My Roommate Is a Little Weird

There was a rustling sound from outside the mosquito net.

Lin Zhixia frowned and buried his face deeper into the pillow. He hadn’t slept well last night—his dreams were full of Gu Yanzhou’s dark, deep eyes and the lingering words, “You smell so good.” Just as he was finally drifting off, the scrape of a chair leg against the floor came from outside.

“What time is it…” he mumbled groggily, reaching under his pillow for his phone.

The screen lit up: 6:43.

Lin Zhixia groaned and shoved the phone back under the pillow. It was the first day of the semester—no classes, no military training. Why did he have to wake up so early?

He turned over and peered out through the semi-transparent mosquito net.

Gu Yanzhou was sitting on the chair by the window, already fully dressed in a black T-shirt that outlined his broad, lean shoulders. He held a book in his hands, but his gaze wasn’t on the pages—it was on—

Lin Zhixia quickly shut his eyes.

Gu Yanzhou was looking at him.

Not a casual glance, but a direct, warm stare. Even through the mosquito net, Lin Zhixia could feel that gaze on his face, burning like the morning sun, making him deeply uncomfortable.

“You’re awake.” Gu Yanzhou’s voice came, not a question but a statement.

“…Mm.” Lin Zhixia pulled the blanket higher, leaving only his eyes exposed. “Why are you up so early?”

“I’m used to it.” Gu Yanzhou put down the book and stood up. “You look cute when you sleep.”

Lin Zhixia’s ears turned bright red in an instant.

“What?” His voice came out muffled from under the blanket.

“You were drooling just now,” Gu Yanzhou said.

“No way!” Lin Zhixia sat up abruptly and wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

It was dry.

Gu Yanzhou let out a low laugh, one that seemed to rumble from deep in his chest, carrying a hint of triumphant delight.

“You tricked me?” Lin Zhixia’s eyes widened.

“Yeah.” Gu Yanzhou admitted calmly. “But you do look cute when you sleep.”

Lin Zhixia opened his mouth, not knowing how to respond. He never knew someone could say the word “cute” so matter-of-factly, especially about another guy.

Across the room, Chen Dawei turned over, his bed creaking. He blinked groggily and happened to see Gu Yanzhou standing in front of Lin Zhixia’s bed, the distance between them close enough to smell each other’s breath.

“…What are you two doing?” Chen Dawei rubbed his eyes. “It’s early in the morning, don’t mess with me.”

“Nothing.” Gu Yanzhou withdrew his gaze, picked up his toiletries, and said, “I’m going to wash up.”

He walked out of the dorm, the door closing softly behind him.

Chen Dawei shot up in bed, not even bothering to steady his glasses. “Was he just hitting on you?”

“Nonsense.” Lin Zhixia threw off the blanket, revealing his messy hair. “He’s just… straightforward.”

“Straightforward?” Chen Dawei sneered. “That’s called being direct, bro. You know what direct means? Going straight to the point.”

“What directness?” Lin Zhixia got out of bed to find his slippers. “You’re overthinking.”

“Overthinking?” Chen Dawei leaned out from the top bunk. “He told you you look cute when you sleep, and said you drooled—even though that part was a lie—but the first part was real, right? A guy calling another guy cute—is that normal?”

“What’s wrong with it?” Lin Zhixia said seriously. “You’re cute too.”

Chen Dawei: “…”

He was silent for two seconds, then threw his pillow at Lin Zhixia. “Get lost! I’m a straight man, I don’t accept that kind of comment!”

Lin Zhixia dodged with a laugh, grabbed his toiletries, and headed to the washroom. People were already moving in the hallway. As he brushed his teeth, he replayed Gu Yanzhou’s gaze in his mind.

What was that guy even looking at?

The cafeteria was on the east side of the dormitory area, a three-story building with a red sign on the glass door that read “Practice Thrift.” By the time Lin Zhixia and Chen Dawei arrived, it was already full of people, mostly freshmen still carrying the immaturity of high school students.

“What do you want to eat?” Chen Dawei craned his neck to look around. “I recommend the steamed buns on the second floor. A senior told me yesterday—they’re amazing.”

“Anything’s fine.” Lin Zhixia was still sleepy, his eyes half-closed.

“Then save a seat here, I’ll buy.” Chen Dawei dropped his bag on a chair. “Do you want soy milk or porridge?”

