Why does it feel like every time I'm secretly trying to do something, this counselor always shows up at the most awkward moment in the most embarrassing place?!
This counselor must be out to get me!
An Han lowered his head, hands clasped tightly behind his back around the package. On the outside, he looked soft and meek, but inside, he was seething with silent curses.
I hope he didn't see it.
Even if he didn't read the text, he probably saw the picture—something that looked suspiciously like a bra or undershirt, right?
I should've wrapped the package in another bag.
He didn't mind strangers at the courier station knowing he'd ordered a chest binder—after all, the courier clerk had probably seen it all—but he absolutely dreaded being seen by someone he knew.
Social embarrassment only really stung among friends and acquaintances.
And of all the people who could've seen him… it had to be his counselor! That was absolutely unacceptable!
Terrifying!
He wanted to turn and bolt right then and there—but that trick only worked with classmates, not with counselors. If he ran now, who knew what kind of trouble he might face later. So he swallowed his panic and asked meekly, "Did you need something, sir?"
Ren Chi tilted his head curiously, trying to peek behind An Han, but An Han shifted his body slightly, blocking his view.
Ren wasn't flustered in the slightest. With a friendly smile, he replied, "I just wanted to ask you and Su Peng for a small favor. But if you're busy, forget it."
This counselor always wore that same gentle, knowing smile that made it seem like he understood everything.
An Han still couldn't tell whether Ren had actually seen the package. Gritting his teeth, he answered, "Su Peng's going out later… what kind of favor?"
"It's personal. If you'd rather not, that's fine."
"I'll do it!" An Han nodded immediately without hesitation.
"I just moved, and I'd planned to ask some colleagues for help, but it's National Day break—everyone's gone home." Ren scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "After thinking it over, you're pretty much the only person around who can help."
An Han was genuinely surprised. "Sir… are you really that unpopular? Not even one friend you can call?"
"Er, I didn't mean… uh…" Realizing his wording was problematic, he struggled for a moment, then gave up. "But sir, why not just hire a moving company or rent a van?"
"My new place is right behind campus—Happy Community. It's less than a few hundred meters away. Would you really call someone just to carry stuff that short distance?"
"Fine, fine… saving money is easier when you exploit student labor," An Han muttered under his breath.
"What was that?"
He immediately nodded furiously. "I'll go help you right after I send this package!"
Aside from the fact that Ren Chi already held one embarrassing secret of his (the cross-dressing incident), this new situation with the chest binder package made compliance absolutely non-negotiable.
Putting on an overly friendly, brotherly act, An Han even patted Ren on the shoulder. "We're practically family! If you ever need anything else, just say the word—I've got your back!"
Ren looked mildly exasperated. "I've only just started this job, and I don't really have many friends around here yet… How about I treat you to something afterward?"
"No need for that," An Han said quickly.
All he wanted was to resolve this awkward situation as fast as possible and retreat back to his dorm, hopefully avoiding any strange new "tasks."
He glanced nervously at the binder hidden behind his back, hesitated for a second, then said, "Sir, let me just run back to my dorm real quick—two minutes, tops."
"Sure thing. You're really doing me a huge favor."
Back in his dorm, An Han grabbed a plastic bag and carefully slipped the binder package inside. Only then did he finally breathe a sigh of relief. When he stepped out again, Ren was still waiting patiently outside the door.
"I'm going to the courier station first," An Han said, walking briskly ahead with Ren trailing behind.
Ren occasionally glanced at the bag in An Han's hand but, to his credit, didn't ask a single question.
Whether or not Ren had actually seen what was in the package, his discretion at least eased An Han's anxiety significantly.
By the way, sir…" An Han suddenly slowed his pace slightly and turned curiously toward Ren. "How old are you exactly? You look like you're barely past twenty."
"Twenty-seven."
"Oh~ So you're not that much older than me, then."
Ren smiled and nodded. "I even play games like League of Legends and Honor of Kings—so I guess we're pretty much in the same generation."
Though An Han didn't actually play either of those games, Ren's comment still softened the usual teacher-student distance between them, making An Han feel a bit more at ease.
The campus had three courier stations, all located along the food street. Normally packed with students, they were nearly empty during the National Day holiday—only staff remained.
A part-time job recruitment poster was taped to the entrance of one station. An Han paused briefly in front of it before stepping inside.
Even though mailing a chest binder as a guy was mortifying, he reminded himself that no one here knew him—and with practiced composure, he completed the mailing without flinching.
"Done." He rejoined Ren outside the station.
"You're looking for a part-time job?" Ren had noticed his pause at the poster.
"No, just curious," An Han said quickly.
"Unless it's summer or winter break, I wouldn't recommend students take on part-time work. Your main job right now is studying."
"Mm." An Han nodded obediently.
The truth was, he'd only stopped because he had a habit of reading everything he came across—flyers, snack wrappers, even soda cans. He just couldn't help but read every word.
Following Ren, he arrived at the faculty dormitory building.
After Ren unlocked the door, An Han peeked inside curiously.
The building looked ancient, its layout nearly identical to the student dorms, and each room was about the same size as his own.
"Faculty housing isn't any better than ours," he remarked.
"At least it's single occupancy."
Ren opened the door, and An Han craned his neck to peer in.
Inside sat a narrow single bed surrounded by heaps of clutter. Despite Ren's neat appearance, his room was messier than many students'.
Good—now he'd have an excuse the next time Ren nitpicked his dorm inspection.
"Come on in," Ren said.
Still hovering at the doorway, An Han asked, "But it looks perfectly livable here. Why move out?"
"Renting outside gives you more space and comfort—what other reason is there?"
"Lucky you. We students aren't allowed to rent off-campus unless it's senior year for internships."
He finally stepped inside, his eyes immediately locking onto a figure on the desk. "A Naruto figurine?"
"Yeah."
"So you're into anime, huh, sir?"
"I wouldn't say that. I just really like Naruto. I've been watching it since I was a kid—what's wrong with buying a figure to remember it by?"
"But… isn't that a Fourth Hokage cloak hanging over there?"
"I grew up watching that show! Is it so strange to buy a few memorabilia pieces?"
Ren opened his closet to start packing, but An Han stuck close like a shadow. "And that's a Zanpakutō from Bleach, right? You seriously still claim you're not an otaku?"
"I like one or two anime—that doesn't make me an otaku! Don't just throw around terms you barely understand!"
"But what about this?" An Han pointed to a corner of the closet.
There, hanging quietly among the clothes, was a set of women's clothing.
Well, well… looks like we're fellow travelers after all!