9:50 p.m.
Dorm 211 was, for once, all present.
Little Fatty was watching a variety show, Brother Shu was gaming, and Shen Shi sat in his chair, lazily reading a book. Ye Ran glanced over a few times, catching sight of the English title on the cover.
The finance professor was known to be responsible — just two weeks into the semester, he’d already assigned them to read related materials, and rumor had it there’d be a quiz next class.
The dorm lights blazed bright.
Ten minutes later, Little Fatty stretched and stood up. They’d had P.E. that day. He’d taken basketball and since returning at noon, he’d been saying he wanted to shower early and sleep well to “recover his strength.”
“Anyone need the bathroom? If not, I’m gonna shower first,” he called to the others.
Brother Shu was completely immersed in his game, his earbuds perfectly blocking out the noise.
Shen Shi gave a lazy “Mm,” and said, “Go ahead.”
Ye Ran shook his head too.
“Alright, then I’m going,” Little Fatty said.
He rummaged through his closet for pajamas, grinning sleazily. “Anyone wanna go together? Heh heh.”
—Hiss.
Ye Ran froze.
Are straight guys this perverted?!
No one in the dorm responded. Shen Shi, head propped on one hand, sat under the warm orange glow of his desk lamp, the light outlining the sharp line of his jaw. He didn’t bother replying, while Ye Ran quickly averted his gaze, heart racing.
…What should he do?!
Even his breathing felt stiff.
He had just lied to Shen Shi tonight, claiming he was straight.
In his nineteen lazy years of life, Ye Ran had never told such a colossal lie. The bowstring was drawn, there was no taking the arrow back now. Whatever his reason at the time, he had to maintain this straight-guy persona. Shen Shi must not suspect.
But straight guys… would they actually shower together?
Neither Shen Shi nor Little Fatty had objected to the idea just now…
Wait — do they really shower together?!
Ye Ran gritted his teeth and said, “I… I’ll go with you.”
Sorry, Little Fatty — I may be gay, but I swear on my life, I have zero worldly desires toward you!
His voice wasn’t loud, but in the quiet dorm, it was clear as day.
Shen Shi, idly flipping a page, suddenly looked up.
Little Fatty froze too. He’d only said it to mess with Brother Shu — that guy had complained earlier about Little Fatty’s “sweaty stench.” But now Ye Ran suddenly volunteered to join him? Little Fatty blinked in surprise, then shrugged it off.
He was born and raised in the North — communal bathhouses were nothing new. Showering together didn’t mean anything.
“Alright, let’s go,” Little Fatty said cheerfully, waving a hand. “We can even scrub each other’s backs.”
Ye Ran’s eyes went wide.
Scrub—scrub backs?!
His face went blank as he numbly fumbled for clothes. Behind him came Little Fatty’s confused voice: “Huh? Shen Shi, what are you doing?”
“Bathroom,” Shen Shi said coldly.
Bang!
The bathroom door slammed shut.
Little Fatty yawned and reassured the wide-eyed Ye Ran, “Shen Shi said he’s using the toilet. Just wait a bit.”
Ye Ran nodded stiffly and sat down again, heart pounding.
What to do, what to do, what to do—
He looked calm on the outside, but inside he was pure chaos.
Showering he might manage by avoiding eye contact, but scrubbing backs?! He’d never scrubbed anyone’s back before! How was he even supposed to do that?!
After about ten minutes, Little Fatty was starting to doze off waiting, when finally the bathroom door opened.
Shen Shi appeared in the doorway.
Ye Ran looked up instinctively — and met Shen Shi’s gaze. Those long, narrow phoenix eyes were dark and unreadable, swirling with some unknown emotion.
After one glance, Shen Shi looked away and said coolly to Little Fatty, “I tried the water just now — the pressure’s really low. It’s peak shower time. Two people won’t manage.”
“Huh?” Little Fatty blinked. “Then forget it. I’ll go first. Ye Ran, we’ll go together next time.”
Beijing University’s water system had always had this issue.
