Class ended late in the afternoon, the sky outside turning soft with hints of orange. Students filed out with tired faces and busy plans.
Li Ming, unusually quiet all day, finally walked over to Wang Yang, who was leaning against the stair railing, headphones in.
"Hey," Li Ming said, scratching the back of his neck. "About earlier… sorry for being rude."
Wang Yang removed one earbud, looking at him silently.
Li Ming took a breath. "Wanna hang out? Just you and me?"
For a second, there was nothing. Then Wang Yang smiled—a rare, genuine smile that made his usual cool façade soften. "Yeah," he said. "I'd like that."
—
After university, they took a cab straight to Li Ming's place. The apartment was cozy, modern, and smelled faintly of citrus and aftershave.
Wang Yang dropped onto the couch while Li Ming tossed his bag aside. "I'm gonna shower," he said, disappearing into the bathroom.
Wang Yang nodded, scanning the space. The place felt like Li Ming—messy, casual, yet strangely comfortable.
Minutes later, Li Ming walked out with damp hair and a loose t-shirt that hung lazily off one shoulder. "You want anything to eat?"
"Something light," Wang Yang said.
They shared some instant noodles and leftover dumplings, laughing over nothing in particular. It felt easy—natural.
Later, they settled on the couch, a movie playing quietly on the TV. Neither paid much attention to the plot.
Wang Yang sat close—too close. His thigh brushed against Li Ming's. Slowly, he leaned in, eyes locked on Li Ming's lips. There was hesitation for only a moment before Wang Yang pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the corner of his mouth.
Li Ming froze, eyes wide.
Wang Yang pulled back slightly, but before he could say anything, Li Ming turned toward him and kissed him back.
This kiss was different.
It deepened quickly, their lips moving in perfect rhythm—slow, heated, and filled with everything they couldn't say. Li Ming's fingers tangled in Wang Yang's shirt, pulling him closer, while Wang Yang cupped the back of his neck, devouring the moment like he needed it.
The movie played on, forgotten.
Only their heartbeats filled the silence now.