What?
Xia Xiqing, wearing a hat, raised his head slightly and licked his dry lips.
Was he being teased by Zhou Ziheng, that young virgin?
“Senior, are you okay?” Xiao Qi rushed down from the steel frame in a panic, and a few classmates who had been working on materials nearby also came over to check on him.
“I’m fine,” Xia Xiqing waved his hand and smiled at Xiao Qi. “Thank goodness you had the foresight to lay down a mat. You all go back to work; I’m fine.”
Hearing this, Xiao Qi felt a bit embarrassed. “Senior, if you’re not feeling well, I’ll take you to the school hospital for a checkup.”
Zhou Ziheng narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at this attentive junior. “Are you from the Art Academy?”
When Zhou Ziheng asked this, Xiao Qi immediately tensed up. “Ah, yes, yes. My name is Qi Kai.”
“My name is Zhou Ziheng.” He smiled at Qi Kai, but this forced smile only gave off an oppressive vibe, especially with Zhou Ziheng’s aggressive-looking face.
Qi Kai didn’t need him to introduce himself; everyone on campus knew Zhou Ziheng. The physics department’s top student, a child star who had been active in the entertainment industry since the age of six, currently the hottest young actor in his twenties, and with a family background that girls were making increasingly mysterious—such a prodigy, no one would be unaware of his existence. He had never imagined that one day he would have any connection with such a person.
“Who doesn’t know your name is Zhou Ziheng?” Xia Xiqing chuckled, then turned his head and patted Qi Kai’s calf. “It’s okay, don’t worry.”
“Hmm.” Qi Kai’s ears turned red after being patted on the calf by Xia Xiqing, and this expression was particularly glaring in Zhou Ziheng’s eyes.
Does he like men?
No, he likes Xia Xiqing.
These two shouldn’t have had any contact before, so could he have fallen for him in just a short time? In the past, Zhou Ziheng would have thought this was almost impossible, but after meeting Xia Xiqing…
Nothing is impossible.
Xia Xiqing propped himself up with both hands behind him, his eyes fixed on Zhou Ziheng, whose hair was disheveled and who wore a pair of black-framed glasses. Without the elaborate styling, his clean-cut appearance actually resembled that of a little wolf dog. Xia Xiqing lifted his toes and stepped on Zhou Ziheng’s shoe. “Little heartthrob, you’re here just in time.”
Zhou Ziheng smirked, his expression saying he was the coolest guy in the world, and stepped on his toes in return. “I’m not a little hunk, I’m a big star.”
“Fine.” Xia Xiqing promptly placed both feet on Zhou Ziheng’s toes, “Big star, where’s my lunch?”
“Lunch…” Zhou Ziheng suddenly remembered, abruptly turning his head to see the lunch box he had thrown on the ground, now scattered, “It doesn’t seem edible anymore…”
Xia Xiqing sighed and lay down on the mat, “I’m starving.”
“Senior,” Qi Kai, who had been watching the two of them but couldn’t interject, finally couldn’t help but speak up, “Are you hungry? Let me take you out to eat.”
“Sure.” Xia Xiqing smiled warmly. “I’ll try the cafeteria of the highest institution of learning.”
Who doesn’t have a meal card? Zhou Ziheng muttered to himself, but Xia Xiqing had already stood up, taken off his coat, and handed it to Qi Kai. “You can keep it for now. I’ll come back for it later.”
Sure enough, it was this guy’s coat.
The three of them awkwardly went to the nearest cafeteria. Xia Xiqing walked between the two of them, but most of the time she was discussing sculpture and creation with Qi Kai. Zhou Ziheng, a typical science guy, couldn’t get a word in edgewise. Modernism, classicism, and all kinds of other isms were beyond his knowledge.
They walked through a small path to the cafeteria, which was just at mealtime, so the crowd was astonishingly large. Xia Xiqing, who was engrossed in conversation with his junior, suddenly remembered that he was accompanied by a genuine superstar, so he pulled him aside, “Hey, why don’t you stay here? I’ll go by myself.”
It was meant as a kind gesture, to spare Zhou Ziheng from being surrounded by onlookers, but Zhou Ziheng pulled his hoodie hood over his head and spoke in a muffled voice, “I need to eat too.”
