Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Again.

Wen Sinian lifted his gaze, a cool, unreadable expression in his eyes.

The dorm, the convenience store, now the same elective course, bringing drinks, finding excuses to meet more often…

The same tired ploys every suitor used.

Xu Yan could feel the eyes of those around him fixed on him, could hear their whispers.

He stood close enough to see that the cut on Wen Sinian’s lip had already healed.

But perhaps too close—he’d even brushed against Wen Sinian’s leg. Xu Yan quickly took half a step back, his legs disappearing under the desk.

Wen Sinian’s voice was icy. “I don’t drink that stuff.”

“Ah…” Xu Yan’s arm froze. He lowered his eyes to the logo on the glass bottle—he remembered clearly, this was the exact brand Wen Sinian had bought last time.

Why wouldn’t he drink it? It was so expensive; it must be delicious.

Lin Xingxian, who had been sleeping since the start of class, finally woke up, stretching and yawning.

Noticing the slightly awkward atmosphere between the two, he jumped in to break the silence, accepting the mango juice with a smile. “Thanks,” he said.

Xu Yan withdrew his hand. “No worries.”

“Junior,” Lin Xingxian asked amiably, “What’s your major?”

Xu Yan answered politely, “Screenwriting and Directing.”

Lin Xingxian’s eyes lit up. “There’s a girl in your department named Song Ning—do you know her?”

Xu Yan nodded. “She’s in my class.”

He glanced around the classroom but didn’t see her. “She’s supposed to be in this class, but I don’t think she came tonight.”

“Ah, what a shame. I was hoping to see her,” Lin Xingxian explained. “Actually, I’ve already earned all my elective credits. I didn’t sign up for this course.”

As he spoke, he shot a teasing look at Wen Sinian. “Unlike some people, who are seniors about to graduate and still have to take classes with underclassmen.”

Wen Sinian had taken few electives in his junior year, focusing most of his energy on the studio he’d founded. Now he was short a few credits, which was the only reason he was here tonight.

At those words, Wen Sinian didn’t even look up from his computer. “If you’re not here for class, then get lost.”

Lin Xingxian shot back, “I sacrificed my precious nighttime entertainment to accompany you, Young Master, and this is the thanks I get? I had other plans tonight!”

Wen Sinian: “Did I ask you to come?”

Lin Xingxian: “……”

Well… no. He’d insisted on tagging along.

Lin Xingxian, knowing he’d overstepped, grumbled, “But is that any way to talk? Aren’t I your buddy? Didn’t I come specifically to keep you company so you wouldn’t be lonely in class? Am I not more considerate than Chen Xun?”

Wen Sinian replied mercilessly, “You’re louder than him.”

Lin Xingxian bit back the urge to punch his laptop—because Wen Sinian could punch his head clean off.

With someone even quieter standing right in front of them, Lin Xingxian decided to swallow his anger and focus on the task at hand.

Turning back to Xu Yan with a smile, he said, “Junior, could you help me check if that’s the Song Ning you mentioned?”

He pulled up a video on his phone. The moment Xu Yan saw it, his expression froze.

It was the same mermaid photo shoot Shen Nanli had just shown him—the one Song Ning had based on him.

Lin Xingxian asked, “Is that her?”

Xu Yan winced slightly. If Lin Xingxian had already found Song Ning’s posts… then he’d probably seen his too.

“Yes,” he answered.

Lin Xingxian lit up. “Perfect! Can I add you on WeChat first? Then you can help me get in touch with her—maybe give her my info? I have something really important to discuss with her.”

Xu Yan had already added all his classmates on WeChat back in freshman year. Scanning Lin Xingxian’s QR code, he said, “I can ask her for you first.”

Lin Xingxian grinned, his peach-blossom eyes crinkling. “You’d be doing me a huge favor. If this works out, I’ll treat you to a meal, Junior.”

“Don’t mention it, Senior Lin.”

The two exchanged “senior” and “junior” warmly, the atmosphere friendly and harmonious.

Xu Yan glanced at Wen Sinian, who seemed to have long since gone back to his computer, the screen filled with lines of code that made Xu Yan’s head spin.

He added, “Senior, about your lighter—should I leave it on your dorm desk? That way, you can just grab it next time you’re back.”

Wen Sinian suddenly stood, slamming his laptop shut.

“Keep it.”

Without so much as a glance, he walked to the front of the classroom.

After exchanging a few words with the professor, who nodded with a smile, Wen Sinian walked out of the room.

Lin Xingxian hurriedly got up and chased after him.

Left by himself, Xu Yan watched their figures disappear beyond the door before slowly licking his lips.

The class bell rang just then. Under the weight of everyone’s stares, Xu Yan returned to his seat and slumped over his desk.

He messaged Song Ning first, who said yes right away to add Lin Xingxian. After connecting the two, Xu Yan sighed and buried his face in his arms.

Shen Nanli patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Don’t worry, just keep it for now. You can give it back to him next time.”

Xu Yan mumbled, “It was so expensive.”

Shen Nanli nodded. “I know. I looked up that brand of lighter online—the one you have is a limited edition. Crazy expensive.”

Xu Yan blinked. “I meant the mango juice.”

Shen Nanli: “……”

Just then, a notification popped up on his phone. Xu Yan opened it.

