Lin Chen was worn out when she woke up. He felt as though someone had taken up residence in his brain and would not go, not physically, even though his body hurt from spending twelve hours in the library.
That someone had the face of Zhou Mingyu.
The memory of Mingyu's words stuck to him like static, no matter how many times he told himself to stop thinking about it or how many times he played back the day in his mind.
"One day, you will."
It seemed as though Lin Chen could physically crush the echo by pressing a hand against his chest. It was ineffective. His heart continued to beat erratically.
He slapped his face with cold water and scolded himself, calling it ridiculous.You're letting a single sentence ruin your entire focus. Get a grip.
In actuality, though, Mingyu hadn't simply stated it. He had gazed at him—steady, sure, with a quiet assurance that was more difficult to ignore than yelling.
And Lin Chen detested the fact that, despite his denial, a small part of him secretly wished it were true.
By the middle of the week, the rumors had gained new life.
The first person to notice the stares was Lin Chen, who saw the murmurs in the hallway and the quick looks he received as he entered the lecture hall.
"They're together all the time."
"I saw them again in the library.
Do you believe..."
His mouth clenched. To let them all know that they were mistaken and that there was nothing to discuss, he wanted to yell no. What evidence did he have, though? His shadow had become a second skin for Mingyu.
Even worse, Mingyu appeared ecstatic. People are staring again," Lin Chen muttered under his breath as they walked across campus.
"Let Mingyu put his hands in his pockets and respond with ease, 'I'm handsome. You have a good appearance. They will undoubtedly stare.
"That's not—" Lin Chen cut himself off, exasperated. "You're completely indifferent, aren't you?"
Mingyu cocked his head and curled his lips. Would I?"
On that Friday, one of their classmates, Xu Yan, invited Lin Chen to join a group study session. Lin Chen would usually have declined, preferring the quiet efficiency of working alone, but he reasoned that mixing with others would lessen the attention after a week of rumors.
Of course, Zhou Mingyu arrived as well. Lin Chen didn't invite him. Like it was his natural right, Mingyu just showed up and slid into the vacant seat next to him.
The jokes and notes were exchanged among the group members with ease. Lin Chen tried to keep up, but his concentration fractured every time Mingyu leaned close, whispering comments that brushed against his ear.
"Don't avoid frowning too much. You'll get wrinkles."
You are correcting that mistake. Here, watch—
Your handwriting is adorable when you're in a hurry. Chen nearly snapped his pencil in half. Adorable, yes?Who deemed the handwriting of another boy adorable?
But Mingyu merely smiled unconcernedly when he glared, as though his only goal in life was to throw Lin Chen off balance. Halfway through the session, Xu Yan asked for help on a tricky problem. Leaning forward, Lin Chen drew formulas on scrap paper as she explained.
Then, out of nowhere, Mingyu's hand landed casually on the back of his chair without actually touching him, but close. It's too near.
Lin Chen's spine strengthened. In the middle of his sentence, he stumbled. Mingyu's warmth emanated behind him, occupying space that wasn't rightfully his, distracting, and steady.
Xu Yan blinked. "Uh… Lin Chen? You stopped." Lin Chen forced himself to continue, voice clipped. However, his explanation ended sooner than it should have because his pen slipped twice.
When he finally sat back, Mingyu leaned in. "Calm down, it's just me," he whispered, low enough for only he to hear, as if that was supposed to help.
After the group ended their study sessions, Lin Chen packed quickly, eager to escape. However, Mingyu trailed behind him, humming a song to himself, as though nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
Finally, Lin Chen snapped. "Do you enjoy it?" Mingyu blinked. Innocently. "Enjoy what?
Pushing me. Saying things. Producing People Talk.
Mingyu's smile faded into something softer, more serious. "I like spending time with you. The rest is irrelevant.
Lin Chen's chest hurt. When he opened his mouth to argue, the words escaped his lips.
Because the truth was, Mingyu wasn't lying. This time, he wasn't being playful; instead, he meant it.
And that was scarier than any gossip.
Later that night, Lin Chen was unable to focus on his notes. The whispers of the day were still clinging to him, and his dorm felt too cramped and oppressive. Under the streetlamps, he ventured out and strolled along the peaceful campus walkways.
I never thought I'd see Mingyu. Wouldn't sleep?" Without hesitation, Mingyu stepped into step next to him and asked.
Lin Chen let out a sigh. "Why are you everywhere?
"Because you are everywhere I want to be, Ause." Lin Chen's heart skipped. It skipped, and he detested it.
They strolled silently for a while, the crisp night air wrapping around them. The rustle of leaves and the distant hum of traffic took the place of the usual noise on campus, and the world seemed softer at this hour.
Mingyu halted and leaned against the railing as they arrived at the footbridge across the tiny pond. Lamplight painted his profile in gold.
"You know, I'm not afraid of rumors," he said softly. What scares me is you running away from me before I can prove I'm serious."
Lin Chen stopped. The words were too heavy, too raw. He was unsure of how to breathe while they were pressed against his ribs and how to carry them.
"I…" His. Throat tightened. He looked away, gripping the railing until his knuckles whitened. "I don't know what you want from me.
Mingyu's voice softened. "Just you. As you are. That's enough."
Lin Chen's chest heaved. His pulse thundered.
For the first time, he didn't immediately deny it and didn't throw up a wall of logic. He just stood there, trembling, caught between fear and longing.
The silence stretched, fragile and dangerous.
Mingyu didn't push further. He smiled faintly, eyes glinting. "Think about it, Lin Chen. … think about it."
And as they walked back side by side under the streetlights, Lin Chen realized with dawning horror that he already was.