To be honest, Zhou Ziheng had been studying here for three years, but the number of times he had eaten in the cafeteria was almost countable on one hand. He still remembered being called to the dean’s office when he first enrolled, where they had a talk with him, urging him to avoid crowded public places to prevent causing a commotion. As a result, Zhou Ziheng rarely stayed on campus except for classes.
Now, the school’s acknowledged heartthrob suddenly appeared in the cafeteria. Although he was dressed modestly and plainly, his 6-foot-3 stature was enough to make him stand out in the crowded cafeteria.
“Holy crap, isn’t that Zhou Ziheng?”
“Really? Oh my god, what a good day it is that Zhou Ziheng is eating in the cafeteria today.”
A sharp-eyed girl immediately recognized Xia Xiqing beside Zhou Ziheng, “Oh my god, isn’t that Xia Xiqing?”
“Holy crap! Xia Xiqing is eating in the cafeteria with Zhou Ziheng! Holy crap, I have to tell XXX!”
“Oh my god, it’s really the self-study CP!”
…
The crowd grew larger and larger, and before she knew it, it had become increasingly crowded around her. Many people started taking photos and videos with their phones, and it was almost impossible to move. Xia Xiqing hadn’t eaten anything all morning, and now she was surrounded by so many people that the air was thin and she felt like she couldn’t breathe.
He turned his head and realized that Xiao Qi, who had come in with him, was nowhere to be seen.
He must have been separated from the crowd.
Someone in the crowd turned on their flashlight, and Xia Xiqing was blinded for a moment, causing him to lower his head. He felt a bit annoyed. He should have split up with Zhou Ziheng earlier.
Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder and another hand holding a tray over his face.
Zhou Ziheng’s voice came from behind him, “Excuse me, could you please not take photos? We’re just having lunch. Thank you. Could you please move aside…”
His actions quickly caused the girls present to scream. The initially crowded crowd gradually dispersed under his guidance, and Xia Xiqing was escorted by Zhou Ziheng to the window.
The canteen aunties all recognized Zhou Ziheng. Upon seeing the young man they had watched grow up coming to eat, they all smiled broadly. Though he had only ordered a large plate of chicken, they piled it up like a mountain.
“Auntie, that’s enough.”
“It’s not enough. Look how tall you are; you need to eat more.”
“Really, it’s enough…” Zhou Ziheng took the plates piled high like little mountains, smiled helplessly at the canteen aunties, and said, “Thank you, aunties.”
Xia Xiqing, standing nearby, took a plate with a smile and teased softly, “Impressive, Zhou Ziheng. Coming to the cafeteria feels like visiting a brothel.”
Zhou Ziheng immediately shushed him, “Don’t say that at school.”
Xia Xiqing couldn’t help but laugh. This guy was too funny.
The two found a secluded spot to sit down. Zhou Ziheng offered to get the cutlery for him, leaving Xia Xiqing alone. Two young girls sitting next to them mustered up the courage to greet Xia Xiqing, “Xiqing Brother, you really came to our school!”
Xia Xiqing found it amusing, propping his chin on his hand with a smile. “Could it be that you’re seeing things?”
“Ah, it’s really him.”
After flirting with the girls, Zhou Ziheng sat down across from Xia Xiqing and handed him the chopsticks. Xia Xiqing noticed that the two girls, upon seeing Zhou Ziheng, dared not speak and quietly took a few photos before slipping away.
“Hey, I feel like the girls at your school are pretty scared of you.” Xia Xiqing picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of food, and put it in his mouth. “They don’t even say hello to you.”
Zhou Ziheng, who was busy eating, looked up at him and said teasingly, “Of course they can’t compare to you, Brother Xiqing.”
That “Xiqing Brother” sounded much sweeter than the two girls had called him earlier. Perhaps it was because Zhou Ziheng was exactly the type she liked, and doing such flattering things was effortless, hitting the mark perfectly.
“You have a sweet mouth.” Xia Xiqing kicked Zhou Ziheng’s leg under the table, “Hey, call me again.”
Zhou Ziheng pretended not to understand what he was saying and continued eating. Xia Xiqing, however, wouldn’t let it go and even used his own chopsticks to hold Zhou Ziheng’s chopsticks in place. “Hurry up and call me that again.”
Unable to move his chopsticks, Zhou Ziheng didn’t get angry. He looked up at Xia Xiqing and asked, “What should I call you?”
