It had only been a week since the semester started, but Wu Suo Wei already knew three things about Chi Cheng's university life: Everyone knew his name, Everyone wanted his attention And no one– absolutely no one – knew he lived with him.
Suo Wei watched from the campus café window, chin resting on his hand, as Chi Cheng played basketball on the court below. Girls screamed when he scored. Someone shouted, "Chi Cheng, you're so hot!" and he just shrugged like it didn't matter.
But Suo Wei knew.
He knew how Chi Cheng liked his noodles soft, how he always read in the bathroom, how he'd fall asleep with music playing if no one turned it off.
He knew that Chi Cheng was secretly a clean freak, and that he snored if he was too tired.
He knew… too much.
And yet he felt like a stranger again.
"You're staring too hard," a voice said beside him.
Suo Wei flinched.
It was Guo Cheng Yu.
Sharp jawline, silver earring, confident smile – the other campus heartthrob. He leaned over the table with a casual air.
"You like Chi Cheng?" Cheng Yu asked bluntly.
Suo Wei nearly choked on his drink. "W-What?! No! Why would you say that?"
**Flashback**
The late afternoon sun hit the basketball court just right, golden, warm, cinematic.
Wu Suo Wei sat on the upper bleachers, notebook open on his lap, though he hadn't written anything for a while. His eyes were fixed on one person below.
Chi Cheng.
Sweat glistened down his neck as he moved across the court fast, sharp, focused. Every time the ball hit the floor, Suo Wei's heart jumped. He tried to pretend he wasn't watching, but every few seconds, his eyes betrayed him.
He didn't notice the shadow sitting a few rows above him.
Guo Cheng Yu.
Legs crossed, earbuds in, but one eye on Suo Wei the entire time.
After practice ended and the crowd thinned, Suo Wei stood and stretched. He didn't realize Chi Cheng had looked up for just a second. It wasn't much. Just a flicker of gaze, then back to the water bottle in his hand.
But Guo Cheng Yu caught it.
He saw the way Chi Cheng's expression shifted. That almost-invisible softening.
He smirked to himself.
A few days later, Suo Wei was returning from class when someone suddenly fell into step beside him.
"Hey there, daydreamer."
Suo Wei turned, startled. "Huh?"
Guo Cheng Yu walked casually beside him, hands in his pockets. "You always look like you're in some sort of drama scene. All moody and lovesick."
Suo Wei frowned. "I do not."
Cheng Yu chuckled. "Relax, I mean it as a compliment. It's... cute."
Suo Wei blinked. "Are you always this weird?"
"Only to people I like," Cheng Yu said smoothly.
Before Suo Wei could answer, he added, "So... you and Chi Cheng. What's the story there?"
"There's no story," Suo Wei replied too quickly.
"Right." Cheng Yu grinned knowingly. "You're just accidentally sitting in the same spot every time he has practice."
"I'm studying."
"Of course," Cheng Yu said, eyes twinkling. "Staring at your textbook while watching him dunk."
Suo Wei turned away, cheeks warm. "Why are you even talking to me?"
Cheng Yu shrugged. "Maybe I find you interesting.
Suo Wei blinked at him, lips parting slightly. "Huh… me?"
"You're always hiding in plain sight, Wu Suo Wei. That's rare around here."
Suo Wei scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I-I'm not hiding… I just don't like crowds."
"Cute," Cheng Yu said, leaning in slightly as they turned a quiet corner near the dorms. "You always stutter when you're flustered?"
"I'm not–!" Suo Wei squeaked, stepping back until his shoulder bumped lightly against the wall.
He stood there, cheeks warm, heart tapping nervously in his chest. Cheng Yu tilted his head, his face now inches from Suo Wei's, one hand resting casually against the wall beside him.
"I wonder," Cheng Yu murmured with a slow smile, "how someone like you ended up so close to someone like Chi Cheng."
"I–I've known him since we were kids…"
"Ah," Cheng Yu nodded, still far too close. "Childhood friends. That explains a lot."
"I… I'm not that interesting," Suo Wei said softly, eyes darting between Cheng Yu's collar and his own fidgeting hands.
"See, that's what makes you interesting," Cheng Yu whispered playfully.
What neither of them saw – standing at a distance, partly hidden by the curve of the hallway was Chi Cheng.
Chi Cheng had just stepped out of the gym, towel hanging around his neck, when he spotted them. His footsteps slowed.
Cheng Yu was leaning in close. Way too close. And Wu Suo Wei looked like a startled kitten, pressed against the wall, face red, clearly flustered.
Chi Cheng narrowed his eyes slightly. His jaw tightened.
He didn't move. Just watched silently for a few seconds longer. Then, without saying a word, he turned and walked the other way.