Maybe He Can Change I

Note: Teng's POV

"...and so your assignment this semester will be a group assignment in which you will build a prototype car," Mr. Copen, Teng's 2nd year Engineering lecturer, stated, "You will first do a presentation and then showcase your prototype car. Please try to keep to the size stated in the assignment guidelines being handed to you."

Teng paid attention as he jotted down what his lecturer said. The group project guidelines and marking sheets were passed to each student.

"Moreover, I have already assigned you to groups, so please check which group you're in at the end of the lecture. The assignment will take 3 months, so please use your time wisely as this will play a considerable role in determining your final mark."

'I have to do my best,' Teng nodded, rubbing his hands together.

His friends, Lang Fu and Hang Qigang, sighed as they both dreaded group assignments - which were so tedious.

After Mr. Copen explained the group assignment, he continued with the day's lecture. When it was over, Teng and his two friends walked to where the group list was.

"I hope we will all be in the same group," Fu sighed, "I especially don't want to be in a group without Genius Teng."

Teng was called Genius Teng because he was the top 2nd-year student in the Engineering Department. Every student knew how hardworking and determined he was.

The other students wanted to be in his group because they knew they would ace the assignment if he was there.

Teng scanned his name and found that he was in group 2 with Fu and Qigang.

"Yes!" Fu exclaimed, "I knew the heavens heard my prayers. We're all in the same group. I can sleep peacefully tonight."

Teng grinned and felt relieved that he was with his friends considering he'd find it difficult to open up to a group of new people.

It was good to know that he had two people in his group whom he already knew.

"Our other group members are Xiun Yijun and Song Anya," Teng stated.

Fu grinned from ear to ear.

"Why are you grinning like that?" Teng backed away from him, "It's somewhat creepy."

"Those are the two beauties of the 2nd year Engineering Department," Fu nudged Teng, who looked clueless, "Anya is a transfer student who came this semester."

Fu sighed and shook his head in disappointment when he continued to get a clueless look from Teng.

"Why do you look so disappointed?" Qigang asked Fu, "You know Teng doesn't care about dating."

Fu crossed his arms and shrugged.

"I know. I just thought he'd be a little excited. He's a man, after all. It's a natural reaction."

"Everyone has their preferences, dumbass," Qigang raised his eyeglasses with the tip of his index finger.

"I'm standing right here, you know," Teng waved his hands at them, "Why are y'all talking about me as if I'm invisible?"

Before Fu could answer, Yijun and Anya approached them.

"Hi," Yijun smiled and waved.

"We're in the same group," Anya chimed, "We look forward to working with you all."

Fu nodded excitedly while Teng and Qigang calmly nodded.

"I'm Lang Fu. This is Hang Qigang, and that is Te-" Fu began to introduce himself and his friends.

"And this is Heng Teng," Anya cut him off with a smile and then looked at Teng, "You're senior Zhou's roommate and friend, right?"

Teng exchanged glances with his friends, who shrugged.

"Ah, yeah," he nodded.

"That's pretty cool," Anya gushed instantly, "He's so cool!"

"He really is, isn't he?" Teng smiled.

Yijun stared at Teng's friends, who smiled at her. Qigang took a quick glance at Anya, who he, for a split second, could have sworn had a haughty look on her face aimed toward Teng.

But it disappeared as quickly as it came, and in its place was a smile that he felt was somewhat forced.

'Maybe I'm just imagining things,' Qigang internally sighed.

"Why don't we go to the café for lunch to get to know each other first?" Fu proposed.

"That's a great idea," Yijun clapped her hands and nodded, "I don't have any classes right now, so I'm free."

"I'm down for th-"

Just then, a call came through Teng's phone, cutting his response about lunch midway.

"Sorry," he told his group members, pulling out his phone from his pocket, "I have to take this."

With that, his group members walked out of the lecture room while he remained inside and took the call.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Bunny Teng," the voice on the other side crowed happily.

"Yes, Zhou?" Teng smiled, knowing what his roommate was about to say next.

"You're free now, right? Come have lunch with me."

"I can't."

"You can't? Why not? Are you busy?"

Teng shook his head 'no' as if Zhou could see him.

"I have a group assignment, Zhou, so I'm going to have lunch with my group members."

"Oh, okay. I understand."

Zhou couldn't hide the disappointment in his response. Teng could sense it. He sighed, and they exchanged goodbyes.

When he put his phone in his bag and turned around, he was startled - taking a few steps back.

"A-anya," he stammered, trying to calm his beating heart, "You startled me."

"Was that senior Zhou?" she eagerly asked, her eyes shining with excitement.

Teng nodded, and she asked him what he wanted. He told her he wanted to have lunch with him but couldn't since he would have lunch with his group members.

"Nonsense," Anya half-smiled, grabbing Teng's arm and dragging him out the door to where the others were waiting.

"Hey guys," she told them, stopping abruptly and letting go of Teng's arm, "Senior Zhou wanted to have lunch with him but can't since we are having lunch as a group. Can't we invite him to join us?"

Fu exchanged glances with the others.

"I mean," Anya carried on, "It should be okay since it's not like we are gonna discuss the assignment. We're just getting to know each other today, so it should be okay. Right?"

Yijun shrugged nonchalantly.

"I don't mind."

The others nodded, and Anya smiled triumphantly. She then turned towards Teng.

"Let him join us."

Teng blinked in surprise and scanned his group members, who nodded in agreement.

"We really don't mind," Qigang said.

"Ah, o-okay," Teng grabbed his phone, "I will see if he's okay with it."

After a minute, he came back.

"He said he'll meet us at the café," he told them.

Anya clapped her hands in delight. She was a big fan of Zhou. She had a massive crush on him ever since she laid eyes on him.

Of course, she knew he wasn't into girls, but that didn't stop her from falling for him. She walked next to Yijun, happily humming a tune while Teng and the others walked behind them.

Upon reaching the café outside the university, Zhou was already seated inside, waiting. Anya's silver eyes glistened with excitement.

'He's here. I get to see him again.'

When Zhou saw Teng, his face lit up instantly, and he waved at him. Teng waved back and smiled. Fu sighed and looked at Qigang.

"Why do I feel like brother Zhou only sees Genius Teng and the rest of us are invisible?" the guy asked Qigang, who smiled and shrugged.

Zhou stood up so that Teng could sit by the window seat next to him. Qigang sat next to Zhou while Yijun, Anya, and Fu sat opposite them.

"Brother Zhou," Qigang greeted, "It's good to see you again."

"Yeah. You only hang out with us if Genius Teng is around," Fu pouted.

Zhou let out a soft, husky chuckle and shook his head.

"Okay, okay," Zhou said, placing his arms out with his palms forward in a defensive manner, "I'm sorry. I'll treat you guys to lunch. How about it?"

"Master Zhou!" Fu exclaimed as he abruptly stood up, startling everyone in the room, "I will serve you forever!"

"Stop talking nonsense and sit down, Fu," Qigang rolled his eyes.

Teng softly chuckled, causing Zhou to smile at him.

"Oh, right," Qigang continued, "This is Xiun Yijun and Song Anya. Ladies, this is Feng Zhou."

"Senior Zhou," Anya stated, leaning forward and grinning, "I'm your number one fan."