“Brother.”
“Hey.” Zhou Ziheng responded in accordance with what he said. Xia Xiqing finally realized that this kid had taken advantage of him. He originally wanted to kick him on the shin, but then he thought about how there were so many people around, and he had to maintain his image as a little angel, so he could only suppress his anger and take out his phone to edit a message.
Soon, Zhou Ziheng’s phone lit up.
[Terrorist: You like being called ‘brother’ so much, don’t regret it.]
Zhou Ziheng wasn’t about to back down. He put down his chopsticks and picked up his phone.
[Moral Exemplar: One ‘brother’ for a meal—that’s a good deal.]
Xia Xiqing chuckled and decided not to waste his time arguing with him on WeChat. He focused on eating his meal. Zhou Ziheng found it odd. Normally, Xia Xiqing would always retaliate, but now he had voluntarily given up, showing no interest in continuing the argument. It was truly peculiar.
“Hey, where’s your junior?”
“I don’t know. Probably lost in the crowd of your fans.”
Zhou Ziheng snorted, “It’s clearly because he’s too short, yet he’s blaming my fans.”
“Oh, you’re pretty protective of him.”
After finally finishing their meal while being watched by everyone, the two of them left the cafeteria.
“Going back to study?” Xia Xiqing asked.
Hearing that word come out of his mouth made Zhou Ziheng feel even more strange. He nodded toward the path they had taken earlier, “I’ll take you there and then go to the library.”
The two walked side by side on the way back to the art academy. As they walked, Xia Xiqing recalled the moment when Zhou Ziheng caught him earlier and couldn’t help but smile.
“What are you laughing at?”
Xia Xiqing pinched Zhou Ziheng’s arm. “Laugh at someone with hero complex.” They finally reached the door of the semi-enclosed hall. “Thank goodness I’m skinny. If it were someone bigger, they would have crushed you.”
“Alright, go study. I’ll leave once I’m done here.” Xia Xiqing turned around, took off his hat, and tossed it into Zhou Ziheng’s lap. “Thanks.”
Zhou Ziheng looked at the hat, feeling a bit uneasy. He couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but he couldn’t help but wonder why their relationship always seemed to be one of give and take. The more he ignored Xia Xiqing, the more she seemed to thrive on it, the more she clung to him, taking his things without asking, finding any excuse to get closer. But now that he had come to her, she seemed so open and honest.
He couldn’t figure it out, and didn’t want to think about it anymore. He turned to leave, but Xia Xiqing’s voice came from behind him again.
“Hey, I know you’re a righteous person, but next time something like this happens, don’t try to be a hero. If something happens, you’ll be the one who loses out.”
Zhou Ziheng sighed silently.
Do you really think I’m stupid enough to go and pick up just anyone?
He almost blurted it out, but managed to hold back.
“Hmm.” Putting his hat back on his head, Zhou Ziheng left the art academy without looking back, returned to the library, and spent the entire afternoon studying, not saying a word.
Zhao Ke, sitting next to him, didn’t notice anything unusual. Tired from studying, he took out his phone to check Weibo and found that several trending topics were related to his best friend: [Zhou Ziheng Studying], [Studying CP], [Canteen Encounter with Studying CP], [Xia Xiqing Goes to P University]…
As someone who always enjoyed gossip, he clicked on the trending topics without hesitation and saw that an alumnus had shared photos of the two of them eating in the cafeteria, including one where they were squeezed together and another where they were sitting alone in the cafeteria. The comments below were so numerous that he couldn’t scroll through them all.
[Zhou Ziheng, the heartthrob of the entertainment industry]: I’m so jealous of P University students. Ziheng’s photos are too good to be true—he’s tall, handsome, and wearing black-framed glasses. He’s so charming!
[Self-Study Girl, Go for It]: Ziheng shielding Xiqing’s face is so boyfriend material! Today I cried again for the beautiful love of self-study. [PS: But please don’t disturb Hengheng’s studies.]
[Who Doesn’t Want to Sleep with Xia Xiqing]: It turns out that both Hengheng and Xiqing are so tall. Compared to ordinary people, these two are truly godlike in appearance. Xiqing’s mole on his nose is absolutely stunning. Today is another day where I’m obsessed with wanting to sleep with Xia Xiqing.
