Chapter Eleven: A little smile for a cold guy

The aftermath of the encounter with Luo Chen left a lingering tension in the air, and the café slowly returned to its usual buzz. Alexander, seated across from Yue, couldn't shake off the intensity of the recent events. He looked at Yue, who was still dealing with the frustration of his defeated game.

Feeling the weight of the moment, Alexander decided to break the silence. "Hey, Yue, why not smile more? You'll look cute with a smile."

Yue, known for his cold and stoic demeanor, rolled his eyes at Alexander's suggestion. "I don't see the point in smiling."

Unfazed by the response, Alexander continued to gaze at Yue. "Come on, a smile won't hurt. Try it. You might even like it."

The persistent gaze seemed to have an unexpected effect on Yue. A subtle change took place as a small, almost imperceptible, smile tugged at the corners of Yue's lips. It was a fleeting moment, a crack in the icy facade that left Alexander momentarily stunned.

"You... you're so pretty," Alexander muttered, his words escaping in a mix of shock and admiration. His head lowered slightly, and a faint blush colored his cheeks as the unexpected compliment slipped out.

Yue, caught off guard by his own involuntary reaction, quickly regained composure. The small smile vanished, replaced by his usual stoic expression. He shot a sidelong glance at Alexander, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Pretty, huh? You're seeing things," Yue retorted, his voice laced with a touch of amusement.

Despite Yue's attempt to dismiss the comment, the atmosphere around their table had shifted.

They bid a farewell after their eventful day at the cafe, each member went their separate ways, leaving a lingering sense of camaraderie in the air. Yuxi, Haoran, Bai, Feng, and Xiao exchanged smiles and waves, their bond strengthened by the shared experiences of the day. However, Yue, as usual, remained aloof and refrained from partaking in the farewells.

Back in the dorm, an unexpected scenario unfolded. The silence between Yue and Alexander spoke volumes, and it seemed that the unspoken connection between them was evolving, transforming the dynamics of their interactions.

Yue's stomach grumbled audibly, a sound that did not go unnoticed by Alexander. With a casual remark, Alexander suggested, "I'll order some food for us. What do you feel like eating?"

Yue, though hungry, declined the offer. "No need. I'll just cook for dinner. Just sit there and don't bother me."

Alexander, intrigued by the prospect of Yue's culinary skills, complied and took a seat, observing as Yue began his culinary endeavor.

To Alexander's surprise, Yue's cooking extended far beyond the simple act of preparing a meal. The dorm kitchen transformed into a stage where Yue showcased his culinary prowess. The tantalizing aroma of Japanese cuisine filled the air as Yue skillfully prepared a feast that left Alexander in awe.

On the table laid a spread that could rival any high-end Japanese restaurant – curry omelette rice, deep-fried pork cutlet, delicate tempura, nigiri tamago, and a comforting bowl of miso soup. The presentation was impeccable, each dish a testament to Yue's meticulous attention to detail.

Alexander, unable to contain his amazement, exclaimed, "Yue, you can cook like this? This looks incredible!"

Yue, his usual stoic expression softened by a hint of pride, replied nonchalantly, "It's nothing special. Just something I picked up along the way."

After their delightful meal, Yue, in his usual composed manner, assigned the task of washing dishes to Alexander. As Yue headed to the bathroom for a refreshing bath, Alexander, though slightly hesitant, accepted the responsibility of tidying up.

Surprisingly, when Yue emerged from the bathroom, he found the entire dorm transformed. The dishes were spotless, the living area was neat, and an air of orderliness prevailed. Yue raised an eyebrow, impressed by the efficiency of Alexander's cleaning skills.

Alexander, realizing Yue's presence, tried to play it cool. "Just thought I'd tidy up a bit. Hope you don't mind."

Yue nodded in approval, a subtle acknowledgment of Alexander's efforts. "Impressive. I didn't expect you to be so diligent."

As Yue took a seat to resume his novel, Alexander couldn't help but steal glances at him. The atmosphere in the room seemed charged with an unspoken tension, a peculiar blend of admiration and restraint.

Then came a moment of unexpected revelation. Yue, clad in super short pants and a large long-sleeved shirt that draped over him, caught Alexander off guard. The stunning contrast between the long sleeves and the short pants drew Alexander's attention to Yue's fine legs.

Stunned, Alexander couldn't help but linger on the sight for a moment before quickly averting his gaze. Yue, seemingly unfazed, sat on his chair, casually crossing his legs, engrossed in his novel.

The air was thick with an awkward silence. Alexander, attempting to divert his attention, mumbled, "I, uh, didn't expect you to wear... that."

Yue, with a hint of amusement in his eyes, responded, "It's comfortable. Don't make it a big deal."

Alexander, feeling a bit flustered, decided to lay down and change the topic. "I'm tired. Gonna get some sleep. Night, Yue."

Yue, still immersed in his book, merely nodded in acknowledgment. As Alexander settled in for sleep, the room fell into a quietude that echoed with the remnants of the day's events.

As the night unfolded, Alexander slipped into the realm of dreams, where the boundaries of reality blurred and imagination took flight. In the depths of slumber, he found himself in a dreamlike landscape where Yue, contrary to his usual demeanor, was smiling radiantly. The dream took an unexpected turn as Yue leaned in, their lips meeting in a tender kiss, the sensation sending a jolt through Alexander's sleeping consciousness.

In the dream, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them locked in a gentle embrace. The dream-Yue's smile held a warmth that defied the frosty exterior, and the kiss lingered like a whispered promise in the silent realm of dreams.

However, the dream was abruptly shattered as Yue, in reality, heard Alexander mumbling in his sleep. The serene night was disrupted by a confused murmur from Alexander, and Yue, not accustomed to such disturbances, woke up immediately.

"What are you dreaming?" Yue asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Caught off guard, Alexander's eyes widened as he fumbled to make sense of the abrupt transition from dream to reality. "Uh, nothing... just a weird dream, I guess."

Yue, ever composed, raised an eyebrow. "Weird dream, huh? Care to share?"

Alexander, flustered and realizing the implications of his dream, stammered, "It was nothing, really. Just a random dream."

Yue, however, seemed to sense the underlying embarrassment. He leaned closer, checking Alexander's forehead for any signs of fever. Finding none, he patted Alexander's head gently.

"No fever. Must have been quite a dream to make you mumble like that," Yue remarked, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Feeling the heat rising in his cheeks, Alexander mumbled, "Yeah, it was just... weird."

With a touch of humor, Yue advised, "Next time, keep your dreams to yourself. Calling my name in your sleep is quiet creepy."

The realization of his sleep-talk left Alexander crimson-faced. He hastily hid under the blanket, attempting to escape the embarrassment that lingered in the air.