The teachers had noticed it too.
Lu Yiming gently brushed the wet strands from Shen Yi's face. "Are you alright?"
Shen Yi nodded faintly. "Let me stand."
Lu Yiming hesitated, then released him. Shen Yi rose slowly. Murmurs rippled through the students—confused, uneasy.
A teacher returned, soaked and grim. "The rain won't stop. It's too dangerous to stay here. There's an old building ahead. We'll wait there until morning."
One by one, the students disembarked. Lu Yiming draped his jacket over Shen Yi's head. Shen Yi lifted the other side, silently inviting him beneath it. They ran together into the storm.
"Ayy… Shen ge, wait for me!" Lin Yi called, scrambling down the steps.
He chased after them, feet splashing through puddles.
The building loomed ahead—black against the lightning-lit sky. Its facade was cracked, windows blind with grime. The students gathered at the entrance, shivering, waiting for the teachers to bring light.
Then, from the shadows, a woman emerged.
Middle-aged. Dressed in traditional robes. A lantern flickered in her hand.
"Are you here to take shelter?" Her voice was soft. Too soft. Cold.
The nearest students flinched. Lin Yi instinctively clutched Shen Yi's arm, then quickly let go under Lu Yiming's glare.
"Come inside," the woman said, turning without waiting.
The interior was dim, lit by scattered lanterns that cast a sickly, dawn-like glow. The air smelled of damp wood and something older.
"Go to your rooms," the woman instructed. "Do not linger in the halls."
Lin Yi clung to Shen Yi's shirt. "Shen ge… let's stay together."
Shen Yi chuckled, amused by his fear.
Xing Xing approached Lu Yiming. "Can I stay too?" Her voice trembled.
Lu Yiming frowned. "Why?"
Lin Yi leaned in, whispering. "Xing Xing… it's not really appropriate, right?"
Xing Xing looked at Shen Yi, eyes pleading.
"Alright," Shen Yi said, opening the door.
Lu Yiming followed. Xing Xing trailed behind.
Lin Yi hesitated. "Shen ge… she's a girl. Is it okay for her to stay?"
Shen Yi glanced at Xing Xing, already seated on one of the beds. "Why are you nervous when she isn't?" he said, loud enough to silence Lin Yi.
Inside, the wardrobe held dry clothes—simple, but better than their soaked ones. Shen Yi handed one to Lu Yiming. Lin Yi passed one to Xing Xing, who nodded politely.
After changing, they settled in. Xing Xing took the upper bunk; the lower was damp. Lu Yiming lay on the other lower bunk.
Lin Yi peeked down from the bunk above lu yiming. "Shen ge… do you want to sleep up here?" He assumed Shen Yi wouldn't want to sleep near Xing Xing.
Shen Yi smiled knowingly and nodded. Lin Yi climbed down to switch—then paused, touching the mattress.
"Shen ge… you knew it was wet."
He moved toward Shen Yi's bunk. "Let me sleep there with you."
Before Shen Yi could answer, Lu Yiming climbed in beside him. Shen Yi blinked, then shifted to make space.
From below, Lin Yi called out, "Good night, Shen ge."
Shen Yi turned. Lu Yiming faced towards him.
He smiled.
They drifted into sleep.
Outside, the thunder continued.