“Soy milk, sweet.”

“Got it.”

As soon as Chen Dawei left, Lin Zhixia felt the chair across from him pull out. Thinking Chen Dawei had forgotten something, he looked up—and met Gu Yanzhou’s dark eyes.

“You—what are you doing here?” Lin Zhixia instinctively sat up straight.

“Eating.” Gu Yanzhou placed his tray on the table as naturally as if he had rehearsed it a hundred times.

“Did you know we’d be here?”

“I guessed,” Gu Yanzhou said.

Lin Zhixia didn’t believe him. The cafeteria was huge, with so many seats—how could he have guessed exactly? But he didn’t ask again, just stared at his empty tray.

On Gu Yanzhou’s tray was a bowl of porridge, a tea egg, a dish of pickles, and a paper cup of soy milk. He picked up the soy milk and placed it in front of Lin Zhixia.

“For you,” he said.

“Huh?” Lin Zhixia froze. “Didn’t you buy this for yourself?”

“I bought too much,” Gu Yanzhou said.

“But I didn’t ask for soy milk…”

“It’s sweet,” Gu Yanzhou added. “Don’t you like it sweet?”

Lin Zhixia’s mouth formed an O. He had indeed said yesterday that he liked sweet soy milk, but he had said it to Chen Dawei—how did Gu Yanzhou know?

“How do you know I like it sweet?”

Gu Yanzhou picked up the tea egg and tapped it gently on the edge of the table. “I guessed.”

Another guess.

Lin Zhixia stared at the cup of soy milk and suddenly felt that this guy was full of mysteries. He knew his name, knew he liked dried mangoes, and now even knew he liked sweet soy milk.

This guy’s “guesses” were way too accurate.

When Chen Dawei returned with two baskets of steamed buns, he saw Gu Yanzhou sitting across from Lin Zhixia and paused mid-step.

“When did you get here?” He set the buns down on the table. “I didn’t see you in line.”

“I bought mine first,” Gu Yanzhou said.

“Then why are you sitting here? Isn’t there an empty seat over there?” Chen Dawei pointed to a row of vacant seats not far away.

“It’s brighter here,” Gu Yanzhou said without changing his expression.

Chen Dawei looked up at the fluorescent light above, then back at Gu Yanzhou, wanting to say something but holding back. He sat down, stabbed a bun with his chopsticks, and swept his gaze between Lin Zhixia and Gu Yanzhou.

“Zhixia,” Chen Dawei lowered his voice, “don’t you think he’s being especially nice to you?”

“Is he?” Lin Zhixia took a bite of the bun, and soup splashed onto the corner of his mouth.

Before he could reach for a napkin, Gu Yanzhou had already handed one over.

“Wipe it,” he said.

Lin Zhixia took the napkin, his movements stiff. Chen Dawei’s expression turned even more meaningful.

“See,” Chen Dawei nudged Lin Zhixia with his elbow, “that’s evidence.”

“Evidence of what?” Lin Zhixia wiped his mouth, looking confused.

“Evidence of pursuit,” Chen Dawei lowered his voice further. “I tell you, he’s definitely into you.”

“Impossible.” Lin Zhixia’s voice went up half a notch. “We’re both guys!”

That sentence wasn’t exactly quiet. People at a few nearby tables turned to look. Lin Zhixia’s face instantly flushed bright red, and he quickly lowered his head.

Gu Yanzhou glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the curious freshmen’s faces. Those people seemed scalded by something and immediately turned away.

“Eat,” Gu Yanzhou said calmly. “Don’t mind him.”

“I didn’t mean it like that…” Lin Zhixia explained softly. “I just think Chen Dawei is overthinking.”

“I know.” Gu Yanzhou picked up a bun and placed it in his bowl. “Eat more.”

Chen Dawei watched this scene and suddenly felt the bun in his hand wasn’t as tasty anymore.

“You two take your time,” he stood up. “I’m going to get some vinegar.”

He walked to the condiment counter with his vinegar dish, then glanced back. Gu Yanzhou was saying something to Lin Zhixia in a low voice, and Lin Zhixia was tilting his head to listen, the tips of his ears red.

“Something’s wrong,” Chen Dawei muttered to himself. “Very wrong.”