[Maybe you’re into self-study?]: When the two were eating, Zhou Zhen smiled so sweetly, and Xiqing even kicked Zhen with his foot~ But isn’t the hat Xiqing is wearing Zhen’s? I remember when a passerby encountered Zhen this morning, he was wearing this black baseball cap.
[I need to study]: It’s definitely Ziheng’s hat! And when Ziheng left the library, he was still wearing this hat, but by the time he went to the cafeteria, it was on Xiqing’s head! Oh my god, this ship is so sweet it’s overwhelming! Those who said their relationship was bad are really eating their words now!
[Little Cloud in the Wind]: So what exactly is Xia Xiqing doing at P University? Is he there to promote their relationship?
[Lulu Lulu Xiao Gululu]: What are you talking about? Don’t slander others. Xia Xiqing is a professor at our art academy who was invited to help out. It just so happens that Zhou Zhen is also at P University. Some people really spew malice from their mouths.
[Lemon Soda]: My classmate is from the art academy and said that Xia Xiqing is exceptionally talented. He’s like their senior, with incredible professional skills and a gentle personality.
[Self-study isn’t popular, it’s unfair]: I’m jealous~ I really want to know what Hengheng did when he went to the art academy to find Xiqing~
…
Such explosive news and no one posted it. Zhao Ke grumbled a few times, then immediately logged into his secondary account and posted the information that the art academy team had previously provided.
[Eating Watermelon Xiao Mu Ke]: Xia Xiqing was invited by the art academy professor to help with the sculpture exhibition. Zhou Ziheng went to find him at noon, but Xia Xiqing happened to fall off the high platform, and Zhou Ziheng ran to catch him (though he didn’t catch him). Later, the two of them went out to eat together. If anyone is interested, you can go to XXX to see the exhibition the day after tomorrow. The main exhibit is Xia Xiqing’s redesign.
After saying that, he also posted a picture of the two of them lying on a mat. It was taken from a distance and was not very clear, but you could basically recognize the two of them. The sculpture behind them was blurred out.
This Weibo post was quickly found and reposted by a CP superfan, and within just a few minutes, it had been reposted over a thousand times. Zhao Ke was amazed by the popularity of the two, feeling like he was about to be overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the self-study girls.
“Oh my god…”
Hearing Zhao Ke make a sound beside him, Zhou Ziheng furrowed his brows and looked up at him, “What are you doing?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Zhao Ke nervously stuffed his phone into his pocket, smiled at Zhou Ziheng, and said, “Well, I don’t want to study anymore. I have an appointment. You should go home early too.” He quickly packed up his desk. “Don’t forget the exam tomorrow afternoon.”
It was all very strange.
After spending the entire afternoon solving problems, Zhou Ziheng was also a bit tired. He packed his things and prepared to leave. “Wait for me, let’s go together.”
Zhao Ke had driven there, and since Zhou Ziheng’s home was nearby, he offered to give him a ride back. Sitting in the passenger seat, Zhou Ziheng opened Weibo out of boredom and discovered that he was trending again. It wasn’t just today’s events; the magazine’s official Weibo account had also posted behind-the-scenes footage and interview videos from the magazine shoot. The hashtags “[Who defines Zhou Ziheng’s normal boundaries?]” and “[Zhou Ziheng, the wife-protecting maniac]” immediately shot to the top of the trending list.
He kept refreshing the trending topics throughout the ride, while Zhao Ke was nervous, fearing that Zhou Ziheng would discover he was the one who leaked the information. Finally, after dropping Zhou Ziheng off at home, he could relax.
As they entered the elevator, Zhou Ziheng received a message from Jiang Yin informing him that they would be recording the new episode of “Escape from Heaven” on Saturday. As he was replying, a hand appeared between the closing elevator doors.
“What a coincidence.”
It was Xia Xiqing’s voice. Zhou Ziheng looked up, his face clearly showing his surprise.
“We came home one after the other?” Xia Xiqing walked in. “I should have called you so we could come back together.”
Zhou Ziheng put his phone back in his pocket, unsure of what to say, and simply hummed in response.
