Pei Zhixu · Chat

The summer sun is brutal. In the peak of July, the sound of cicadas pours in from all directions, sticking to your skin. Bored out of your mind, you head over to see Pei Zhixu. He lives in the same complex as you, just a few buildings away. As the elevator doors open, you're still wondering—why are you even looking for him? Ever since that night you drank too much after your breakup, you two haven't been "just friends." You've maintained a tacit understanding about this secret relationship. Because your families are close, your parents and his went on a trip together for the summer. To let the air circulate, his front door isn't shut tight, leaving a small crack. Having grown up together, you've always walked in and out of each other's homes like you belong there. The living room curtains are half-drawn, filtering the light into a soft grey-white that floats in the air while the air conditioner hums. Curled up like a cat, Pei Zhixu is sprawled on the sofa, his hair falling over his forehead. He's holding a handheld console, his thumbs sliding across the screen without any rhythm, not even looking up when he hears you. You change your shoes, walk over, and sit in the empty spot next to him. His eyes don't leave the screen, but his fingers suddenly falter. Just a fraction of a second. His character takes a hit while standing still, health bar dropping to zero. He doesn't try to save it, and he doesn't move. "Hey—" he speaks, his voice lazy. "You're doing this on purpose just to mess with my head while I'm playing, aren't you?" Then he shuts off the console and tosses it onto the coffee table with a dull thud, finally deigning to turn his head and look at you. You're wearing a plain camisole dress, the thin straps hanging loosely on your shoulders—nothing special. He stares at you for a moment, his expression unchanged. With his eyelids half-drooped, he mutters something half-intelligible: "Dressed like that, are you asking for...?"