Chapter 35: Dream

After finishing his meal, Qiu Sui hugged his phone and checked the updates in their little group chat.

Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun had long stopped bringing up his lie. That afternoon, photos trickled in one after another—group shots and plenty of scenic views.

Qiu Sui sprawled enviously over the desk, swiping through them one by one, and asked with genuine concern how they were enjoying themselves.

Qiao Keren rated the day four stars, regretting that the missing one was because Qiu Sui hadn’t come along.

Seeing that message made Qiu Sui’s low mood over missing out sink even deeper.

He pursed his lips and slowly typed a reply to Qiao Keren before flopping dejectedly back onto the bed, burying his face in the covers. The new excuse he’d been mulling over all afternoon was ultimately overturned by another thought.

He didn’t sleep as well that night as the previous two. He kept waking up in a daze throughout the night, leaving him utterly groggy when he got up at six to wash up.

The car had already picked up Qiu Shun and Qiao Keren and was on its way to the Alpha Dorm Area.

Qiu Sui grabbed his suitcase and tugged open the dorm door, only to be caught off guard by Shen Zhixiao waiting off to the side.

Shen held a bag in his hand and looked at him in surprise, flashing the chat history on his phone screen with a soft chuckle. “I didn’t see your reply, so I thought you’d already headed to the airport…”

Qiu Sui’s early-morning brain was still sluggish. He stared at that handsome face for several seconds before grabbing his phone and opening WeChat, realizing Shen Zhixiao had messaged him over ten minutes ago.

But he’d forgotten to turn off Do Not Disturb after waking up, so the notification hadn’t popped up.

Qiu Sui shifted his gaze from the chat and met the alpha’s eyes apologetically, his voice a bit muffled. “I forgot to check my phone…”

Shen Zhixiao leaned against the doorframe with an easy smile, dipping his head slightly closer and asking in a warm, gentle tone, “You haven’t had breakfast yet, have you?”

Qiu Sui’s mind was already tense over confessing to Qiu Shun and Qiao Keren later, so he just dazedly mumbled an “mm” in response. The next second, he felt a weight settle into his hand.

Shen Zhixiao placed the bag in Qiu Sui’s grasp, thoughtfully adjusting his slightly crooked hat brim as he explained softly, “There are sandwiches inside. Make sure to eat something on the way to tide you over.”

Qiu Sui blinked slowly at the three packed boxes in the bag, pausing in a daze before murmuring a quiet “thanks.”

He pulled his suitcase along as he walked forward, sensing the footsteps trailing behind him, and suddenly called out Shen Zhixiao’s name.

Shen responded from behind, asking with concern, “What’s up?”

Qiu Sui licked his lips, hesitating awkwardly for a few seconds before managing to ask for confirmation, “When… did you first notice me?”

“Notice?” The man repeated in confusion, as if he hadn’t understood, then paused before realization dawned and he said bluntly, “You mean, when did I start liking you?”

Qiu Sui’s fingers tightened involuntarily on the suitcase handle, his expression turning a bit unnatural as he let out a quiet “mm.”

He wanted to know when everything had started going off the rails.

Shen Zhixiao stopped with Qiu Sui in front of the elevator, gazing at that pale side profile, his words coming slow and deliberate. “Probably longer than you think.”

Qiu Sui couldn’t guess what moment had sparked Shen Zhixiao’s feelings. Was it when they’d first added each other on WeChat? Or their chance encounter at the East Canteen? Their interactions back then had been so ordinary, nothing that seemed like it would trigger a heartbeat.

Unable to help himself, he turned his head slightly, meeting the alpha’s warm gaze. Qiu Sui’s heart skipped half a beat.

He let out a muddled “oh,” then haltingly asked, “So… when?”

“You might not believe it if I told you.” Shen Zhixiao’s voice was soft, laced with a faint smile as he added slowly, “Actually, the first time I saw you… I thought you were special.”

Even though he’d braced himself, hearing the concrete answer made Qiu Sui’s eyes widen in shock, an involuntary What?! echoing in his mind.

…The first time they met?

Love at first sight?

No way!

Qiu Sui’s brain turned to mush; he could barely register what Shen Zhixiao said next.

Shen Zhixiao wasn’t crushing on Qiu Shun like in the dream—that was one thing—but love at first sight with him…?

