Chapter 24 Part 2

He couldn’t help twisting around—and locked eyes with the panda plushie on the back seat.

“What the hell is this?”

Lu Quan’s long fingers rested lazily on the panda’s head. “It’s a panda. You don’t recognize it?”

Qu Yizhou’s curiosity got the better of him too. “Brother Lu, why do you have something like that?”

He and Xu Cheng both knew full well that Lu Quan had zero interest in stuffed toys.

Lu Quan shrugged. “It’s a gift.”

Xu Cheng’s face lit up with sudden realization. “Oh! The plushie you had someone buy at an insane markup last time? The one you said you were mailing to your online fling? Changed your mind?”

Lu Quan’s gaze drifted out the window to the neon lights flickering by, his expression unreadable in their glow.

“I’m planning to give it to him in person.”

Back in the dorm room.

Liang Zhixia, dressed in his old pajamas, stood by his desk admiring the comic he’d just finished drawing.

Damn, he was good!

After soaking it all in, he tidied up his desk and prepared to hit the sack.

He’d just kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed when he heard a beep at the door.

The first thing that caught his eye was a familiar-looking panda plushie.

Then came Lu Quan.

Hadn’t Xu Cheng said Lu Quan wasn’t coming back tonight?

Lu Quan stood in the doorway and lifted his gaze to Liang Zhixia, who seemed frozen in place.

It was clear the other young man had been about to get into bed—knees and palms planted on the covers, a simple slipper dangling precariously from his pale, tender foot. Above that stretched a slim calf, and higher still, thighs hidden by his pants.

Even covered up, Lu Quan could picture exactly what lay beneath.

He still had those photos saved in his photo album.

Every detail was etched deep into his mind.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, hidden partially by the panda’s ears, his eyes dark and predatory.

Like a small animal sensing unknown danger, Liang Zhixia burrowed under the covers in a flash. He sneaked a hand down to check his pants—good, no accidental exposure this time.

Only then did he poke half his face out from under the blanket, his voice muffled.

“Senior Lu, you’re back.”

Lu Quan clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, hugged the panda plushie close, and walked over to the bed. His voice came out low and magnetic.

“Why are you wearing that butt-baring pajamas set again? What about the one I had someone buy for you?”

Butt… baring???

How could Lu Quan say something like that to his face?

It was so crude—totally at odds with his aloof vibe.

Under the other man’s intensely invasive stare, he shrank farther into the covers and mumbled weakly, “I just washed that other set today.”

Lu Quan let out a casual hum, his gaze dropping to the one bare foot still peeking out.

It looked like the dorm needed a washing machine.

He’d had the old one tossed because it took up too much space.

“Aren’t you cold?”

Liang Zhixia blinked in confusion.

The young man’s long, thick lashes cast shadows under his eyes, and his light tea-colored irises shone clear and bright like a deer’s. With alcohol still dulling his brain, Lu Quan nearly lost control and leaned in for a kiss.

Ever since he’d learned that the Zhizhi on his phone was Liang Zhixia—and a guy, no less—he’d taken it in stride.

Boy or girl, it didn’t matter in the end. They had to be his.

Liang Zhixia burrowed deeper under the covers, picking up on the dangerous aura radiating from Lu Quan.

That exposed foot vanished inside too.

Lu Quan regretfully pulled back his gaze. If Zhizhi had said he was cold, he could’ve warmed those feet with his hands.

Liang Zhixia couldn’t read the thoughts churning in the other man’s head. He just said softly, “Senior Lu, I’m going to sleep now.”

Such a good boy.

Lu Quan’s fingertip stroked the plush fur on the panda.

“Goodnight.”

Liang Zhixia paused, his eyes curving into a smile.

“Senior Lu, goodnight.”

He turned his head and watched as Lu Quan drew the bed curtain closed. The man lingered by his bed for a few more seconds before heading to his own bunk across the room.

