Oh no, oh no! Was he really going to end it all here like this!?

Xuye Cheng’s mind flashed with vivid images—scenes from those late-night romance flicks he’d watched before.

A chill shot down his spine. The cold crept slowly through his whole body.

Click! The bathroom lock disengaged. The doorknob began to turn. But next second, a sharp, middle-aged woman’s voice cut through.

“Is Xuye Cheng in this dorm?”

He Xiaohan froze. He turned to the dorm auntie at the doorway and nodded.

“What is it, Auntie? Something wrong?”

The mask slipped off instantly. His body reverted to normal at visible speed. Xuye Cheng jolted, relief flooding him.

Oh, holy and glorious dorm auntie—thank you for kindly calling my name…

“This is his ID. Tell him not to lose it carelessly again.” She handed Xuye Cheng’s ID to him.

He Xiaohan took it. “Got it, thanks, Auntie.”

He pushed the door open. His eyes met Xuye Cheng’s.

Xuye Cheng saw a weird expression on He Xiaohan’s face.

“Why didn’t you answer when I called?”

“Didn’t hear.” Xuye Cheng’s voice wavered slightly.

He Xiaohan’s gaze dropped to him.

“You wear pajamas in a… special way.” He Xiaohan chuckled, shaking his head.

Xuye Cheng froze. He glanced down. His pajama collar had slipped to his shoulder, pinching his skin tight—like an off-shoulder outfit.

Holy crap!

Xuye Cheng flushed with embarrassment. He yanked his clothes straight and stepped out.

He Xiaohan found Xuye Cheng acting odd.

He stared at Xuye Cheng’s face. Xuye Cheng coughed lightly. The air turned awkward.

“What? Something on my face?” Xuye Cheng asked, catching the stare.

He Xiaohan dropped his puzzled look. A warm smile spread.

“You look sharper lately.” He teased.

Xuye Cheng walked out. “Meh, average~”

He felt mocked. Night shifts and zero skincare—how could he look better?

Dislike prickled in Xuye Cheng again.

He Xiaohan stepped back. His eyes swept Xuye Cheng’s face. He paused.

Did Xuye Cheng have a mole near his eye corner before?

He Xiaohan frowned. He lifted the ID to check the photo. But Xuye Cheng snatched it away.

“Don’t stare. ID photos are ugly as hell.” Xuye Cheng stuffed it into a drawer.

Unanswered doubts gnawed at He Xiaohan. It couldn’t be there. He never forgot details.

Maybe he’d imagined it?

As he wondered, Xuye Cheng spoke.

“Saw you nearby yesterday. Why return only this morning?”

He Xiaohan looked sheepish. “Stayed at a hotel last night.”

Xuye Cheng’s expression stiffened.

He Xiaohan caught the shift. He smirked knowingly. “Exhausting, heh.”

Xuye Cheng’s face darkened.

So it was true…

Had Ji Qingying really been ruined by him?

Displeasure surged in Xuye Cheng—jealousy, anger twisting inside.

The person he’d guarded so carefully was trampled like a roadside weed. His chest tightened.

How had He Xiaohan made Ji Qingying surrender? Drugs? Force?

But Xuye Cheng stayed silent. It was their choice. Love was consensual—no right or wrong.

He could call He Xiaohan a scumbag, sure. Yet outside romance, He Xiaohan was solid—always covering lab reports when Xuye Cheng slacked off.

He wouldn’t wreck dorm harmony over this.

Ji Qingying hadn’t complained. If he criticized He Xiaohan now, he’d just seem bitter. Pathetic.

“The campus beauty’s overrated anyway.” He Xiaohan’s tone turned playful.

Xuye Cheng’s frustration flared.

“If you dislike her, break up. Don’t badmouth her.” He snapped.

“True,” He Xiaohan sat at the table behind him. He pulled out cigarettes. “But having someone to chat with anytime? Nice. Especially when they’re obedient.”

Xuye Cheng sighed. Words failed him.

He Xiaohan lit a cigarette. Took a drag. “Plenty of women out there. Playing with two won’t break the planet.” Smoke curled from his lips.

“I don’t get it.” Xuye Cheng replied. “Once feelings start, you should nurture them. Not treat it like a game.”

He Xiaohan looked puzzled.

“What’s eating you lately, Brother Cheng? Got issues with me?” He chuckled, exhaling smoke.

Xuye Cheng hesitated. “Just curious—if you want bodies, why not buy them? Why date?”

He Xiaohan frowned. “Not like that. It’s like galgames—winning a girl over feels great.”

“Watch them get mad. Tease them, they blush red-faced. One sentence makes them smile or cry. Fun, right?” Smoke veiled his face. His eyes turned hollow.

Xuye Cheng couldn’t grasp his mindset.

“Speaking of which—when’s your turn for a girlfriend, Brother Cheng? I’ve got contacts. Want an intro?” He Xiaohan grinned.