Should she? Tang Tianman couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something off about those words.
It was such an ordinary thing, but somehow, once it reached Zheng Xiyu, it turned all strange and awkward.
She touched the back of her neck. “It’s fine, really. A good night’s sleep will fix it. When I get back, Ruan Ruan can help me…”
She didn’t finish. Zheng Xiyu stood up and stepped right in front of her, one hand seizing the back of her neck.
Tang Tianman: “…”
Zheng Xiyu’s fingers began to move, pressing lightly twice with a force that was soothing, tingling, and utterly comfortable.
Tang Tianman stifled the little moan threatening to escape her lips and muttered discontentedly in a small voice, “Who massages someone like that?”
Zheng Xiyu asked, “How am I doing it?”
Tang Tianman looked at the person in front of her. Her gaze traveled levelly and landed on an awkward spot. “Standing right in front of someone while massaging their neck…”
Zheng Xiyu added a bit more pressure to her hand—enough to sting a little. Tang Tianman shrank forward. “I feel just like a kitten grabbed by the scruff of the neck.”
Zheng Xiyu laughed. “Is Little Kitten enjoying being grabbed like that?”
Tang Tianman: “A little to the left, higher up—hey, hey, yes, right there. That spot hurts the most…”
“A couple more presses and it’ll be fine.” Zheng Xiyu’s fingers ground in delicately.
Tang Tianman lowered her head. “Can you go stand behind me?”
“Sure.” Zheng Xiyu replied, sounding perfectly obedient—yet somehow not obedient at all.
She finally moved behind Tang Tianman, who let out a sigh of relief.
But soon enough, she realized it wasn’t any better.
Now behind her, Zheng Xiyu brought both hands into play. Those two hands, if clasped together and squeezed, could surely snap her neck without effort.
The fear stemming from this difference in strength and build was probably something ingrained in humanity from its most primal origins, never fully eradicated.
Fear bred tension. Zheng Xiyu’s hands kneaded from her neck to her shoulders, then slid to her collarbones, enveloping each one completely. It made her tense.
She would lean down, her breath warm by Tang Tianman’s ear as she asked if it hurt. That made her tense.
Tang Tianman’s breathing quickened and slowed erratically, chaotic in rhythm. Amid this relentless pull of tension, she sensed a thread of pleasure that transcended mere physical sensation.
She wanted to tell Zheng Xiyu it was enough, but the words never came.
Just as she finally reined herself in, the first syllable trapped between her lips, the room’s lights suddenly dimmed.
The whole world went dark. The abrupt loss of vision drew a sharp “Ah!” from Tang Tianman.
“It’s out,” Zheng Xiyu said, crouching down. Her breath brushed Tang Tianman’s ear. “Lights out.”
“Aaaah!” This time, Tang Tianman’s cry was genuine. She practically leaped from the chair but had no idea where to go next. “Lights out! Lights out! The door’s locked—what do I do? I can’t get back…”
“It’s okay.” Zheng Xiyu stood in the darkness, a massive shadow. “As long as they don’t do a bed check, we’re good.”
“You just said it was bad!”
“Even in the worst case, it’s not a big deal.”
“How do I explain this to Ruan Ruan and the others?”
“Just say you stayed late by accident. Tell the truth.”
“Your bathroom’s broken—how am I supposed to brush my teeth and wash my face?”
“It’s just the shower switch. The water still works fine. I’ll handle it.”
“I… don’t have pajamas…”
“Wear mine.”
Tang Tianman’s lips parted wordlessly. Her eyes adjusted to the dimness, making out Zheng Xiyu’s face in the low light.
It was the same as always—refined and pretty, a touch cold, but gentle and kind.
Seeing her hesitate, Zheng Xiyu added, “They’re new.”
“I’m not disgusted by you or anything…” Tang Tianman hurried to explain.
“No trouble at all.” Zheng Xiyu smiled. “One of my T-shirts will work as a nightdress for you.”
“That’s a low blow.” Tang Tianman laughed too.
Once the laughter faded, she fiddled with her phone, hesitating before messaging Ruan Ruan. That’s when she noticed several missed calls.
All from Ruan Ruan and Li Tong. She’d silenced her phone in the library and forgotten to turn the sound back on when she left.
She was probably in for a scolding, but Tang Tianman decided to just call.