There were no classes in the morning, but the school had arranged orientation for new students. Lin Zhixia and Chen Dawei sat in the back of the auditorium, listening to the counselor talk about school rules and regulations. Lin Zhixia was drowsy, spinning a pen in his hand.

“Don’t fall asleep,” Chen Dawei nudged him. “We have to sign in later.”

“I know…” Lin Zhixia yawned. “It’s just too boring.”

“Look at the third row from the front,” Chen Dawei suddenly said.

“What?”

“Gu Yanzhou.”

Lin Zhixia followed his gaze and indeed saw the familiar back. Gu Yanzhou was sitting in the third row by the aisle, his spine perfectly straight, looking at his phone.

“He’s attending orientation too?” Lin Zhixia was surprised. “Isn’t he a transfer student?”

“Transfer students have to attend too,” Chen Dawei said. “But the question is, why is he sitting so close to us?”

“Coincidence.”

“Coincidence?” Chen Dawei sneered. “The auditorium is huge, and he happens to sit three rows ahead of us? You believe that?”

Lin Zhixia didn’t answer. He stared at the back of Gu Yanzhou’s head and noticed that the guy’s hair was cut short, revealing the slender nape of his neck. From that angle, Gu Yanzhou’s profile was clean and sharp, like a drawing made with a ruler.

Just then, Gu Yanzhou suddenly turned his head, his gaze precisely finding Lin Zhixia.

Lin Zhixia couldn’t dodge in time and was caught red-handed.

Gu Yanzhou curved the corner of his mouth, then turned back to his phone.

“He looked at you!” Chen Dawei excitedly grabbed Lin Zhixia’s arm. “He looked at you again!”

“Don’t—don’t talk nonsense.” Lin Zhixia’s heart suddenly raced. “He might have just been looking around casually.”

“Casually?” Chen Dawei’s eyes widened. “He turned back and pinpointed your face—that’s casual?”

“Well… there are a lot of people in the back. He might have been looking for someone.”

“Looking for who? You!”

Lin Zhixia fell silent. He stared at the doodles in his notebook and realized he had unconsciously drawn a bunch of messy lines with a “Gu” character in the middle.

He quickly crossed it out with his pen.

“See,” Chen Dawei said, sharp-eyed, “you even wrote his name.”

“I did not!” Lin Zhixia closed his notebook. “I was just doodling.”

“Fine, fine, doodling.” Chen Dawei put on a knowing expression. “Bro, I advise you to prepare yourself mentally.”

“Prepare for what?”

“Prepare to be chased,” Chen Dawei winked. “At his level, you won’t be able to resist.”

“You’re talking nonsense.” Lin Zhixia shoved his notebook into his bag. “I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

After orientation, Lin Zhixia used the bathroom as an excuse and slipped out of the auditorium alone. He stood by the window at the end of the hallway, letting the autumn breeze cool his burning face.

Downstairs, people were taking pictures, looking for classrooms, or calling their parents. Everything was so normal, so ordinary.

Only he was not normal.

Ever since meeting Gu Yanzhou yesterday, his heart had been like a runaway pendulum, swinging wildly at every turn. Gu Yanzhou looked at him—his heart fluttered; Gu Yanzhou spoke to him—he blushed; Gu Yanzhou got close—he even forgot to breathe.

This wasn’t normal.

“Lin Zhixia.”

A familiar voice came from behind, and Lin Zhixia nearly jumped. He turned around to find Gu Yanzhou standing two steps away, holding a bottle of water.

“Why are you out here?” Lin Zhixia asked.

“Getting some air.” Gu Yanzhou walked over and handed him the water. “Want some?”

“No, I’m fine…”

“Take it.” Gu Yanzhou pushed the bottle into his hand, his fingers brushing against the back of Lin Zhixia’s hand.

Lin Zhixia felt as if he’d been shocked, almost dropping the bottle.

“Th-thanks.” He twisted off the cap and took a few gulps, trying to hide his panic.

Gu Yanzhou leaned against the windowsill, tilting his head to look at him. “Are you avoiding me?”

“Cough, cough—” Lin Zhixia choked on the water, coughing until tears came to his eyes.

Gu Yanzhou frowned slightly, reached out, and patted his back. His palm was warm and firm, and through the thin T-shirt, Lin Zhixia could clearly feel the heat transferring to his skin.

“I’m not avoiding you.” Lin Zhixia finally stopped coughing. “I just came out for some air.”

