Nanzhu leaned closer, his hand lifting in a slow, deliberate motion. Qiushi's breath caught—only for Nanzhu's thumb to swipe the bit of milk from the corner of his mouth.
A small, polite act. Nothing more.
The faint sting of disappointment settled in Qiushi's chest, but he didn't let it show. "Thank you," he said evenly.
Nanzhu smiled. "Of course, Qiushi."
They finished their late breakfast in comfortable quiet. Qiushi had been building up the courage to speak, to tell Nanzhu something—anything—that hinted at what was in his heart. But before he could begin, Nanzhu's phone rang. A client. A job.
"I have to go," Nanzhu said, rising from the table.
Qiushi nodded, masking the drop in his mood. "Alright."
Once Nanzhu left, the apartment felt far too empty. Qiushi paced the living room, practicing words under his breath.
"I like you. No… too plain. I have feelings for you. Mmm… no, that sounds weird. Wanna be together? Definitely too straightforward…"
He was so lost in his muttering that he didn't notice Qianli returning with his older brother, Yixie.
Qianli, curious, edged closer to listen. "I don't think that's too straightforward, ge," he said suddenly.
Qiushi nearly jumped out of his skin. "When did you—?! Never mind. Forget it."
Qianli grinned, eyes sparkling. "So… who are you confessing to?"
Yixie didn't even bother asking. His gaze was knowing, like someone who had already solved the puzzle. "Your boss," he said simply.
Qiushi's lips twitched in amusement.
Qianli blinked, then his eyes widened. "What?! To Ruan-ge?? Are you insane? You're bold to like someone like him."
Qiushi frowned. "He's not that bad. Or scary."
A voice came from directly behind Yixie. "Who isn't that scary?"
Both Qianli and Qiushi froze.
Nanzhu stood there, looking faintly puzzled. Judging by his expression, he hadn't heard much—if anything—of their conversation.
Scrambling for an excuse, Yixie stepped in smoothly. "Qianli thinks monsters aren't scary anymore."
"Oh." Nanzhu accepted the explanation without suspicion. "Then I'll head back to my room to rest."
The three of them watched as he ascended the stairs.
Qianli exhaled heavily. "Woah, lucky he didn't find out. If he'd heard about your confession, you'd be—"
Before he could finish, Yixie hooked a hand around his brother's arm, dragging him away. "Night, Linlin-ge. Hope you succeed."
"Ge! I wasn't done talking!" Qianli yelled, but Yixie ignored him entirely, pulling him into their room and shutting the door.
Qiushi was left alone in the quiet, his heart beating faster than it should.
***
That night, Qiushi stood outside Nanzhu's door, hand hovering over the wood. He could hear faint movement inside—pages turning, the soft creak of the bed.
Just knock. Tell him. It's simple.
He took a deep breath and rapped twice.
"Come in," Nanzhu's voice called.
Qiushi stepped inside. Nanzhu was lounging against the headboard, hair loose, reading a book. He looked up, smiling. "Couldn't sleep?"
Qiushi's throat went dry. "I… wanted to tell you something."
Nanzhu set the book aside, giving him his full attention. "Oh?"
Qiushi opened his mouth—only for his phone to buzz loudly in his pocket. The sudden noise made him flinch.
It was a call from Wu Qi.
Qiushi stared at the screen, torn. "I—uh—never mind. I'll tell you later."
Nanzhu raised a brow but said nothing, simply watching as Qiushi turned and left.
In the hallway, Qiushi leaned against the wall, heart pounding. Later, he told himself. I'll tell him later.