Chapter 5 – The Dormitory Arrangement

Morning sunlight poured through the tall windows of Linshan High’s dormitory hall, bathing the space in a warm golden glow. Students gathered in small clusters, their voices filled with excitement, curiosity, and just a hint of nervous anticipation.

Today was the day of room assignments.

A fresh start.

New routines.

New… possibilities.

—

Chen Yu stood beside Lin Jie, hands tucked casually into his pockets, a playful grin already forming.

“…So,” he said, leaning slightly closer, “who do you think you’ll end up with?”

Lin Jie crossed his arms thoughtfully. “Hopefully someone normal.”

Chen Yu gasped dramatically. “Are you saying I’m not normal?”

“I’m saying you’re a walking disaster.”

Chen Yu placed a hand over his heart. “That’s rude.”

“…And accurate.”

They both laughed, their easy chemistry drawing a few glances from nearby students.

Chen Yu stretched lightly. “I just hope it’s not some strict senior who hates noise.”

Lin Jie smirked. “With your luck? Definitely.”

—

At the front of the hall, Li Wei stood with his usual composed posture, hands clasped behind his back. His expression was calm, unreadable—but his presence alone commanded attention.

Beside him, Zhang Hao leaned casually, clearly far more relaxed.

“…You’re enjoying this,” Zhang Hao murmured under his breath.

Li Wei didn’t look at him. “…It’s necessary.”

Zhang Hao’s smirk deepened slightly. “Right. ‘Necessary.’”

A brief pause.

Then, almost imperceptibly—

Li Wei’s gaze shifted.

Across the room.

And landed on Chen Yu.

Laughing again.

Carefree.

Unaware.

Something in Li Wei’s chest tightened.

…Soon.

—

The murmurs in the hall quieted as a teacher stepped forward with a list.

“Room assignments will now be announced.”

Silence fell.

Names began to echo through the hall, each one followed by small reactions—relief, excitement, occasional groans.

Chen Yu rocked slightly on his heels, waiting.

Lin Jie leaned closer. “If I get someone boring, I’m switching with you.”

“Not allowed,” Chen Yu replied instantly.

“We’ll see about that.”

—

“Room 101—Li Wei… and Chen Yu.”

For a moment—

Everything stopped.

The hall fell into stunned silence before erupting into whispers.

“Wait… what?”

“Li Wei? The student council president?”

“With a first-year?”

“No way…”

Chen Yu blinked.

“…Huh?”

He turned slowly toward Lin Jie.

“…Did they just say—”

“Yes,” Lin Jie cut in, eyes wide with disbelief. “They did.”

Chen Yu let out a small laugh, half-surprised, half-amused.

“Well… this is interesting.”

—

At the front, Li Wei remained completely still.

Unshaken.

As if this outcome had always been expected.

“…Roommates,” he said calmly as Chen Yu approached him.

His tone was even.

Controlled.

But his eyes—

Held something deeper.

Something sharper.

Chen Yu met his gaze without hesitation, a small grin forming.

“Looks like we’re stuck together.”

A brief pause.

Then—

“…Follow the rules,” Li Wei replied, voice low. “There won’t be any problems.”

Chen Yu tilted his head slightly, studying him.

“…We’ll see about that.”

For just a second—

Something flickered between them.

Unspoken.

Electric.

—

Meanwhile—

“Room 102—Zhang Hao… and Lin Jie.”

Lin Jie let out a breath. “Well, at least I’m not alone in this mess.”

Zhang Hao chuckled softly, stepping beside him.

“…Looks like we’ll be neighbors,” he said.

Lin Jie glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I’m not.”

“…That’s suspicious.”

Zhang Hao just smiled.

—

The four of them made their way toward the dormitory rooms.

The hallway was quieter now, filled with the sounds of doors opening, bags being placed down, and new spaces being explored.

—

Room 101.

Chen Yu stepped inside first, looking around with curiosity.

The room was neat.

Minimal.

Organized down to the smallest detail.

“…Wow,” he said. “You already made this look like a hotel.”

Li Wei entered behind him, his gaze scanning the room briefly.

“…Order is efficient.”

Chen Yu dropped his bag onto the bed carelessly.

“Chaos is more fun.”

Li Wei’s eyes shifted toward him.

“…We’ll establish balance.”

Chen Yu grinned.

“I’m looking forward to that.”

—

In the next room, things were already louder.

Lin Jie tossed his bag onto the bed, stretching.

“This is going to be interesting.”

Zhang Hao leaned against the wall, watching him with amusement.

“…You have no idea.”

Lin Jie smirked. “I think I do.”

—

As the day settled, the new living arrangements began to take shape.

Two rooms.

Four people.

Two completely different dynamics.

Lin Jie and Zhang Hao quickly fell into playful banter, their personalities clashing and blending effortlessly.

Meanwhile—

Room 101 was quieter.

More controlled.

But beneath that calm surface—

Something was building.

—

Li Wei sat at his desk, pretending to focus on a document.

But his awareness—

Was elsewhere.

Behind him.

Chen Yu.

Moving around the room.

Unpacking.

Humming softly.

Every small sound felt amplified.

Every movement noticeable.

Li Wei’s fingers paused.

His thoughts slowed.

Then—

Sharpened.

…Too close now.

No distance.

No distractions.

Just him.

—

Chen Yu turned suddenly, catching Li Wei’s gaze.

“…What?”

Li Wei didn’t look away.

“…Nothing.”

Chen Yu narrowed his eyes slightly, then smiled.

“You’re weird.”

A pause.

Then—

“…And you’re loud,” Li Wei replied.

Chen Yu laughed.

And just like that—

The silence broke.

—

But deep inside—

Li Wei knew.

This wasn’t just coincidence.

This wasn’t just a dorm arrangement.

This—

Was the beginning.

And this time—

There would be no distance left between them.

—

He would watch.

Wait.

And when the moment came—

He wouldn’t let go.

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