Realization

The announcement from the faculty did not disappoint anyone.

Qu Chao, due to improper academic conduct and suspected plagiarism and misappropriation of others’ research, had his “Outstanding Student” title revoked.

He was dismissed from the External Affairs Department for abusing his authority, and was directly removed from the joint project with Imperial College London.

Overnight, he went from someone who could act arrogantly in the department to a target of universal condemnation.

Many students left comments under the forum thread, sharing how they had been bullied by him.

Some even posted evidence, leaving him with no room to argue.

Meanwhile, Xu Shuche’s group won the project competition.

They were given the opportunity to go to S City for an academic exchange with professors from Imperial College.

The presentation was led by Jian Yixun.

Xu Shuche and the others sat below.

On the surface, they looked calm, but their palms were sweating.

Even though the opposing team had lost Qu Chao, their core strength remained.

This was still a tough battle.

But Jian Yixun, standing on stage, was incredibly captivating.

Xu Shuche had always seen him as a friend, a partner, a roommate.

He had unconsciously ignored his personal charm, only remembering that he was “straight.”

He usually kept his distance from straight men.

Yet watching Jian Yixun now, something deep inside him stirred.

But Jian Yixun was straight.

Xu Shuche sighed softly, feeling a trace of regret for the first time.

After the presentation, the group could finally relax.

They had been juggling coursework and the project for months, even returning to campus early.

As they left the meeting room, someone suggested going out to celebrate.

Previously, Xu Shuche would have found an excuse to leave.

But after working together for so long, he couldn’t refuse this time.

Their last gathering had been hotpot.

This time, they chose a KTV.

Xu Shuche rarely went to such places and asked nervously,

“Do you have to sing at KTV? I can’t sing.”

“There’s no ‘must.’”

Jian Yixun smiled.

“It’s just for fun. Don’t worry.”

The KTV was near campus, a popular spot for students.

Sui Xiang booked a room large enough for everyone.

Guan Jingshan noticed Xu Shuche’s unease and sat beside him.

“Senior, don’t come out to play often?”

Xu Shuche nodded, glancing toward Jian Yixun, who was competing to pick songs.

“It’s okay. You’ll get used to it.”

Guan Jingshan spoke gently, sharing a story to ease the mood.

Jian Yixun, meanwhile, failed to grab the mic and turned around—

Only to see Xu Shuche sitting with Guan Jingshan.

His mood instantly soured.

Why were they sitting together?

He frowned at Guan Jingshan’s smiling face and clicked his tongue.

Without picking a song, he walked straight over.

“What are you talking about?”

His tone was sharp.

Guan Jingshan looked up, still smiling.

“I was telling senior a funny story.”

“What kind of story?”

Jian Yixun’s words were laced with sarcasm.

“Let me hear it too.”

“I already finished it.”

Guan Jingshan lightly nudged Xu Shuche.

“Right, senior?”

Jian Yixun clenched his teeth and sat down.

“Senior, I have something fun to tell you too.”

Xu Shuche looked confused.

“What is it?”

“He told you a story, right?”

“I can too.”

Guan Jingshan smirked.

“Why so irritable today?”

Who made him irritated?

The person causing it was sitting right there.

Xu Shuche gently tugged Jian Yixun’s sleeve.

“…It’s nothing.”

Jian Yixun sighed heavily and glanced at Guan Jingshan before getting up to leave.

Once he was gone, he muttered quietly,

“I told you before, he’s not a good person.”

“Really?”

Xu Shuche frowned slightly.

“I think he’s fine.”

Jian Yixun suddenly interrupted him.

“What if I say I don’t like him?”

“Can you not spend time with him?”

Xu Shuche sighed.

“Jian Yixun, I’m me, and you’re you.”

“You can’t impose your thoughts on me.”

Jian Yixun leaned back, feeling defeated.

She was right.

What right did he have to control who Xu Shuche befriended?

What was he to him, anyway?

Wouldn’t this make him annoying?

He glanced at Xu Shuche, relieved that he didn’t seem upset.

Jian Yixun had never been someone insecure.

But when it came to Xu Shuche, he lost control again and again.

He had thought he disliked Guan Jingshan because he didn’t want to share Xu Shuche’s attention.

But now he realized—

That wasn’t it.

Even normal interactions with others made him feel irritated.

He wanted Xu Shuche to belong only to him.

The realization startled him.

He looked at Xu Shuche’s profile, confused.

Was this feeling… normal?

Guan Jingshan returned and sat beside Xu Shuche again.

Jian Yixun stared at him for a long moment.

Then suddenly spoke.

“Guan Jingshan.”

His tone was serious enough to make Xu Shuche nervous.

“Don’t fight,” Xu Shuche said quickly.

“I’m not.”

Jian Yixun softened his voice.

“I just want to talk to him.”

Guan Jingshan stood up.

“What do you want to say?”

“Outside.”

Jian Yixun glanced at him.

“What, scared?”

Guan Jingshan smiled and followed him out.

The hallway was quiet.

Jian Yixun stood in the shadows.

“What couldn’t you say in front of him?”

Guan Jingshan asked.

“You said you like him.”

Jian Yixun looked at him.

“Why?”

“Why?”

Guan Jingshan found the question strange.

“Why does liking someone need a reason?”

“I like the person.”

“Whether he’s a man or a woman doesn’t matter.”

“If I like him, then he’s just the one I like.”

Like someone… without a reason?

Regardless of gender?

Jian Yixun had never liked anyone before.

Even in games, relationships never went beyond familiarity.

This unfamiliar feeling unsettled him.

“You hate me, don’t you?”

Guan Jingshan smiled.

“Why would I tell you?”

“…Who cares.”

Jian Yixun muttered.

“Aren’t you straight?”

Guan Jingshan studied him curiously.

“Since when are straight guys interested in this?”

“I don’t hate it.”

Jian Yixun hesitated.

His views had changed—

Because of Xu Shuche.

Being with him had made him better.

Suddenly, Jian Yixun felt like he had grasped something.

“I think I get it.”

“What do you get?”

“I don’t know… but I get it.”

Then, without hesitation, he said—

“From now on, we’re rivals.”

“I think I like senior too.”

“I want to pursue him.”