Just as An Han hesitated over his choice, a knock sounded at the door.

"Is anyone there?"

"Who is it? Door’s unlocked."

Su Peng pushed inside, beaming. "Thank goodness you’re still here! I’d have died of boredom over National Day otherwise."

An Han lit up too—*You didn’t leave either!*

Without another thought, he selected Task Two.

Truth was, he could’ve ignored a no-penalty task like this. But right now, he desperately needed to check Long Xing’s favorability level.

Otherwise… after the holiday, if Long Xing returned to the dorm and An Han acted as freely as usual—but Long Xing, with sky-high favorability, had *other intentions*… Chilling.

Checking favorability required a system upgrade.

The moment Su Peng stepped in, he shivered. A cold draft brushed his neck, raising goosebumps.

He glanced around warily, then up at the AC. "Sixteen degrees?! Aren’t you freezing?"

"Not at all."

An Han turned, smiling sweetly.

Faint dimples graced his cheeks. His eyes sparkled with playful innocence, lips curved like a crescent moon. That honey-warm smile made Su Peng’s heart thump—and his mood inexplicably sweeten.

Yet the smile sent a deeper chill down Su Peng’s spine.

Sure, it was undeniably cute… but *he’s a guy!*

Memories of the hotel flashed back. Had An Han been trying to… sway him?

Now it really seemed possible.

"Bad timing?"

"Of course not~" An Han sprang up, grabbed Su Peng’s arm, and gently pressed him into a chair. "I was bored too!"

*Way too enthusiastic.*

Su Peng couldn’t handle the warmth. Worse—he feared another prank.

Fidgeting, stiff-limbed, he stole sideways glances at An Han.

Since when was his posture so… elegant?

They’d barely crossed paths lately—just distant classroom glimpses. Less than two days.

Yet An Han had changed again.

His gaze drifted downward… to that subtly budding chest.

An Han, lost in strategizing favorability gains, had forgotten he wasn’t wearing a jacket.

"How about going out?" he asked carefully.

"*This* weather?" Su Peng peered outside. Torrential rain hammered the window, pattering nonstop.

Autumn meant typhoon season. For southern coastal folks, typhoons were blessings—only then did the usual 40°C heat ease.

"Gaming then?" An Han’s eyes gleamed with hope.

*Would gaming even raise favorability? Probably not…*

Restless, Su Peng eyed the door while murmuring, "Sure… I’ll just voice-chat from my dorm?"

"Use Wang Sheng’s rig. He’s got an external monitor."

An Han saw Su Peng’s panic—but his own cheeks flushed pink too.

*What are YOU panicking for?! Shouldn’t I be the nervous one?!*

*I’m the one worried about two guys alone in a room getting… ideas!*

Shoulders hunched, head low, he scrambled for a way to boost favorability without awkwardness.

"Dota?"

"Wang Sheng’s PC doesn’t have it." Su Peng scanned the desktop. "Wait—he only plays CS:GO?"

"Yeah. He’s chasing pro dreams. Plays nothing else."

On weekends, Wang Sheng could game all day without tiring.

"Oh… right, I heard that."

An Han added, "He’s trying out for a gaming club over National Day. If he makes it… pro life."

"Cool."

But An Han’s mind raced: *How to raise Su Peng’s favorability?*

Twenty points shouldn’t be hard…

Bonding tricks for guys: mischief, checking out girls, drinking, gaming…

They’d gamed endlessly over three years. Minimal gains.

Drinking? An Han held his liquor well—never once drunk.

But inviting him for drinks *this early*? He’d seem nuts.

"Let’s pick a mini-game." Su Peng opened 4399. "Don’t wanna mess with Wang Sheng’s setup."

"True."

An Han scooted his chair closer, peering at the screen.

He’d loved sites like 4399 in elementary school. Flash Fighter consumed whole summers. Middle school computer class? Naruto vs Bleach duels with classmates.

Su Peng clicked aimlessly.

"Ice and Fire?"

"Already beat it."

"What *do* you want?" he muttered—then froze.

A faint, milky-sweet fragrance drifted near his nose.

From the corner of his eye: An Han’s face was *right there*. Close enough to see fine cheek hairs.

Skin impossibly smooth. Pores invisible. Complexion glowing, rosy, delicate.

*And his cheeks felt soft too…*

Su Peng recalled poking them at the hotel.

"I’ll just… play from my dorm. These games suck." He squirmed, eyes darting.

AC still at 16°C—but his body burned.

[Su Peng's Favorability +5]

An Han blinked, then grinned. *So easy! Just gaming together!*

"Nope! Naruto vs Bleach—I’m legendary!" Energy surged. He bragged proudly, "Middle school? Undefeated in class! No one touched me!"

But Su Peng stared blankly ahead.

An Han leaned farther, arm stretching for the mouse.

Closer now. Clear view of that fair, slender neck.

Su Peng went rigid.

"I—I just remembered something!" He shot up, making An Han jump.

"What’s your problem? So jumpy!"

Back turned, voice tight with apology and haste: "Advisor said to see me."

"Is the advisor *crazy*? Calling during break?"

"Gotta go!"

An Han watched helplessly as the nearly-cooked duck flew away.

*My task…~*