Chapter 7 – Morning Encounters

The morning sun hit Huaxi University with its usual golden warmth. Students poured into the campus, some with coffee in hand, some still yawning, others laughing at last night's hangovers.

Li Ming strolled in wearing sunglasses, hands tucked into the pockets of his denim jacket, completely relaxed. His hair was still messy from sleep, but he made it look good. Girls turned heads. Guys stared in envy. Just another day.

He leaned lazily against the wall near the main lecture hall, pulling out his phone and scrolling like he wasn't waiting for someone—but his eyes kept flicking toward the campus gates.

Wang Yang arrived a few minutes later, dressed in black again, sleek and sharp as ever. His jaw clenched, his eyes slightly red from a sleepless night. He spotted Li Ming immediately.

Their eyes met.

Li Ming smirked. "Wow. Look who finally decided to wake up. Busy night?"

Wang Yang's expression didn't change. "Not really."

Li Ming raised an eyebrow. "That's new."

Wang Yang shrugged, walking past him toward the stairs. Li Ming followed, curiosity glinting in his eyes.

"Wait… Don't tell me you didn't fuck last night?" he teased, bumping his shoulder.

Wang Yang shot him a look. "And if I didn't?"

Li Ming blinked. That was weird. Wang Yang never skipped a night—especially when girls threw themselves at him.

"Damn," he said slowly, "maybe you're getting old."

Wang Yang scoffed. "Shut up."

They entered the lecture hall where some girls immediately lit up at the sight of them. One even waved with two fingers. "Li Ming! Sit with us!"

Li Ming flashed his classic playboy grin. "Only if I get coffee after."

The girl giggled. "Deal!"

He turned to Wang Yang. "You coming?"

Wang Yang shook his head. "I'll sit back today."

Li Ming's smirk faltered for half a second, then returned as he headed toward the girls.

Wang Yang watched from the back, not really focusing on the lecture. His eyes kept drifting to Li Ming. The way he leaned back in his chair. The curve of his neck. The way his lips moved when he whispered something that made the girl next to him blush.

Wang Yang clenched his jaw.

Why does he have to look like that?

He rubbed his temples, as if trying to physically shake the thoughts out of his head. But it didn't help. Last night's memory was burned into him.

The taste of Li Ming's skin. The way he gasped. The way he let him…

He exhaled hard, shoving those thoughts down again.

Just a one-time thing, he reminded himself. That's all it was.

But deep down, he knew something had changed.