Xuye Cheng felt his legs aching. He glanced at his watch—ten minutes left until closing time.

He worked at a convenience store.

Xuye Cheng stared blankly at a couple browsing the shelves. A trace of displeasure flickered across his face.

"Honey, look! This cup is so cute," the girl chirped.

"Yeah, let’s get it for you~" the guy replied.

Xuye Cheng nearly spat blood out of frustration.

They’d wandered the store for half an hour, all lovey-dovey, only to buy a single cup.

What lunatics!

The couple approached the counter. Xuye Cheng swallowed his annoyance and plastered on a professional smile. He rang up their purchase with forced sincerity.

Watching them stroll away, his expression turned slightly desolate.

Before, near closing time, a girl always waited at the entrance—his girlfriend, Ji Qingying, the belle of their college.

But a week ago...

That night, heavy rain poured. Ji Qingying had taken Xuye Cheng out for dinner. At parting, she suddenly said, "Xuye Cheng, let’s break up."

The downpour roared, the streets noisy, yet her words cut through clearly.

"Why..."

"I’ve been so tired lately... Sorry for letting you down. Let’s not see each other anymore. You’re a good guy—I truly enjoyed our time."

Just like that, Xuye Cheng was dumped without explanation. He hadn’t dared contact her since.

He snapped back to reality. Closing time had arrived.

After a quick tidy-up, he stepped outside. Numbness in his legs seeped into his whole body, heavy with exhaustion.

Walking down a dim street, a deafening crash echoed overhead—glass shattered sharply.

Xuye Cheng froze, glancing up instinctively. Tiny fragments rained onto his face.

Alarmed, he dashed forward. Something landed on his hand, burning fiercely.

He twisted to see—a ball of flame clung to his arm, roaring.

"Holy shit!" He waved his arm wildly, but the fire barely dimmed.

Next second, cool liquid splashed his face, soaking his clothes. He froze again—the flame was gone.

A sweet, cloying aroma filled his nose.

A passerby held an empty milk tea cup, eyes wide with concern. "You okay?"

"Fine, thanks," Xuye Cheng replied gratefully. Free strawberry-scented bath, courtesy of a stranger.

"Glad to hear it." The passerby handed him two tissues.

Xuye Cheng wiped milk tea from his face and shirt. He was truly thankful—but strawberry was his least favorite flavor, and better aim would’ve helped.

He glanced back at the street, then up. A room upstairs blazed with roaring flames.

Must be a fire...

He sighed. At least he wasn’t hurt.

Today was pure bad luck.

Too drained to care, he just wanted his dorm bed.

Raising his hand, he spotted a black, gooey lump stuck to his skin.

What is this?

He tugged gently—it clung like glue, sending sharp pain through him. Cold sweat broke out.

What on earth...?

Probably just debris, he thought. Confirming no injury, he trudged back to his dorm, reeking of strawberry.

"Shower first," he muttered, disgusted by the sticky scent.

Since it didn’t hurt and wouldn’t budge, he’d just accept it... go with the flow.

After showering, the sticky film vanished, leaving him blissfully refreshed.

Wait—why did that explosion happen? This lump must’ve fallen then.

He dried his hair. The lump had shriveled but felt soft inside.

Some parasitic creature? Was he about to strike it rich?

He sat at his computer desk. The dorm was empty—National Day holiday. To earn cash, he’d stayed to work.

His hometown was far; he hadn’t planned to return for the seven-day break.

Xuye Cheng didn’t get along with his family. Back in school, poor grades drew constant criticism.

Now, in a strange city at an ordinary university, he was content.

He flopped onto his bed, scrolling short videos. A Weibo notification popped up:

"Special follow @DancingWithClearShadow Today’s another day with you... (pic)>>>"

Xuye Cheng froze.

Dread coiled in his chest. He opened the app.

The post gushed affection, paired with two photos of clasped hands.

Xuye Cheng stared, stunned.

His ex had already moved on!?

So soon!? He zoomed in—the images showed intertwined fingers.

What? Ji Qingying had dumped him less than a week ago!

He scrolled comments:

"Congrats Qingying on snagging God He!!"

"99~"

Xuye Cheng was baffled.

When together, Ji Qingying insisted on keeping things private. They’d gotten along well—he’d thought her smart, sensible.

But after a month, her warmth turned icy. They’d parted "amicably"...

He read another comment:

"Shipping the campus beauty and heartthrob hard."

Xuye Cheng froze again.

Surnamed He... his roommate, He Xiaohan??

Grief crashed over him.

Bad news: his one-month campus beauty girlfriend found someone a week post-breakup—and it was a scumbag who shattered his worldview.

Xuye Cheng’s face darkened.

Damn it. Ji Qingying was so innocent—He Xiaohan must’ve tricked her. As a roommate, he knew the truth: He Xiaohan changed girlfriends six times in a month.

Adults played with ambiguities.

But six girlfriends in thirty days? Even novels wouldn’t dare.

Xuye Cheng gritted his teeth. How could he warn Ji Qingying? She’d said: no contact after the breakup. No interference.

Damn it...

As he pondered, his eyelids grew heavy. The world blurred. Sleepiness surged like a tide.