Chapter 1

The sun blazed like fire, baking the ground until it reeked of scorched rubber. Dazzling sunlight pierced through the gaps in the leaves, the heat so oppressive it stole the breath from one’s lungs.

Liang Zhixia stood beneath a tree, steadying the suitcase at his feet with one hand while clutching a printed campus map in the other.

Suddenly, the phone in his hand buzzed, its screen lighting up with a new message.

[Xia Xia, have you found the dorm yet?]

Another followed right after.

[Want me to come to your school and help?]

He quickly typed back: “No need, no need! I can handle it myself!”

The messages were from an online friend he’d known for three years, nicknamed Zhuzi. They were the same age.

They hadn’t met in person, but they knew everything else about each other—including the fact that Liang Zhixia had a terrible sense of direction.

That was why he’d cleverly asked a senior from the freshman group chat for a campus map before the semester started.

Now he wouldn’t get lost!

Moments later, a reply came.

[Alright, just call if you need anything. I can drive over—no trouble at all.]

[By the way, you still doing that cosplay chat companion gig?]

Liang Zhixia’s pupils contracted slightly. He fumbled to say goodbye to his friend, then tapped on the pinned chat with the black avatar.

He’d forgotten to message his paid chat companion today. Getting to campus for registration had eaten up his entire morning.

It wasn’t a huge deal, but he’d paid for it—every minute and second cost money!

The sun grew fiercer as noon approached. The enthusiastic shouts from the upperclassmen seemed to wilt in the heat. Fine beads of sweat dotted Liang Zhixia’s nose. He frowned, staring at the chat screen, racking his brain before typing out a line.

[Baby, you’re my favorite. Can you not talk to anyone else? I’m so jealous!]

Normally, he’d send several messages.

But it was just too damn hot.

He’d always been sensitive to heat, sweating easily, the sticky dampness clinging uncomfortably to his skin.

His slender, pale fingers tapped out another line haphazardly.

[I miss you so much.]

After sending it, he pocketed his phone without waiting for a reply.

His companion rarely responded instantly—probably busy with other jobs besides this gig.

He put himself in the other’s shoes. Besides, he didn’t need instant replies; it was just to spark some inspiration.

The leaves overhead seemed scorched by the relentless sun. Liang Zhixia smoothed out the crumpled map and peered down at it.

As he lowered his head, the elegant line of his neck stretched long and graceful. Beads of sweat trickled downward, vanishing into more hidden places.

His slim fingertips traced over dormitory names until he spotted his destination in the bottom left corner.

Emerald Bamboo Garden.

He memorized the route, folded the map, and tucked it into his pocket before pushing his suitcase onward.

Far fewer people were checking in at midday. The upperclassmen helping freshmen had retreated to the shaded tents to rest.

He hadn’t planned to bother anyone anyway. Wheeling his suitcase, he followed the route from memory.

Passing one shaded tent, he overheard two upperclasswomen chatting.

“The School Grass showed up so early this year? How can someone that hot not be my boyfriend?”

“Forget it. The School Grass isn’t for mortals like us. See? First day of term, and he’s already headed to the library.”

“But he’s seriously so handsome!!!”

“Then I’ll take you to the library to study all day.”

“Nah, forget it. Hot guys suddenly don’t seem that important.”

Their voices faded behind him. Liang Zhixia glanced down at the pebbled path, his light tea-colored eyes flickering with curiosity. Was the School Grass really that good-looking?

A University’s landscaping was impeccable, flowers and greenery everywhere. Ten minutes later, Liang Zhixia predictably got lost.

He caught his breath and found a shady tree, perching on his suitcase. One leg bent slightly, the other planted on the ground.

He fished out his phone without looking and tapped straight into the top-pinned contact.

His fingertip held down the voice message button. In a soft, aggrieved tone, he murmured.

“I’m lost again. This sucks.”

After sending, he let his hand dangle, blinking as he silently counted the petals on a nearby flower.

Buzz.

Probably Zhuzi replying.

When he checked the screen, Liang Zhixia’s vision went dark. He wanted to drop dead on the spot.

He’d sent it to the wrong person!!!

Luckily, his voice had been soft in the recording—no one would realize he was a guy.

He had no interest in pretending to be a girl. It was just advice from Zhuzi during one of their chats about this.

Zhuzi knew he sometimes got lazy typing and preferred voice messages.

Zhuzi had said this chat companion was obviously a guy. If the companion learned Liang Zhixia was one too, the roleplay would lose its professionalism—might even mock him behind his back as some pervert with weird tastes.

