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1.
Six individual assignments, all due within a week, and it was only the first week of the new semester.
Xiao Shu He figured he’d spent more time in the library than in his own bed, and he was more familiar with the musty scent of aging paper than the fresh air of his own apartment. Even his weekends were spent in cafés, where he’d sip an overpriced liter of americano while typing on his laptop all afternoon until night.
Xiao Shu He often wondered if this was the life he'd have missed had he chosen an ordinary university to major in Literature, his favorite subject. Because now, entering his fourth semester as an Economics major at Beijing University, he was convinced the cliché stories about university life – getting drunk on a frat house floor, waking up naked next to a gorgeous stranger – were nothing more than a myth. He had no time to party or do the kind of fun everyone assumed he’d be having. Instead, he just buried his nose in books to keep up with his peers.
Xiao Shu He used to think he was a bright student. He’d earned straight As his entire life, gotten used to being known as the smartest kid in school, and always felt like nothing was too difficult for him. But as soon as he started university, he discovered his peers were all just as intelligent: valedictorians and academic stars from their own schools. When they all gathered in one place, being a genius was simply the norm. Suddenly, it was impossible for him to relax. Everyone was not only naturally brilliant but also relentlessly hardworking, and he had to study just as hard just to keep pace – anything less meant failure.
Xiao Shu He needed a break. He truly did.
But here he was, working his ass off in the library, having only finished three of his individual assignments due next week. Was he screwed? Hopefully not.
“Sorry, is this seat taken?”
Xiao Shu casually glanced up, his eyes immediately drawn to the broad shoulders under a simple white button-up. His gaze traveled up a pale neck to a handsome face shaped by sharp, masculine features: a straight nose, a strong jaw, thin lips with a natural shade of pink, and a pair of piercing, phoenix-like eyes. Soft brown hair, cut just above his nape, framed his striking features, while an overgrown fringe, parted just enough to reveal a glimpse of his forehead, only highlighted the perfect proportions of his face.
The man’s attractiveness almost knocked the wind out of him, especially when his smile was paired with eyes that were both intimidating and beautiful – a strange yet endearing contradiction. But Xiao Shu He collected himself and shook his head.
The man beamed at him. “Thanks. I’ll sit here, then.”
Xiao Shu He merely smiled in response. He returned to his essay, scanning the paragraphs for typos and correcting them as he went. Every now and then, Xiao Shu He felt the man’s gaze on him, but he pretended to be absorbed in his laptop, projecting an aura of intense focus. Still, being stared at was getting on his nerves. He held back a sigh before finally looking up, catching the man off guard.
So it wasn’t his imagination. The man really was watching him like a creep.
Xiao Shu He shot him a blank stare. The man blinked dumbly, as if he wasn't the one being obvious. “Can I help you?”
The man blinked again, clearly not expecting to be acknowledged. To Xiao Shu He’s surprise, he blushed. Xiao Shu He might have even found it a little adorable, if he weren’t so irritated at being disturbed. He’d chosen this secluded corner of the library precisely to avoid people.
“Uh,” the man finally managed, his expression awkward as his eyes darted to the floor. He stiffly pulled something from his bag. “Do you want some?”
Xiao Shu He stared blankly at the Ferrero Rocher chocolate ball being offered to him. He couldn’t help but be suspicious. Yep, definitely not sketchy at all. He lifted his gaze back to the man's face and deadpanned, “You can’t eat in the library.”
The man winked at him playfully. “Challenge accepted.” He glanced around before tearing open the packaging and popping the tiny chocolate ball into his mouth, looking exactly like a kid purposely eating in front of his friend just to tempt them into taking one too. “Wow, it’s really good. Are you sure you don’t want one?”
If it were any other day, Xiao Shu He might have welcomed the distraction of a gorgeous guy bothering him with chocolate. But right now, he was drained from assignments and couldn’t afford the patience to deal with such antics. Besides, the guy was giving off serious creep vibes, and no matter how attractive he was, something about him just screamed danger. He’d literally appeared out of nowhere, stared at Xiao Shu He, and then offered chocolate? Who the fuck, in this day and age, would be sane enough to give him the benefit of the doubt?
Xiao Shu He shook his head lightly. “...I’m good.”
“Suit yourself,” the man shrugged, then leaned so far across the table that Xiao Shu He instinctively pulled his laptop back. Maybe he’d sensed Shu He’s irritation, but he still smiled sheepishly, making no effort to hide his intention of sneaking a glance at the screen. “You look really busy. What are you working on?”
The urge to slap that mouth was surprisingly strong. “Assignments.”
The man nodded, completely undeterred by his dry response, and casually plucked a book from the top of Xiao Shu He’s meticulously arranged pile – the very one he’d planned to read. Flipping through a few random pages without really scanning the text, he predictably launched another question. “Do you come here often?”
Yes, but Xiao Shu He made sure this was going to be the last time. It was nice while it lasted. “No,” he said, committing to a strategy of boring, one-word replies.
Xiao Shu He slowly began his escape, trying to appear calm as he shut down his laptop and packed his notebook into his bag. He could feel the man’s gaze fixed on Xiao Shu He’s hands as they packed away his pencil case. “Do you have class after this?”
Xiao Shu He didn’t, but a lie felt like the fastest way out of this conversation. “Yes.”
A flicker of panic crossed the man’s face, making Xiao Shu He’s urge to bolt even stronger. “Hey, hey, wait – I haven't properly introduced myself. My name is Duan Zi Ang, I'm in chemical engineering. You?”
The name rang a bell, but Xiao Shu He couldn’t be bothered to place it, not when his mind was solely focused on escaping. “Mi Jin,” he lied smoothly, finally zipping his tote bag shut. He’d never see this guy again, so what did it matter? “English Literature.”