Lin Xingxian: Thanks! [blowing kiss emoji]

Lin Xingxian: Oh, and next time, skip the drinks or juice. Our Young Master doesn’t drink them—only water from Iceland.

After sending the message, Lin Xingxian grinned ear to ear. Seeing the person in front of him already wearing a helmet and swinging onto the bike, he quickly rushed over and grabbed Wen Sinian's laptop bag.

"Where are you going?" Lin Xingxian asked.

Wen Sinian planted one foot down: "Ares."

Lin Xingxian was surprised: "Seriously? Going to the boxing club this late? Cut yourself some slack, man."

Then, as if remembering something, he cautiously asked, "Did you skip your meds?"

Slender fingers adjusted the pitch-black goggles, his cool, sharp gaze hidden behind them: "Stop asking."

Lin Xingxian sensed his mood wasn’t great and let go, raising his hands in surrender: "Alright, alright. I'll be the bigger person—won’t argue with a patient."

Just then, a message popped up on his phone.

"Xu Yan": Got it, thanks, senior.

Lin Xingxian chuckled and showed him the chat: "This kid's a riot. He didn’t even get mad when I drank his juice and even said he’d bring water for you next time. Plus, he just gave me Song Ning’s WeChat—that was a lifesaver. Otherwise, I’d never finish that painting."

Wen Sinian asked, "Painting?"

Lin Xingxian replied matter-of-factly: "Yeah, why else would I go through the trouble of adding a junior?"

Wen Sinian also said matter-of-factly: "Thought you were chasing her."

Lin Xingxian: "?"

He realized Wen Sinian probably hadn’t checked the group chat and explained, "I’ve been working on life drawing lately. Remember that ‘Mermaid Miracle’ I shared with you guys? It got me inspired, but halfway through, it just wasn’t working. I wanted to DM the original poster to see if we could meet up—maybe ask them to model for me. But they never replied, so I had to find a stand-in. Luckily, I found a decent one from our school’s Screenwriting and Directing Department..."

Wen Sinian’s patience ran out. He twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle revved loudly.

He had no interest in the topic and simply reminded him, "Don’t casually share my business with others in the future."

*

Because of that bottle of mango juice, Xu Yan had to skimp on his budget for two meals.

During lunch, Shang Jia and Shen Nanli noticed he’d only gotten a single vegetable dish with a large bowl of rice, munching away like a content little hamster, not bothered by how plain it was.

They sat on either side of him, heaping portions from their plates onto his rice.

Shang Jia had also heard about Xu Yan’s bad experience at his previous part-time job at the convenience store. Not only did she give the boss an earful, but she also promised to keep an eye out for other job opportunities.

Within a couple of days, Shang Jia found a great opportunity—a fight gym opening a new branch was looking for someone to make a professional promotional video. Since she knew the owner, she recommended Xu Yan directly.

Xu Yan had weekend shifts at a café, so they arranged to meet at the club on a weekday when he had no classes. He brought a USB drive with his previous video work.

Outside the club, a large black-and-gold logo was emblazoned on the wall—Ares.

"Ares Combat Club," the owner greeted them at the entrance and led them to his office. "Ares is the Greek god of war. The name was our boss’s idea—pretty cool, right?"

Xu Yan asked curiously, "You’re not the owner?"

The owner laughed: "Just an employee. Our boss is young and doesn’t come often."

He showed them around the facility. Even on a weekday, there was a good crowd. Before they reached the equipment area, Xu Yan could already hear distant sounds of sparring.

As they walked, the owner explained the layout: "This is a professional training space. Some athletes come here to train or recover. We also have a public area for newcomers. The two sections are usually separate..."

The sounds of fighting grew louder as they went further in.

Suddenly, Shang Jia elbowed Xu Yan and pointed ahead.

In the center of the space stood a huge octagon cage. Its titanium alloy bars shimmered under the lights like liquid metal, resembling an imposing, cage-like structure that gave him chills.

The owner smiled: "That’s the pro area. Want to take a look?"

The atmosphere there felt a bit eerie, but to be thorough, Xu Yan nodded: "Sure."

The owner guided them toward the cage.

Lines of heavy bags separated the two sections. The pro area had minimal equipment—aside from the cage, there were several boxing rings of varying sizes, radiating intensity. The dark industrial-style flooring and walls only amped up the fight atmosphere.

There weren’t many people inside. On one of the rings, someone seemed to be sparring with a coach, but by the time they arrived, it was wrapping up. The coach removed his gloves, stepped out of the ring, and waved at them.

The owner waved back and said, "That’s our head trainer—a world champion who retired two years ago."

Xu Yan looked up, but his gaze landed on the tall, broad frame still on the ring.

The man wore a simple black T-shirt and loose gray sweatpants, unwinding the hand wraps from his wrists with one hand.

Hearing the commotion, he glanced over, sweaty strands of hair falling over his eyes.

Xu Yan’s breath caught as the owner introduced, "That’s a friend of our boss—a regular here. He’s from your school too. Do you know him?"

Xu Yan thought to himself, *Know him? Yeah, we’re roommates.*

Though they hadn’t actually lived together yet.

---

Author’s Note:

Yan: *breathing*

Wen: Into me?

Yan: What a coincidence.

Wen: Trying to chase me?

Yan: *smiles* Wen: I'd do you.