He spoke slowly.
His low voice blended into the soft whoosh of tires over the asphalt, stirring a subtle, seductive atmosphere in the dim space.
Qiu Sui was still lost in his own thoughts and didn’t immediately grasp the meaning behind Shen Zhixiao’s words.
He couldn’t figure out how the topic connected back to the misunderstanding at the barbecue shop, and his mind went blank for a moment.
Qiu Sui still had his head tilted toward Shen Zhixiao, with passing car headlights occasionally illuminating them both.
In his line of sight, Shen Zhixiao’s previously dim and blurry features sharpened in that instant. He was gazing at Qiu Sui with focused intensity, his dark eyes emitting a faint glow, as if earnestly awaiting the answer he wanted.
Qiu Sui’s mind blurred briefly.
As the light dimmed again, he snapped back, hastily turning his face forward in a fluster. He stared at the streetlamp ahead, blinking rapidly in the silent, awkward atmosphere. Finally, he reacted with a sluggish nod, his mouth twitching awkwardly as he forced out a troubled response: “It’s not exactly like that…”
Shen Zhixiao already sensed the ominous tone in Qiu Sui’s voice, his expression stiffening.
He didn’t give Qiu Sui a chance to say more, quickly interrupting with a faint smile: “I was just saying it casually.”
Qiu Sui paused mid-sentence, then heard the other smoothly change the subject, thoughtfully asking if he wanted to browse the nearby mall and pick up something to bring back to school.
They had gradually left the darker stretch of road, approaching the bustling intersection ahead lined with large shops.
Qiu Sui was truly worried Shen Zhixiao might ask more difficult questions. Right now, he just wanted to wrap up this dinner invitation intact.
He glanced at the time on his phone—nearly 9:30—and shook his head at Shen Zhixiao without hesitation, suggesting they head back to school.
Deep down, Qiu Sui hoped Shen Zhixiao wouldn’t rush back, so he could take the nearby subway alone. But of course, that was impossible. Shen Zhixiao called his driver to pick them up.
From the moment Shen Zhixiao had asked that question, Qiu Sui started feeling the same awkward stiffness he’d had at the start of the evening.
Standing by the roadside waiting for the driver, afraid Shen Zhixiao might bring up more embarrassing topics, he kept his head down, fiddling with his phone and pretending to be busy. In reality, he was in their small group chat, luring Qiao Keren into a meme battle.
Qiao Keren was baffled at first, but once his competitive streak kicked in, he dove right in.
The two exchanged dozens of emoji volleys.
Qiu Shun, fresh out of the shower, saw he couldn’t get a word in and finally interrupted their frenzy with a Doudizhu team invite.
Qiu Sui’s fingers paused on the meme battle at Qiu Shun’s message. He instinctively glanced at Shen Zhixiao beside him, a pang of guilty panic hitting him like he’d been caught doing something bad.
But soon, he reassured himself: I’m not affected by eye contact with Shen Zhixiao anymore. After tonight’s dinner, I’ll keep my distance from him. Or better yet, find another suitable match. That way, even if Shen Zhixiao wants to chat, Qiu Shun won’t get the wrong idea.
While Qiu Sui was lost in thought, Qiao Keren had joined the team and was now @-ing him in the group to join. Getting no reply, Qiao Keren started a group voice chat.
Qiu Sui was about to exit when Shen Zhixiao softly called his name from beside him. His finger jerked on the screen, nearly accepting the call.
His heart pounded wildly. He hurriedly closed the app and looked up at Shen Zhixiao, eyes wide with lingering panic: “What is it?”
Shen Zhixiao had been quietly observing Qiu Sui the whole time, catching every nuance of expression on his face.
His gaze lingered half a second on Qiu Sui’s phone, a faint trace of resentment flickering in his brows, though his tone remained calm and gentle: “The driver’s here.”
Qiu Sui, still fixated on the group chat, reacted a beat late with an “oh,” clutching his phone as he got in the car first.
By the time he settled in, Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun had already started playing without him, spamming question marks in the group about his sudden disappearance.
Sensing the unmistakable presence on the other side of the seat, Qiu Sui dimmed his screen brightness and typed an explanation to Qiu Shun and Qiao Keren: he was busy tonight and wouldn’t play.
After sending it, he felt a twinge of guilt, his mind racing with excuses in case they asked what he was busy with. But neither paid much mind, tossing him a casual emoji mid-game.
Qiu Sui stared at his phone for a few seconds, confirming they were too absorbed to care, then quietly turned it off. To avoid Shen Zhixiao striking up conversation, he leaned against the car door and pretended to sleep with his head down.
The interior light had been on, but it switched off shortly after Qiu Sui closed his eyes.
Feeling the light dim, he reflexively cracked his eyes open, peeking stealthily at the other side while keeping his head low.