“Mi Jin...” Duan Zi Ang slowly repeated the name, a distant look on his face, as if trying to commit it to memory. He then smiled hopefully at him. “When does your class start? Do you want to grab lunch together?”
“No,” Xiao Shu He said flatly, not bothering to spare the other man a glance, and slung his tote bag onto his shoulder.
Duan Zi Ang blinked, looking utterly lost as Xiao Shu He turned to leave. He was just a single step away from freedom when a familiar voice interrupted the library’s silence, exposing his identity right away.
“Xiao Shu He!”
The call was hushed, but in the library’s quiet, both of them could hear him just fine. Xiao Shu He fought the visceral urge to flip the nearest table – or better yet, strangle the person who’d just appeared – as Shen Song tapped him on the shoulder, completely oblivious to Duan Zi Ang’s presence. “I knew you’d be here! Are you heading somewhere? I thought you wanted to study.”
Xiao Shu He pursed his lips, refusing to look at Duan Zi Ang. But he could see the other man in his periphery, failing to suppress his laughter – his handsome features practically glowing as his eyes crinkled at the corners. Gritting his teeth, Xiao Shu He tightened his grip on his tote bag and yanked his friend by the sleeve. “Let’s go.”
“Nice to meet you, Xiao Shu He!” Duan Zi Ang’s amused voice followed them, but Xiao Shu He refused to turn back and acknowledge it.
As Xiao Shu He practically dragged him toward the library’s exit, Shen Song turned, catching sight of Duan Zi Ang still watching them, a small smile on his face. “Wow,” Shen Song whispered, once they were out of earshot. “How do you know Duan Zi Ang?”
Xiao Shu He stopped and stared at his friend vigilantly. “The real question is, how do you know Duan Zi Ang?”
Shen Song looked at him as if he’d just asked if the sky was blue. “Are you kidding? How could you not know him? He was the handsome guy everyone was obsessed with during freshman year, remember? Besides, he’s in the same major as Shu Qian-gege. I thought you would go to his department sometimes. Haven’t you seen him before?”
And just like that, Xiao Shu He could recall why the name had been familiar.
In their first year, the entire university had been thrown into chaos over gossip about a handsome freshman from the Engineering faculty. He wasn’t just attractive: he was incredibly gorgeous, intelligent, and, above all, carried that aloof, cool-guy aura that made everyone desperate to catch even a single glimpse of him in their lifetime. His photos had even been posted on the university’s online forum, where people gushed about how stunning he looked in real life.
Even though the Economics and Engineering faculties were far apart, some of his classmates had even gone out of their way just to head across campus for a chance to see Duan Zi Ang. The hype only started to die down by the second semester, when the brutal reality of university life finally overshadowed everyone’s obsession with campus celebrities. Still, his name would occasionally come up for entertainment: stories about how cold he was, or how completely indifferent he seemed toward girls.
Naturally, Xiao Shu He had heard of the name before; it was unavoidable. But he’d never cared for campus gossip, and he’d forgotten the photos his classmates once showed him. Even though his older brother, Xiao Shu Qian, also majored in Chemical Engineering and he’d dropped by his department building many times to deliver things his brother forgot, Xiao Shu He didn’t remember ever running into Duan Zi Ang. (Then again, he was always zoning out, so his memory of chance encounters with random people wasn’t exactly reliable.)
Shen Song nudged him by the elbow. “Hey, so what's the deal? Do you know him or not?”
Xiao Shu He thought back to the man at the table – the unnerving stare, the awkward offer of chocolate, just overall his suspicious nature. That didn't line up with the legend of the cool campus god.
Nowadays, a handsome face could hide anything. Duan Zi Ang could be a serial killer for all he knew. Xiao Shu He felt a strange sense of relief, as if he’d narrowly dodged a bullet.
“No, I don’t.”
-
2.
The café next to the Faculty of Economics building was slightly less crowded around three on Thursday afternoon. There were barely any people lining up to order, and most of the seats were empty, leaving plenty of space for Xiao Shu He to hang out for a bit before heading off to his next class at four p.m.
He had just ordered his daily dose of caffeine when someone lightly tugged on his sleeve from behind, like a child shyly asking for attention but too scared of actually bothering him. He turned around, not at all expecting the hand on his sleeve to belong to the person he hadn’t seen in a week, the very same popular man he’d already managed to forget.
Upon seeing him, Xiao Shu He immediately recalled their library encounter.
What the hell was Duan Zi Ang doing here? Wasn’t it too much of a coincidence to be meeting again like this?
Duan Zi Ang beamed at him, looking as though he couldn’t be happier to see him. “Hello, Xiao Shu He!” When Xiao Shu He only stared back blankly, the brightness in Duan Zi Ang’s eyes dimmed slightly, though his smile remained wide. “You’re Xiao Shu He, right?” He tilted his head to the side, blinking at him hopefully. It was almost comical how a face that handsome could pull off such an innocent, childlike expression. “I’m the one you met at the library last week… Duan Zi Ang, remember?”
He sounded like a kicked puppy, as though it would wound him deeply if Xiao Shu He truly had forgotten his existence.
The cashier finished keying something into the register before cutting in, “Hi, next order. What can I get you?”
Xiao Shu He heard a low, frustrated groan beside him and stepped aside to let the other man order. Duan Zi Ang kept glancing back and forth between him and the cashier, like he was terrified Xiao Shu He would vanish into thin air the moment he looked away. “One iced americano, please.”
The cashier tapped at their touch screen. “Anything else?”
Duan Zi Ang eagerly beckoned Xiao Shu He to glance at the desserts displayed behind the glass. “Which one do you think is the best?”
Xiao Shu He blinked at him. “I don’t know, you’re the one buying. Why should I pick for you?”
