Knock knock knock.

After who knew how long, Yichen’s door was rapped on.

“Shiyue? Come in.”

Shiyue entered, placing a cup of tea on Yichen’s desk.

“How’s the studying going?”

Shiyue had calmed down now, a serene smile on her face. Yichen silently warned himself not to bring up *that* topic again.

“Hmm, okay. Just not sure where the lesson left off.”

Shiyue leaned over, flipping the textbook to a specific page.

“We stopped here. If you get stuck reviewing, just ask me. Oh, and I’ll mark where we are in your other subjects too.”

“Thanks.”

Shiyue opened Yichen’s other textbooks, dog-earing the pages for each. Yichen glanced at the wall clock—the hour hand pointed squarely at 10.

“It’s already 10? Shiyue!”

“Ah… yeah. Guess it is.”

Yichen couldn’t help exclaiming. Shiyue followed his gaze to the clock, but her reaction was far milder.

*What now?* Yichen thought desperately. *After last time, I can’t let her go home this late.*

“I’ll stay tonight then.”

“Huh????”

Yichen hadn’t expected Shiyue to say that. Though she’d stayed at his place these past two weeks, she’d always refused to sleep over on ordinary days.

“What’s wrong?” Shiyue asked, puzzled.

*Alone together under one roof.*

*Cooked rice can’t be uncooked.*

*A night of spring passion.*

The phrases flooded Yichen’s mind one after another.

“S-sure. Okay.”

He didn’t even know why he’d agreed.

Around 11:30 PM, both retreated to their rooms.

Shiyue sat before her mirror, dejected.

“What was I even hoping for?” she muttered to her reflection.

This situation was her own doing—she’d deliberately waited until 10 PM to visit Yichen’s room, ensuring it’d be too late to go home.

*That idiot… will he come?*

Just thinking of Yichen made her cheeks burn. She shook her head fiercely, trying to banish the thought. After a while, she murmured again, dazed:

“Do I… have to go to him first?”

Her face flamed so hot she thought steam might rise from her head. She switched off the light, checked the unlocked door, then curled up on the bed like a baby, clutching her blanket, eyes fixed on the door.

Yichen lay sprawled on his bed.

Shiyue was right across the hall. No one else was home.

The thought made his heart race.

“Damn it! What am I thinking!”

Shameful ideas kept surfacing. He cursed himself.

He’d shared this house with Zixuan for ages—but she was like a sister. Off-limits. Shiyue was different. No blood ties. Just a classmate he got along with. Maybe even… liked him back.

“Uwaaah!!!”

Yichen sat bolt upright, then flopped back down.

*(Is she leaving her door unlocked for me? Or will she come to me?)*

Tossing and turning, exhaustion finally pulled him under.

Next morning.

“Shiyue? Didn’t sleep well?”

Over breakfast, Yichen noticed her tired eyes and faint dark circles. She’d stared at her door all night, fighting sleep until she collapsed near dawn—barely three hours of rest.

“Hmm… it’s fine… I’ll head out first.”

“Huh? Not walking to school together?”

Shiyue paused, then looked down silently.

“…Okay.”

After breakfast, they left together. Shiyue walked beside him, quiet.

“Shiyue… you’ve been really quiet today.”

Yichen tried to break the silence.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

She smiled, then fell quiet again.

As they entered campus, Yichen sensed stares.

“Is that Shiyue’s boyfriend?”

“He’s kinda hot. Heard he’s the Chairwoman’s brother too.”

“Whoa! Seriously? So he’s crazy rich?”

“Yeah! Online forums even have pics of the Chairwoman kissing him!”

“Eek! A forbidden romance?”

“Nah, he just won a basketball game. She got excited and kissed him. See?”

“The Chairwoman’s gorgeous! But no mom would kiss her brother mouth-to-mouth like that. Scandal!”

“S-scandal?”

“Yep! A forbidden love triangle!”

“Shh! They’ll hear you!”

The two girls behind Yichen whispered loudly. He caught every word. Flustered, he saw Shiyue’s face turn crimson.

“Yo, Yichen! When’d you and Shiyue get together? Thought you were the quiet type—snagging the school flower? Bold move!”

Back in class, Zhenghong sidled up.

“What? We’re not together!”

Zhenghong’s eyes widened.

“You’re not dating?”

Yichen frowned. “Who said we were?”

“Well… Shiyue didn’t deny it when we asked.”

Yichen recalled Shiyue’s words from two days ago. He looked down sharply.

Zhenghong grinned slyly. “See? You *are* dating! Spill—did you save her and she offered herself in gratitude? Classic drama!”

“Shut up and get lost!” Yichen shoved him away.

Nearby, Shiyue chatted with her desk-mate Lan.

“How’d it go last night?” Lan asked.

Blushing, Shiyue recounted everything.

“Pffft—HAHAHA! Oh my god!” Lan doubled over laughing, nearly falling off her chair. “You actually did that?!”

“You told me to!” Shiyue shot back, flustered.

“But I didn’t think you’d *really* wait for him to ‘ambush’ you! HAHA!”

“I asked you seriously! You tricked me!”

“Whoa, calm down!” Lan waved her off. “If you really like him, why not just go to his room?”

“N-no way!” Shiyue waved her hands frantically, face scarlet. “I’m not that shameless!”

“Oh? So inviting yourself over and waiting for a midnight visit *isn’t* shameless?” Lan teased.

“Then… should I go to his room next time…?” Shiyue whispered, fists clenched, head bowed.

Lan sighed dramatically. “Start with a date. That aggressive stuff isn’t you.” She shook her head like a disappointed mentor.

“A date? How?”

“Seriously, Zhao Shiyue? Dates build feelings. Then you confess when the time’s right. Invite him out next weekend—stroll around, catch a movie, dinner… end at a hotel.”

“A HOTEL?!”

“Kidding! Last part was a joke.” Lan made a silly face.

Flustered but thoughtful, Shiyue decided Lan was right.

*(I’ll ask him tonight.)*