A social phobic can also fall in love.

Chapter 4

Yan Tingmo didn’t quite understand the subtext of He Shiyang’s words. He obediently lowered his head and stared blankly at the marble tabletop.

“Alright, lift your head.” He Shiyang placed a slice of fatty beef in his bowl. “Eat quickly, or there’ll be none left.”

“Thank you,” Yan Tingmo murmured as he picked up his chopsticks.

Not being much of a talker by nature, he often minimized his presence when hanging out with his group of four. He’d either quietly listen to his roommates’ conversations or let his mind wander to random, unrelated thoughts.

“Momo, do you want milk or cola?” Zhou Wen asked as she got up to grab drinks from the fridge.

Yan Tingmo, who hated troubling others, quickly shook his head. “I don’t need anything, thanks.”

“Oh, okay,” Zhou Wen replied nonchalantly, deciding on her own. “Milk it is, good for growth.”

Yan Tingmo opened his mouth but decided against arguing. At 175 cm, he did seem petite and delicate compared to his three roommates.

After Zhou Wen left, Zhang Miao teased with a laugh, “I think Momo’s height is just perfect—paired with that cute little face, it’s one in a million, don’t you think, Shiyang?”

He Shiyang glanced up lazily. “Yeah.”

Zhang Miao slapped his shoulder. “Don’t play it so cool—be normal for once.”

Clearing his throat, He Shiyang turned to Yan Tingmo. “Momo, is the soup base too spicy for you?”

“It’s fine.” Yan Tingmo blinked, a tear sliding down his cheek from the heat. He casually wiped it away with his hand.

He Shiyang was momentarily stunned. With actions as unconsciously alluring as that, who wouldn’t like him? Well, except for those idiots who badmouthed him.

Noticing Yan Tingmo’s discomfort, the others began to serve him cooled-off portions of food.

“You don’t have to do this,” Yan Tingmo said guiltily, worrying he was disrupting their meal. “I can grab it myself.”

Zhou Wen laughed heartily. “No worries—it’s no trouble.”

They were used to looking after him as if he were born to be pampered. But then Zhou Wen thought of something: Could his ex-boyfriend have broken up with him because he found him too fragile and tiresome?

As soon as Zhou Wen blurted this out, both He Shiyang and Zhang Miao shot him incredulous looks. Yan Tingmo lowered his head in embarrassment, softly saying, “That’s not it.”

“Huh?” Zhou Wen panicked. “No, I didn’t mean it like that, Momo. Don’t overthink it.”

Yan Tingmo softly repeated, “That’s not it. Qi Xing didn’t find me too delicate, nor was he impatient with me.”

Seeing that he wasn’t upset, Zhou Wen tentatively asked, “So… did you really break up?”

Yan Tingmo gently set his chopsticks down and murmured, “Yes.”

He Shiyang and Zhang Miao exchanged curious yet concerned glances as Zhou Wen swallowed nervously. “Do you want to talk about it? It’s fine if you don’t.”

Lowering his gaze, Yan Tingmo fidgeted with his fingers and quietly said, “I was the one who wanted the breakup.”

“Huh?” Zhang Miao blurted out, unable to hold back his curiosity. “Why?”

Growing increasingly flustered, Yan Tingmo’s head was almost buried in his chest. “Because… because he only wanted to sleep with me. He didn’t truly love me!”

His words rendered the room silent.

Dating, but not sleeping together? What kind of relationship is that? Was he looking for a partner or a saint?

The three roommates turned to look at him in unison. Perplexed, he instinctively scooted his chair backward.

“He didn’t get mad?”

“He didn’t yell at you, right?”

“And he just agreed like that?”

They bombarded him with questions, leaving Yan Tingmo at a loss for words.

“Enough,” He Shiyang finally said with a sigh. “They’ve broken up already—what’s the point of asking so much?”

Relieved, Yan Tingmo relaxed slightly, only to hear He Shiyang ask, “So when you cried on the phone, was it because he hit you?”

“No, no, no!” Yan Tingmo quickly denied, flustered. “He didn’t hit me or yell at me, I swear!”

“Alright,” He Shiyang said. “As long as that’s not the case.”

Zhou Wen and Zhang Miao exchanged a glance, silently pulling out their phones to log onto a forum for their next wave of online battles.

At 8:30, the four finished their meal and left the hotpot restaurant together. Zhou Wen, feeling adventurous, suggested, “How about checking out that new bar for a drink?”

He Shiyang and Zhang Miao were indifferent and left the decision to Yan Tingmo, who hesitated. He just wanted to return to the dorm, take a relaxing shower, and catch up on his work.

“Oh, come on,” Zhou Wen said, slinging an arm around Yan Tingmo’s shoulders. “Momo has to come! Staying alone in the dorm is no fun—let’s go.”

“But… but…” Yan Tingmo stammered, anxious. “I don’t know how to drink!”

“Then learn,” Zhou Wen quipped with a smirk.

He Shiyang shook his head in resignation. “Don’t corrupt him.”

Looking utterly defeated, Yan Tingmo allowed Zhou Wen to drag him along. But once they arrived, the worst surprise awaited him.

The bar was one he had visited with Qi Xing before. It was still early, so the dance floor was nearly empty, with only a few patrons chatting at the bar.

It was Zhou Wen and Zhang Miao’s first time here, so they felt a bit out of place. After some deliberation, they ordered three bottles of beer.

Meanwhile, Yan Tingmo sat quietly in the corner, listening to the singer on stage. The melancholic song carried a tinge of regret, and the melody felt strangely familiar.

Oh, right. It was a song Qi Xing used to sing—“Us.”

Just as Qi Xing stepped through the door, he considered turning right back around. What kind of awful timing was this, playing that particular song now?

Was this some twisted way to celebrate his breakup?

Following behind, Lu Ze didn’t expect him to stop abruptly and bumped into him.

“Damn, Qi Xing, what’s wrong with you?” he grumbled, shoving him off.

Qi Xing frowned. “Why are you complaining? You’re the one who insisted on coming here.”

Lu Ze pointed an accusing finger. “I’m doing this for you!”

“For me?” Qi Xing scoffed. “Who’d believe that?”

Lu Ze, exasperated, grabbed Qi Xing’s arm. “Forget it! Let’s just leave if you’re going to be like this.”

Qi Xing smirked bitterly. “Lu Ze, you’re unbelievable.”

But as he glanced inside, his gaze froze. Sitting near the bar, staring straight at him, was someone who looked strikingly similar to his “ex-boyfriend.”