Childhood Friend, Step Aside

[Super sweet one-on-one romance + secret crush + college campus + face-slapping] Gentle, easygoing art major bottom VS seemingly cool but actually clingy roommate and fellow major top The summer after their freshman year, Xu Ning confessed to his childhood friend. His friend smiled and said, “All right. Give me a few days to think about it.” Then he disappeared for the summer, never replying to messages or answering calls. Just before school started, a message finally came: [Sorry, my phone was broken this whole time. I’m back at school now. Can you help me unpack my suitcase? Thanks.] - Xu Ning thought his childhood friend had forgotten that he was supposed to decide whether to accept his confession. He didn’t expect to get a call from him at one in the morning, drunk: “Ningning, can you come pick me up at Sol Bar? I miss you.” Xu Ning’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly got dressed and prepared to leave the dorm, only to hear his new roommate, Zhao Tingwan, ask out of nowhere, “Do you like him that much?” “Huh?” “He calls you, and you go?” “...Of course.” Over the next few days, his new roommate seemed unusually cold toward him. “Want to go to class together?” “No.” “Want me to bring you food?” “I’m not eating.” “Want me to help you move your equipment?” “No need.” Xu Ning couldn’t figure out what he’d done to upset him. Zhao Tingwan: If you comfort me, it means you feel guilty. If you don’t, it means you don’t care about me at all!