During peak hours, the water flow was thin and often lukewarm. The student union had complained many times, and the official response was always that a repair team would be sent “soon.”
Hearing that, Ye Ran didn’t know whether to feel relieved or regretful.
He forced a calm expression and nodded. “…Okay, you go first.”
Shen Shi walked past him.
Ye Ran happened to notice the damp hems of his pants.
“?”
Wasn’t the water flow weak? Why were his clothes wet?
He didn’t think much of it. After Little Fatty finished, Ye Ran quickly showered, climbed into bed, pulled his curtain shut, and texted his childhood friend for advice.
***
—Holy sh*t! Say that again? You did what? Showered with your roommate?!
Ye Ran: [I thought straight guys…]
—That’s a massive red flag! Even normal straight dudes don’t shower together in a dorm!
Ye Ran: [Then what do I do?]
He really didn’t understand straight guys at all!
His friend thought for a moment. [Not your fault. Pretending to be straight is hard for beginners. I’ve got a few straight guys on my WeChat — I’ll do some observation.]
Ye Ran, dazed: [Okay.]
Childhood Friend: [You idiot, why’d you go and dig yourself into this hole…]
Ye Ran pressed his lips together.
Childhood Friend: [Seriously though — what’s so great about this Shen Shi guy? He just took you to the hospital when you had a fever, walked you back to the dorm in the rain, and scared off that creep who was harassing you—]
Childhood Friend: […]
Childhood Friend: [Wait a sec. Say that again.]
Childhood Friend: […]
Childhood Friend: [Okk, say no more — I’m off to study the ways of straight men.]
Ye Ran couldn’t help but laugh and typed: [Thanks for your hard work.]
Childhood Friend: [Just treat me to dinner when I’m back in the country, we’ll call it even.]
Ye Ran: [When are you coming back?]
Childhood Friend: [Around Christmas — should be home for a little over a month.]
Ye Ran: [No problem!]
Their chat ended in just over half an hour.
Ye Ran pulled open his bed curtain. It was almost 11:30 p.m. now. The dorm lights were off, but Brother Shu was still talking, reluctant to let go of the game he’d been playing all evening.
“There’s this new game on Steam — the graphics are insane, but my crappy laptop keeps lagging. Totally unplayable.”
Little Fatty, another gaming addict, opened his curtain at once. “What game?”
Brother Shu said the name, and Little Fatty immediately sat up, excited. “No way! I’ve had that one in my wishlist forever, it’s finally releasing?”
“Yeah,” Brother Shu said, “but it’s got high system requirements.”
Little Fatty snorted. “So what? We can just go play at an internet café together.”
Brother Shu perked up. “Yeah! I’m down!”
Ye Ran, half-asleep, turned over. Moonlight spilled softly through the window, casting a faint, silvery veil over the dorm. The weather was getting colder. Wrapped in his blanket, he listened to their excited discussion for a while before his mind suddenly cleared—
Wait. Staying up all night gaming… that is peak straight-guy behavior.
Back in high school, a bunch of boys often pulled all-nighters at internet cafés too.
The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was.
Yes! This was perfect!
He quickly messaged his friend: [My roommates are planning to go to an internet café to game all night.]
Childhood Friend: [Follow them!]
Ye Ran: [Got it!]
He set his phone down, raised his hand, and volunteered solemnly: “…I’ll go too.”
“Nice! Let’s do it tomorrow night then,” Little Fatty said. “Perfect timing — we’ve got no classes Thursday morning.”
Then he looked at Shen Shi. “Hey, Shen Shi, you coming?”
Ye Ran glanced toward the opposite bunk. Shen Shi’s bed curtain was already drawn.
After a pause, a low, cool voice came from inside.
“…Yeah.”
As expected.
Ye Ran secretly rejoiced.
Of course — straight guys do go to internet cafés together!
***
***
Wednesday morning, everyone in the dorm had Chinese class.
The air was chilly, the sky dull and heavy. Far away, dark clouds gathered — rain on the way.
Dry leaves spun across the path to the teaching building, and the bare branches overhead blocked what little sunlight there was.
