why don’t you try it?” Little Fatty urged him. “This is Brother Shu’s life mission! As his brothers, we’ve gotta help him out!”
“Uh?” Ye Ran paused, then thought about it. “Sure, why not.”
The moment the words left his mouth, both Brother Shu and Little Fatty froze for two full seconds.
He agreed?
He actually agreed?!
Little Fatty stared in disbelief, but seeing Ye Ran calmly climb into bed like it was nothing, he swallowed back his questions. “Then… tomorrow night?”
“No!” Brother Shu said immediately.
Little Fatty: “?”
Brother Shu tapped his phone. “Let’s wait till Saturday. I just checked the almanac—it says Saturday’s the right day for soaking feet with brothers.”
Little Fatty: “???”
You’ve got to be kidding me…
He took a deep breath. “Fine! I’m in too! Our brotherhood foot-soaking session—it’s a date!”
That night, Shen Shi didn’t return to the dorm until after ten.
As soon as he walked in, the faint scent of mugwort still lingered in the air. Knowing Brother Shu’s habit, he didn’t think much of it.
The mosquito net over the opposite bed lifted slightly, and Ye Ran poked his head out. He looked sleepy, his eyelids drooping as he leaned over the edge and said softly, “You’re back?”
Shen Shi looked up at him, walked over, and said quietly, “Sorry, I’ve been busy the past few days.”
“It’s fine,” Ye Ran replied. “Is it because of midterms? I’m going to the library with Little Fatty tomorrow too.”
Shen Shi paused, then nodded. “There’s a financial modeling project I have to finish.”
Ye Ran thought of the “pretend boyfriend” plan, but seeing the tired look on Shen Shi’s face, he didn’t bring it up. “Mm. Go shower and rest.”
Shen Shi didn’t move right away.
He was tall, and even standing beside Ye Ran’s bed, the two weren’t far apart. His black hair fell over his face, casting a faint shadow.
After a moment, he pinched his fingers together slightly, and asked, “What did you do today?”
Ye Ran smiled. “Didn’t do anything. Slept till past ten in the morning, then took another nap till three in the afternoon.”
Shen Shi asked, “Still sleepy now?”
“A little,” Ye Ran said. “Maybe I didn’t rest well in the mountains.”
There were many reasons he hadn’t slept well. But those few days had truly been exhausting—each day more draining than the last. In just five days, it felt as if life had run at eight times its usual speed.
He heard the sound of a curtain being lifted. Just as he turned to look, a hand gently cupped the back of his head. Instinctively, he tilted downward with the motion. Warm breath brushed his cheek. Shen Shi’s eyes were half-lidded, his pale and handsome features close. The five fingers pressing lightly against the back of Ye Ran’s head were long and strong.
In the next two seconds, Shen Shi kissed him.
Ye Ran: “?”
Ye Ran: “!”
He was so startled by the sudden kiss that his mind went blank. Then came a sharp click of someone’s tongue.
Ye Ran turned just in time to see Little Fatty climbing down from his bunk with a dark expression.
The question Ye Ran nearly blurted out got stuck in his throat. Only after Little Fatty went into the bathroom did he finally look back at Shen Shi, a dazed flush creeping up behind his ears.
“…What was that?”
“Reflex,” Shen Shi said quietly. “Sorry.”
Ye Ran swallowed. The softness lingering on his lips refused to fade. He felt unbearably self-conscious and couldn’t bring himself to meet Shen Shi’s eyes. “Then… I’m going to sleep?”
“Mm.” Shen Shi withdrew his hand. He could still feel the faint, silky touch of Ye Ran’s hair between his fingers. “Go to sleep.”
Then, as if it were an afterthought, he asked casually, “You and Lin Feipeng—what time are you going to the library tomorrow?”
“Around seven or eight.”
“Got it.”
After Shen Shi left, Ye Ran slowly lay back down, pressing his forehead against the wall. His breathing was uneven.
The curtain over his bed blocked the dorm’s light.
Dim, shadowed.
He’d thought the whole “pretend boyfriend” thing could take a break for now, but judging by Shen Shi’s reaction… he seemed to take it very seriously. So seriously that he’d even developed a reflex.
Alright then.
