The Dormitory Key and the Password Trap

“Knock, knock, knock.”

The solid redwood door was tapped from the outside. Chu Ci lowered his head slightly, waiting for the voice inside to say “Come in” before turning the handle and stepping into the office.

The lingering heat on his body was instantly swept away by the air conditioning. The homeroom teacher, Wang He, popped his head out from behind a computer screen upon hearing footsteps.

Wang He looked at Chu Ci and paused, a subtle frown flickering across his brow. He realized he had almost no impression of this student. However, he didn’t dwell on it; he taught many classes, and there were always quiet, unremarkable students who blended into the background.

Chu Ci stopped in front of the desk, clutching a thin piece of paper, his lips pursed in silence.

Seeing that Chu Ci didn’t intend to speak first, Wang He looked up and offered a kind smile. “Do you need something, student?”

He pointed to a chair, signaling Chu Ci to sit, and even stood up to thoughtfully pour him a cup of water. Outside the window, the AC unit whirred. Chu Ci placed the application form on the desk and gently pushed it toward Wang He.

“Teacher, I want to apply for a spot in the dormitory.”

Since a stranger had entered his home, Chu Ci didn’t dare go back for the time being. He couldn’t find any information about that man, but the fact that he could enter and leave the original owner’s house at will suggested a significant identity. Given their similar features, Chu Ci suspected the man was the original owner’s father.

However, every time he thought of that man, his body would tremble uncontrollably. It was a fear that seemed seeped into his bones—an instinctive reaction of the original owner that made Chu Ci desperate to avoid home.

Wang He put down his pen. Seeing how well-behaved the boy looked, he asked patiently, “Didn’t you apply when we registered for housing last semester?”

Chu Ci shook his head.

The original owner came from a poor background; his father was a debt-ridden alcoholic, and his mother had passed away early. It seemed even his tuition was paid for using the meager inheritance his mother left behind. Beyond that, the original owner simply couldn’t afford extra expenses.

“My family’s situation isn’t great,” Chu Ci whispered, his eyes drooping to affect a pitiful expression. “The dorm fees are high, and I wanted to save money for my family.”

“But home is too far from school. I spend so much time commuting every day that it’s starting to affect my grades.”

To drive the point home, Chu Ci showed the teacher the contrast between the original owner’s past top marks and his recent monthly exam scores.

Even if the original owner was a background character, he was an academic star who had earned his way into this school on merit. Chu Ci knew the teachers wouldn’t ignore a top student in distress.

Sure enough, after seeing the discrepancy in the grades, Wang He sighed with heartache. “Sigh, you’ve really been through a lot. Good child. Tell you what, I’ll call the Academic Affairs Office. Don’t worry about the fees.”

Wang He immediately dialed the office. While waiting, he pulled another form from his drawer and handed it to Chu Ci.

Chu Ci glanced at the header: Application for Financial Aid for Students in Poverty. He picked up a pen and leaned over the desk to fill in his details.

The quiet office was filled only with the rise and fall of the teacher’s voice on the phone. Outside, the sun began its westward descent, staining the horizon red. The call was long. Just as Wang He hung up and turned to say something to Chu Ci, another light knock came from the door.

Wang He paused and went to open it. Chu Ci turned at the sound and saw Ji Yanli standing there, holding a thick stack of test papers.

The orange glow of the sunset caught on the youth’s shoulders. He blinked, looking slightly stunned to see Chu Ci, before quickly shifting his gaze to the teacher. “Teacher, I’ve finished collecting the practice papers from the study session.”

At the sight of Ji Yanli, the worry on Wang He’s face vanished. He stepped aside to let him in. “Ah, wonderful. Sorry to trouble you. Just put them on my desk.”

Ji Yanli nodded, walked in, and carefully set the papers down. His gaze flickered toward the form under Chu Ci’s hand, and he murmured softly, “Poverty student application…”

Wang He returned to Chu Ci’s side. “The Academic Affairs Office has agreed to waive your housing fees. However… the school dorms are currently full. It might take a few days to find a spot for you.”

Chu Ci nodded. “Thank you, Teacher.”

Wang He patted his shoulder. “If you have any trouble, don’t be afraid to tell me. I see you live out in the suburbs; that must be a two-hour bus ride.”

“How do you usually get to school?”

Chu Ci lowered his lashes and whispered, “I walk.”

“Walk?!” The teacher’s brow furrowed tightly, his voice rising. “What about your family?”

Chu Ci bit his lip and remained silent, looking distressed.

Suddenly, Ji Yanli spoke up. “Teacher Wang, Chu Ci’s parents don’t really look after him. I remember at the first parent-teacher meeting, his parents didn’t show up either.”

Wang He flared up in anger. “Too much! How can parents be so irresponsible!”

Ji Yanli’s eyelashes fluttered as if he’d just thought of something. “Teacher Wang, I don’t stay at the dorm often, so my spot is usually empty. Why doesn’t Chu Ci just stay in mine for now?”

His voice hovered near Chu Ci’s ear. Chu Ci lifted his head, staring at Ji Yanli’s sharp, beautiful jawline, blinking in confusion.

“Is that alright?” Wang He hesitated. Ji Yanli’s background was special; on his first day, the principal had specifically instructed the staff to take good care of him.

