Qiu Sui let out an “ah” upon hearing this. He set down his phone and got up from the bed, instinctively reaching to unzip his suitcase. “I put it in my luggage. Want to see it?”
Qiu Shun had been about to nod, but when he saw his brother rummaging through the 28-inch suitcase without success and looking ready to empty everything out, he couldn’t bear it and said, “Never mind.”
He’d only gotten the sudden urge because it had been so long since he’d seen that photo album. He wasn’t in a rush—he could look at it once they got back to school.
Hearing this, Qiu Sui shoved the snacks and pastries he’d pulled out back inside.
Qiu Shun eyed the jumble of clothes scattered in the other half of the suitcase and forcibly twitched his brow. He reached out to help his brother reorganize them while he was at it.
Distracted by this, by the time Qiu Sui grabbed his phone again, ten minutes had passed.
He hugged his phone as he sat back down on the bed, staring at Shen Zhixiao’s WeChat profile picture with a conflicted expression. He realized that when he’d first seen Shen Zhixiao offer to pick him up from the airport, a rare flicker of temptation had stirred in his heart.
He bit his lip unconsciously, his fingers tapping on the keyboard. In the end, he politely declined the offer.
The airport was quite a distance from both Shen Zhixiao’s apartment and the school—a round trip would take at least two hours.
Qiu Sui thought about it and figured it was too much effort; there was no need.
Shen Zhixiao didn’t push after being turned down, simply replying obediently, “Okay.”
Qiu Sui stared at those two words, inexplicably tasting a hint of dejection in them. But he quickly laughed it off, thinking he was overthinking it.
On the last day of the holiday, Qiu Sui’s friends had all started heading back to school. Before leaving, Lin Kai made a special trip to their house, bringing several large gift boxes filled with northern specialties—one for each of Qiu Sui, Qiu Shun, and Qiao Keren.
Qiu Sui took them curiously and peeked inside, sighing instinctively, “Qiao Keren will probably like these the most.”
The person standing there immediately grew fidgety at those words, ducking his head with an insecure chuckle. “R-Really? Haha.”
Qiu Sui nodded firmly. He wasn’t big on these kinds of treats himself—if he didn’t finish them, they’d just go to waste. So he only took out one small box for himself and divided the rest between Qiu Shun and Qiao Keren’s shares. He asked Lin Kai if he minded.
Lin Kai blinked in a daze for a moment before shaking his head and saying it was fine.
After Lin Kai left, Qiu Sui glanced at the large gift box in his hands. He took Qiu Shun’s share first and knocked on his brother’s door. As he explained, he saw that Qiu Shun had done the same—only pulling out one box.
Qiu Shun jerked his chin toward the remaining pastries in the bag, indicating they should go to Qiao Keren too.
Qiu Sui’s suitcase was already stuffed full, and Qiu Shun’s wasn’t much better.
So Qiu Sui grabbed an extra carry-on to pack the gift boxes, along with a few daily essentials from home. Lady Zhuang spotted him and patted his head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. By the time they landed in Sea City, Zhuang Ni had transferred living expenses to both him and Qiu Shun.
Realizing his mom had misunderstood, Qiu Sui spent the whole ride back to school explaining with a wry smile. In the end, under Lady Zhuang’s command, he obediently accepted the money. He clutched his phone in a daze the rest of the way, arriving at the Alpha Dorm Area around nine.
He got out of the car listlessly and hauled his suitcase. His phone buzzed a few times in his pocket, but Qiu Sui wasn’t in the mood to check.
He was about to grab the large and small bags from the trunk when a warm, gentle voice called out beside his ear.
Qiu Sui’s movements froze. Before he could turn around, the other person had already approached and smoothly lifted his luggage out for him.
He stared blankly at the alpha’s profile for a moment before stepping back awkwardly, reaching down to take his bags. But the other deftly moved the two suitcases away, not letting him grab them.
Stunned, Qiu Sui looked up. The tall alpha beside him blocked most of the light. His usually sharp features were softened in the dim glow, but those narrow eyes gleamed as they focused intently on him.
Qiu Sui’s lashes fluttered, and his heart skipped a beat.
It had been nearly a week since they’d last met, and Shen Zhixiao seemed different from how he remembered. Qiu Sui clenched his fingers unconsciously, noticing the white long-sleeved V-neck shirt and that his hair looked trimmed.
At least last time, Shen Zhixiao’s bangs hadn’t been this short…
Though they’d chatted on WeChat every day over the holiday, having the real person suddenly standing in front of him threw Qiu Sui off. He stared into those faintly shining eyes and swallowed uncomfortably.
