Nanhu College wasn’t strict about off-campus vehicles. Outside special periods, visitors just needed a quick registration to enter. The process took barely any time. Once done, Jiang Zixuan returned to the car.

This time, he skipped the parking lot and drove straight to the West District dorm entrance. Cars lined the roadside. Dusk settled, few students lingered—and the BMW’s arrival drew zero attention. After stepping out, Jiang Zixuan walked Shu Yuxin to the dorm door and stopped.

“Boys can’t enter girls’ dorms anymore, right? I’ll wait here. No need to pack everything—just a few sets of clothes. We’ll get the rest later.”

“Got it.” Shu Yuxin nodded and went inside.

She’d almost said it wasn’t a big deal—Cheng Xiaonan had brought a guy back last night—but bit it back. Yeah… boys casually entering still felt weird to her.

As expected, only Peng Xiaoxiao was in the dorm. Still glued to her racing game, she drifted hard and smacked the wall the moment Shu Yuxin closed the door behind her.

Spotting Shu Yuxin, Peng Xiaoxiao paused the game. She set down the controller, grabbed a bottle of “Fat Boy Happy Tea” from the desk, sucked the last drops through the straw. The crumpled bottle gurgled softly.

“Mmm… Why so late? On a date?”

“Of course not. Where would I even get a… boyfriend?” Shu Yuxin brushed it off. Seeing Peng Xiaoxiao’s mischievous grin, she smiled too. “I’m moving out tonight.”

“Moving out?” Peng Xiaoxiao blinked, then caught on. “You rented a place off-campus?”

“Sort of. Shared apartment.” Shu Yuxin pulled out her suitcase and started packing.

Peng Xiaoxiao watched her back awhile, then sighed wistfully. “Jealous. I wish I could move out too…”

“Then do it. I heard Viarels still has vacancies.”

“No money.”

“…”

A quiet moment passed. Peng Xiaoxiao rolled her gaming chair close. “Hey—you’re sharing? Any room left?”

“Nope. Just me and a friend. Two bedrooms, one living room.”

“Oh.” Peng Xiaoxiao sat cross-legged, tilted her head. “Guy or girl?”

A slight pause. “Guy.”

“I *knew* it!” Peng Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up. “That handsome guy who dropped you off on orientation day! And you said ‘just friends’!”

“…We *are* just friends. Close ones.” Shu Yuxin genuinely didn’t know how to explain further.

Peng Xiaoxiao wasn’t waiting for one. In her mind, case closed. “Hehe~ Congrats on your cozy new life together!”

“Whatever. Believe what you want.” Shu Yuxin dropped it. “Oh—does Nanhu College do dorm checks? I haven’t told anyone I’m moving.”

Peng Xiaoxiao shook her head. “Don’t worry. I asked seniors on Tieba before enrolling. Freshman year? Almost never.”

“Good.” Shu Yuxin zipped her suitcase and stepped onto the balcony.

The weather hadn’t cooperated—sun barely showed, and their building got little light. The sheets and light quilt hung that afternoon were still damp. She touched them once, then gave up. She had a spare set. Tonight would be fine.

Seeing Shu Yuxin leave, Peng Xiaoxiao’s smile faded. “Yuxin… you won’t come back, will you?”

Shu Yuxin was the only one she connected with. Alone again.

Noticing her expression, Shu Yuxin hesitated at the door, then shook her head slightly. “I’ll visit. Paid a full year’s dorm fee—wasting it after one month? No way.”

Peng Xiaoxiao burst out laughing. “Haha! I’ll keep your bed tidy. Go on, don’t worry!”

“Thanks.” Shu Yuxin stepped out—then froze. She set the suitcase by the door, dashed back, and hopped onto her bed. Seconds later, she landed lightly, shook a can of pepper spray, and handed it over. “Take this. If Cheng Xiaonan brings more guys in… you’ll have protection.”

Peng Xiaoxiao blinked, then accepted it. “Okay. How much? I’ll pay you back.”

“A friend’s gift. No money.” Shu Yuxin waved it off, grabbed her suitcase, and turned. “Bye~!”

Peng Xiaoxiao cradled the spray, staring at the closed door for a full minute. Then, a soft laugh escaped her lips. “Thank you…”

Her smile was lovely. Too bad the one meant to see it was already gone.

Outside, Jiang Zixuan crouched by the flowerbed, scrolling on his phone.

Shu Yuxin spotted him instantly, waved with a grin. “Zixuan! Let’s go!”

He looked up, pocketed his phone, and stood. “All packed?”

“Obviously. What’d you think was in my suitcase?”

“Just asking…”

They left campus without delay, heading straight to Viarels. After parking underground, Jiang Zixuan unbuckled. “Take your suitcase up first. Then we’ll grab groceries—the fridge’s empty.”

“Groceries? From the department store?” Shu Yuxin unbuckled too.

“Yeah, they’ve got good stock. There’s a wet market on Viarels’ outer street, but it’s closed by now.”

“Duh. Ever seen a wet market open at night?” She shot him a look, stepped out. “You take the suitcase up. I’ll buy groceries. Saves us running up and down.”

Jiang Zixuan paused. “You’re going alone?”

“What? I can’t shop?”

“…Fine. I’ll wait home. Call if anything happens.”

“Got it, got it!” Shu Yuxin waved him off and disappeared into the parking lot.