Chapter 36: Caught in the Rain—Again

Fate seemed to love throwing Shen Yu and Lu Zhixuan into ridiculous situations.

Today was no exception.

The sky had been clear all morning, but as soon as the final bell rang, dark clouds rolled in like some dramatic omen. The moment Shen Yu stepped outside, the downpour started—fast, heavy, and completely unforgiving.

"Just my luck," he muttered, shielding his head with his hands as he dashed toward the nearest building.

Unfortunately, before he could reach shelter, someone grabbed his wrist and yanked him under an awning.

Shen Yu barely had time to react before he found himself chest-to-chest with none other than Lu Zhixuan.

"You really have bad luck with rain," Lu Zhixuan mused, shaking out his damp hair. Droplets scattered everywhere, and Shen Yu scowled when a few hit his face.

"You again?" Shen Yu huffed, trying (and failing) to step back. "What, are you following me now?"

Lu Zhixuan smirked, his grip on Shen Yu's wrist loosening but not quite letting go. "Maybe."

Shen Yu turned his face away, ignoring the strange warmth curling in his stomach. It's just the rain making me feel weird. "You're impossible," he muttered.

For a moment, Lu Zhixuan was quiet. Then, with an ease that sent Shen Yu's pulse into a frenzy, he lifted his hand and brushed a drop of water from Shen Yu's cheek with his thumb.

Shen Yu froze.

The sound of rain filled the silence between them, but all Shen Yu could hear was his own heartbeat, loud and erratic. Lu Zhixuan's touch lingered just a second too long, his gaze dark and unreadable.

"And yet," Lu Zhixuan murmured, "you haven't pushed me away."

Shen Yu swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry despite the humidity in the air. He should push him away. He should say something sharp and dismissive.

But he didn't.

Instead, he clenched his fists, face burning, and muttered the only thing he could manage—

"...Shut up."

Lu Zhixuan chuckled, clearly satisfied. And much to Shen Yu's dismay, his own heart betrayed him by skipping a beat.