Ye Ran shivered and pulled up his collar.
He wore a black jacket today. The wind tousled his soft, dark hair; the corners of his eyes were faintly red, and the small mole at his eye’s tail lifted slightly as he squinted — an unspoken, sleepy languor against his pale skin.
Beside him, Shen Shi handed over a glass water bottle. The water inside steamed, fogging the glass.
“Warm your hands?”
“No need, I’ve got a heat pack,” Ye Ran said.
Shen Shi made a quiet sound of acknowledgment.
The path was crowded, the chatter around them dense and noisy.
“Hey, isn’t that Shen Shi?”
“Which one?”
“Oh come on, you don’t check the campus forum? I’m taking a photo — a good day starts with a handsome guy.”
Shen Shi’s brows drew together slightly, his eyes turning cold.
The girls up ahead already had their phone out, pretending to check messages as they discreetly lifted it—
A second later, their shot was blocked by someone stepping in front of the lens.
“Ah, didn’t catch it…”
“Who blocked it?”
Ye Ran didn’t know when he’d moved. Half his face was hidden behind his collar, his eyes carrying a gentle, reassuring smile. After standing just long enough to block the camera, he exhaled softly and turned to say, “I’ll hold your water bottle.”
Shen Shi didn’t move, didn’t speak either.
After a while with no response, Ye Ran blinked, confused. “Shen Shi?”
He looked up and found Shen Shi watching him quietly, his gaze deep and unreadable.
The sky was dim, and Ye Ran couldn’t see what emotions hid in those dark eyes. A few seconds later, Shen Shi handed the bottle over, voice low.
“Mm.”
Ye Ran took it and swallowed, inexplicably tense.
His palms were sweaty. The odd, tingling feeling down his back finally eased only after they’d walked side by side for a while.
“Come on, the classroom’s filling up!” Little Fatty called, turning back toward them through the crowd.
Ye Ran snapped back to himself, clutching the bottle. “Coming!”
…He wasn’t falling sick again, was he?
He fretted the whole way to class.
***
By the time they reached the teaching building, drizzle had started.
Ye Ran’s hair was slightly damp. Little Fatty, who’d insisted on wearing only a T-shirt because “fat keeps you warm,” now looked miserable as he rubbed his wet head, shivering violently in the heated classroom.
“Brother Shu, lend me a jacket,” he whined.
Brother Shu, who was nursing a cold, shot him a look. “Dream on.”
They sat in the last row. Both Ye Ran and Shen Shi wore jackets.
Shen Shi’s black windbreaker was crisp and clean, perfectly outlining his tall, lean build. He lowered his head, absently scrolling through his phone. Yu Ting had messaged him, practically begging him to save him a seat.
Shen Shi replied with a single “Mm.”
Then, unexpectedly, Ye Ran’s voice sounded beside him.
“Little Fatty, you can wear my jacket.”
Shen Shi’s head lifted at once, his pupils dark and unfathomable.
Ye Ran had already taken off his coat — underneath, he wore only a plain white long-sleeved shirt. The soft cotton fabric made his skin look even paler and smoother.
Perfect, Ye Ran thought with satisfaction.
This… this was exactly what a caring straight roommate would do.
Straight men were just that loyal.
That wave of straight-man righteousness was at full blast!
He handed over his jacket. Little Fatty took it, glanced at Ye Ran’s warm, caring smile — and his expression turned a little odd. But after a few seconds, as if convincing himself, he grinned and said gratefully, “Thanks, bro!”
He put extra emphasis on the words “bro.”
Ye Ran was so moved he could barely contain himself.
As expected… yes!
This was absolutely it!
He quickly schooled his expression, suppressing the giddy joy bubbling in his chest. “…It’s nothing.”
Little Fatty’s broad frame didn’t help. Even though Ye Ran had bought an oversized jacket, on him, it still looked a bit ridiculous.
Brother Shu winced and turned away. “The brand would sue if they saw that.”
“What do you mean? You saying it looks bad on me?”
“I’m saying you better stop talking nonsense.”