“Oh, come on!” Duan Zi Ang groaned dramatically. “I bet you’ve got good taste. Besides, you look like you come here often...”
Xiao Shu He sighed at his persistence. He gave the display one quick look, then pointed out the cake he ordered most often, which also happened to be his favorite. “...Fine, get the strawberry one.”
Duan Zi Ang lit up as if he had just uncovered some precious piece of information about him. “Oh, you like strawberries?”
Xiao Shu He only stared at the other man. “Are you buying it or not?”
“Yes!” Duan Zi Ang exclaimed, pointing at the slice of strawberry cake while already pulling out his phone to pay. “I’ll take this.”
As they waited for their drinks to be made, Duan Zi Ang turned his gaze toward Xiao Shu He. “You haven’t been in the library for the past week. Have you been busy?”
Xiao Shu He felt goosebumps prickle up his arms at that. Had this guy been waiting for him to show up every single day? There was no way he’d actually do that for someone who was basically a stranger, right? All the more reason it had been the right decision not to hang out in the library anymore. “Yeah.”
“Are you busy now?” Duan Zi Ang asked, his eyes weirdly hopeful. “Want to grab something to eat?”
Xiao Shu He kept his eyes fixed on the barista who was diligently working the coffee machine, silently praying he could just snatch his drink and bolt before having to deal with this creep any longer. “I have class.”
Duan Zi Ang simply nodded, not pressing the matter. “Ah, okay.”
For once, he stayed quiet, not trying to drag out the conversation like before. They just stood there in silence side by side. Normally, Xiao Shu He would have taken a seat while waiting, but with Duan Zi Ang hovering around, he was afraid sitting down together would only give the man another excuse to launch into more of his painfully forced attempts at conversation. So instead, he preferred to remain standing.
When their drinks were finally set down together, Duan Zi Ang suddenly slid the box holding the strawberry slice into Xiao Shu He’s hands. His smile was charming as he watched Xiao Shu He accept the package in bewilderment, still trying to make sense of the gesture.
“For you.”
With that, the man left on his own, leaving Xiao Shu He staring at his retreating back in confusion.
-
3.
The drop in students attending Introduction to Finance on Monday at eight in the morning was surprisingly drastic. Xiao Shu He remembered their first class two weeks before – the room had been nearly packed even before eight – but now, there were plenty of empty seats despite the start time drawing near. Most students must have eventually switched to the other Introduction to Finance sections on different days, because honestly, who in their right mind would willingly go to class at 8 a.m. on a Monday unless they absolutely had no choice?
Xiao Shu He wished he could have switched too, but he was always too late when it came to booking classes. By the time he checked the school website, all the seats in the other classes were already filled. So he was stuck with this early class for good; and realistically, he doubted anyone would ever drop out of the more convenient schedules.
Choosing a random seat in the middle row – where it was almost completely empty, Xiao Shu He pulled his laptop out of his tote bag. He had just begun turning it on, ready to open a new page for notes, when he suddenly felt someone take the seat right next to him.
“Good morning, Shu He!” a frighteningly cheerful, all-too-familiar voice greeted him from uncomfortably close. “It’s good to see you again!”
Xiao Shu He shivered faintly at the bizarre coincidence. Slowly, and with clear reluctance, he turned his head to the right. Sure enough, it was Duan Zi Ang, smiling so brightly it was almost blinding him. His white teeth flashed from behind his pink lips, and his entire appearance was literally dazzling: he smelled freshly showered, his face was radiant and full of energy, in sharp contrast to the other students around them, who all looked like they’d rolled out of bed, barely washed their faces, and dragged themselves to class half-dead from exhaustion.
“You…” Xiao Shu He instinctively shrank to the left to maintain some distance. This time, he wasn’t going to mask his suspicion anymore. Their first encounter at the library could’ve been a complete accident, and even the café afterward could maybe be brushed off as coincidence, but this? Enrolling in the same class? The odds were far too suspicious. “Are you stalking me?”
Duan Zi Ang pouted, but he avoided answering Xiao Shu He’s question. “What’s wrong? Can’t an Engineering student take this subject? I just happen to be in this class.”
“Which is a lie,” someone piped up from behind. Xiao Shu He glanced back and immediately recognized him: You Qi, his classmate from Principles of Microeconomics last semester. They had been grouped together on several projects, and while they weren’t particularly close, they were familiar enough with each other since they were in the same year. You Qi smirked as he exposed the other man right away, “I told him we’re in the same class, so he signed up just to see you.”
Duan Zi Ang covered his face with one hand, his ears practically glowing from embarrassment. “God forbid a man tries to socialize outside his own major, You Qi.”
“Some socializing this is,” You Qi shot back, laughing as he high-fived the two boys at his side, all of them chuckling in amusement.
Duan Zi Ang ignored them, sneaking a sheepish glance at Xiao Shu He, his cheeks still tinged red. “...Don’t mind him. He just says whatever will get him attention.”
Xiao Shu He only shook his head and returned his attention to his laptop, pretending the person next to him didn’t exist. This time, Duan Zi Ang seemed to get the message that he didn’t want to be disturbed, and, for once, he actually stayed quiet.
When the lecture began, the classroom settled down as everyone turned their focus toward the professor. The soft clicking of keyboards echoed across the room, blending with the professor’s steady voice. Occasionally, several students would ask a follow-up question, and the professor would pause to answer in detail before resuming the lesson. The students around them were diligent, scribbling down notes or typing rapidly – except, unsurprisingly, Duan Zi Ang.
So when the professor excused himself for a brief bathroom break, Xiao Shu He finally released the sigh he’d been holding in, then turned toward his right, startling Duan Zi Ang with his sudden attention. “You…” his voice came out helpless, “stop staring at me.”
