Though Tan Sizhe’s birthday had passed, the decorations at home remained untouched. Tan Sizhe said they looked nice like that, so Ye Mingxuan left them up.
Today was his shift at the radio station. The midday sun was at its brightest, casting its glow over the campus paths. People bustled along the walkways—some heading back to their dorms, others bound for the library, and still others dressed up for outings.
Music drifted from hidden speakers scattered throughout the campus. Ye Mingxuan sat in the broadcast booth, adjusting the sound equipment.
With the station understaffed, everyone wore multiple hats. Ye Mingxuan handled audio editing and program playback, while Xu Liang wrote and read scripts. Huang Xiaochu sat at a nearby computer designing promotional posters.
Just now, Ye Mingxuan picked up the top sheet from a stack of popular playlists, searched for the song, and clicked play.
Xu Liang: Welcome to A University’s campus life and relationship program, ‘The Soul’s Educational Journey.’ I’m your host for today, Xu Liang.”
“Since this program launched, we’ve received many submissions from students. Today, I’ll select a few lucky listeners to address their relationship questions.”
Xu Liang said to Ye Mingxuan, “Turn down the background music. People can’t hear my voice.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded and turned down the volume.
Xu Liang cleared his throat and looked down at the submission: “This student, ‘I’m Straight as an Arrow,’ says: ‘Lately, I’ve noticed my roommate is always targeting me. He makes me fetch his underwear when he’s showering, insists on sharing my bed when sleeping, and demands I feed him during meals. Please tell me what I should do?’”
“Hmm…” Xu Liang furrowed his brow, pondering seriously for a moment. “Based on what this student says, your roommate seems… to really dislike you!”
Huang Xiaochu, sitting behind them, looked up, staring at Xu Liang in shock.
Xu Liang: “Mingxuan, what do you think?”
Ye Mingxuan froze, staring at the lit microphone as he nervously pondered, “Um… maybe he doesn’t dislike you? Perhaps he just wants to get closer…”
“Go home, go home, kid,” Xu Liang said helplessly, looking at Ye Mingxuan. “You don’t get it—this is clearly dislike!”
Ye Mingxuan looked skeptical: “Really?”
Xu Liang: “Of course!”
“He deliberately invades your personal space and orders you around. This isn’t just targeting you—it’s blatant bullying!” Xu Liang delivered his critique with conviction.
“My advice is to tell him directly that you dislike his behavior, or ask the counselor to switch dorm rooms. If you don’t take action, he’ll only get worse! Next!”
Xu Liang finished his impassioned speech, took a sip of water to moisten his throat, and shot Ye Mingxuan a smug look, mouthing silently: How about that? Pretty awesome, huh?
Ye Mingxuan hesitated, then silently lowered his head to fiddle with his fingers.
“……” After witnessing this shocking scene, Huang Xiaochu covered her face with both hands. “Forget it, forget it. We’re short-staffed. Just bear with it.”
She beckoned to Ye Mingxuan and called softly, “Mingxuan, come here.”
Ye Mingxuan approached. Huang Xiaochu pushed a glass of milk toward him. “Here, drink this.”
“Thanks, senior.” Ye Mingxuan smiled as he sat down and tore open the straw.
Huang Xiaochu watched him drink the milk. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating his profile. His skin glowed as white and smooth as milk, his lips and nose tinged with a vibrant pink—beautiful and innocent. She couldn’t help asking, “Mingxuan, are you dating someone?”
Ye Mingxuan nearly aspirated the milk into his windpipe. He fought to suppress a cough and swallowed it safely: “No, I’m not. Why?”
Huang Xiaochu: “No reason. Just thought you looked healthier than before, and a bit plumper too. Like you’re in love.”
Ye Mingxuan chuckled twice, biting down on the straw.
He wasn’t dating anyone, but he was married and had a child.
But marriage wasn’t the same as dating, was it… Tan Sizhe’s face flashed through Ye Mingxuan’s mind.
He and Tan Sizhe were husband and wife in name only. In reality, he didn’t even know what their relationship truly was.
They married without meeting, consummated without seeing each other’s faces, and somehow had a child before they could even call themselves friends.
So what now? What was his relationship with Tan Sizhe? Friends? But what kind of friends get married, kiss, and have children?
The thought process left Ye Mingxuan thoroughly confused. His mind couldn’t handle such complexity, and he slumped over the desk with a sigh.
“Oh, right,” Huang Xiaochu interjected. “I heard about you and Ye Yufan.”
Ye Mingxuan looked up, blinking softly. “Really?”
Huang Xiaochu gossiped, “So what exactly is your relationship with Ye Yufan? Why does he always pick on you? Could it be they’re right? Are you two really brothers?!”
“No, no, no!” Ye Mingxuan denied immediately. “We’re not brothers, nor are we fake masters! What’s online is way too exaggerated!”
“Then why?”
“Um…”
“Never mind, if you don’t want to talk about it, I was just curious.” Huang Xiaochu sipped her lemon tea. “Last semester, Ye Yufan got disciplined, right? He had to compensate me. On the day of the settlement, I met his dad.”
“His dad was actually pretty nice to me. He said as long as I didn’t spread the word about it anymore, he’d pay whatever I asked.” Huang Xiaochu continued, “He made me feel so awkward that I just had him reimburse my medical and travel expenses. I didn’t ask for any extra money.”
Ye Mingxuan listened quietly as Huang Xiaochu spoke.
“His dad also mentioned using connections to get the disciplinary action overturned. But I checked the official website a few days ago, and the notice is still up. Guess it didn’t work.”
