SHEN JI YUN stopped walking when he heard Luo Yan's answer. "A two-person dorm?"
Luo Yan didn't notice anything unusual and kept walking. "Yeah. Dad actually got a two-person dorm. And before you ask how that's possible, yes, he pulled so strings."
When he didn't hear Shen Ji Yun's reply right away, he realized the other had stopped walking. He turned back to Shen Ji Yun and saw his downcast expression.
Luo Yan stepped closer. "What's wrong?"
"You'll be alone day and night with a stranger. Sharing a room. Sleeping in the sa space. Talking whenever you want. We haven't even done those things together yet." Shen Ji Yun looked at Luo Yan with hopeful eyes. "What if I rented an apartnt near campus? We could live there together during your military training. No one else would have to know."
A helpless smile crossed Luo Yan's lips. He was sorely tempted to say yes. He could already picture how wonderful it would be living with Shen Ji Yun like that, even if only for a month. But then he rembered how exhausting the military training had been in his previous life. The idea of traveling back and forth from campus after a full day of drills held no appeal. That was exactly why he'd chosen to stay in the dorm for a month.
He suddenly felt like a bad boyfriend for thinking this way. Shen Ji Yun just wanted to spend ti with him, and here he was calculating the hassle of a commute. The other's hopeful expression made his own reluctance seem almost ungrateful.
Shen Ji Yun must have noticed his hesitation because his face fell. He looked like a kicked puppy with its ears down. "You don't want to?"
"Oh Brother Ji Yun, of course I want to," he said, reaching for the other's hand and giving it a squeeze. He could say sothing sweet to cheer him up, but Luo Yan refused to lie. "But you know how tough military training is. It's just more practical for to stay in the dorm than sowhere off campus."
Hearing that reasoning, Shen Ji Yun understood where Luo Yan was coming from. Especially since he'd endured military training himself. Just like Luo Yan said, it was truly grueling. A pang of guilt hit him for even suggesting they live off campus. He hadn't considered how exhausted Luo Yan would be. He'd just selfishly wanted to be closer. Now Luo Yan probably felt bad for turning him down, which made Shen Ji Yun regret bringing it up at all.
"I'm sorry."
Luo Yan let out another helpless smile as he watched Shen Ji Yun. Now the other looked like an abandoned puppy with its tail drooping. A pang of guilt tightened Luo Yan's chest, but even so, he couldn't help finding Shen Ji Yun unbearably adorable in his sincerity. If they weren't surrounded by crowds of students, he would've pulled him into his arms right then and kissed the heck out of him, consequences be damned.
Well, maybe he could. But later. Definitely later.
"Don't feel bad. I liked the idea too. The timing just isn't right," he said. "But I promise to spend all my rest days with you." Military training ran six days a week, leaving Sundays free. "So please, don't look so sad. Hmm?"
Luo Yan tilted his head up to et Shen Ji Yun's gaze, his eyes softening with quiet warmth. The sunlight caught in his lashes just so, making his expression look even more tender than usual. He held Shen Ji Yun's stare, letting all his love show without saying a single word.
Finally, the corner of Shen Ji Yun's lips lifted slightly. He still felt guilty for pushing the idea when Luo Yan clearly had practical concerns, but that earnest promise made it hard to stay disappointed. The weight in his stomach lessened just a little.
"Okay."
Luo Yan smiled brightly. "Then, please, I would like that library tour now."
***
Luo Yan and Shen Ji Yun walked up to the library, a large building with plain stone walls and big windows. The entrance had wide concrete steps and two heavy wooden doors.
Inside, the space was big and open. Tall bookshelves filled with books stood in neat rows across the floor. Wooden tables and chairs were arranged in the center, a few occupied by people who seed to be graduate students. So flipping through thick academic journals, others typing intently on laptops with stacks of research papers beside them. The air slled faintly of paper and old books.
Near the entrance, a librarian sat behind the counter, scanning returned materials. The only sounds were the occasional rustle of pages and muted keyboard clicks. Overhead, fluorescent lights buzzed softly, mixing with sunlight from the high windows.
Past the main area, there were more shelves that held reference books and study guides. Small study rooms also lined the back wall. He could also see an elevator door that would lead to the upper floors.
Luo Yan looked around, that familiar nostalgic feeling washing over him again. He rembered all the hours he'd spent here, studying like his life depended on it. And now he was back again. But this ti, he would make sure his college days weren't just about studying and working.
"Yan Yan, I'll show you where to activate your card," Shen Ji Yun said to him.
He glanced at Shen Ji Yun, a sudden thought popping into his head. He wondered if that spot was still there. "Brother Ji Yun, let's do that later. I want to look around the library first."
Luo Yan didn't wait for a response before grabbing Shen Ji Yun's hand and pulling him toward the elevator. He pressed the button for the fifth floor the mont they stepped inside. Shen Ji Yun likely found it odd, but he stayed quiet. When the doors opened, Luo Yan tugged him out and led him straight to the spot where he often studied when he was still a student here in his previous life.
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