Duan Zi Ang actually blushed, as if he hadn’t expected to be caught in such obvious behavior, and scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment. “Sorry, I can’t help it. You just look like a model student.”
What did he even mean by that? Xiao Shu He gave him a ridiculous look. “Aren’t you supposed to be a model student yourself?”
Duan Zi Ang blinked innocently. “I’m not… Not any better than you.”
“How would you even know I’m one?” Xiao Shu He scoffed. “You don’t even major in Economics.”
Duan Zi Ang’s grin turned cheeky. “You Qi told me.”
Before he could drag the conversation further, the professor walked back in, cutting him off. Xiao Shu He had to suppress a laugh at the childish pout tugging at Duan Zi Ang’s lips, the kind of expression that reminded him of a sulking kid whose parents had just taken away his PS5.
Fortunately, although the staring had lessened considerably, Xiao Shu He could still sense Duan Zi Ang watching him every now and then from the corner of his eye – less obvious than before, but still noticeable. At least this time Duan Zi Ang seemed more cautious, never letting his gaze linger too long, and occasionally breaking the silence by asking Xiao Shu He to repeat something the professor had said when he’d missed it.
By the time the lecture ended, Xiao Shu He was already set on meeting his brother for lunch when he noticed Duan Zi Ang looking at him expectantly. “Are you going somewhere? Do you want to have lunch together?”
“I already have another appointment,” Xiao Shu He replied distractedly, scrolling through his notifications, and Duan Zi Ang fell silent. Right at that moment, Xiao Shu He’s phone buzzed with an incoming call from his brother. “Yes, Ge?” he answered quickly, his voice softening, “Okay. Wait for me, my class just ended.”
He hardly spared another word for Duan Zi Ang before hurrying out of the room, leaving him behind in silence.
-
4.
Xiao Shu He was just passing by the Engineering building to deliver a book his older brother had left in the kitchen when he unexpectedly spotted Duan Zi Ang.
The last time he had seen Duan Zi Ang was in class the previous week, and by then the guy had started acting normal after three weeks of attending together – no more excessive staring like his creepy self in the beginning. Gradually, Xiao Shu He had grown comfortable with his presence, beginning to accept that perhaps they had simply started off on the wrong foot, with a weird first impression that happened more often than not by accident. Duan Zi Ang might always sit next to him, but he was laid-back, never pestering him and always respecting his space. At this point, Xiao Shu He could even say they were acquaintances; although Duan Zi Ang had asked for his Wechat at the end of class two weeks ago, he hardly messaged him except to ask for notes he’d missed or details about the professor’s assignments. The creep-like vibe had faded significantly once Xiao Shu He got to know him better through class.
Even so, all this time, Xiao Shu He had always viewed Duan Zi Ang as this “happy virus” whenever he was around, a direct contrast to his own calm and introverted personality. Duan Zi Ang was always smiling and chuckling while talking to him, looking every bit like a stuttering, blushing dork. Which was why the sight that greeted Xiao Shu He now left him completely taken aback.
Duan Zi Ang was sitting alone on a bench under a pear blossom tree, and for some reason, Xiao Shu He froze in place, caught in a daze as he watched him. Because for the first time, Duan Zi Ang wasn’t smiling. His face was cold, his eyes devoid of their usual warmth, and his lips pressed into a firm line. The Duan Zi Ang he knew always wore a bashful grin, a softness in his handsome features. But now he looked like a completely different person, his dark, intimidating eyes scanning the crowd in detached indifference. Alongside the pear blossoms falling around him, brushing past his sharp features, the scene became almost unreal, so beautiful it would make anyone stop in their tracks to look twice.
“He’s just – naturally cool and intimidatingly handsome. You don’t get it,” Xiao Shu He suddenly recalled Shen Song saying about him. “I can totally imagine him in ancient robes, playing the role of some overbearing emperor. He’d pull it off perfectly!”
At the time, Xiao Shu He hadn’t understood what Shen Song meant at all. To him, Duan Zi Ang was nothing but goofy – never once showing those supposedly cold, handsome looks people were talking about. In fact, Xiao Shu He had always found the contradiction between his dark eyes and his sheepish expression somewhat ridiculous. Intimidating? Cool? Duan Zi Ang had been anything but.
However, now that Xiao Shu He saw it with his own eyes, he finally understood why everyone had been obsessed with him back in freshman year, calling him “cool” like he was the campus’ own legend.
But then Duan Zi Ang turned his head and caught sight of Xiao Shu He watching him, and in an instant that aloof aura shattered, replaced by a bright and foolish grin. Xiao Shu He almost wanted to snort at the sight – because there it was, the happy Duan Zi Ang he knew, as if that cold-faced version from earlier had been nothing but an illusion.
Duan Zi Ang practically skipped over to him, like an overexcited puppy wagging its tail at the sight of its master. “Shu He, you’re here!”
This time, it was Xiao Shu He’s turn to blush, having been caught red-handed. If their positions had been reversed, he would have scolded Duan Zi Ang for staring, but the man was kind enough not to throw the reverse Uno card at him. Xiao Shu He cleared his throat and pretended to scroll through his phone, carefully avoiding his gaze. “...I’m waiting for my brother.”
“Oh, right! Xiao Shu Qian, isn’t it?” Duan Zi Ang said at once, and Xiao Shu He gave a small nod in confirmation. “He’s my senior! Your brother is really popular with the girls in our major. And he’s smart, too.”
Xiao Shu He had to bite back the fond smile tugging at his lips at the praise, already imagining how he would tease his brother later. After all, Xiao Shu Qian had never breathed a word about being popular with anyone, let alone with girls. “Is that so?”