Ye Ran shut his eyes, deciding he should probably be just as responsible.
Next time something like this happened, he should try not to get too startled—otherwise, all of Shen Shi’s previous efforts might end up wasted.
The bathroom door slid open.
Little Fatty came out, pulling up his pants.
As he passed Shen Shi, he gave him a casual glance then froze mid-step, staring at the faint flush still coloring Shen Shi’s neck.
“…?”
Was the dorm hot?
It had been the same yesterday—after their class meeting, he’d rushed back and seen Shen Shi just about to head into the bathroom. His neck and ears had both been slightly red. His expression, however, was cool and calm, his dark eyes steady and unreadable.
That look had sent a jolt through Little Fatty. As a straight man, it made him shudder uncontrollably. The atmosphere in the dorm had felt strange then, and it did again now, so strange that goosebumps prickled up his arms.
He shook his head, climbed back into bed, and buried himself under the blanket.
…Shen Shi really was one terrifying gay guy.
***
The next morning, the sky was just beginning to pale with light.
Dark clouds hung low in the distance, drizzle as fine as strands of hair. Many students on the road wore only hats, not even bothering with umbrellas.
Ye Ran and Little Fatty got up on time. Brother Shu, though usually laid-back, was diligent in class. He treated his Chinese literature major like a sacred calling, so midterms didn’t faze him in the least.
After leaving the dorm, Ye Ran pulled his hoodie up over his head. He was still half-asleep, his black hair soft and messy, a small mole at the corner of his eye drooping languidly against his pale skin.
Little Fatty couldn’t be bothered with an umbrella either. The two of them dashed through the rain to the cafeteria. Just as they sat down with their food, Ye Ran received a message from Shen Shi.
—Where are you?
Ye Ran: [Cafeteria.]
Little Fatty noticed and asked, “What’s up?”
“Nothing,” Ye Ran replied. “Shen Shi’s coming here too.”
Little Fatty raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t he leave early?”
“He’s probably been busy. Maybe only has time for breakfast now.”
Little Fatty stared at him in silence. “…”
Yeah, right.
Soon after, Shen Shi entered the cafeteria.
There weren’t many people. Review week meant no early classes, and most students were still sleeping in.
He and Ye Ran both wore black padded jackets, similar in style with high collars. Though not the same brand, together they looked perfectly matched, so much so that just looking at them was pleasing.
Raindrops clung to Shen Shi’s dark hair, emphasizing his cold, composed features. A few students glanced their way but quickly looked down again, intimidated by his aura.
Ye Ran had already gotten food for him, soy milk and steamed dumplings.
Shen Shi sat beside him. “Thanks.”
“It’s nothing,” Ye Ran said. Feeling the subtle gazes around them, he paused, then added, “No need to be polite.”
Sensing something, Shen Shi slowly lifted his gaze. “What are you eating?”
“The same as you.”
Shen Shi hummed softly and took a sip of soy milk. “Sweetened?”
Ye Ran tensed slightly. “You don’t like it?”
“No,” Shen Shi said. “I like it very much.”
Breakfast ended quickly.
As soon as they left, the campus forum was already buzzing, posts about how sweet they looked together spreading fast.
Ye Ran scrolled through one particularly enthusiastic thread, feeling secretly pleased. Beside him, Little Fatty caught a glimpse and twitched his lips.
“Didn’t you say you’d stop checking the forum?” he asked, eyeing Ye Ran suspiciously.
Ye Ran smiled, slipping his phone away. “Next time, I won’t.”
Little Fatty didn’t press further, though a faint suspicion stirred in his mind.
…Was Ye Ran getting a bit love-brained?
When they arrived at the library, the first three floors were already packed. The two had no choice but to go up to the fifth floor, where they finally found seats.
Barely five minutes after sitting down, Little Fatty noticed Ye Ran picking up his phone again.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and waited for Ye Ran to put down his phone before whispering, “Who was that?”
Ye Ran whispered back just as softly, “Shen Shi. He asked where we are.”
Little Fatty’s head felt a little muddled.
…Shen Shi seemed kind of love-brained too.
He shook his head, deciding not to think about such trivial things, and threw himself into studying.
The morning flew by.