“I’ll go…” She pointed toward the balcony, then realized calling from there at this hour would be like broadcasting live to the neighbors. The words stuck in her throat.
“I’ll go.” Zheng Xiyu strode over and thoughtfully closed the balcony door behind her.
Tang Tianman watched her shadowy silhouette and exhaled. She dialed Ruan Ruan. The moment it connected, Ruan Ruan bellowed, “Tang Tianman, where the hell are you?!”
“Um, I’m at… someone’s dorm.”
“Who?!” Ruan Ruan kept yelling. “If you don’t tell me right now, I’m calling the cops!”
Li Tong’s voice cut in from the side: “Gotta be at Tall One’s dorm. Calm down, calm down.”
Ruan Ruan: “Tang Tianman, you should just move into the Sports Institute!”
Tang Tianman felt guilty under the onslaught. After all, she really was staying at the Sports Institute tonight.
In a tiny voice, she said, “I just came over for something and lost track of time till lights out. I can’t get out now either…”
“You’re really staying at the Sports Institute???” Li Tong leaned in.
“No choice.” Tang Tianman sounded utterly aggrieved.
Li Tong asked Ruan Ruan, “Which building is Zheng Xiyu in?”
Ruan Ruan knew better than Tang Tianman did: “Building 18.”
Li Tong: “Oho, Building 18 is co-ed, you know. Not scared, Tangdou?”
“What’s there to be scared of? I’m on the fifth floor.” Tang Tianman mumbled.
Ruan Ruan took a long breath, struggled for a moment, then said, “Tang Tianman, listen to me. School rules say the building locks after lights out—no in or out. But they also require students to stay in their own dorms. If there’s a surprise bed check and they call your parents, I’m telling you.”
“It won’t happen like that…” Tang Tianman lacked conviction.
“Our dorm auntie’s pretty lenient. Make up an excuse, act cute, bat your lashes—she’ll let you in.” Ruan Ruan drew another deep breath. “As for Zheng Xiyu’s dorm supervisor, I don’t know. She trains all the time and competes, so I doubt she’s never come back late.”
Tang Tianman paused.
Finally, Ruan Ruan said, “This is your call. Think it over.”
Then she hung up.
Tang Tianman stood there, dazed for a good while longer.
Zheng Xiyu knocked on the balcony door. Tang Tianman quickly said, “Come in.”
Zheng Xiyu pushed it open and asked, “All sorted?”
Tang Tianman didn’t answer. Her mind was circling one question: “Um, have you ever come back late before?”
Zheng Xiyu paused, then answered honestly: “Yeah.”
Tang Tianman: “Your dorm supervisor…”
Zheng Xiyu: “She’s strict, but reasonable.”
Tang Tianman: “I…”
“No worries.” Zheng Xiyu stepped up to her. “I can take you down and we can try.”
“Oh.” Tang Tianman agreed.
Zheng Xiyu took her wrist and headed out. Right before opening the door, Tang Tianman yanked her back.
“Are you trying to get me to stay here tonight?” she asked.
Zheng Xiyu spoke the rudest words she’d said since they met: “Duh.”
Tang Tianman’s mind went blank with a buzz.
After that, she couldn’t think straight. She just followed in Zheng Xiyu’s footsteps.
Zheng Xiyu led her downstairs, then had her wait nearby while she went to the dorm supervisor’s room.
Minutes later, she emerged with a key and unlocked the building door.
Tang Tianman’s face inexplicably heated up, like she’d been caught cheating—or betrayed a cheating partner.
She hurried to the door and, while it was only partially open, squeezed her petite frame through.
Zheng Xiyu, still holding the door: “…”
Tang Tianman didn’t dare look at her fully. She waved. “See you.”
Then she turned and bolted.
The building door slammed behind her. Footsteps pursued.
Tang Tianman glanced back to see Zheng Xiyu charging after her, fierce-looking. She shrank back. “I-I didn’t mean to! I’m just scared of a bed check…”
Zheng Xiyu ignored the excuse and grabbed her slim arm again. “I’ll walk you back.”
“No need.” Tang Tianman felt even more embarrassed. “I can manage.”
“It’s not about you getting lost or anything happening on campus.” Zheng Xiyu’s tone returned to its usual calm. “It’s that you might not get into your own dorm. Then you’d have nowhere to go.”
Tang Tianman suddenly wanted to cry.
