Xuye Cheng finished the potato chips in his hand. He glanced at his index finger dusted with crumbs and instinctively sucked it.

Wiping hands after chips? That just kills the soul.

He tossed the trash into the bin, only to find it overflowing. Standing up, he bent to pack the garbage. After tidying his dorm a bit, he gathered his things for class.

He Xiaohan, like Xuye Cheng, had a Music Appreciation class that evening.

He Xiaohan turned to Xuye Cheng, who was heading out. "Brother Cheng, off to class?"

Xuye Cheng glanced back. He Xiaohan’s gaze landed on the mole near his eye. Unexpectedly, a pair of eyes flashed in his mind.

That girl he’d bumped into at the lab building also had a mole…

He Xiaohan thought randomly.

"Yeah. Grab a bite, then class."

"Hold up—I’m coming too," He Xiaohan said, clearing his desk and standing.

Xuye Cheng disliked going solo. He preferred company for meals, classes, and walks back. But Liu Xianlin and Zheng Wenxuan stayed in their dorm ordering takeout whenever free.

With his budget, one takeout order could feed him for several meals. The school canteen was far cheaper.

Xuye Cheng hesitated but waited at the door while He Xiaohan changed shoes.

"Let’s go," He Xiaohan said, smoothing his hair and slipping past him.

Xuye Cheng noticed He Xiaohan’s odd dynamic with Ji Qingying. They only met when necessary, never for casual hangs.

To him, couples should naturally eat together or stroll when free.

But He Xiaohan stayed in labs or his dorm reading, only vanishing occasionally to see Ji Qingying.

Xuye Cheng shook his head. This carefree guy probably wasn’t with her out of real feelings.

Seeing his gesture, He Xiaohan looked puzzled.

"What’s up?"

"Nothing."

The canteen was packed. The long queue made them late—the teaching building was far.

"We’ll be late," Xuye Cheng muttered, checking his watch and quickening his pace.

"Bike over," He Xiaohan said, gesturing toward the dorms.

"Huh?" Xuye Cheng was confused.

"I’ll give you a ride. Come on—we’re rushed."

Xuye Cheng numbly agreed and followed.

Two minutes later, they reached the dorm. He Xiaohan hopped on his bike. Xuye Cheng sat on the back seat.

"Hold tight~"

He Xiaohan pushed off. The bike sped away.

Wind brushed Xuye Cheng’s face. He Xiaohan smelled faintly of mint.

"Brother Cheng, you’re lighter than Wenxuan," He Xiaohan called from the front.

"Hah, thanks," Xuye Cheng replied with a stiff laugh.

He Xiaohan rode fast. Xuye Cheng was scared—he’d fallen off a bike as a kid. His hands gripped the seat’s front bump. Hitting a speed bump, the bike jolted. He nearly jumped out of his skin.

At the teaching building, Xuye Cheng got off. He Xiaohan eyed his pale face, puzzled.

"Brother Cheng, what’s wrong? Bike motion sickness?"

Xuye Cheng shook his head, speechless. "Just dizzy. I’m fine."

"Low blood sugar?"

"No such thing," Xuye Cheng said, rubbing his notebook as they entered. "You rode too fast. My stomach’s churning after eating."

"No choice—we were rushed. Riding fast tires me out too," He Xiaohan laughed, shrugging.

Xuye Cheng caught female classmates staring at He Xiaohan. He felt those stares too…

He grew uneasy.

Music Appreciation taught students to grasp music’s profound power. But Xuye Cheng, too "low-level," couldn’t feel it. He just slacked off.

He sat in the back row—the slacker zone. He Xiaohan sat beside him, pulling out his phone too.

Class started. After roll call, Xuye Cheng settled into slacking.

"Class, today we explore China’s orchestral instruments…" the teacher began. Xuye Cheng opened his phone for fun.

He heard nothing until her next words jolted him awake.

"Alright, let’s pick a student to answer~"

Xuye Cheng’s heart sank. His pulse quickened.

Don’t pick me, don’t pick me…

"Xuye Cheng from Class Six, present?"

He Xiaohan chuckled beside him.

Xuye Cheng’s heart clenched. He stood.

"Here, here!"

The teacher, a woman in her thirties, had a magnetic, gentle-yet-strong voice.

"Good. Xuye Cheng, name the main genres of sizhu music."

Xuye Cheng froze. What? He hadn’t listened at all!

"Student, we just covered this," she added.

"Jiangnan Sizhu, Baisha Xiyue, Guangdong music, Fujian Nanyin," He Xiaohan whispered.

Xuye Cheng repeated it. The teacher smiled. "Good. Sit."

He sighed in relief and sat down.

"Lucky break, Brother Cheng. You nailed it," He Xiaohan teased.

Xuye Cheng’s gratitude vanished instantly.

"Thanks a lot," he retorted sourly.

He Xiaohan nodded. "No need to be so polite, Brother Cheng."

As he spoke, a girl in front sneakily glanced back at him.