Ye Ran just smiled and listened to them banter. The classroom was lively and noisy when Shen Shi turned his head slightly and asked, “Aren’t you cold?”
Warm air brushed Ye Ran’s cheek.
He straightened a little and shook his head. “I’m fine. The classroom’s heated enough.”
And once everyone was seated, it’d be even warmer.
“You just got over a fever,” Shen Shi said calmly, taking off his own jacket and handing it over. “Keep yourself warm.”
The black windbreaker was one size larger than Ye Ran usually wore. As he looked at the jacket being offered, he could still feel the residual warmth trapped inside.
Strangely, a tingling crept up his back. “…Really, I don’t need it.”
He met Shen Shi’s dark, deep gaze for two seconds and stammered an explanation: “I’ve got plenty of heat packs.”
To prove it, he showed Shen Shi the three warmers in his pockets and hands.
“I’m actually kind of hot,” he added honestly, tearing one off his pocket to emphasize it.
Shen Shi was silent for a moment, then nodded simply. “Give that one to me.”
Ye Ran handed him the unused warmer, watching as Shen Shi casually pressed it to his waist.
That hand — long, pale, with distinct joints and veins — moved with careless ease. He even patted it into place, mimicking Ye Ran’s earlier gesture. The simple movement somehow made Ye Ran’s heartbeat skip again.
Looking around, everyone else in class wore jackets of various colors.
Only he and Shen Shi sat in the corner, both in white undershirts.
Ye Ran blinked, the odd feeling in his chest slowly giving way to satisfaction.
Yes — straight men were loyal to a fault.
Before long, someone arrived to take the seat behind Shen Shi.
“Yu Ting?” Ye Ran turned around.
“Yo, Ye Ran,” Yu Ting greeted him as he shook off his umbrella. “You guys got here early today.”
But then his gaze paused — flicking between Ye Ran and Shen Shi’s matching white shirts. Shen Shi’s jacket was stuffed into his desk, while Ye Ran didn’t have one at all.
“Uh…” Yu Ting asked tentatively, “Aren’t you two cold?”
The door at the back was still open; a gust of wind kept blowing in.
Outside, the rain grew heavier, fat drops drumming against the corridor tiles. Thunder rolled across the sky, the whole world wrapped in a curtain of gray rain.
Ye Ran, warmed by his heat packs, said, “I’m fine.”
Yu Ting glanced at Shen Shi, clearly waiting for him to speak.
Shen Shi looked up briefly, eyes cool. “Not cold.”
Yu Ting: “…”
D*mn it — that look definitely said ‘don’t bother me.’
He swallowed his irritation, forcing a smile as he turned to Ye Ran. “This weather’s crazy, huh? Wasn’t even raining when I left, and halfway out I had to run back for an umbrella.”
“Yeah, the forecast says it’ll rain till next week,” Ye Ran replied.
“What?” Little Fatty leaned over. “Then we can’t go to the internet café tonight!”
Brother Shu sniffled miserably. “If I go gaming like this again, I’ll drop dead on the spot.”
Little Fatty sighed. “Guess we’ll wait till it’s dry again.”
“Sure,” Ye Ran said after a moment, once again showing that brotherly loyalty. “Just call me when you go — I’ll be free.”
Shen Shi looked over at him, voice even. “Me too.”
Yu Ting, who had been smiling moments ago, suddenly froze — eyes wide with disbelief.
What?!
Back in high school, who was it that complained about how smoky and filthy internet cafés were, sulking the whole time he was dragged in?
Shen Shi.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
You hypocrite!
You double-standard b*stard!
…
Chinese class crawled by as usual.
The old professor lectured slowly while the students did their own things. Compared to last time, barely half the class had shown up. The first row was completely empty except for the professor’s mug.
Ye Ran glanced around the room casually — no sign of Liang Feng or Lin Ziqian.
He exhaled in relief. Today he only had this one class, and the rest of the day was free.
When class ended, Little Fatty handed his jacket back. Ye Ran blinked. “It’s fine — I still have heat packs. You keep it.”