There was that sharp pang of guilt—like betraying a teammate, only for them to repay it with kindness anyway.
Guilt mingled with gratitude.
Zheng Xiyu’s strides were quick; Tang Tianman had to trot now and then to keep up.
After her explanation, Zheng Xiyu fell silent, simply leading the way. All Tang Tianman could see was half her profile from behind.
This wouldn’t do.
No, this definitely wouldn’t do.
This was all wrong.
So she tugged upward on the hand gripping her arm. Just as Zheng Xiyu thought she was pulling away, Tang Tianman slipped her own hand into Zheng Xiyu’s palm.
It was soft and slightly cool.
The flicker of frustration in Zheng Xiyu cooled a degree. Tang Tianman’s fingertip scratched lightly at her palm. “Slow down a bit.”
Zheng Xiyu felt the fire dip then flare again, but either way, she couldn’t ignore Tang Tianman’s request.
She slowed her pace. “Not worried about not getting in anymore?”
Tang Tianman pouted. “It’s already late. One minute or ten—same difference.”
Zheng Xiyu: “Ten hours late and you could just go straight to class.”
Tang Tianman laughed. “You’re so funny.”
Zheng Xiyu: “…”
The two of them walked hand in hand through the nearly deserted campus.
They walked very properly.
The night air was quite cold, growing even chillier with every gust of wind. Tang Tianman scrambled for a topic of conversation. “You’re not wearing much.”
“Then give me your jacket,” Zheng Xiyu said.
Tang Tianman chuckled, refusing to take the bait. “You wouldn’t fit into mine.”
Zheng Xiyu couldn’t help it; the corner of her lips curved up.
Suddenly, Tang Tianman swung their joined hands. “Don’t you think it’s super unfair? You’re always the one putting your jacket on other people.”
“It’s fine,” Zheng Xiyu replied.
Tang Tianman swung their hands again. “Well, I think it’s unfair. I haven’t even gotten a look at the view from 192 centimeters up.”
“You have,” Zheng Xiyu said.
Tang Tianman was caught off guard, momentarily speechless.
“Not just once,” Zheng Xiyu added.
Tang Tianman: “…”
Now Zheng Xiyu was the happy one, her smile bright and radiant.
No matter how ordinarily they walked, it was only a few minutes to their destination.
They rounded the corner, and Building 9 came into view. Beneath the dim yellow streetlamp, not a single figure stirred. The quiet night had a way of stirring up all sorts of inexplicable emotions.
Tang Tianman came to a stop.
Zheng Xiyu stopped with her.
“We were supposed to go see the maple leaves on the Back Mountain, but we never did,” Tang Tianman said. “And I wanted to take you for those big hairy crabs downtown…”
“Let’s go,” Zheng Xiyu said.
Tang Tianman looked up at her. “You’ve been so busy lately.”
“Yeah.” Zheng Xiyu gazed into her eyes and caught a hint of grievance there.
“I’m going to get busy too.” Tang Tianman pouted. “Life’s all about hustling, after all.”
“Good luck.”
“You too.”
“Come on.” Zheng Xiyu tugged her hand forward a little. “I’ll wait here for you. Send me a message once you’re inside. If you can’t get in, just come back and get me.”
Tang Tianman didn’t let go of her hand.
Zheng Xiyu glanced down at it.
“I’m not satisfied,” Tang Tianman said. “I haven’t finished what I wanted to say.”
Zheng Xiyu didn’t reply. She simply watched her quietly.
“I, um…” Tang Tianman stammered, her words coming out haltingly, full of hesitation. “Like, actually, um…”
Zheng Xiyu tilted her head slightly.
Tang Tianman suddenly yanked her hand free, as if gearing up to bolt. “I think it’d be fun to crash in your dorm too!”
Her hand was free for only a second before Zheng Xiyu yanked it right back.
Her grip was strong—no holding back—and in an instant, she pulled Tang Tianman straight into her arms.
It was a full, enveloping hug. Tang Tianman rose onto her tiptoes, feeling like she might lift right off the ground at any moment.
Zheng Xiyu leaned down, resting her chin on Tang Tianman’s shoulder. “You forgot your backpack.”
“Ah!” Tang Tianman let out a brief yelp.
“It’s fine,” Zheng Xiyu said. “I’ll bring it to you tomorrow morning.”