At noon, the two of them left the library at exactly eleven and went to the cafeteria for lunch.
They arrived too early—there were only a few scattered people at each food window. After finishing their meal, while Little Fatty was contentedly wiping his mouth, he noticed Ye Ran’s phone light up again.
Ye Ran was at the next window buying a hot drink, and the lock screen hadn’t yet dimmed. So, with just one glance, Little Fatty saw who the message was from.
Shen Shi: [I’m done. Want to eat together?]
Little Fatty: “…”
This never ends, huh.
All day long, no matter where or when, Shen Shi’s messages always arrived just after they’d moved to a new location.
Little Fatty was exhausted. When they left the library that evening and he saw Shen Shi waiting at the entrance, a single thought flashed through his mind—
Why won’t this d*mn ghost just stop haunting us?!
The sky was dark and heavy, the cold wind biting.
The three of them pulled their jackets tighter and walked back to the dorm together.
When they got there, Brother Shu was still soaking his feet. Ye Ran showered first, then climbed into bed. Not long after, Shen Shi stood at the foot of his bunk, quietly asking what he’d done that day.
Under the bright dorm lights, one looked cold and sharp, the other soft and gentle—visually, they matched perfectly.
Little Fatty curled his lip in disdain. What Ye Ran did today, don’t you already know?
A strange sourness welled up in his chest. Not long ago, Ye Ran had been closest to him—they’d eaten together, gone to class together, even watched variety shows side by side…
But now, even doing something as simple as soaking their feet and bonding as brothers had to be secretly planned around when Shen Shi wasn’t around.
It had only been a few days, and Shen Shi had already overtaken him on the curve, using “dating tactics” to glue himself completely to Ye Ran.
Fuming, Little Fatty took his shower, then lay on his bed, feeling pitifully sour.
The dorm was quiet. Gradually, drowsiness crept in, and scenes from the past replayed in his mind like a slow-motion movie.
When the semester first began, he’d made quick judgments about his three roommates.
Shen Shi was an absolute loner—cold, handsome, taciturn, hard to approach.
Brother Shu was a slightly goofy literary type—odd, sharp-tongued, easygoing in temperament.
The one he’d liked most was Ye Ran: gentle, clean, with no bad habits, careful and reliable. The only downside was that he wasn’t as social as Little Fatty himself—but otherwise, he was the ideal “perfect brother” he’d always imagined.
So, for the first two months of school, he and Ye Ran had been the closest. Outside of class, they were practically inseparable. Even in the dorm, they chatted often—no matter what he said, Ye Ran always listened attentively.
When had that closeness begun to fade?
It probably started the night Ye Ran got sick and Shen Shi took him to the hospital.
After that came the club sign-ups, walking to class together, going out to play…
He’d faintly noticed something was off. That’s why he’d kept trying to get Ye Ran to join the hiking club with him. Ye Ran had almost agreed—but in the end, didn’t sign up, all because of one sentence from Shen Shi—
…
It was a cloudy afternoon. The dorm lights were off, all four of them resting inside.
He and Ye Ran were sitting together when he asked if Ye Ran wanted to join the hiking club. Just as Ye Ran was about to agree, Shen Shi, who’d apparently overheard them, suddenly stood up and looked over. His eyes were dark and deep, made even colder by the dim light.
“Two clubs,” Shen Shi said in an emotionless voice that Little Fatty could still recall even now. “The schedules will probably conflict.”
Ye Ran was punctual and conscientious. The moment he heard that, Little Fatty knew it was over. Sure enough, Ye Ran soon apologized, saying he only wanted to join one club.
Dejected, Little Fatty returned to his spot, hearing the unhurried sound of running water as Shen Shi filled his cup.
…
The dream drifted on.
He dreamed of the days after military training ended.
He’d gotten sunburned—his face peeling painfully and itching constantly. Ye Ran had been helping him apply ointment every day. Then one day, Shen Shi happened to walk in on them mid-application.
Shen Shi had watched for a moment, and later, on an afternoon when Ye Ran wasn’t around, said to him casually, “For that kind of sunburn, it’s better to have the campus doctor treat it. That way it won’t scar.”
He’d always known he wasn’t handsome, but that definitely didn’t include having scars on his face.
