Unbeknownst to them, a shadow had been quietly watching.
He had seen the trending posts.
The blurry photos of Chi Cheng and Wu Suo Wei laughing, walking side by side, falling on top of each other during basketball practice. The comments. The shippers. The hashtag #ChiWeiRoommates.
Wang Shuo read every word with a clenched jaw.
It had been years since he left their city. Years since he tried to erase every trace of his high school obsession. But Suo Wei's face kept showing up bright, soft-eyed, naive.
Still so beautiful.
And now… he was clearly in love with Chi Cheng.
Again.
Just like before.
Wang Shuo slammed his laptop shut and leaned back in his chair. His transfer paperwork was already complete. It had been a rush decision, one made in the middle of the night after seeing that picture of Chi Cheng on top of Suo Wei on the basketball court. Protective. Intimate.
Exactly the way he used to look at him back in high school.
"You promised me he'd never be yours," Wang Shuo whispered to himself. "But I guess I have to remind you."
A Week Later
Suo Wei had a bounce in his step that morning.
The whispers on campus had started to die down. People were more focused on the upcoming university festival, and besides, the official story was that he and Chi Cheng were just roommates. It had worked.
Even the annoying ones in class had moved on.
He passed the bulletin board, humming quietly until he froze.
There was a new name listed under "Transferred Students."
Wang Shuo – 2nd Year – Literature Department
Suo Wei's heart dropped.
The warmth drained from his face as the world suddenly blurred around him. Not now. Not again.
He took off running.
In the Dorm Room
Chi Cheng barely had time to unlock the door before Suo Wei brushed past him without a word, heading straight to his desk and pretending to dig through his drawer.
"Da Bao?" Chi Cheng blinked. "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
No answer.
Just the soft rustle of papers, the tense line of Suo Wei's shoulders. His back was turned to Chi Cheng, but Chi Cheng could tell he was upset. Very upset.
"Hey," Chi Cheng tried again, stepping closer, "Did someone say something again?"
Still nothing.
When Chi Cheng reached out to touch his shoulder, Suo Wei jerked away.
The rejection stung.
"…You're mad at me?" Chi Cheng asked, confused but growing defensive. "Did I do something?"
Suo Wei finally turned around, hugging a notebook to his chest like a shield. "He's here."
Chi Cheng's brows drew together. "Who?"
"Wang Shuo," Suo Wei said flatly. "He transferred."
A beat passed.
Chi Cheng's jaw tensed. "You saw his name?"
Suo Wei nodded, but then laughed bitterly, blinking too quickly. "Guess the universe thinks we need a reunion."
"Da Bao–"
"Don't call me that."
Chi Cheng froze.
Suo Wei turned away, voice quieter now. "I'm not mad. I just… I remembered how perfect you two looked back in high school. Everyone said you were meant to be. And now he's back."
Chi Cheng stepped forward. "That was all–"
"You've never even told me you love me," Suo Wei blurted out, finally looking at him with teary eyes. "And now he's back and he's...he's everything I'm not. What if you go back to him? What if you want that again?"
Chi Cheng's heart ached.
"I've never been like him. I'm childish. I cry. I cling to you. I make you lie and hide things just to protect me. And maybe you're tired of it. Maybe it's easier if you just–"
Before he could finish, Chi Cheng closed the distance and pulled him into a hug.
Tightly.
So tight that Suo Wei could barely breathe.
"…I'm not going anywhere," Chi Cheng whispered into his hair. "Not back to him. Not away from you. So don't say things like that again."
Suo Wei's fists clenched against Chi Cheng's chest, his voice muffled. "But you never say it… You never say you love me…"
Chi Cheng went quiet.
Then slowly, he pulled back just enough to look Suo Wei in the eyes.
"I do," he said. "I love you, Wu Suo Wei."
It was the first time.
Suo Wei's eyes widened, trembling lips parted then responded, ''I love you to Chi Cheng.''
Elsewhere on Campus…
Wang Shuo stepped into the courtyard, eyes scanning for familiar faces. A group of freshmen walked by, none of them paying him any attention.
But he wasn't here for them.
He was here to take back what he thought belonged to him.
And the game was just getting started.