But it was too dark to see clearly.
Qiu Sui withdrew his gaze and, in the dim, quiet space, let out a soft yawn he couldn’t stifle.
Rocked by the car, he closed his eyes and actually grew drowsy, drifting off in a haze. When he was woken, he felt disoriented, unsure what was real.
As awareness returned, he belatedly straightened his head, realizing his right shoulder was pressed right against Shen Zhixiao’s.
He jolted fully awake, instinctively shifting toward the door.
But he’d been in the outermost seat from the start—no room left to scoot. Turning his head, he nearly smacked his face into the window, only for Shen Zhixiao to swiftly block it with his palm.
For Qiu Sui, that was worse than hitting the glass.
The moment his forehead and nose bridge touched Shen Zhixiao’s palm, he flinched like he’d been shocked, recoiling backward. His head whacked squarely into the other’s chin, his heart skipping a beat.
In a daze, he twisted around, stammering an apology to Shen Zhixiao without realizing he was trapped between the man, his hand, the seat, and the window.
Then Shen Zhixiao let out a low chuckle, his breath brushing Qiu Sui’s forehead bangs. His body froze.
In this unnaturally close distance, Qiu Sui’s eyelids twitched as he met Shen Zhixiao’s gaze, his sleep-fogged nerves yanked awake, pounding in his brain and leaving him frozen without a next move.
Shen Zhixiao leaned down toward him, his smile illuminated clearly by the outside light, not even hiding the sly glint in his eyes. So close, his voice was low, almost a murmur.
“Qiu Sui.”
He drew out the two syllables slowly, his breath lingering as he added: “You really haven’t noticed?”
Qiu Sui went rigid, a surge of intense crisis hitting him in that instant. Yet staring at the other’s handsome, harmless smile, it felt like just an illusion.
His heart hammered terrifyingly against his ribs, sparking a panic of being swept up in some plot. He moved his fingers sluggishly, confirming he could still control his body.
Reassured, he raised a hand to push away the one trapping him. But Shen Zhixiao’s strength dwarfed his—he couldn’t budge it.
Shen Zhixiao seemed to be waiting for an answer, so Qiu Sui pushed while saying: “Noticed what?”
His tone betrayed growing irritation. Shen Zhixiao eased his grip slightly, though his hand stayed in place. Under Qiu Sui’s stare, his expression softened into something even more gentle and innocent, tinged with apology. In a soft, regretful voice: “I noticed you fell asleep and your head was lolling, so I rested it on my shoulder. That’s why I startled you just now.”
After his apologetic explanation, he released his hand and pulled back, watching Qiu Sui carefully and asking with concern: “You don’t mind, do you?”
Shen Zhixiao had blocked him… just to say that?
Qiu Sui’s dark eyes fixed on the other’s earnest face, doubting his earlier overreaction.
But the car had already pulled up to the dorm building. Eager to get back to his room, he brushed it off with a “it’s fine,” grabbed his backpack, and yanked the door open to get out.
Shen Zhixiao followed right after, catching up to sincerely apologize again.
Qiu Sui’s expression softened a bit at that, replying dryly: “I really don’t mind. Thanks.”
Seeing Shen Zhixiao still look apologetic, Qiu Sui wondered if he’d overthought it after all.
It was past ten when they returned, and the dorm elevator was nearly empty.
They stepped into the same one—cramped with just the two of them and a third person.
Qiu Sui stood by the button panel, peripheral vision catching the unfamiliar Alpha at the far edge glancing back and forth between them. He frowned in confusion.
But the stranger hurried out on the sixth floor.
Qiu Sui’s old dorm, where he’d stayed half a day, was also on six—full of first-year freshmen from their department. Maybe the guy recognized him or Shen Zhixiao?
After the Alpha left, Qiu Sui irritably mashed the close-door button.
The doors shut, leaving just him and Shen Zhixiao in the enclosed space. Qiu Sui licked his dry lips, staring intently at the doors, waiting for them to open and end their last moment alone.
Right then, the quiet Alpha behind him spoke up.
Qiu Sui’s ears perked sensitively. He heard Shen Zhixiao suddenly mention that the Computer Association would announce acceptances tomorrow.
The doors dinged open. Thinking Shen Zhixiao was worried like Xiao Mu, Qiu Sui stepped out and turned back comfortingly: “Me, nervous? Nervous about Qiu Shun? I believe he’ll get in for sure.”
He added reassuringly: “You’ll get in too.”
Shen Zhixiao’s expression faltered briefly, his smile stiffening: “And you?”
Only then did Qiu Sui realize Shen Zhixiao had misunderstood like Xiao Mu—he thought Qiu Sui had applied to the Computer Association.
His tense shoulders relaxed, and he couldn’t help chuckling, eyes crinkling with a lively spark: “I didn’t apply. Why would I be nervous?”
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