Duan Zi Ang watched him smile, and his own grin only grew wider. Without warning, he suddenly reached out, brushing something away from Xiao Shu He’s hair. Xiao Shu He flinched slightly at the unexpected touch, startled by the gentle hand that grazed through his hair. “Sorry,” Duan Zi Ang apologized gently, holding out the object between his fingers: it was a delicate pear blossom. “There was a flower in your hair. Though, honestly... it looked pretty on you.”
Xiao Shu He had no idea how to respond to that. His heart, however, betrayed him: it skipped a beat at the obvious sincerity of the compliment, especially paired with the gentle, unguarded smile on Duan Zi Ang’s face. Thankfully, Duan Zi Ang didn’t elaborate further on the remark. Instead, he raised his head to gaze toward the trees above them, his expression taking on a nostalgic softness. “I guess you don’t remember, but we’ve met before.”
“In the library, you mean?”
Duan Zi Ang shook his head. “No. Before that. We met right here, in this exact spot.”
Xiao Shu He raised a skeptical brow. “Did we?”
Duan Zi Ang nodded, his eyes following another blossom falling down from the branches above, joining the white petals that were already littering the ground. His expression turned fond as he recalled, “I was running late to class, and I bumped into you by accident. You were taking pictures of the pear blossoms, and you almost dropped your phone because of me. Luckily, I caught it before it hit the ground, or I’d have been responsible for a cracked screen or something.”
Xiao Shu He listened in stunned silence. He couldn’t recall ever meeting Duan Zi Ang here, yet the part about him taking pictures sounded exactly like him. Most of the photos on his phone were of scenery, skies, food, or random objects he found aesthetically pleasing to look at. Truthfully, he’d been bumped into plenty of times on campus, so much that he never bothered remembering the faces of those who had.
“Even then, you weren’t annoyed. You smiled at me and even helped me pick up my water bottle from the ground.” Duan Zi Ang turned to him, grinning playfully. “I remember thinking – wow, this guy must be an angel, because instead of being upset, he actually helped me. It didn’t help that you were wearing a white shirt that day, so for a moment I seriously wondered if you were either an angel or a figment of my imagination from my lack of sleep…”
Xiao Shu He remained bewildered. “I don’t remember...”
Duan Zi Ang only shook his head, his smile steady. “I wouldn’t expect you to. It was more than a year ago, and it lasted barely a minute. But I kept beating myself up for not getting your WeChat right then. I just let you walk away, and then I lost track of you.”
That was when Xiao Shu He recalled their encounter in the library, and it suddenly made sense why Duan Zi Ang had acted so strangely back then. The idea that he had remembered something so trivial for an entire year was almost laughable. “If you’re still feeling guilty about the phone, don’t,” Xiao Shu He chuckled softly, unable to stop himself. “That was ages ago. Besides, if you had broken it, I’d have definitely made you pay for the screen.” He meant it as a joke, though he knew very well that he wasn’t the type to be that harsh, at least not when accidents happened.
He remembered, after all, that one time a high school student had bumped into him and shattered his phone screen badly. Despite her crying and insisting she’d pay for the damage, he hadn’t taken a cent from her. Xiao Shu Qian always scolded him for being too forgiving, too soft-hearted, too lenient with people. But that was simply who Xiao Shu He was: too chill about everything. As long as he knew the other person hadn’t acted with bad intentions, he was willing to let things slide. Of course, there were times when he could be manipulative and calculating – but only when he felt the other party deserved to be treated that way.
Duan Zi Ang kicked a pebble like a sulking child, muttering under his breath, “At least if I’d broken your phone, I’d have had an excuse to ask for your WeChat…”
Xiao Shu He shook his head, amused despite himself. “You know there are better ways to befriend someone than breaking their phone, right?”
“Yes, well… did I really have a choice?” Duan Zi Ang chuckled at himself before glancing at his watch. Looking back up, he offered Xiao Shu He a hopeful smile. “Are you busy later? Do you want to grab something to eat – “
“Shu He!” A familiar voice called from across the courtyard. Xiao Shu Qian was waving at him, already approaching the two of them.
“There he is,” Xiao Shu He waved back, distracted at once by his brother. Turning to Duan Zi Ang, he gave a light nod, entirely forgetting what had just been said. “See you in class next week, Zi Ang.”
Xiao Shu He thought he heard Duan Zi Ang let out a quiet, helpless sigh, but he couldn’t quite remember what the other was supposed to be disappointed about.
“Yeah,” Duan Zi Ang said at last, his tone softer, the light in his eyes dimming slightly. “See you again, Shu He.”
-
5.
Xiao Shu He was typing on his laptop when he heard the chair across from him being pulled out.
“You always sit in the same spot,” Duan Zi Ang remarked, setting his own laptop down on the table. “Though I should thank you for choosing it. It’s so quiet here, exactly what I need.”
Xiao Shu He chuckled. “You’re welcome.”
By now, Duan Zi Ang could be considered his closest classmate in the Introduction to Finance class, even though they’d never actually hung out after lectures. They hadn’t really chatted on WeChat either, apart from the occasional class-related question. Their friendship seemed to exist only within the classroom. Still, the small conversations they shared before class – since both of them always arrived fifteen to thirty minutes early – and the jokes they scribbled to each other in notes during lectures were enough for Xiao Shu He to get a sense of what Duan Zi Ang was like. He was intelligent, easygoing, and definitely not as cold or indifferent as the gossip about him suggested. Around other classmates, he was often reserved, but with Xiao Shu He, he was expressive, funny, and always able to keep the conversation flowing. Xiao Shu He began to believe that Duan Zi Ang was simply the type to open up only around people he was comfortable with.