“You’re weaker than me, and you just got over a fever,” Little Fatty said cheerfully, patting his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I can handle the cold.”
Ye Ran looked at his still-damp shirt, hesitating.
Little Fatty grinned. “Seriously, I’m fine!”
Little Fatty, Brother Shu, and Shen Shi all had another class next.
The three split up at the door.
Ye Ran glanced out the window — seeing the rain had stopped, he hurried back toward the dorms.
Little Fatty watched his back fade down the hall, and his expression slowly grew complicated.
Brother Shu blew his nose, then turned to urge him: “What are you looking at? Let’s go. The stairs will get crowded soon.”
“I’m coming.” Little Fatty sighed.
After taking a couple of steps, he sighed again.
Brother Shu, impatient: “Ugh, are you doing this on purpose, messing with me while my nose is blocked?”
“What do you know,” Little Fatty said. “I’m thinking.”
“You?”
“What could you be thinking about?”
“Something very important. You wouldn’t understand,” Little Fatty replied.
Shen Shi glanced at him casually, noticing Little Fatty staring absentmindedly at the heat pack Ye Ran had given him earlier. His expression darkened slightly as he silently followed behind them toward Mingli Building.
***
The next day, Ye Ran noticed he had far less contact with Little Fatty.
Even though everyone had no afternoon classes, and Ye Ran had eagerly invited Little Fatty to watch a variety show to build brotherly bonding, Little Fatty firmly refused and went to the supermarket instead and stayed there all day.
Ye Ran was puzzled. By ten o’clock at night, Little Fatty finally returned.
Ye Ran had already showered and was lying on his bed, casually scrolling through short videos.
Hearing the door open, he poked his head out. Under the light, his hair was soft and black, his eyes pure and clear. He wore off-white pajamas that looked both casual and comfortable.
“Little Fatty, you’re back?” he asked.
“Ah? Uh, yeah,” Little Fatty mumbled, quickly tidying his clean clothes. “Right, I’ll shower first… man, I’m exhausted. I need to sleep immediately.”
Ye Ran blinked, deeply confused.
Little Fatty had slept from one to five in the afternoon, why was he still tired?
Brother Shu chuckled: “Even a pig can’t sleep as much as you.”
Normally, Little Fatty would have retorted, but today he didn’t seem to hear him. Once in the bathroom, he spent over half an hour washing.
By ten-thirty, Ye Ran was predictably sleepy.
He didn’t pull the bed curtain fully, just letting down the outer gauze, dozing in the dim dorm light.
He vaguely heard Brother Shu muttering to himself: “What’s Lin Feipeng doing? Been in there over half an hour.”
“His skin must be all wrinkled from washing.”
…
When Little Fatty emerged from the bathroom, he glanced up and saw Ye Ran had already lowered the bed curtain. He let out a small sigh of relief.
But before he could fully relax, he sensed another gaze from above. Swallowing nervously, he turned to see Shen Shi looking down at him.
“Sh-Shen Shi?” he stammered awkwardly.
Shen Shi said nothing, his gaze cold and scrutinizing.
His naturally handsome, aloof features, paired with narrow, dark eyes devoid of emotion, looked sharp — intimidating enough to keep anyone at a distance.
Embarrassed, Little Fatty scratched his head, suddenly too shy to speak or even look at Ye Ran. He tossed his dirty clothes into the balcony basin and quickly climbed into bed.
One minute later.
In the dim light filtered through the bed curtain, his phone vibrated.
Little Fatty groaned and picked it up.
Shen Shi: [Are you avoiding Ye Ran?]
…
Shen Shi sat expressionless on the bed, a hint of sharpness flickering in his eyes.
-Today, Ye Ran only brought three heat packs.
-One went to me, the rest all went to you.
Worried Little Fatty might catch a cold, Ye Ran had given him both clothes and heat packs, and even brought him hot water after class.
Seeing “typing…” in the chat window, Shen Shi thought coldly:
If Lin Feipeng is really deliberately avoiding Ye Ran…
His gaze darkened further, like thick ink swirling.
