Morning arrived gently.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains, painting warm golden rectangles on the wooden floor. Somewhere in the apartment, Grandma's kettle whistled softly, followed by the faint clatter of cups. The world was peaceful.
And Xu Jin woke up smiling.
Not a small smile.
A dangerously cheerful, slightly foolish smile.
He sat up, stretched his arms, and ran a hand through his hair.
Last night's realization still sat in his chest — not heavy, not frightening — but warm. Like a candle flame that refused to go out.
He got ready quickly. Washed. Dressed. Even fixed his hair with extra care.
Because today, for reasons he refused to name out loud…
He wanted to look good.
When he opened his door, Yun Hu was already sitting outside, tail neatly wrapped around paws, as if waiting for him specifically.
Xu Jin crouched and picked the cat up.
"Good morning, demon cat," he whispered.
Yun Hu meowed, accepting the title with pride.
Cradling the cat in his arms, Xu Jin walked down the hallway toward room 1207.
He pushed the door open gently.
And froze.
Liang Chen was standing on a small stool near the wall, arms raised, fingers adjusting a fabric wall hanging. Morning light streamed through the window beside him, outlining his figure in soft gold. It was a stunning view for xu jin. Chen's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. A few strands of hair had escaped their usual neatness. His expression was focused, lips slightly pursed in concentration.
Xu Jin's first thought was completely irrational.
God really is giving me signs to court him.
Then—
Yun Hu suddenly decided gravity was optional.
The cat launched from Xu Jin's arms like a white comet.
"Yun Hu—!"
The cat landed squarely on Liang Chen's shoulder.
Liang Chen got startled.
The stool wobbled.
His balance shifted.
And for one terrifying second, Liang Chen began to fall.
Xu Jin moved without thinking.
He crossed the room in one stride.
Caught him.
Firm arms around Liang Chen's back and waist, steadying him before he could hit the floor.
The wall hanging drifted down like a defeated flag.
Silence filled the room.
Xu Jin looked down.
Liang Chen was in his arms.
Not metaphorically.
Not emotionally.
Physically.
Held.
Close.
Very close.
Xu Jin's second thought was much worse than the first.
God is absolutely giving me signs.
Then he noticed.
Liang Chen's face.
His ears.
His cheeks.
All red.
Not just a little.
Properly flushed.
The kind of color that betrayed every calm facade.
Liang Chen's hands were still gripping Xu Jin's shoulders, fingers tense from the near fall.
Yun Hu sat proudly on Liang Chen's shoulder, tail flicking, as if announcing:
Mission accomplished.
Xu Jin swallowed.
His heart beat so loudly he was certain Liang Chen could hear it.
"Professor…" Xu Jin murmured. "Are you okay?"
Liang Chen blinked once.
Twice.
Then carefully stepped back, reclaiming his dignity molecule by molecule.
"…I am fine," he said.
His voice was steady.
His face was not.
Xu Jin released him reluctantly, arms falling back to his sides.
"Oh," Xu Jin said, suddenly remembering reality. "Good morning."
Liang Chen cleared his throat.
"Good morning."
Yun Hu jumped down, circled Liang Chen's legs, then sat like an innocent bystander.
Xu Jin glanced at the fallen wall hanging.
"…Should I hold the ladder this time?" he offered.
Liang Chen exhaled slowly. 'It was dangerous it's not good to be always flustered by anyone touch chen' he scold himself internally.
"…Yes. That would be wise."
Xu Jin smiled — soft, pleased, quietly victorious.
He stepped forward to hold the stool steady.
And as Liang Chen climbed up again, still faintly pink, Xu Jin looked up at him and thought:
He really is heaven zone.
And Yun Hu, sitting below like a tiny white demon, purred in agreement.
Xu Jin sat down on the sofa after helping Liang Chen finish hanging the wall décor. Yun Hu had already curled beside him, tail flicking lazily, satisfied with the morning's chaos.
For a moment, the room settled.
Then—
Xu Jin paused.
He remembered.
That sound.
A faint click. Like a camera click
Not loud. Not obvious. Almost easy to dismiss.
He glanced toward the doorway again. Empty. Toward the window. Still. Toward the corridor outside. Silent.
No one.
He exhaled softly and leaned back into the sofa.
Maybe it was nothing.
He decided to set the thought aside.
Because another realization arrived, far more dangerous.
He had held Liang Chen.
In his arms.
Not as a joke.
He held Chen intimately like a lover. These thoughts make him flustered for no reason.Xu Jin lowered his gaze to his own hands resting on his knees.
His heart thudded once, heavy and slow.
…So that really happened. I'm doomed right.
A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips before he could stop it.
Yun Hu yawned beside him, closing his eyes again.
Xu Jin leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling.
Chen opened the kitchen cabinet and pulled out the light-colored apron with tiny embroidered strawberries along the edge. He tied it around his waist with practiced ease, sleeves rolled again, hair slightly messy from earlier.
Yun Hu suddenly leaped off the sofa.
The cat trotted after Chen with purpose, tail held high like a banner of loyalty.
He entered the kitchen.
Sat neatly beside Chen's feet.
And looked up.
Ready.
On duty.
Chen glanced down and chuckled softly.
"So you've come to supervise me again?"
Yun Hu meowed once, firm and professional.
Morning sunlight is pouring in.
Chen reached down and rubbed Yun Hu's head.
"Alright," he said. "Let's work."
And Yun Hu, loyal demon of the household, purred like a tiny engine starting its shift.