He’d happily taken the advice. The companion would never know who he was.

He’d only booked three months anyway. Once up, they’d delete each other—strangers again.

The stark black avatar featured a bold capital L, exuding cold detachment.

Tapping in, he saw the reply.

[Are you an idiot?]

So annoying.

No one liked being called an idiot.

Pouting unhappily, he jabbed at the screen and fired back.

[You went OOC again!]

Half a month ago, to brainstorm dialogue for his new comic’s protagonist, he’d hired a chat companion from Taobao.

But this one was utterly unprofessional. Should’ve switched back then.

Plus, after adding him, the guy had deleted him—not once, but three times!

Still sulking, he hit the voice button, pitching his voice soft.

“You’re really not professional at all.”

To convey his displeasure, he emphasized the words hard—letting the other know exactly who was boss!

Lu Quan mindlessly replayed the message several times. Before this, he’d never realized he had a voice kink.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kept the contact after that first voice note.

The light, gentle timbre was like a chilled honey drink on a sweltering day—its amateurish lowered pitch and faint nasal twang carrying zero intimidation.

Withdrawing his finger, he scrolled up to the two messages from half an hour ago. His gaze lingered two seconds on the “I miss you,” brows furrowing in thought.

From the known info, the other hadn’t mentioned going out—so this wasn’t meant for him?

No further messages came. He frowned slightly, fingers twitching.

[Anyone nearby? Ask them.]

While waiting, he leaned against a pavilion pillar, casually glancing at a guy in the opposite grove. Duckbill cap, black mask obscuring his face, long straight legs exposed.

He looked away, expression indifferent, and checked his phone to send another message—just as a reply pinged.

[Idiot: Wow! I just saw a super hot guy! Gonna ask him!]

Lu Quan’s eyes narrowed faintly, emotions darkening in their depths. His distinct-knuckled fingers tapped lightly.

[Mm.]

Expression icy, he pocketed his phone and strode off on long legs down a side path.

From the corner of his eye, the guy from the grove was gone.

“Why’d he leave?” Liang Zhixia watched the hottie stride away, a pang of regret hitting him. He’d only caught a glimpse of the profile, but he swore the full face was knockout material!

Drawing comics meant his handsome-guy radar pinged whenever one was near.

The midday campus was deserted—everyone craving air-conditioned refuge.

Dejected, he unfolded the map from his pocket to pinpoint his location. As he looked up for a landmark, a figure stopped in front of him.

“Classmate, you a freshman this year?”

The voice sounded like heavenly music in his ears. Squinting against the glare, he looked up.

The guy wore a short-sleeved shirt, sweat beading on his forehead, a small pouch strapped to his arm—like a helpful upperclassman.

He nodded eagerly. “Yeah, freshman here. Hi, senior.”

Lin Jie grinned at the underclassman before him. The other’s slightly curly hair seemed wilted by the sun, limp across his brows.

“I’m a sophomore, Lin Jie. You… lost on the way to your dorm?”

Liang Zhixia nodded like a pecking chick. “Yeah. Could you tell me how to get to Emerald Bamboo Garden?”

“You’re in Emerald Bamboo Garden?” The senior sounded surprised.

He asked quickly, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Jie waved it off. “Nothing. That’s the grad student dorm—two per room. How’d a freshman end up there?”

Liang Zhixia stared blankly. Lin Jie remembered—a newbie wouldn’t know.

He said casually, “Probably the system assignment. You’re lucky, though. Way nicer than undergrad dorms. Just get along with your roommate.”

Seeing the sweat pouring off him, Lin Jie suggested walking and talking.

Liang Zhixia nodded, suitcase in tow, listening to Lin Jie share campus tips with occasional nods.

Five minutes later, they arrived.

He eyed the thriving bamboo on one side. Emerald Bamboo Garden really had bamboo.

Lin Jie quietly sized him up, pondering his next words.

Liang Zhixia had just learned that the graduate dorm was on a higher floor and thus equipped with an elevator. He turned his head and said, “Thanks, senior. Let me treat you to some milk tea?”

This was something Zhuzi had taught him. Whenever a senior helped him out, he could say this.

Lin Jie gazed into those light tea-colored eyes and suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Even so, he pulled something from the bag slung over his arm, scratched his head, and said, “Um, I don’t drink milk tea. Do you want to get an extra phone card for school? Students get discounts…”

He had these lines memorized perfectly, but for some reason, facing this new junior he’d just met, he couldn’t quite spit them out.

After a pause, he said, “Forget it, I—”

“Sure.”