Over time, Xiao Shu He learned that Duan Zi Ang was from Chongqing and had a younger brother still in high school. He was into K-pop and K-dramas, just like him, and whenever they met, they would exchange recommendations of the latest crime K-dramas they were watching. Their music tastes overlapped so much that they’d browse each other’s playlists and add songs they liked from one another. He also discovered that Duan Zi Ang had been practicing karate since middle school and still trained every Saturday morning. Whenever Xiao Shu He posted something on Weibo, Duan Zi Ang was usually one of the first to like or leave a comment.
This happened to be their first time meeting in the library again since that odd first encounter one and a half months ago. Xiao Shu He hadn’t returned here since then – not because he wanted to avoid Duan Zi Ang (he’d long gotten over his earlier suspicions about him), but simply because he was often too tired to make the trip. It was easier to work from his apartment, where he could lie on his bed while doing assignments.
Duan Zi Ang broke into his thoughts by showing him his phone. On the screen was a picture of a restaurant Xiao Shu He recognized. “There’s a new Korean BBQ place near the Social Sciences Faculty. Did you know about it?”
“I know it,” Xiao Shu He nodded when the restaurant was brought up. “One of my friends went. He said the food’s pretty good.”
“We should definitely go there sometime!” Duan Zi Ang grinned. “We’ve never hung out outside of class, you know…”
Xiao Shu He returned the smile. “Sure, we should.”
“What about today?” Duan Zi Ang’s eyes widened in excitement, his enthusiasm contagious enough to make Xiao Shu He laugh. “Do you have any plans after this? Let’s go for dinner together.”
Xiao Shu He shook his head, a little regretful. “Not today, sorry. My parents are coming from Shanghai, so I’ll be spending time with them at the mall or something. You know how it is.”
Xiao Shu He felt a pang of guilt when he noticed the light fade from Duan Zi Ang’s eyes at his rejection. Only then did it occur to him that, every time Duan Zi Ang had invited him to lunch, he had either deliberately turned him down (back when he still didn’t know him well) or genuinely had other plans that left him no choice but to refuse. He wondered if this had made it seem as though he were rejecting their friendship altogether, when that wasn’t his intention at all. He hoped Duan Zi Ang hadn’t misunderstood, but he also had no idea how to explain himself either.
Thinking back, Xiao Shu He realized that after those first couple of attempts, Duan Zi Ang had never asked him to lunch again. It was almost as if he had sensed Xiao Shu He’s discomfort and stepped back, giving him space instead of pushing himself forward. That made Xiao Shu He feel even worse, because it showed how considerate Duan Zi Ang actually was. He respected boundaries and knew when to keep his distance once he realized the other person wasn’t as enthusiastic as he was. Rather than forcing a friendship, he had patiently interacted with him in small, natural ways until Xiao Shu He grew comfortable.
Wow. Now Xiao Shu He felt like he’d been the one acting like a complete bully.
“Next time, then! Have fun with your parents.” Duan Zi Ang smiled again, cheerful, though not as radiant as before. Still, he seemed to recover quickly. “I won’t go to that restaurant until we go together…”
His persistence made Xiao Shu He smile. “That’s a shame. I’m sure there are plenty of people lining up to go with you, Zi Ang. You’re the popular one, after all.”
Duan Zi Ang frowned, like the thought of eating with someone else displeased him. “Shu He must be joking. There’s no one I’d rather go with than you.”
The quiet sincerity in his words made Xiao Shu He’s heart skip, warmth blooming in his chest. He let out a soft chuckle, feeling shy all of a sudden.
“Then I’ll hold you to that.”
-
+1.
In May, the rainfall in Beijing always grew heavier, so Xiao Shu He had made a habit of carrying an umbrella wherever he went.
Unfortunately, the one time he forgot was when he had to deliver Xiao Shu Qian’s notebook to his faculty building. When he tried to head back for a group project at the student center, the sky opened up, and the rain poured down like cats and dogs.
So here he was, taking shelter in a small café near the engineering faculty, waiting for the downpour to ease into a drizzle before making a run to the bus stop. He had just resigned himself to using his bag as a makeshift umbrella when he suddenly felt a hand grab his elbow.
“Shu He!” Duan Zi Ang’s voice rang out, and there he was, holding a white umbrella in his other hand. The man wore a brown plaid shirt and jeans, his hair a little messy, and in that moment, he’d never looked more devastatingly gorgeous. “What are you doing here?”
Xiao Shu He smiled in response. “My brother forgot his book, so I came to deliver it.”
“Are you heading somewhere else?” Duan Zi Ang asked, gently urging him toward the café door. “Wait inside. The air’s cold, you’ll catch a chill.”
Xiao Shu He shook his head. “I can’t. I have a group project meeting at the student center.”
Duan Zi Ang glanced at the droplets of rain falling around them, the water splashing into puddles at their feet. Without hesitation, he held out his umbrella. “Here, take it.”
“What about you?” Xiao Shu He gave him an incredulous look, making no move to accept it. “Don’t you have class?”
It was true that the chemical engineering building wasn’t far, but with how hard the rain was coming down, even shielding himself with a bag wouldn’t keep Duan Zi Ang from getting soaked.
But Duan Zi Ang only beamed at him. “Don’t worry, I don’t have class after this – “
He hadn’t even finished his sentence when a group of students hurried past them, all crammed under a single umbrella. They laughed among themselves until one of them spotted Duan Zi Ang standing there. “Oi, Zi Ang! Do you want to be late again? It’s almost four!”
Xiao Shu He promptly turned to the other man, catching the moment Duan Zi Ang shut his eyes in embarrassment after having his lie exposed right away, his cheeks flushing a shade of red that made him look boyish. “Shut up!” he shouted back, then quickly turned away, unable to meet Xiao Shu He’s gaze. “...Don’t worry about me,” he muttered, forcing the umbrella into Xiao Shu He’s hand. Their fingers brushed briefly in the exchange, the touch warm despite the rain. “Just use it.”
