Chi Cheng didn't speak as he led Wu Suo Wei away, his grip gentle but determined. The quiet sound of their footsteps filled the empty corridor beside the gym until they stopped near a side entrance rarely used by students.
He let go of Suo Wei's wrist then - but didn't step back.
Suo Wei looked up, his doe eyes blinking under the afternoon sun. "Cheng-ge... are you angry with me?"
Chi Cheng's jaw clenched, but his eyes softened the moment they met Suo Wei's.
"No," he said shortly. "Just annoyed."
"Oh..." Suo Wei's voice dropped, his fingers nervously twisting into the hem of his shirt. "I didn't do anything wrong, right?"
"You didn't," Chi Cheng replied after a beat. "But that doesn't mean I liked what I saw."
Suo Wei tilted his head. "Huh?"
Chi Cheng leaned against the wall beside him, arms folded, avoiding his gaze now. "Why was Guo Cheng Yu so close to you?" His voice was quiet. "Why did you look like a nervous kitten trapped in a corner?"
"I-I didn't mean for it to look like that," Suo Wei stammered. "He just-he likes teasing me! That's all. I didn't-I don't like it when he gets that close."
Chi Cheng finally turned to face him, expression unreadable. "Then why didn't you say something?"
"I- I didn't want to cause a scene..."
"Da Bao."
Suo Wei froze. That name again. It was soft on Chi Cheng's lips - like a whisper from years ago. Like comfort. Like home.
Chi Cheng stepped closer, closing the distance slowly, each step calculated and quiet. Wu Suo Wei instinctively backed into the wall, his wide eyes watching the older boy with a flutter of nerves in his chest.
"Da Bao," Chi Cheng said lowly.
That name again. The softness of it clashed with the sternness in his tone. It made Suo Wei's breath hitch.
Chi Cheng didn't smile. His brows were slightly furrowed, his lips set in a firm line. Without another word, he raised a hand - and Suo Wei's heart stopped for a moment, thinking Chi Cheng might kiss him.
But he didn't.
Instead, Chi Cheng's fingers reached up and brushed a tiny piece of lint from Suo Wei's sweater. His eyes never left Suo Wei's face.
Then, slowly, his knuckles grazed Suo Wei's cheek as he tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, the gesture deliberate, yet cool.
Suo Wei blinked up at him, breath trembling, his cheeks turning soft pink. "C-Chi Cheng..."
Chi Cheng leaned in slightly, his hand still hovering near Suo Wei's face but his voice came out low and flat, like a warning.
"Tell Guo Cheng Yu to stop calling you Wei Wei."
"Eh?" Suo Wei blinked. "Why...?"
Chi Cheng's gaze sharpened.
"Because if he says it again, I won't be responsible for what happens to his perfect smile."
Suo Wei's mouth parted, but no words came out. His heart was thumping so hard, he was sure Chi Cheng could hear it. The closeness. The low voice. The way Chi Cheng hovered there, eyes sharp yet unreadable.
"D-Do you really mind that much...?" Suo Wei whispered.
Chi Cheng didn't answer right away. He just stepped back.
Cold again. Like the moment hadn't happened.
But just before turning away, he said quietly, "Don't let anyone make you nervous like that."
His eyes flicked back for a second. "Except me."
Then he walked off, leaving Suo Wei standing there blushing, breathless, confused, and hopelessly smitten.
***
Meanwhile, back at the court, Jiang Xiao Shuai stayed behind, idly sipping from his water bottle as the students thinned out. He was about to head off when Guo Cheng Yu casually appeared beside him, hands tucked in his hoodie pocket.
"You didn't have to stay," Xiao Shuai said coolly.
"I wasn't staying for you," Cheng Yu said smoothly. "I was just enjoying the breeze. Though, I'll admit, you're a nice view."
Xiao Shuai snorted. "You're so full of it."
"And yet, here you are. Not walking away."
"I'm only still here because I think you're up to something," Xiao Shuai said, turning to face him fully. "You're messing with Suo Wei just to mess with Chi Cheng. What's your angle?"
Cheng Yu's smirk faded slightly, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
"You think I'm that shallow?"
"I think you're that clever."
There was a short silence between them. Cheng Yu leaned against the court rail, eyes scanning Xiao Shuai's face as if trying to read something deeper.
"I won't deny I enjoy pushing buttons," he said slowly. "But I never mess with someone unless I know they can handle it."
"Then why didn't you come after me directly?" Xiao Shuai asked, folding his arms. "If I'm the one you're interested in."
A quiet laugh escaped Cheng Yu, but there was no mocking in it. Just a low, genuine warmth.
"Because you're always with him," Cheng Yu admitted. "And... maybe I didn't think you'd even look at me."
Xiao Shuai blinked. That was... unexpectedly honest.
"Then stop playing games and say what you mean," he said, softer now.
Cheng Yu looked at him. "I already am. Just not all at once."
Another beat of silence.
"I'm not easily impressed," Xiao Shuai said finally. "But I'm watching you."
Cheng Yu smiled - slow and satisfied. "Good. Then I guess I better keep doing things worth watching."