Huang Xiaochu clicked her tongue in disapproval, then lowered her head to slurp her drink. She grimaced. “What brand is this lemon tea? Total disaster.”
She tossed the empty cup into the trash. Noticing Ye Mingxuan staring blankly, she asked, “Mingxuan, did you fall asleep?”
Ye Mingxuan: “No.”
Huang Xiaochu: “Well, I’ll be heading out then. I’ll leave this to the two of you. Remember to lock up and turn off the lights when you’re done.”
They turned back. Xu Liang was passionately resolving his emotional issues, completely immersed in his own world. Ye Mingxuan said to Huang Xiaochu, “Got it, senior. You go ahead.”
After Huang Xiaochu left, Ye Mingxuan finished his milk and sat back down to continue working.
Xu Liang’s boisterous voice was automatically blocked out by his ears. Ye Mingxuan’s thoughts had long since flown away like the birds on the windowsill.
Earlier, Huang Xiaochu mentioned that Ye Xiangkai had tried unsuccessfully to help Ye Yufan overturn his disciplinary action. Was Tan Sizhe secretly blocking it?
Ye Mingxuan didn’t know. He swiped through his chat history with Tan Sizhe but felt awkward asking.
With no classes this afternoon, they tidied up the studio after finishing the broadcast, turned off the lights, locked the doors and windows, then left.
After bidding farewell to Xu Liang, Ye Mingxuan headed toward the school gates.
The radio station was in Shenxing Building, which originally backed onto an abandoned park. Neglected for years, it was overgrown with weeds. Aside from stray cats playing there, only school couples would sneak in for secret kisses.
Ye Mingxuan had stumbled upon them twice last semester, each time pretending not to see and awkwardly walking away. Today, he intended to leave without looking over, just as before. But then he spotted someone very familiar over there.
Qi Lin knelt by the pond, opening two cans of cat food and placing them before several stray cats. The cats sniffed cautiously, then, discovering the delicious treat, immediately crowded around to lap at the food.
“Looks like they’re well-fed here, plump as gas tanks. Let me see if they’re neutered.” ” Qi Lin peered behind one orange cat’s rear.
Ye Mingxuan stood behind him, unsure whether to call out or stay silent. He wasn’t certain if Teacher Qi would mind someone seeing him examining the cats’ private parts.
So Ye Mingxuan lifted his foot, intending to slip away quietly. But the more careful he tried to be, the more likely he was to slip up. The next second, he stepped on a branch.
Qi Lin heard the noise and turned around: “Ye Mingxuan?”
Ye Mingxuan snapped to attention, feeling awkward: “Teacher Qi…”
But Qi Lin didn’t seem to notice at all. He stood up and tapped his spine: “You’re just in time. Come help me with something.”
Ye Mingxuan: “?”
He followed Qi Lin to his office on the second floor of Shenxing Building—a spacious single room assigned by the school, large enough for both painting and administrative work.
Qi Lin picked up one box of deliveries himself and asked Ye Mingxuan to grab another. The boxes weren’t heavy. Ye Mingxuan glanced at the packaging—it contained cat food.
The two carried the boxes out of Shenxing Building. Qi Lin said, “Thanks, Ye Mingxuan. My back’s been acting up lately. One box is manageable, but two is a bit much.”
Ye Mingxuan shook his head, saying it was no trouble. Qi Lin looked at him and asked, “You never studied painting before, did you?”
“No, but how did you know?”
“I could tell from your drawings. No technique—just pure passion.”
Ye Mingxuan felt a bit embarrassed. “Yeah…”
He did draw on impulse, but he swore he took it seriously.
They walked to the school’s stray cat rescue station and handed over the cat food. Several students thanked Qi Lin. He waved them off and motioned for Ye Mingxuan to head back together.
He bought Ye Mingxuan a bottle of water. Ye Mingxuan thanked him and took it. Qi Lin remarked, “Seems you really enjoy painting.”
Ye Mingxuan swallowed his water and admitted, “Yes, teacher.”
Qilin nodded, patting his back. “Young man, though my class doesn’t take attendance, I hope to see you clocking in on time for every future session.”
Ye Mingxuan held water in his mouth, cheeks puffed out as he forgot to swallow. After a long moment, he gulped it down. “Teacher, I will! I will!”
Qi Lin smiled and nodded before walking away.
Ye Mingxuan clutched the plastic bottle tightly, walking excitedly toward the school gate.
…
Upon returning home, Ye Mingxuan spotted Tan Sizhe the moment he entered.
Tan Sizhe sat on the beautifully decorated sofa, twirling the string of a balloon between his fingers. The setting sun cast a warm glow on his face, highlighting a rare youthful charm.
“Sir, why are you back so early today?” Ye Mingxuan asked.
Tan Sizhe pinched the bridge of his nose as if suddenly remembering something. “I had a bit to drink at a lunch meeting. Feeling a little dizzy, so I came home to rest.”
Ye Mingxuan changed his shoes and entered. “Need some hangover medicine? How about a detox tea? I can make some for you.”
Tan Sizhe grabbed his wrist. ” No need. I’m fine. Just need a shower. I reek of alcohol.”
Ye Mingxuan looked up, set down his book, and shuffled over in his slippers. “Sir?”
Through the closed door, Tan Sizhe cleared his throat. “I forgot to bring my underwear.”
Ye Mingxuan froze.
Tan Sizhe’s voice echoed in the empty bathroom: “Could you bring one in for me?”
Then he chuckled softly: “Pick whichever one you like.”
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