Before Xiao Shu He could say another word, Duan Zi Ang had already dashed off. He ran straight into the downpour, his bag held over his head as his shoes splashed through the muddy ground, his clothes growing damper by the second. Xiao Shu He stood frozen like a statue, opening and closing his mouth soundlessly as he watched Duan Zi Ang's back from behind – a strange, heavy feeling stirred in his chest. Finally, he looked down at the umbrella in his hand, letting out a sigh, and raised it over his head.
Then, step by step, Xiao Shu He walked down the stairs and started toward the student center.
-
Xiao Shu He
Zi Ang, thank you so much for lending me your umbrella. I’m sorry you had to run and get your clothes all damp. T_T
Duan Zi Ang
No problem, Shu He. ^^ You needed it more than me.
Xiao Shu He
When does your class finish? I’ll return it to you after class.
Duan Zi Ang
You don’t have to! I can just come by your department tomorrow.
Xiao Shu He
No, I’ll give it back today. What if it rains again? What will you use then?
Duan Zi Ang
It’s really no big deal, Shu He. Haha. I can just share with a friend. ^^
Xiao Shu He
Is it okay if I wait for you at the entrance of your building in 30 minutes?
Duan Zi Ang
Hey, I’m serious. You really don’t have to!
Xiao Shu He
Okay, I’ll be there in 30 minutes.
Duan Zi Ang
You’re very persistent, aren’t you? :’D
-
“You’re really here.”
A voice came from behind, tinged with disbelief, and Xiao Shu He lifted his gaze from the floor. “Here,” he reached out, offering the white umbrella back to Duan Zi Ang. “Your umbrella.”
Duan Zi Ang took it reluctantly, his lips pressing into an unhappy line. “Did you wait long? I told you not to do this. You can be really persistent – “
Before he could finish, a chorus of whistles echoed around them. The same group of boys Xiao Shu He had seen earlier made suggestive faces at Duan Zi Ang, sending signals only they seemed to understand. Though Duan Zi Ang ignored them, the faint redness creeping up his neck betrayed his embarrassment. He turned back quickly, his voice quieter. “Anyway… I said I’d pick it up from your department tomorrow, but you didn’t listen.”
“Zi Ang, I’m not shameless enough to make you come get your own umbrella when I’m the one borrowing it,” Xiao Shu He replied matter-of-factly. He reached into his tote bag, pulled out a cardigan, and draped it over Duan Zi Ang’s broad shoulders like a blanket. The other man froze at the unexpected gesture. “Look at you. Your clothes are barely dry. You’ll be the one catching a cold instead of me.”
Duan Zi Ang blinked, stunned, before his expression softened into a smile. “Thanks, Shu He…” He tugged the cardigan closer around himself, breathing in the faint scent of detergent and the familiar, gentle fragrance that stayed on Xiao Shu He’s clothes. “Then I’ll borrow your cardigan for now.”
By then, the rain had stopped, and the sky was colored in shades of purple and blue. They walked side by side under the pear blossom trees, their petals scattering softly in the breeze, their soft fragrance mingling with the scent of rain. Around them, loud chatter could be heard from the students walking out of classrooms, rushing off in different directions.
All of a sudden, Xiao Shu He stopped, his eyes following a flower slowly falling down from the branches. “Zi Ang.”
Noticing he’d walked too far ahead, Duan Zi Ang turned back. “Mn? What is it?”
“Do you like me?”
His voice was neither loud nor soft, just clear enough for Duan Zi Ang alone to hear. The man fell silent at once, and for a few long seconds, nothing passed between them. Around them, only nearby voices and hurried footsteps filled the quiet. Xiao Shu He’s face remained calm as he waited for the other man’s answer.
Duan Zi Ang stiffened, his cool composure slowly slipping away. His cheeks burned red as he averted his eyes, fingers curling into tight fists. A sigh eventually escaped him, as though he could no longer fight his embarrassment and surrendered to the truth. “...I thought you’d know by now. It’s so obvious.”
The redness on his face, the way Duan Zi Ang refused to look at him, the restless clench of his hands. All of it made Xiao Shu He physically tremble with joy so fierce it almost hurt, causing his heart to do a complicated gymnastics routine in his chest.
Xiao Shu He bit back a smile and chose not to press further. He kept walking, while Duan Zi Ang stayed unmoving, his expression anxious.
“Shu He…”
“Aren’t you coming?” Xiao Shu He paused and frowned at him, like it was the most natural thing in the world that he expected Duan Zi Ang to follow. But the other man only stood there, his face still flushed from embarrassment, his lips parting but no words coming out of it. “I thought you wanted to try that Korean BBQ restaurant.”
Duan Zi Ang opened and closed his mouth like he was searching for the right response. “...Yeah?” he stuttered, wide-eyed, still not quite processing what was happening.
“Come on,” Xiao Shu He’s lips curved into a soft smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners in a way that made his face even more beautiful. Under the pear blossom tree, framed by the late afternoon light, he resembled a prince who just stepped out of a fairytale. Duan Zi Ang was rooted on the ground where he stood, staring blankly at Xiao Shu He like he was enchanted by the sight. “I’m taking you out on a date. Don’t you get it?”
This time Duan Zi Ang’s blush deepened until his entire face burned red like a tomato. “Yeah?” he repeated, his eyes widening for a split second. In the next moment, he ran toward Xiao Shu He, his face wearing a boyish enthusiasm that clashed against his tall, intimidating frame. “Yes, let’s go!”
Shu He chuckled at his reaction, and this time he didn’t resist when Duan Zi Ang hesitantly reached out, fingers curling around his wrist, the other’s warmth seeping into his skin.
“Lead the way, then.”