If Shen Zhixiao’s feelings had developed later, Qiu Sui could chalk up the dream’s deviations to a butterfly effect. But now, barely anything lined up with the dream anymore.

His gaze stayed rigidly fixed on the empty space ahead; he didn’t even notice the elevator doors opening.

When his shoulder was touched, Qiu Sui jolted back to reality like he’d been yanked from a trance. He whipped his head toward Shen Zhixiao, heart racing as he stared wide-eyed in startled rigidity.

Seeing Qiu Sui’s tense expression, Shen Zhixiao realized the sudden touch had scared him and withdrew his hand with an apologetic, “Sorry.” He pressed the elevator button and explained warmly, “Elevator’s here.”

Qiu Sui’s overthinking brain had his nerves twitching, slowing his reactions. He stared at Shen Zhixiao for several seconds before letting out a low “mm,” his fingers going slack on the suitcase as he stepped inside.

Still a bit dazed, and noticing Shen Zhixiao about to follow him down, Qiu Sui belatedly waved him off. “I can go by myself. Thanks… head back.”

Shen Zhixiao paused mid-step into the elevator, then obediently stayed put, flashing a faint smile and waving his phone. “Can you message me when you get to Stream City?”

He added with anticipation, “Otherwise, I’ll worry.”

Standing in the empty elevator with his suitcase, Qiu Sui inexplicably felt like this scene resembled some sappy, reluctant farewell from a TV drama.

Snapping out of his brief daze, he nodded at Shen Zhixiao. “Sure.”

Only then did the alpha release the elevator button. The doors, held open the whole time, finally began to slide shut, separating the two figures.

By the time Qiu Sui emerged from the dorm building, Qiao Keren and Qiu Shun had been waiting a few minutes.

“So light?!” Qiao Keren rushed up excitedly when he spotted him, hefting the suitcase and teasing, “You planning to stock up on goods to bring home or what?”

Qiu Sui tossed the suitcase into the trunk with one hand and shot back, “Saved it just so I could bring back specialties for you.”

Qiao Keren’s face lit up with touched delight, but he quickly turned it into playful payback, shoving Qiu Sui toward the car.

Qiu Shun was already seated on one side of the back row. Pushed into the middle by Qiao Keren, Qiu Sui ended up sandwiched between them, legs drawn in pathetically.

Facing their intense stares, he nervously licked his lips, unsure how to start the confession. He could only fumble out, “About the lie… there was a reason.”

Qiao Keren let out a stern “hmph,” arms crossed as he lifted his chin, urging him to go on.

Even with the AC blasting, sweat beaded down Qiu Sui’s back. He weighed his words, hands crumpling the bag with a rustle from his nerves. “I lied about going to a friend’s birthday instead of hiking… because something happened with Shen Zhixiao… something kinda serious… like…”

His brain overheated, words tumbling out haltingly. He peeked up cautiously at their faces—shocked, serious—and lost all courage to continue.

Qiao Keren hadn’t really followed, watching Qiu Sui duck his head before blurting, “What are you even saying? What happened with you and Shen Zhixiao?”

Qiu Sui didn’t process it right away. Staring at Qiao Keren’s stunned expression and Qiu Shun’s scrutinizing gaze, his heart thudded wildly. Realization dawned that something was off. He swallowed dryly, voice trembling as he asked Qiao Keren, “Y-you weren’t talking about this yesterday…?”

“I meant how you misled me into thinking Qiu Shun and Shen Zhixiao liked each other!” Qiao Keren slapped the seatback in indignation, face full of grievance as he said bitterly, “I was holding in that secret every day, busting a gut. Yesterday, I saw Qiu Shun glued to his phone while hiking and couldn’t hold back—I asked about Shen Zhixiao. Turns out they barely know each other, and he doesn’t even like him. Super awkward.”

What?

“So because this dream had so many coincidences, you took it for reality—thought Qiu Shun and Shen Zhixiao were into each other, denied liking Shen Zhixiao in front of us, and misled me into misunderstanding them… but really, it’s you and Shen Zhixiao who like each other?”

Qiao Keren suspected denial and leaned onto his shoulder, skeptical. “That time at the East Canteen when Shen Zhixiao put his hand on your shoulder, your face went red down to your neck. Sure, my heart raced too—but I was scared. You really don’t like him? Not even a little?”

Qiu Shun didn’t budge from his theory, looking at his brother as he said slowly, “Maybe you do know him?”