Ji Yanli smiled. “It’s fine. Chu Ci and I get along well. Classmates should help each other, shouldn’t they?”

Then, he looked down and winked at Chu Ci.

Chu Ci: “?”

The teacher thought for a moment before calling the office again. He stepped outside and returned a few minutes later.

“The office approved it.” Wang He looked at the two of them, nodding at Ji Yanli with satisfaction. “I’m glad you’re here to help.”

Ji Yanli replied calmly, “It’s what I should do.”

He fished a small key from his pocket and pressed it into Chu Ci’s hand. “Go home and grab some clothes after school. You can move in tonight.”

Before Chu Ci could react, Ji Yanli had already pulled his hand out to force the key into his palm. Beside them, Wang He’s face crinkled with a smile. “Hurry up and thank Classmate Ji.”

Chu Ci swallowed hard and stammered out a thank you.

Once the housing issue was settled, the two left the office together.

As the last sliver of the sun vanished, leaving only fiery clouds, their long shadows merged on the ground. Chu Ci walked in silence, stepping on the lingering patches of light on the pavement until Ji Yanli suddenly stopped.

“Let’s go home together?”

Chu Ci froze, meeting Ji Yanli’s eyes. The sunset glow turned the youth’s dark pupils into a light hazel, with only Chu Ci’s reflection standing out.

The cicadas were silent, the wind had died down, and the world was so quiet that only the “thump-thump” of a runaway heartbeat remained. Chu Ci instinctively clutched his chest, as if afraid Ji Yanli would hear it. With red-tipped ears, he gave a stubborn, awkward nod.

Chu Ci felt dizzy. The Ji Yanli he saw today felt different from before, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.

He felt like steam was rising from his head. To catch his breath, he had to look away from the magnetic pull of Ji Yanli’s gaze.

‘Crap, what’s wrong with me today?’

‘Am I actually sick?’

‘Is it the original owner’s instincts acting up again??!’

As Chu Ci grumbled internally, Ji Yanli suddenly leaned in without warning. His straight nose almost brushed against Chu Ci’s.

The warm breath hit Chu Ci’s skin, and he felt himself turn to stone.

“Your face is so red,” Ji Yanli whispered, his gentle voice buzzing against Chu Ci’s eardrums. “Are you still feeling unwell?”

Chu Ci blinked rapidly, remembering his heatstroke from earlier.

Right. It’s heatstroke. That’s why I feel so weird.

Ji Yanli watched the boy’s pink lips part and close as he struggled with himself. Finally, Chu Ci let out a muffled, “Mm.”

Even though “shyness” was written all over the boy’s face, Ji Yanli chose not to expose him. The amusement in his eyes deepened as he straightened up. “Then I’ll ask the teacher for a leave of absence for you. Go home and rest early today.”

A man of action, Ji Yanli immediately took out his phone and messaged the teacher.

Chu Ci was still dazed as he was whisked away. Ji Yanli pulled him out of school, into a taxi, and back to his house to pack. By the time Chu Ci’s drifting thoughts returned to reality, he was standing in front of Ji Yanli’s dorm room, suitcase in hand.

“Why are you so spacey today?”

Ji Yanli opened the door, chatting as he lugged Chu Ci’s suitcase inside and swapped into his slippers with practiced ease.

Chu Ci followed him in, habitually scanning the room. He saw that Ji Yanli had no intention of leaving; instead, he opened the suitcase and started hanging up Chu Ci’s clothes.

Chu Ci rushed to stop him. “N-no need to trouble you. I can do this myself. You should go home early.”

Ji Yanli’s movements paused. He looked up at Chu Ci, his bright eyes drooping slightly. “Are you chasing me away?”

Chu Ci choked on his words.

Ji Yanli let out a long sigh, looking utterly aggrieved. “So I’m just someone you use and then throw away? My heart is broken. Truly broken.”

Chu Ci: “…”

The acting was so poor that Chu Ci had to close his eyes.

‘Stop being “heartbroken.”’

‘Nobody wants watered-down pork.’

As Chu Ci’s blunt thoughts echoed in the air, Ji Yanli stood up. A flash of loneliness crossed his eyes as he slowly trudged toward the door. He took several minutes to cover a distance of a few seconds, clearly waiting for Chu Ci to speak.

“Fine, fine… really, thank you for today.” Chu Ci’s hands twisted together, his pale fingers pinching until they were red. Seeing Ji Yanli as a walking definition of “pitiful,” Chu Ci was forced to continue, “Um, why don’t you stay for a bit? I’ll treat you to dinner.”

Ji Yanli immediately whipped his head around. “I don’t need dinner. Just do me a favor.”

The shift in mood was so fast that Chu Ci couldn’t keep up. He gave him a weird look. “…Go on.”

“Actually, I left in such a hurry this morning that I forgot my keys. Auntie Zhang is also away on holiday in her hometown.”

Ji Yanli looked up at Chu Ci as he spoke.

“So, could you… put me up for the night?”

His tone was cautious, pleading, like a homeless puppy ready to nuzzle against Chu Ci’s leg.

Chu Ci looked him up and down. Then, he frowned as he realized the glaring flaw in the story.

“Wait—isn’t your house a keypad lock?”