Chapter 34: Heading Home

Qiao Keren read his message and only sent back a string of punching emojis, keeping up his attitude.

In the past, if Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun teased Qiu Sui like this, he knew it wasn’t a big deal and wouldn’t feel panicked at all.

But now, guilty as he was, the group chat words had him on edge. He couldn’t recall anything else he’d lied about besides ditching the hiking trip with a fake excuse, so he spent the entire afternoon racking his brains for new excuses to fend them off tomorrow.

As expected, once a person starts lying, they need more lies to cover it up, Qiu Sui thought listlessly as he hunkered down in the dorm all day.

Seeing the sky darkening outside the balcony, he climbed down from bed and flicked on the dorm lights. He had zero intention of heading out to the cafeteria for takeout. Instead, he grabbed his phone, ordered delivery ahead of time, and flopped back onto the bed he’d been lazing in all day like a salted fish.

When Shen Zhixiao messaged asking if he wanted to grab dinner together, Qiu Sui’s delivery was already en route.

He honestly forwarded the delivery screenshot to Shen Zhixiao as a polite refusal. Remembering the pricey-looking lunch earlier, he figured he’d treat Shen to takeout now and something nicer after the holiday. So he typed out carefully:

Qiu Sui: How about I order takeout for you too?

Qiu Sui: Anything you want to eat?

The chat went quiet for a few seconds before the typing indicator popped up, messages flying in quick succession.

Shen Zhixiao: No worries.

Shen Zhixiao: I’m heading out myself now ^^

Shen Zhixiao: Want any drinks?

Shen Zhixiao: I’m going to South 2 Canteen. I can grab yours on the way back.

South 2 Canteen?

Qiu Sui saw those words and subconsciously swallowed.

His favorite fruit tea shop was on the second floor of South 2 Canteen. Whenever he passed by after class, he’d order a passionfruit lemon tea ahead of time—sour, sweet, and super refreshing…

Qiu Sui clutched his water cup by the bed and took a sip of bland room-temperature water. He hesitated, struggling internally, then replied tepidly: Thanks, but I’ll just order it myself on the app.

After sending, he added a paws-together thank-you sticker of a chibi cat to make it less curt.

Shen Zhixiao saw the hands-clasped chibi cat Qiu Sui sent and associated it with him. He chuckled happily to himself.

He tapped the sticker, added the whole series to his frequent-use list, then picked a waiting chibi cat from it and sent it back.

Qiu Sui had just ordered two passionfruit lemon teas on the app and was about to forward the pickup code when he saw the reply. He blinked, finding it familiar.

Comparing it to his own, he realized the two chibi cats were identical except for the pose.

Qiu Sui’s WeChat was packed with goofy stickers, but he only had a few normal ones—which he used on repeat, all swiped from Qiao Keren. Things like thanks, okay, got it, happy, the polite basics.

The thank-you one he’d sent Shen was a high-frequency one from his class group chats. He’d fired it off habitually without noticing how cute it was.

Only when Shen sent a matching one back did it hit him.

Shen Zhixiao’s sticker taste was surprisingly similar to Qiao Keren’s.

But thinking of Shen during his Susceptible Period, Qiu Sui figured the mismatch with his usual self was par for the course.

He reined in his wandering thoughts and sent the pickup code screenshot.

Qiu Sui: I got you a passionfruit lemon tea too.

Then, mimicking Shen’s style, he added: I think it’s really good. Not sure if you’ll like it.

How do you know if it’ll suit you if you’ve never had it…? Before Qiu Sui could finish typing through his bitten lip, another message dropped.

Shen Zhixiao: Because you recommended it. I’ll love anything connected to you.

“!”

Qiu Sui’s finger slipped, sending his half-typed reply. He panicked, recalled it frantically, his whole body burning up.

Shen apparently hadn’t seen it and asked curiously what he’d withdrawn.

No way was Qiu Sui repeating it verbatim. Face flaming, he stared at that weird line above, terrified Shen would resend it, and blurted: I hit the wrong button by accident!

Fearing more flirty bombs, Qiu Sui typed furiously to shut it down awkwardly: Gotta go pack. Talk later.

Shen seemed to buy it: Sure thing.

Exiting the chat, Qiu Sui threw off the covers to cool down.