The phone vibrated again.
A notification broke Shen Shi’s thoughts. He unlocked the screen.
Little Fatty: [I know, I’m grateful to Ye Ran too.]
Little Fatty: […But the situation is different. I don’t know how to explain it to you.]
-Say it.
Little Fatty: [Then I’ll just say it.]
Shen Shi grew impatient, about to speak, but Little Fatty sent a short message:
Little Fatty: [I suspect Ye Ran has a crush on me.]
Shen Shi: “…”
Shen Shi: “…………”
Little Fatty, however, seemed to have opened a floodgate. Once he said it, the rest poured out like falling snow:
[Since yesterday, Ye Ran wanted to shower with me again. When I said I’d go to the internet café, he insisted on coming along. He’s been sticking to me all the time. Today, I didn’t wear a jacket, yet Ye Ran was so concerned, giving me all his heat packs—]
[Man, you can’t explain this as just brotherly love! My mom’s never been this nice to me!]
[At first, I was flattered, but today I suddenly realized — this is d*mn love!]
[…What do I do, Shen Shi? You’re always with Ye Ran. Please help me figure this out! He’s just confused for now. You have to make him realize that obsessing over me won’t get him anywhere!]
Shen Shi: “…”
He closed his eyes briefly, calmed himself, and typed: [I’m the one who spends every day with him.]
Little Fatty: [I know.]
Shen Shi sneered: [I’m the one who walks him to and from class, goes with him to clubs.]
Little Fatty: [Yeah, but I didn’t do any of that, so why does Ye Ran still like me?]
Shen Shi: “…”
Little Fatty: [And I reviewed everything since I met Ye Ran, it all makes sense now. Remember when Ye Ran brought me duck leg meals for a whole week?]
Shen Shi stared at his screen, expressionless: [That was for me.]
Little Fatty: [What do you know? That’s just Ye Ran’s excuse! The whole “bringing you duck leg rice” thing was actually just an excuse to bring it to me! He knows it’s my favorite, that’s why he used this chance to get close to me! We live in the same dorm, and before that, I never saw you eat duck leg rice even once!]
Shen Shi: “……”
Little Fatty: [I’m really troubled. My brain’s been a mess all day. Every time I see Ye Ran’s face, I get scared. Do you think maybe one day he won’t be able to hold it in anymore and suddenly confess to me?]
Little Fatty: [I’m genuinely worried.]
Little Fatty: [Can you give me some advice? You’re always with Ye Ran, you must know him pretty well, right?]
Little Fatty: [Could it really be my personal charm? Did my easygoing aura enchant him?]
Little Fatty: [Why aren’t you saying anything?]
Little Fatty: [Shen Shi? Shen Shi? Are you still there? You didn’t fall asleep, did you?]
Little Fatty: […Don’t fall asleep! If you sleep, who’s going to help me?!]
….
Turning off the screen, Shen Shi stared into the darkness behind his bed curtain.
He shut his eyes with effort, his dark phoenix eyes swirling with unreadable emotions. After a few seconds, his clenched, pale hand slowly relaxed, and the blue veins on the back of it eased as his fingers loosened.
He opened WeChat and cleanly deleted Little Fatty. The suffocating tightness in his chest seemed to ease by half.
A moment later, he lay down expressionlessly.
But his phone lit up again.
In the faint glow appeared a new message—
Yu Ting: [You there?]
***
Far away, in the male dorms of the Finance Department.
Room 317 was brightly lit, filled with the clacking sounds of keyboards and mice as the roommates played games together.
Sitting on his bed, Yu Ting was towel-drying his hair, thinking about what he’d seen during Chinese class that morning.
The more he thought about it, the more off Shen Shi had seemed.
Shen Shi was always cold and detached—Yu Ting had never seen him go out of his way for anyone. But now? He took off his jacket in freezing weather, clutching a hand warmer and refusing to let go.
The last time Yu Ting had tried to drop him a hint, it clearly hadn’t worked.