Through the thin curtain, he saw Lu Quan set the panda plushie down on his bed.

Wasn’t that supposed to be for someone he liked?

Had it been returned?

The lights outside the curtain were still on, but an overwhelming wave of sleepiness washed over him anyway.

The air still held traces of the other man’s boozy scent—strong, but kind of nice.

For once, the dorm room wasn’t just his alone.

Lu Quan listened to the soft, even breaths nearby. He quietly pulled some clothes from the wardrobe and slipped into the bathroom.

Once the door clicked shut, he stared into the mirror and suddenly remembered those photos in his album.

His eyes narrowed. He turned to scrutinize the bathroom wall—Zhizhi’s pictures had been taken right here.

The thought of Zhizhi secretly slipping into a skirt for photos in the dorm sent a rush of heat straight to his gut.

He let out a low pant and switched the water from hot to cold.

Time to cool off.

The next morning.

Liang Zhixia woke to the tantalizing aroma tickling his nose. He blinked his eyes open groggily, sat up in bed, and pulled back the curtain.

The first thing he saw was someone he hadn’t expected.

Lu Quan was still in the dorm.

He ran a hand through his sleep-tousled hair and looked up with a smile. “Senior Lu, morning.”

Lu Quan dragged his gaze from the computer screen to the freshly woken young man.

A naughty tuft of hair stuck up from the top of his head. His pale, clean face bore a few red sleep marks, and below that, his collar hung open in disarray.

The faded pajamas hung loose on his frame, revealing delicate collarbones and a slender, graceful neck.

Lu Quan masked the heat in his eyes and parted his thin lips. “Morning.”

Liang Zhixia dropped the curtain to change clothes, but his mind kept replaying the smile that had tugged at Lu Quan’s lips just now.

Had he imagined it?

Lu Quan had actually smiled at him.

The sun hadn’t risen in the west today, either.

After washing up, Lu Quan was still there in the dorm.

Normally, he’d have left ages ago.

Liang Zhixia walked to his desk and spotted the new addition with surprise. He turned to the other man.

“Senior Lu, did you leave this on my desk?”

Lu Quan set down his phone and turned to face him, his distinctively knuckled fingers tapping lightly against his thigh.

“Yeah. Bought too much.”

Liang Zhixia had planned on scarfing down some bread, but the smell was irresistible.

A brilliant smile bloomed across his face.

“Thanks for the breakfast feeding, Senior Lu.”

The food was packed in an ordinary, disposable plastic bag—no hint of the price tag.

But Liang Zhixia, who’d eaten his share of cafeteria slop, knew at a glance this wasn’t school chow.

He polished off every last bite, then licked his lips. That final pastry had been divine.

A glance at the clock—twenty minutes left. Plenty of time to reach the coffee shop.

He slung on his backpack and turned to Lu Quan, who was still hanging around. “Senior Lu, I’m heading out. Oh, and the breakfast was delicious.”

The young man’s face radiated pure sunshine, his slim white fingers gripping the strap, his eyes sparkling as they fixed on him.

Lu Quan’s throat bobbed. His fingers paused. He shut the laptop, grabbed his phone.

“I’ll come with you.”

Liang Zhixia nodded blankly. “Sure.”

The two of them walked out through the school gates together. Liang Zhixia glanced at Lu Quan’s tall, lean figure. “Is Senior Lu heading out for fun?”

“Nope. Off to work.”

He looked up at the man in surprise, his tone tinged with doubt.

“Senior Lu, you have a part-time job too?”

Lu Quan met those bright, sparkling eyes as he glanced down, the corner of his mouth hooking up. “Yeah. Family cut me off.”

“Sorry, Senior Lu, I didn’t mean—”

Lu Quan cut off his apology.

“It’s fine. Working part-time sounds kinda fun anyway.”

Liang Zhixia pulled a face. Fun? Part-time gigs were the opposite—standing all day, forcing smiles the whole time. Exhausting.

Though Lu Quan’s job was probably nothing like his.