-
Epilogue.
Two small glasses of beer clashed together, the soft clink echoing in the peaceful atmosphere. In the reflection, two figures in white t-shirts overlapped, sitting so close it almost looked like one was sitting on the other’s lap, an arm sneaking around a waist to pull him closer. On the table sat a bottle of alcohol and a box of pizza, surrounded by cartons of other snacks and bottles of Coke.
“Happy second anniversary,” Xiao Shu He said, giving the hand on his waist a gentle squeeze. “Here’s to more years together.”
Duan Zi Ang grinned, leaning in to peck his cheek before trailing butterfly kisses from his jaw down to the side of his neck, sniffing slightly like the shameless dog he was. Xiao Shu He only chuckled at the familiar behavior, and Duan Zi Ang murmured against the back of his neck, “Happy second anniversary, baobei.”
By now, they were already living together in a small apartment near campus. In two years of their relationship, they shared so much together: the stress of endless group projects and assignments, the frustration of writing their theses, and the exhausting scramble of applying to internships at prestigious companies. Duan Zi Ang had been there through it all: helping him print CVs, picking him up after interviews, being the shoulder he leaned on whenever the pressure from his thesis advisor grew unbearable. Xiao Shu He, in turn, had been there for him: running his fingers through his hair when he looked distressed, cooking breakfast so he wouldn’t skip meals and fall sick, sitting beside him during study sessions just to give him enough push to focus.
Suddenly, Xiao Shu He burst into laughter, recalling a funny memory in his mind: their first meeting in the library. Duan Zi Ang glanced at him, puzzled at the sudden outburst, only for Xiao Shu He to reach over and poke his cheek. “Nothing, I’m just glad you managed to redeem yourself. Otherwise, we wouldn’t even be here now.”
The thought alone was terrifying; imagining a life without Duan Zi Ang. Xiao Shu He couldn’t fathom how he would have survived university without him. If they hadn’t shared that Intro to Finance class, he was sure he would’ve kept his distance forever, convinced that Duan Zi Ang was some kind of serial killer.
It took Duan Zi Ang a moment to understand what he meant, but then he laughed too, pulling Xiao Shu He closer until his face was buried in his shoulder. “Well… after that disastrous first impression, I had to rethink my strategy.”
“Let’s be real, it wouldn’t have been that bad if you hadn’t stared so much,” Xiao Shu He teased, chuckling at the memory of Duan Zi Ang gawking at him. “You were acting like a total creep.”
Groaning, Duan Zi Ang sank his teeth into his shoulder through the thin fabric of his shirt, venting his embarrassment in the only way he knew how. “I know, I know… That’s why I toned it down a little, even though I’ve always had this urge to push you against the nearest wall and kiss you.”
It was several months into their relationship when Duan Zi Ang finally came clean to Xiao Shu He. Apparently, ever since that first encounter under the pear blossom trees – a moment Xiao Shu He had no memory of, no matter how dramatically Duan Zi Ang recounted it – he had been pathetically caught in a chokehold, insisting it was love at first sight. Originally, Duan Zi Ang had assumed Xiao Shu He was a chemical engineering student like him, which led him on a wild goose chase through the wrong faculty. He’d waited outside random classrooms, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, but never once succeeded. Trying to describe Xiao Shu He to friends hadn’t helped, either: “beautiful like an angel and smelled like flowers” wasn’t exactly the kind of useful description anyone could work with. At one point, he had even started to believe Xiao Shu He might have been a figment of his imagination, someone who vanished off the face of the earth after that fleeting encounter.
Soon, university workload got out of hand, and Duan Zi Ang had no choice but to stop searching for Xiao Shu He. Until one random afternoon, he stumbled across him in the library. At first, he couldn’t believe it. After so long, Xiao Shu He was right there, in front of him, so real, so stunning, exactly like how he remembered from that first meeting a year ago. Duan Zi Ang didn’t waste a second; he just walked straight up to him, not caring whether he was ready to talk to someone so beautiful (“You’re dramatic,” Xiao Shu He would roll his eyes). Even though he was nervous to even look at Xiao Shu He, he forced himself to speak, determined to somehow score a date by the end of the day.
Of course, Duan Zi Ang knew he might come across as a creep, but he couldn’t help himself. He’d waited too long for this moment.
Once he had Xiao Shu He’s actual name, Duan Zi Ang immediately started asking around. His friends from other faculties told him that Xiao Shu He often visited the café near the Economics and Management building. From then on, whenever he had no classes or group projects, Duan Zi Ang made it a point to hang around there, hoping to run into him. Since Xiao Shu He no longer showed up at the library – probably to avoid him, this was probably his best chance.
Not long after, You Qi, a guy he’d gotten to know through the basketball club, mentioned he shared an Introduction to Finance class with Xiao Shu He. Luckily, it was still an add-drop period, so Duan Zi Ang immediately added the class to his schedule, not caring if it meant dragging himself out of bed early every Monday morning. He also changed his approach; instead of being impatient like before, he let things flow naturally, especially after noticing how obviously uncomfortable Xiao Shu He got around him.
It dragged on longer than he’d hoped, but patience was something Duan Zi Ang had already mastered. Simply being near Xiao Shu He was enough to make him happy.
When Xiao Shu He later heard the whole story, he’d laughed so hard he nearly doubled over. Even now, he couldn’t help chuckling at how relentless Duan Zi Ang had been. All that pining from a distance must have been exhausting. “You really went through a lot,” he teased, raising a hand to ruffle his hair. Duan Zi Ang leaned into the touch like an eager puppy, which only made him smile more. “I’m glad we’re here now.”
Duan Zi Ang smiled back, glanced up at him, then leaned in to press their lips together, his arm tightening around his waist.
“Yeah. I’m glad, too.”