Chapter 4 – The Fresher’s Party

The gymnasium had transformed completely.

Soft golden lights hung from the ceiling like stars, banners swayed gently, and music pulsed through the air—lively, rhythmic, impossible to ignore. Laughter and chatter filled every corner as students gathered in groups, excitement shining on their faces.

Tonight wasn’t just a party.

It was the first real memory of their new life at Linshan High.

—

Chen Yu stood near the entrance, eyes wide with amazement.

“…Wow,” he breathed. “They really went all out.”

Lin Jie crossed his arms, pretending to look unimpressed—but even he couldn’t hide the small smile on his lips.

“It’s decent,” he said casually.

Chen Yu turned to him with a grin. “Decent? This is amazing!”

Before Lin Jie could respond, Chen Yu grabbed his wrist.

“Come on!”

And just like that, he was pulled straight into the crowd.

—

Music surrounded them.

Lights flickered softly.

Students danced freely, forming small circles, cheering each other on.

And in the center of it all—

Chen Yu.

He moved naturally with the rhythm, steps light and effortless. There was no hesitation, no self-consciousness—just pure energy. He laughed as he spun, pulling Lin Jie along, their movements messy but full of life.

“Keep up!” Chen Yu teased.

“I am keeping up!” Lin Jie shot back, though he was clearly struggling to match Chen Yu’s enthusiasm.

Their laughter blended with the music, drawing attention without them even realizing it.

People watched.

Smiled.

Whispered.

They stood out.

—

From the edge of the room, Li Wei watched.

Silent.

Still.

Unmoving.

His sharp gaze was fixed on one person—and one person only.

Chen Yu.

The lights reflected in his eyes as he moved, making him look even brighter, even more… alive.

Li Wei’s fingers tightened slightly behind his back.

…Too visible.

Too free.

Too close to everyone.

Something unfamiliar stirred in his chest.

A slow, burning tension.

Beside him, Zhang Hao noticed immediately.

“…You might want to relax,” he said casually, though his tone carried amusement.

Li Wei didn’t respond.

He couldn’t.

Not when every movement Chen Yu made pulled his attention tighter.

The way he laughed.

The way others gathered around him.

The way he shined so easily.

It was…

Irritating.

And yet—

He couldn’t look away.

—

“Careful!” Lin Jie suddenly said, grabbing Chen Yu’s arm as he nearly bumped into someone.

Chen Yu laughed breathlessly. “That was close.”

“You’re going to crash into someone again at this rate.”

“That’s how I make friends.”

“That’s how you cause problems.”

Chen Yu just grinned.

—

The music shifted, slowing slightly as the student council stepped forward for a short segment.

“Alright, everyone!” a voice called. “Time for some fun titles!”

The crowd cheered.

“Mr. Junior, Miss Junior, and a few special mentions!”

Students clapped, teased, and shouted guesses as names were called out. The atmosphere grew even livelier, filled with playful energy.

Chen Yu leaned toward Lin Jie. “What if you win something?”

Lin Jie scoffed. “Unlikely.”

“I think you’ll win ‘Most Annoying.’”

“…You want to fight?”

Chen Yu laughed again, dodging Lin Jie’s playful shove.

—

From the stage, Li Wei observed everything.

But his focus never changed.

Even surrounded by dozens of people—

Chen Yu was the only one he saw clearly.

…Why?

Why him?

Why does everything else feel… irrelevant?

Zhang Hao glanced at him again, then followed his gaze.

“…You really picked an interesting one,” he muttered.

Li Wei’s voice was quiet.

“…I didn’t pick anything.”

Zhang Hao smirked. “Sure you didn’t.”

—

The party continued.

Games.

Music.

Laughter.

Time seemed to pass too quickly.

Eventually, the crowd began to thin, students leaving in groups, still talking excitedly about the night.

—

Outside, the air was cooler.

Chen Yu stretched his arms above his head, smiling brightly.

“That was amazing!”

Lin Jie nodded. “Yeah… it wasn’t bad.”

“Not bad?” Chen Yu repeated. “You were smiling the whole time.”

“I was not.”

“You were.”

“…Maybe a little.”

They walked together under the streetlights, their shadows stretching along the pavement.

“See you tomorrow?” Chen Yu asked.

“Obviously.”

They parted ways, the night quieting around them.

—

But for someone else—

The night was far from over.

—

In a sleek, dimly lit apartment, Li Wei stood by the window, city lights reflecting in his dark eyes.

The silence felt heavier than usual.

He loosened his tie slightly, exhaling slowly.

But his mind—

Wouldn’t settle.

Images replayed.

Over and over.

Chen Yu dancing.

Laughing.

Smiling at others.

That brightness.

That freedom.

Li Wei’s hand tightened around the glass he was holding.

A sharp crack echoed softly.

He didn’t even notice.

“…You shouldn’t be like that,” he murmured.

His voice was low.

Controlled.

But something underneath it—

Wasn’t.

A slow, possessive thought began to form.

Unwanted.

Unfamiliar.

But undeniable.

Too many people saw him tonight.

Too many people looked at him.

Too many people… got close.

Li Wei’s gaze darkened.

My family…

When we choose—

We only choose once.

And we don’t share.

Silence filled the room.

Heavy.

Tense.

Then slowly—

A decision settled in his mind.

Not rushed.

Not reckless.

But certain.

…I’ll wait.

His fingers relaxed slightly.

His breathing steadied.

But his eyes—

Remained sharp.

Focused.

Dangerously calm.

—

“When the time comes…”

His voice dropped to a whisper.

“…he’ll be mine.”

—

And somewhere in the city—

Chen Yu slept peacefully.

Completely unaware—

That someone had already begun to claim him…

In silence.

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