Until Lu Quan was standing with him in front of the coffee shop, the boss spoke up. “Today, I’m introducing a new colleague to everyone—Little Lu, who’s also a student at A University. Let’s give him a round of applause!”

Liang Zhixia was a little dumbfounded. Lu Quan was working at the coffee shop too?

While he was changing into his uniform, he leaned in and whispered, “Senior Lu, why are you working here? I thought—”

“Thought what?” Lu Quan asked.

“I thought you’d be working in some office building.”

A low chuckle rumbled from Lu Quan’s throat. Zhizhi was just too adorable—his lips all red, opening and closing as he spoke, tempting him beyond measure.

Liang Zhixia heard the laugh from above his head and scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

Just then, the boss knocked and came in, handing a bag to Lu Quan.

“Little Lu, your work uniform.”

Lu Quan reached out and took it.

The boss smiled and said, “Little Xia, Little Lu is new, and you two go to the same school. If there’s anything he doesn’t know, teach him, okay?”

Liang Zhixia nodded.

But as he glanced between the two of them, something felt off.

Compared to the coffee shop’s boss, Lu Quan looked more like the one in charge.

Work hours hadn’t started yet. Liang Zhixia had just finished changing when he heard Lu Quan’s voice from the next stall over.

“Zhizhi, can you come in and help me for a second?”

Liang Zhixia froze in place. He wondered if his ears were playing tricks on him—why else would he hear Lu Quan calling him Zhizhi?

It was such an intimate nickname, and it sounded oddly familiar.

“You’re not hallucinating.”

He looked toward the changing stall and ventured cautiously, “Senior Lu, were you calling me?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” Lu Quan replied.

The changing stall door cracked open a sliver. Liang Zhixia hesitated, caught between entering and staying put. He didn’t think he and Lu Quan were on that kind of familiar terms yet—going right in would be awkward.

Suddenly, footsteps and voices approached from the employee room’s entrance. It sounded like two people heading their way.

Heading in?!

But Lu Quan’s changing stall door was still open!

In the nick of time, he yanked the door wide, shoved Lu Quan inside without a glance at his expression, and slammed it shut just as the colleagues entered.

Then he heard the two of them outside, settling into chairs and chatting amiably.

In the cramped changing stall, Liang Zhixia could feel Lu Quan’s scorching breath—they were pressed way too close.

He glanced down, his expression tightening.

He hadn’t noticed before, but now he realized his palm was pressed flat against the other’s bare chest and abs.

Hot skin radiated warmth into his hand. In a panic, he yanked it back and clenched his fists tight.

“Sorry,” he whispered breathlessly.

There were still people outside, so he didn’t dare speak loudly. Worried Lu Quan might not hear, he edged a little closer.

“Sorry, Senior Lu. I didn’t mean to.”

Last time he’d gotten water on Lu Quan’s shirt, the man had just tossed it. What now? Would Lu Quan toss him aside too?

He wanted to cry but had no tears.

The stall was so small he couldn’t put any distance between them even if he tried.

He remembered how much Lu Quan hated being touched by others. What if this made him pull away again, tell Xu Cheng to take back that money?

But he really needed the cash right now.

“Senior Lu, I’m really sorry.”

Lu Quan’s eyes darkened, a deep glow flickering in their depths. He drank in Zhizhi’s flustered, fearful look while soothing him in a low voice.

“It’s fine, Zhizhi. You didn’t get me dirty.”

Liang Zhixia bit his lip, the corners of his eyes turning red. His pretty eyes shimmered with tears, his voice carrying a cute little nasal twang.

“Really? I didn’t get anything on you?”

Lu Quan gently wiped away the tear spilling from the corner of the young man’s eye, regretting that he couldn’t just lick it off right there.

“Really.”

Even if he had, it wouldn’t matter.

He’d gladly let Zhizhi dirty him up.

Of course, those words were better saved for the bedroom next time.