Before he could speak, Shen Zhixiao’s voice came first—clearer and more real than over the phone.
“I sent you a bunch of messages, but you didn’t reply.” Shen Zhixiao leaned in slightly toward Qiu Sui, his gaze subtly lingering on Qiu Sui’s lips as they pressed together. With some concern, he asked, “Did you fall asleep in the car?”
Qiu Sui’s lowered hand brushed his pocketed phone instinctively. Realizing belatedly, he licked his dry lips apologetically under the other’s gaze and only asked, “Have you been waiting here the whole time…?”
Shen Zhixiao chuckled softly and shook his head. One hand held a bag, the other the two suitcases as he walked slowly forward. “I figured your flight would be about landing, so I came early. Caught you right on time.”
What ‘right on time’? That’s just small talk to ease the awkwardness. No way it’s that coincidental.
Qiu Sui thought, following his steps slowly and reaching awkwardly for his suitcase.
This time, Shen Zhixiao didn’t insist, handing over the small carry-on.
Qiu Sui pulled the little suitcase behind Shen Zhixiao into the elevator, feeling even stranger now.
But he couldn’t pinpoint the issue for the moment, so he let it go and pulled out his phone. Sure enough, Shen Zhixiao had started messaging right after his flight landed—but he’d been busy chatting with his mom then.
Feeling sheepish, Qiu Sui sent an emoji to smooth things over in the one-sided chat log.
It was fine until he saw the cheeky grinning emoji at the end—it made him cringe even more. Regretting it, he went to unsend it. The next second, a soft chuckle came from above his head.
Qiu Sui froze. Then came the other’s deliberately lowered voice, puzzled: “Why unsend it?”
Qiu Sui’s back prickled. He whipped his head around, phone clutched tight, meeting Shen Zhixiao’s slightly curved eyes head-on.
The embarrassment in his heart was replaced by shock at being caught peeking. Staring in disbelief, he hissed under his breath—mindful of the other people in the elevator—”You’re peeking at my screen?”
Shen Zhixiao looked oblivious to the problem, letting out a soft “ah” as he explained, “I just glanced by accident…”
He leaned down toward Qiu Sui’s right ear, breath warm as he murmured with a smile, “But the person you’re chatting with is me, right? No harm in seeing.”
Shen Zhixiao’s breath made Qiu Sui shrug his shoulders instinctively.
He tensed for two seconds. Logically, the guy had a point, but something still felt off.
Before he could figure it out, the elevator dinged at the seventh floor. He pocketed his phone and dropped it.
Shen Zhixiao followed unhurriedly, asking with concern if he was hungry.
Qiu Sui had eaten on the plane, but it hadn’t suited his taste, so he’d left most of it. He planned to order takeout or grab some snacks back at the dorm and didn’t say so outright.
But the next second, his hand was lightly hooked.
Qiu Sui whipped his head around to see Shen Zhixiao raising the item from his other hand right in front of his face, blocking his view. A soft voice came from behind it, laced with worry: “Think you can manage this portion of wontons then? I brought them specially for you…”
Qiu Sui’s gaze fell on the familiar cafeteria bag, finally registering what Shen Zhixiao had been carrying. The aroma wafted faintly from the box, making him swallow instinctively. He blinked slowly, stubbornly trying to insist he wasn’t hungry.
But Shen Zhixiao had already pressed the bag into his hands. Qiu Sui gripped it as it was handed over, hearing Shen Zhixiao add thoughtfully that if he couldn’t finish, he could take care of the rest.
Qiu Sui clutched the bag tighter, thanking him awkwardly. I owe him more meals now… Haven’t figured out how to return the favor yet…
They walked slowly to the dorm door. Qiu Sui finally took back his suitcase from Shen Zhixiao—the handle still warm from his touch. His palm tingled like he’d been shocked.
Qiu Sui swiped his keycard to open the door. As he sensed Shen Zhixiao turning to leave, he blurted out a sluggish call to stop him.
Shen Zhixiao halted in surprise at his voice. Those eyes gleamed under the hallway lights, gaze hot and focused on him, flickering with some obscure anticipation.
Qiu Sui’s grip tightened on the door handle. In that instant, his heart felt utterly chaotic.
![How Miserable is a Straight Man Playing a Tool Character in Restricted Novels [Quick Transmigration]](https://i1.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/lar.jpg?resize=151,215 "How Miserable is a Straight Man Playing a Tool Character in Restricted Novels [Quick Transmigration]")
![I Am the Tragic Supporting Character Who Was Saved [Quick Transmigration]](https://i2.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/on.jpg?resize=151,215 "I Am the Tragic Supporting Character Who Was Saved [Quick Transmigration]")