So starting the next day, rain or shine, he went to the campus clinic every morning for treatment.
Ye Ran, good-tempered as always, didn’t think anything of it. He’d even ask about how the skin was healing from time to time.
Even Shen Shi, usually so quiet, would occasionally chime in a word or two, strengthening Little Fatty’s resolve to keep going.
During that period, even though the campus doctor clearly disliked his daily visits, Little Fatty stayed steadfast—waiting for hours if necessary, just to have the doctor apply the ointment.
…
Suddenly, Little Fatty jolted awake, heart thudding.
A few seconds later, he slammed his fist onto the bed in anguish.
“D*mn it—!”
He finally realized.
Shen Shi, you dog!
You played me like a fool!
So… just how long had Shen Shi been bent? Had he been scheming this all along?!
If he was going to die, he wanted to die knowing the truth.
Grinding his teeth, Little Fatty grabbed his phone, full of regret, and furiously typed into Baidu:
“How to tell if a straight guy has turned gay?”
Dozens of search results popped up at once—the first being a public account called “All About Sex & Relationships.”
Little Fatty immediately clicked on the link:
[1] Determine if you’re gay by flirting with someone of the same sex;
[2] Determine if you’re gay by kissing or holding hands with someone of the same sex;
[3] Determine by…
Little Fatty: “…”
Little Fatty: “…………”
His face darkened as he closed the page. What kind of lunacy is this? Who said I was trying to figure out if I am gay?!
Sure enough, you couldn’t rely on Baidu for something like this.
Completely unreliable.
Taking a deep breath, he opened another app—the one with a blue-and-white logo—and typed into the search bar:
[Gay Forum]
Then he posted:
Title: “Excuse me, in this situation, is my friend still straight?”
[FatFatIsSpeechless]: Here’s the thing. I’ve got a friend who used to be absolutely straight. But one day, out of nowhere, he started getting super close with another one of my friends. They’re practically glued together—same club, same classes, always hanging out. So tell me, was my friend already gay all along?
Little Fatty stared at the screen, waiting.
No replies for ages.
Getting impatient, he was about to switch back to Baidu for more searching when, suddenly, a reply popped up. His eyes lit up as he leaned closer to read it—
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: …
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: What’s up, you straight guys forming a “bromance squad” lately?
[FatFatIsSpeechless]: Bro, be serious! Was my friend already gay? Did he do it on purpose? Was he fishing for my other friend all along?!
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: Heh.
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: I’ve got two friends. One kissed a straight guy. The other, drunk one night, said he wanted to marry a straight guy. You tell me—are they still straight?
Little Fatty was stunned. That’s possible?!
Straight men’s reputations were being destroyed for no reason! Outraged, he quickly replied:
[FatFatIsSpeechless]: Of course not!
A second later, [Falling Flowers Are Heartless] replied instantly—
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: Wrong.
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: Completely wrong.
[Falling Flowers Are Heartless]: Straight men are exactly that kind of creature—some will kiss, hold hands, and “help each other out” with their bros. Never believe a straight man will choose to turn gay, and never believe one can be turned gay. Remember that, deep in your bones.
Little Fatty: “?”
Little Fatty: “???”
Wait, I’m straight too—how come I’ve never heard of this?!
What the h*ll?
Who’s out here ruining the reputation of straight men—those two “friends” of yours?!
Boiling with rage, Little Fatty was nearly dizzy from disbelief.
But… that Falling Flowers Are Heartless guy sounded so confident. Could it be…?
No, no, no. Shen Shi and Ye Ran had both admitted they were gay—what was he still doubting?
Finally regaining some clarity, Little Fatty furiously uninstalled the forum app and slammed his fist on the bed—
D*mn you, Shen Shi! You stole my best bro!
You actually pretended to be pure to trick both me and Ye Ran! And not only did you win him over—you even turned him gay!
Ye Ran had been perfectly straight—so simple and innocent, probably didn’t even know what being gay really meant before this.
And now? Not only was he bent, everyone knew about it!
Little Fatty slowly lifted his head, staring into the darkness behind the curtain, then shut his eyes in despair.
It’s all my fault…
Shen Shi, your heart is filthy!!!
