The afternoon sun filtered lazily through the curtains as Chen stretched out on the sofa, one arm hanging loosely over the edge. The television murmured softly in the background, some random variety show playing that neither he nor Yun Hu were seriously watching.
Yun Hu was sprawled across Chen's stomach like he owned the place, tail flicking slowly.
"Move," Chen muttered lazily, poking the cat's side.
Yun Hu only blinked at him and shifted an inch.
The apartment was quiet. Warm. Comfortable.
Then the door clicked open.
Chen didn't even look up.
"You're back, Grandma?" he called casually, eyes still on the television.
Grandma Liang's cheerful voice answered immediately.
"Yes! And look—I brought presents for you!"
Chen frowned slightly.
Presents?
He finally pushed Yun Hu aside and sat up, brushing his hair back before standing from the sofa.
"Huh?"
He walked toward the entrance—and froze.
At the doorway stood not just his grandmother, but three figures behind her.
Grandma Liang stood proudly in front of them like a victorious general.
Behind her—
Xiao Yushen.
Zhou Kai.
And Juri.
All three standing awkwardly at the threshold.
Chen blinked.
"…Grandma."
Grandma Liang beamed. "Surprise!"
Zhou Kai looked like he'd just been caught doing something illegal. Juri stood stiffly with his hands glued to his sides. Xiao, on the other hand, looked mildly resigned—clearly used to this.
Chen exhaled slowly.
Then, being Chen, he recovered instantly.
"Why are you all standing there?" he said calmly. "Come in."
He stepped aside.
Juri and Zhou Kai entered carefully, as if crossing into sacred territory. Xiao followed naturally—he had been here before, after all.
The door closed behind them.
Yun Hu immediately jumped off the sofa and trotted toward the newcomers.
Chen narrowed his eyes.
"Yun Hu. Behave."
The cat ignored him completely.
Yun Hu circled Zhou Kai first, sniffing suspiciously. Zhou Kai froze.
"…It's inspecting me," he whispered.
Xiao leaned slightly away when Yun Hu shifted to him next.
"I didn't do anything," zhou kai muttered nervously.
Juricrouched calmly and let Yun Hu sniff his hand. "He remembers me," juri said softly.
Chen stood lightly and walked toward the kitchen.
"I'll get water."
Zhou Kai watched him disappear into the kitchen and then looked around the apartment quickly.
It was exactly how he imagined.Warm.Clean.
Bookshelves neatly lined against the wall.
Soft lighting.
Comfortable sofa.
A few moments later, Chen returned carrying a tray with glasses of water. His movements were steady and unhurried.
His home clothes —a fitted high-neck t-shirt and simple lounge pants. Nothing fancy.
But somehow—
It suited him too well.
The fabric outlined his lean frame just enough without trying. His sleeves were slightly pushed up, revealing clean wrists. His hair was relaxed, falling softer over his forehead than when he was in class.
Zhou Kai swallowed.
Why does he look like that even at home?
Juri noticed too and felt something nearly like jealusybut aside these thoughts.
Xiao remained composed, but even he couldn't help observing the difference between Professor Chen in class and Chen at home.
Chen placed the tray on the table.
"Sit."
They obeyed instantly.
Grandma Liang laughed quietly at the scene and disappeared into the kitchen. "I'll prepare tea you guys talk!"
"Grandma I'll do it —" Chen began.
"No complaints they are your guests to attend," she sang back.
Chen sighed.
Yun Hu jumped onto the table and tried to sniff the glasses.
Chen tapped his head gently. "I said behave."
Yun Hu stared at him for a second before settling down on the table anyway.
the fluffy tyrant was carefully observing the people from his throne—Chen's lap. His golden eyes narrowed slightly as laughter floated through the room.
Then, without warning, he jumped down.
Yun Hu padded closer with slow, deliberate steps. He circled Juri once… twice…
Then, as if making a royal decision, he hopped straight into Juri's lap.
Juri froze.
Yun Hu adjusted himself comfortably, tail flicking once before settling. Then he leaned forward and began sniffing Juri's shirt.
Sniff.
Sniff sniff.
His little nose twitched repeatedly.
Juri looked down nervously. "Is that good? Or bad?"
Chen, watching from the sofa, rested his chin on his hand. "If he stays, it's good."
Xiao hid a smile.
Zhou Kai leaned forward, slightly offended. "He didn't even look at me properly."
As if on cue, Zhou Kai reached over gently.
"Come here, brother," he muttered playfully, scooping Yun Hu up from Juri's lap.
Yun Hu allowed himself to be lifted—barely protesting.
Zhou Kai cradled him confidently in his arms.
"See? He likes me too."
Yun Hu blinked up at him.
Then—
Sniff.
Sniff sniff.
His nose twitched again.
He leaned closer to Zhou Kai's collar.
Sniff—
And suddenly—
"Chhht!"
A tiny, dramatic sneeze burst out of him.
Everyone paused.
Yun Hu's ears flattened slightly.
He blinked.
Then sneezed again.
"Chht!"
And without hesitation—
He wriggled out of Zhou Kai's arms and jumped down to the floor, retreating a few safe steps away.
Silence.
Zhou Kai stared at his now-empty hands.
"…Huh?"
Juri burst out laughing first.
Xiao turned his face away, clearly trying not to laugh.
Even Chen's lips twitched.
Zhou Kai looked genuinely betrayed.
"Why did you run away?" he demanded, crouching slightly. "Come back!"
Yun Hu flicked his tail and gave him a judgmental look.
"It was just perfume!" Zhou Kai protested. "I didn't bathe in it!"