The air around campus had shifted. The weather was warmer, students were livelier, and Jenny—surprisingly—was starting to feel like she belonged.

  She still moved quietly, her steps soft and her voice softer. But something had changed over the past few weeks.

  She’d made friends. Two, to be exact.

  Tina and Yu Mei were both in her department. Tina was outspoken and full of energy, the kind of girl who pulled you into group chats and study sessions whether you wanted to or not. Yu Mei was more chill, often seen sketching anatomy diagrams better than the textbook. They’d met during a b exercise and clicked over a shared struggle to memorize medical terms.

  "Come on, Jenny, cafeteria’s got the good dumplings today," Tina would say.

  “If I eat those again, I’ll explode,” Jenny joked one day, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.

  “Then we’ll explode together,” Yu Mei deadpanned, earning a ugh.

  Jenny didn’t always join them—her part-time job kept her busy—but when she could, she did. And those small moments, sitting under fluorescent lights sharing milk tea and css compints, started to become her new kind of comfort.

  One Friday afternoon, Tina bounced into the study hall where Jenny was reviewing notes.

  “Big game tonight! Inter-department basketball match!” she announced. “You’re coming with us.”

  Yu Mei nodded, already closing her ptop. “Yeah, we’ve earned a break.”

  Jenny hesitated. “I have work tonight…”

  Tina pouted. “Just come for a bit! First half! You can leave before the second. Promise.”

  Jenny smiled faintly. “Fine, but I really can’t stay long.”

  The gym was packed with students.

  Cheers bounced off the walls, and the sound of sneakers squeaking on the hardwood echoed beneath the scoreboard’s blinking timer.

  Jenny had never been to a live basketball game. Her world had always been quiet—shooting ranges, steady breaths, and perfect aim. But this? This was chaos—and it was thrilling.

  The moment the pyers ran onto the court, Jenny’s eyes widened. There he was.

  Li Wei.

  In his navy varsity jersey, sweat on his brow, focused and sharp. His movements were fast, fluid—like he wasn’t even trying, yet he dominated the court.

  “Wow…” Jenny whispered without realizing.

  He dribbled, weaved through defenders, and passed like clockwork. The crowd erupted when he nded a clean three-point shot. His teammates high-fived him mid-stride, and he gave a short nod, calm as always.

  “You okay?” Tina nudged her.

  “Y-yeah,” Jenny said quickly, eyes still fixed on the court. “I just… didn’t know he pyed like that.”

  Yu Mei smirked. “You’ve never watched him py? He’s the team captain.”

  “I’ve never watched basketball… period,” Jenny admitted.

  Tina gasped dramatically. “Girl, where have you been?”

  Jenny chuckled, then gnced at her watch. “I gotta go. Work.”

  “You’ll miss the second half,” Yu Mei said.

  “I’ll catch the score ter,” Jenny replied, standing. “Enjoy the game!”

  As she slipped out of the gym, the buzz of the crowd dimming behind her, Jenny found herself grinning.

  She kept repying Li Wei’s st shot in her head—how focused he looked, how in control.

  “No. Nope. Not him,” she muttered under her breath, still smiling. “You’re just impressed, Jenny. That’s it.”

  But her heart did a strange little skip.

  Her shift at the convenience store passed in a blur. The usual customers, the usual quiet. But she found herself distracted. Every time she blinked, she could see that sharp turn Li Wei made near the free-throw line, the way he flicked the ball effortlessly.

  He looked different tonight, she thought. Not like the guy next door.

  It was nearly midnight when she trudged up the apartment stairs, shoes loose and legs sore. The hallway light on the second floor flickered slightly. As she reached her unit, she paused.

  Voices.

  The door across from hers—Li Wei’s—was half-open, a soft golden light spilling into the corridor. Laughter drifted out. Not loud, but enough to register. A girl’s voice. A guy’s deeper response. Then silence. Then ughter again.

  Jenny didn’t peek.

  She didn’t want to know.

  Instead, she unlocked her own door, stepped inside, and let the familiar scent of instant noodles and vender detergent welcome her.

  She dropped her bag, kicked off her shoes, and colpsed onto her bed.

  She was out within minutes.

  Not even the low hum of voices from across the hall could touch her dreams.