Chapter 25: The Morning After

Shen Yu barely got any sleep after the charity ball. Every time he closed his eyes, he could feel Lu Zhixuan's hand on his waist, the warmth of his breath against his skin, and the way his fingers had fit so naturally into his own.

It was infuriating.

He groaned into his pillow, rolling over to bury his burning face. This isn't good. This is very, very bad.

By the time morning rolled around, he had convinced himself that it was all just in his head. Lu Zhixuan probably didn't even think twice about it. Maybe—just maybe—if he ignored last night, it would be like nothing happened.

That plan lasted all of five minutes.

The moment he stepped onto campus, a familiar voice sent shivers down his spine.

"Morning, Zhao Rui."

Shen Yu nearly tripped over his own feet. Whipping around, he found Lu Zhixuan casually walking beside him, hands in his pockets, looking as composed as ever.

His heart jumped to his throat.

"You—! What do you want?" Shen Yu grumbled, quickening his pace in a desperate attempt to escape.

Lu Zhixuan, of course, matched his stride effortlessly. "You disappeared so quickly last night. I didn't even get to ask—" He leaned in slightly, his voice dipping into something almost intimate. "Did you enjoy our dance?"

Shen Yu felt his face heat up so fast he thought he might combust on the spot.

"T-That was just...circumstantial!" he spluttered, gripping his bag strap like it was a lifeline.

Lu Zhixuan chuckled, eyes gleaming with amusement. "So you did."

Shen Yu groaned, practically stomping away, but not before catching the smug smirk on Lu Zhixuan's face.

And as much as he wanted to deny it, his heart was still racing.