It was late at night.
Shen Mo lay on his bed in the campus dormitory, staring at the ceiling. The room was dimly lit, and the usual sound of game effects and laughter filled the space.
His roommates — and best buddies — Li Yuan, Yi Kuan, and Ji Kim — were gathered around, playing an online game. But tonight, something was different.
Shen Mo wasn't playing.
Ji Kim was the first to notice.
He paused the game and looked at him suspiciously. "Heyyy, Brother Shen… what's wrong with you today? You're not playing, and you look distracted. Did something happen?"
Shen Mo turned his head slightly, gave him a faint smile… and then drifted back into his thoughts.
Ji Kim blinked. "What was that? Why is he smiling like that?"
Li Yuan chuckled. "Kim bro, you weren't with us at the campus gate today."
Ji Kim frowned. "Why? What happened?"
Li Yuan leaned back dramatically. "A goddess came to our school today… and Brother Shen couldn't take his eyes off her. He even went to help her with her luggage."
Ji Kim's mouth fell open. "WHAT?! Is that really true? Tell me who this lucky girl is. Who managed to catch our cold brother's eye?"
Before Li Yuan could answer, Yi Kuan suddenly said, "Guys, look at the campus group chat. Everyone is talking about the new junior… and Brother Shen. The news that he helped her is spreading all over the university."
Shen Mo immediately sat up.
"What?" He grabbed his phone and opened the campus chat. His expression turned serious.
"Yi Kuan," he said calmly but firmly, "help me delete those posts. I don't want my future wife to be upset because of unnecessary rumors."
Yi Kuan smirked. "Don't worry, Brother Shen. Leave it to me. I'll clear everything about you and our future sister-in-law."
For a brief second, Shen Mo's lips curved upward.
Future sister-in-law.
He didn't correct them this time.
Instead, he said casually, "I'll treat you guys to drinks tomorrow."
Li Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Why so generous?"
Shen Mo looked at his phone again, his expression softening. "Because… I'm happy today."
The boys exchanged knowing looks.
Soon, everyone returned to their own beds, preparing to sleep. The lights dimmed, and the room became quiet.
But Shen Mo wasn't sleeping.
He kept staring at his phone screen.
Why hasn't she replied yet?
Did she see the campus rumors?
Did she misunderstand something?
Did she feel uncomfortable because of him?
For someone who rarely cared about others' opinions, tonight… he cared.
Meanwhile, in the girls' dormitory…
Su An had just finished unpacking her clothes and arranging her bed. Her roommates — Lu Yan, Lu Yin, and Shia Jin — were chatting cheerfully.
Lu Yan and Lu Yin were twins, though they looked quite different. Both were heirs of the prestigious Lu family in the capital. Shia Jin also came from a wealthy background. Yet despite their status, they welcomed Su An warmly.
After washing up, Su An lay down on her bed and finally checked her phone.
A message from Shen Mo was waiting.
"Heey junior, did you reach your room safely? Are your roommates treating you well? Tell me if you need anything."
A small smile appeared on her face.
Lu Yin, who was lying nearby, noticed it immediately. "Ohhh~ who's texting you? Your boyfriend?"
Su An's cheeks turned slightly pink. "No… it's just a senior who helped me reach the dorm."
"Tell me your love story, Sis An," Lu Yin teased.
Su An shook her head gently. "I've never had time for love. It was always just studies… and taking care of my mom. I've never been interested in relationships."
Lu Yin smiled softly. "But what if someday you meet someone who makes you fall in love without realizing it?"
Su An looked down at her phone.
"I don't know," she said quietly. "But I'll try my best not to fall for anyone."
Lu Yin's phone rang, and she turned away to answer the call.
Su An finally typed a reply:
"Yes, senior. I'm in my room now. My roommates are very kind. We've become good friends."
Back in the boys' dorm, Shen Mo's phone vibrated.
He grabbed it instantly.
When he saw her message, his usually calm eyes lit up with excitement. He read it twice before replying.
"That's great, junior. Have you had dinner?"
"Yes, senior. What about you?"
"I've eaten too. What are you doing now?"
"I'm just going to sleep."
There was a small pause before Shen Mo typed again.
"I was just thinking about you."
Su An's fingers froze above the screen.
"About me?" she replied.
He quickly added, "I was just thinking whether you reached safely."
"Oh…" she responded.
"Sleep early, junior."
"Okay, senior. You too. Good night."
She placed her phone beside her pillow and closed her eyes. Within minutes, exhaustion pulled her into sleep.
But in another dorm room, Shen Mo was still staring at his phone.
Five minutes passed.
He whispered softly to himself, "Good night, junior."
Only then did he finally put his phone away.
As he closed his eyes, he found himself imagining tomorrow — the cafeteria, her shy smile, the way she looked at him this morning.
For the first time in a long while, Shen Mo fell asleep with a quiet anticipation in his heart.
And somewhere between silence and dreams, something fragile was slowly beginning to grow.