“Ah?! You want a card?” Lin Jie was caught off guard. “You really want one?”

Liang Zhixia looked at him, puzzled. “Can’t I?”

Lin Jie wiped the sweat from his forehead and carefully laid out all the conditions, including some of the hidden restrictions.

After listening attentively, Liang Zhixia pursed his lips and said, “Okay.”

He had thought it over. He could register the new card specifically for adding classmates and roommates.

He didn’t really want to add unfamiliar people on his main account.

Once all the paperwork was done, Lin Jie prepared to leave. He still had more cards to sell.

Liang Zhixia’s eyes curved into a smile. “Thanks, senior. See you later, senior.”

Lin Jie smiled back. Today’s earnings had gotten a nice boost.

It wasn’t until he stepped out of the graduate dorm that he realized he hadn’t added the junior as a friend.

On the sixth-floor corridor of the dorm, Liang Zhixia emerged from the elevator and wheeled his suitcase ahead.

The rolling of the wheels echoed loudly through the quiet afternoon. He picked up his pace, located his room, swiped his student card over the door sensor, and heard a beep as it unlocked.

He quickly hauled the suitcase inside and softly closed the door behind him.

No sooner had the door clicked shut than the smart air conditioner hummed to life, sending a cool breeze washing over Liang Zhixia. He removed his mask and hat, taking in the room with curious eyes.

Beds lined each wall, flanked by wardrobes and desks. A few small potted plants sat on the tiny balcony, and several items of clothing hung from the overhead drying rack.

The dorm was far cleaner than he had expected. He ran a hand over the floor curiously— not a speck of dust.

Had his roommate known a new student was arriving today and cleaned up specially?

If so, he was incredibly lucky to have such a considerate roommate.

With his roommate still out, he pulled a fresh change of clothes from the suitcase and headed for a shower.

After a refreshing wash, he stowed his toiletries and mopped up the water from the floor.

A light blue towel draped casually over his damp hair, he unpacked his suitcase into the wardrobe and made up the bed.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

He padded over curiously and opened it. A guy in a basketball jersey stood there.

The guy seemed surprised to find someone already in the room. He paused, then asked, “You’re Brother Lu’s new roommate?”

“Yeah,” Liang Zhixia replied. “Need something? He’s… not here.”

Fresh from the shower, his skin gleamed smooth and delicate. Long, straight, pale legs extended from his shorts. His tousled hair fell across his forehead, framing fair skin and softly pink lips, while his light tea-colored eyes lent him an air of sweet obedience.

The guy shifted uncomfortably, averting his gaze as he scratched his head. “Nah, just dropping off a package. Tell Brother Lu for me?”

Liang Zhixia accepted the parcel with a smile. “Got it.”

The guy stole a glance at that smile, his face turning beet red. He mumbled a goodbye and bolted.

The “Brother Lu” this guy had mentioned must be his new roommate. Liang Zhixia shut the door and set the package casually on the other’s desk.

The heat had killed his appetite. He fished a piece of bread from his bag and nibbled at it. After two small slices, drowsiness hit him. He clambered onto the bed in a haze, tugged the blanket over his stomach, and drifted off.

The smart air conditioner whirred on silently. Some time later, the door’s keypad beeped.

Lu Quan stood in the doorway, his gaze coldly sweeping the room. New belongings cluttered the space everywhere. He glanced at the floor— it was dirty.

His expression darkened slightly as he stepped inside. The door’s thud jolted Liang Zhixia awake.

Sleepy-eyed, Liang Zhixia sat up, clutching the fluffy blanket. He yawned widely, blinking away the fog before noticing the figure in the room.

He startled, his eyes going wide and round. Clutching the blanket, he knelt up on the bed. His shorts had ridden higher, baring the soft, plump base of his thighs— skin luminous and flawless.

Lu Quan averted his icy gaze and spoke. “Lu Quan.”

Lu Quan?

So this was his new roommate. Recalling his earlier actions, Liang Zhixia felt a flush of embarrassment. He ruffled his hair sheepishly, pursed his lips, and said, “Hi, I’m Liang Zhixia.”

The guy merely grunted in response. Silence followed.

The other stood at least six foot two— don’t ask how he knew so precisely; his eyes were a ruler!

As he snuck another glance, the guy abruptly turned. Their eyes met without warning.

Such a cold stare.

Deep-set eyes, striking bone structure. Shadows from prominent brows fell across a sharp nose bridge. Clear black irises held no trace of warmth, and thin lips delivered words like chips of ice.

“Don’t put dirty stuff on my desk next time.”

“And wear proper clothes in the dorm.”