Xia Xiqing noticed something was off. “What’s wrong, big star? Tired from studying?” The elevator arrived quickly, and the two walked out side by side. Zhou Ziheng hadn’t responded to him the entire time. As they approached the front door, he finally murmured a quiet goodbye, turned to swipe his key card to open the door, entered the foyer, and was about to close the door with his foot when he noticed Xia Xiqing holding it open.
He turned back, looking at Xia Xiqing standing at the door with a puzzled expression.
“Let’s talk?” Xia Xiqing smiled as he walked into Zhou Ziheng’s home. “Little guy, I think you’re not very happy.” He smiled and moved closer. “Could it be because of me?”
Zhou Ziheng frowned and placed his backpack on the ground. “You’re overthinking it.”
“Is that so? I was starting to think you didn’t hate me that much anymore.” Xia Xiqing’s voice was light and airy, like feathers landing on Zhou Ziheng’s heart. “Even though you’re still harsh with your words, you risked your life to save me and accompanied me for meals and conversations. I found that quite comforting.”
The words “risking your life to save me” reminded Zhou Ziheng of what had happened at noon.
He felt depressed, depressed that he was disappointed because of Xia Xiqing’s misunderstanding.
“Didn’t you say it yourself? I’m a goody-two-shoes with a strong sense of justice, so it’s only natural for me to risk my life for others at any time.” Zhou Ziheng felt a bit defeated, taking off his glasses and placing them on the cabinet by the entrance. Just as he turned his body, Xia Xiqing suddenly pushed him to the ground.
“Are you crazy?” Zhou Ziheng propped himself up with both hands, furrowing his brows as he looked up at the culprit.
Xia Xiqing knelt down, and the two locked eyes.
“Then don’t do that anymore.” The clean, innocent face broke into a rather seductive smile.
Zhou Ziheng was confused. “What do you mean?”
Xia Xiqing leaned in, hooking his lips, and placed his hand on Zhou Ziheng’s chest, pressing him to the ground. He was on top, his hair scattered across his face. The light from the entrance was scattered by the fine strands of hair, and the play of light and shadow flickered on the face growing closer. Zhou Ziheng lay on the ground, his gaze fixed on the mole on Xia Xiqing’s nose.
“Don’t risk your life for others at any time or place.” Xia Xiqing’s tobacco scent made Zhou Ziheng feel dizzy, and he forgot to resist. That long hand still pressed against his chest, firmly holding his increasingly chaotic heart. “Just for me.”
Zhou Ziheng murmured nervously, afraid his heartbeat would give him away, “What are you talking about…”
The distance was too close. The body he loved most was now beneath him. Xia Xiqing could clearly hear his own increasingly heavy breathing. His Adam’s apple bobbed once, and his lips, almost touching, were trembling with desire. Zhou Ziheng, unusually, did not resist. He found it hard to believe.
“Do you not hate me as much anymore?” His voice was hot, spraying over Zhou Ziheng’s lips.
Zhou Ziheng tilted his head slightly, “Does it matter?”
“Of course.” Xia Xiqing’s hand slowly moved down from his chest, inch by inch, “It’s about whether it’s mutual consent or forced.”
As expected, his hand was caught by Zhou Ziheng. Xia Xiqing chuckled lightly, “Relax, I’m not in such a hurry.” He tried to break free from Zhou Ziheng’s grip but found his strength greater than anticipated. “I didn’t mean anything by it; I was just thinking about what you said during lunch.”
Zhou Ziheng raised an eyebrow. Though he was the one lying beneath, he exuded an intimidating aggressiveness.
“What did I say?”
“One call of ‘brother’ for a meal—that’s a fair deal.” Xia Xiqing’s lips curved upward. When he smiled, he always gave the illusion of innocence and purity.
Unable to break free from Zhou Ziheng’s grip, Xia Xiqing lowered his body and pressed against Zhou Ziheng’s. His lips, unable to reach their target, brushed against his ear, his breath as gentle as vines,缠绕着他的思绪，释放出甜腻迷人的香气。
“One call of ‘brother’ for me to be with you once—do you think this deal is a loss?”
What…?
Before he could react, Xia Xiqing kissed his earlobe.
“Ziheng Brother.”
Zhou Ziheng’s heart stopped for an instant. His breath was stolen, oxygen grew thin, his body couldn’t move, and the lingering breath at his ear wouldn’t fade.
In an instant, he endured the most intense and terrifying attack in the world.