He scrolled other WeChat messages, bantered with old friends, set up a pickup basketball game back home. Only then did the burning in his back fade.

Qiu Sui lazed a bit longer, then slowly got up. Technically, he hadn’t lied to Shen—he really did need to pack for tomorrow’s trip home.

Qiu Shun had packed last night and breezed out with Qiao Keren today. Qiu Sui hadn’t fully recovered then, no energy for it, and had lounged all day before feeling decent. He dragged out his suitcase, untouched for over a month.

But he just tossed in a few shirts and pants haphazardly, leaving space to bring stuff back from home.

He scanned it, decided it was good enough, and went to close it when his peripheral caught the little bag of ointments Shen had brought at noon. Neck stiff, he hesitated seconds before tossing them in.

His Gland wound had improved a lot from the initial swollen redness—just a faint mark now, barely noticeable unless you looked close. The hickeys on his neck, though, were still glaring.

Qiu Sui’s skin was fair; any redness stood out. He checked the mirror, gauging his collar—probably another two or three days to fade completely.

Annoyed, he rebuttoned up, grabbed a baseball cap, and finally stepped out on the holiday’s first day. But only to the lobby downstairs, where he snatched his hour-delayed delivery and bolted back.

Few students stayed on campus for break—most headed home or traveled. Dorms were ghost towns.

Qiu Sui rode the elevator alone, ambled back slowly. From afar, he spotted someone crouched at his door. The familiar scene made his heart lurch.

But the bulky build gave it away quick. He stepped closer and called out tentatively.

Shen Zhixiao was squatting by the door, holding two fruit teas while typing on his phone. Hearing his name, he looked up with pleasant surprise and softly called, “Qiu Sui.”

He stood, and suddenly Qiu Sui had to crane his neck to meet his eyes.

“I messaged but you didn’t reply. Thought maybe you’d crashed early.” Shen hooked the teas with his fingers, drooping his head pitifully as he spoke.

Qiu Sui glanced at the sky. “It’s only seven. No way I’d sleep this early.”

Shen Zhixiao’s droopy eyelids twitched at Qiu Sui’s serious face. He continued dejectedly, “You didn’t reply, didn’t answer the door. Had to guess…”

Qiu Sui patted his pockets, realizing he’d forgotten his phone downstairs. He licked his lips sheepishly. “Forgot it grabbing takeout… Didn’t expect you’d show. Sorry.”

Shen perked up at the explanation, holding the teas by the door as Qiu Sui unlocked it. “Packing for home tomorrow?”

They stood close; Shen’s breath tickled Qiu Sui’s ear, making him shrink his shoulders itchily as he nodded and pushed the door open.

Shen stayed dutifully at the threshold, handing over Qiu Sui’s tea. “Back on the eighth?”

Qiu Sui took the coveted drink, couldn’t resist popping the straw in for a gulp. “Mm.”

Shen Zhixiao’s gaze lingered subtly on Qiu Sui’s drink-wet lips, unable to forget their kiss-soft feel. Deeper, into that warm mouth, he’d find an even softer tongue tip—timid, trembling at the slightest tease.

Lost in that night’s memories, his hand by the door clenched slightly. His voice came out a touch huskier: “What time tomorrow?”

Qiu Sui leaned relaxed against the door, less awkward than at noon. Squeezing the damp cup, he answered honestly: “Nine-something flight.”

“Pretty early.” Shen sighed, then casually offered, “Want me to drive you to the airport tomorrow?”

The offer blindsided him. Qiu Sui nearly choked on his passionfruit, eyes widening around the straw. He couldn’t imagine Shen running into Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun.

Already dreading tomorrow, he swallowed and shot it down quick.

Shen took the refusal gracefully with a soft “Oh,” then chatted naturally: “Flight from Sea City back where?”

Chatting with Shen felt like gambling, Qiu Sui thought, eyeing the alpha’s innocent face warily. “Stream City.”

“Stream City? Never been. Any fun spots?” Shen asked curiously.

Qiu Sui had lived there years, found nothing special, but tourists loved it. He rattled off the online landmarks—turns out plenty to do, though locals barely cared.

Shen seemed hooked but didn’t drag it out. He pointed at the takeout on the desk. “Eat while it’s hot.”

As Shen waved goodbye again, Qiu Sui sipped his straw, admitting to himself that hanging with Shen was comfier than expected…