“Mm.” Gu Yanzhou withdrew his hand. “Then let’s get some air together.”

Lin Zhixia: “…”The two stood by the window, neither speaking. Downstairs, the laughter of new students drifted up, and the wind blew in through the window, carrying the scent of osmanthus blossoms.

"Why did you transfer to our school?" Lin Zhixia suddenly asked. This was a question he had wanted to ask since yesterday.

Gu Yanzhou was silent for a few seconds, then said, "There's a very important person here."

Lin Zhixia was startled: "What kind of person?"

Gu Yanzhou turned his head, his gaze landing on Lin Zhixia's face, his dark eyes seeming to hide something: "Someone I can't talk about yet."

Lin Zhixia's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

"Oh," he lowered his head, "then I hope you find him."

"I've already found him," Gu Yanzhou said.

Lin Zhixia looked up and met Gu Yanzhou's eyes. Those eyes were too close, so close that he could see his own reflection in them.

"Lin Zhixia," Gu Yanzhou suddenly called his name.

"Huh?"

"You're blushing."

Lin Zhixia instinctively touched his face and found it was indeed burning hot.

"It's, it's hot weather," he stammered, "I'm going to find Chen Dawei."

With that, he turned and ran, nearly bumping into their advisor coming around the corner in the hallway.

"Student, slow down!" the advisor called out.

Lin Zhixia apologized repeatedly and rushed toward the auditorium without looking back. His heart was still pounding, and Gu Yanzhou's words kept echoing in his mind.

"I've already found him."

Who was that person? Why did Gu Yanzhou look at him when he said that?

It must be a coincidence. He must be overthinking.

That night, after the lights were out in Dorm 405, Chen Dawei tossed and turned in bed, the boards creaking.

"Can you stop moving?" Zhou Haoran muttered, "I'm trying to sleep."

"I can't sleep." Chen Dawei poked his head out, "Zhixia, are you asleep?"

"No," Lin Zhixia stared at the ceiling.

"Let's chat a bit." Chen Dawei lowered his voice, "Did you get flustered today?"

"What?"

"Don't play dumb." Chen Dawei said, "When Gu Yanzhou said 'I've already found him,' your ears turned red. I saw it all from behind."

"You were following me?" Lin Zhixia was surprised.

"I just happened to come out to use the bathroom." Chen Dawei chuckled, "Come on, do you have feelings for him?"

"No." Lin Zhixia denied quickly, "I just... I'm not used to being stared at."

"Really?"

"Really."

Chen Dawei was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Buddy, I'm not trying to scare you. That look in Gu Yanzhou's eyes—I've only seen it in TV dramas in my nineteen years of life."

"What look?"

"The look of a hunter eyeing its prey." Chen Dawei lowered his voice, "He's got his eyes on you, one hundred percent."

"Impossible." Lin Zhixia pulled the blanket up higher, "We're both guys."

"So what if you're both guys?" Chen Dawei said, "What era is it now? Does love have a gender?"

Lin Zhixia didn't reply. He stared at the mosquito net above, his mind a mess.

Seeing he wasn't responding, Chen Dawei added, "Anyway, be careful, or you might get devoured without even knowing it."

"You're the one with the problem." Lin Zhixia muttered, "Sleep."

"Fine, fine, sleep." Chen Dawei lay back down, "Continue observation tomorrow."

The dormitory quieted down, leaving only the steady sound of Zhou Haoran's breathing.

Lin Zhixia turned over, facing Gu Yanzhou's bunk. In the darkness, he couldn't see Gu Yanzhou's face, but he knew Gu Yanzhou wasn't asleep either.

"Gu Yanzhou," he called softly.

"Hmm?" Gu Yanzhou responded immediately.

"Are you asleep?"

"No." Gu Yanzhou's voice was very soft, "I'm waiting for you."

Lin Zhixia's heart trembled: "Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for you to say goodnight." Gu Yanzhou said.

Lin Zhixia opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Finally, he buried himself under the covers and said gloomily, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." Gu Yanzhou's voice carried a hint of a smile.

Lin Zhixia closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep. But in the darkness, Gu Yanzhou's words echoed repeatedly:

"I've already found him."

He didn't know who that person was, but for some reason, he felt a stifling sensation in his chest.

As if... he was both anticipating and fearing something.