Thinking about how close Shen Shi and Ye Ran had gotten lately, Yu Ting felt restless and guilty.
No.
He had to wake that blockhead up.
D*mn it, back in high school, Shen Shi could always sense right away if someone—guy or girl—was approaching him with ulterior motives. How come now he’s completely oblivious?
Ye Ran’s such a nice guy, if something really develops between them, it’ll only hurt them both.
Yu Ting rubbed his temples in frustration.
Sh*t!
One’s homophobic, the other’s deeply closeted.
What kind of magnetic field is pulling you two together?!
He made up his mind and sent Shen Shi a message.
Yu Ting: [You there?]
He thought Shen Shi wouldn’t reply for a while—but to his surprise, a reply came within a minute.
Shen Shi: [.]
Yu Ting translated it in his head: If you’ve got something to say, say it.
He racked his brain and typed something more tactful:
Yu Ting: [I saw your dormmates in class today, you guys seem to get along pretty well, but I feel like one of them’s kind of… out of place, you know?]
Worried Shen Shi wouldn’t catch his drift, he quickly added:
Yu Ting: [Of course, I’m saying this from a straight guy’s perspective, haha, no other meaning, haha.]
The moment he sent it, Yu Ting wanted to die of secondhand embarrassment.
…Cr*p. Terrible start. Shen Shi’s definitely going to ignore him now.
Just as he was despairing, his phone buzzed unexpectedly.
Shen Shi: [You noticed too?]
Yu Ting: “?”
Yu Ting: “???”
Holy cr*p—did I just wake him up?
Yu Ting stared at his fingers in disbelief. D*mn, I’m good.
He hurriedly followed up:
Yu Ting: [Yeah, I only found out recently too. Turns out he’s gay… What about you, how did you find out?]
Shen Shi: [Last night he asked someone to shower with him.]
“!!!”
Yu Ting gasped sharply.
No way—Ye Ran’s that forward?!
Shen Shi: [Today he wanted to wear someone else’s clothes.]
Yu Ting’s brain short-circuited.
So that’s why he only wore an undershirt—because he wanted to wear another man’s clothes?!
Shen Shi: [Before bed he even said some weird things to harass me.]
Yu Ting was completely stunned.
Too terrifying. Absolutely shocking!
It took him a long moment to recover, but thinking about Ye Ran’s usual image, the whole thing felt so surreal. He finally asked:
Yu Ting: [So what are you going to do?]
Shen Shi: [I’ll make sure Ye Ran stays away from him.]
Yu Ting: [That’s right!]
A few seconds later—
Yu Ting: [Wait, is your subject wrong?]
Yu Ting: [Sorry to pry, but this gay guy you’re talking about is…?]
Shen Shi’s gaze darkened. He typed slowly:
Shen Shi: [You don’t know him.]
[His name is Lin Feipeng.]
Yu Ting’s mind raced—then it hit him. The chubby, round-faced guy from Chinese class.
Yu Ting: [Holy cr*p!] He practically wanted to kneel. [You sure?]
That chubby guy was clearly a trash-talking real straight dude!!!
Shen Shi: [Yeah.]
Yu Ting felt like his head had just exploded. Still, he forced himself to go on:
Yu Ting: [Sorry, just to clarify—this Lin Feipeng guy, all these moves were aimed at Ye Ran, right?]
Shen Shi: [Yeah.]
Yu Ting: [So… Ye Ran agreed to it?]
Shen Shi: [I stopped him.]
Yu Ting’s vision went black.
D*mn it, what the h*ll did you stop him for?!
At this point, who’s the real problem here? How can you still not tell?!
What kind of guy would agree to shower together with someone in the dorm?!
Yu Ting stumbled out of bed to hang up his towel—only to miss his step and fall.
“Dude, what the h*ll, you fell again?”
“Twice in one night? You made of steel or something?”
“Holy cr*p! His eyes went blank from the fall… Someone call an ambulance! An ambulance!”
The ambulance wouldn’t help anyway.
Yu Ting thought numbly.
Shen Shi.
You’re beyond saving.
