The past two days passed with an almost suspicious level of peace.
Xu Jin went to work on time—miraculously.
Chen went to the university, taught his classes, returned home, cooked dinner, and watched Yun Hu patrol the apartment like a strict inspector.
At night, the three of them shared the same quiet space—one human cooking, one human pretending not to stare, and one demon cat judging them both.
Nothing dramatic happened.
Chen arrived at the university as usual.
The classroom buzzed with the low hum of students settling in. Chen placed his materials on the desk, adjusted his sleeves, and lifted his gaze.
his eyes swept over the room—and paused.
One unfamiliar face.
The boy sat nervously, He looked attentive, calm, and unmistakably new.
Chen offered a small, polite smile.
"You might be the new student?"
The boy stood immediately, startled but well-mannered.
"Yes. I'm Juri Smith. Nice to meet you, Professor."
His pronunciation was clear, his tone respectful. After a brief nod from Chen, he sat back down.
The lecture continued smoothly, Chen's voice steady and gentle as always.
Juri's seatmate leaned over slightly, lowering his voice.
"So… you're a foreigner?"
Juri smiled, shaking his head.
"No. I'm half American."
"Oh," Zhou Kai replied casually, then leaned back, interest already drifting elsewhere. Obviously to the chen.
For him lecture was too short. Chen was about to exit their class. Zhou kai raised his hand. Chen noticed and ask what's wrong.
Zhou kai shamelessly spoke " professor might you be repeat the lesson i couldn't understand". Chen glared at him " do you I was asking about problems 15 minutes before where were you". Kai spotted " I was busy watching you". Whole class laughed and chen was " huh".
Zhou kai flustered and hurriedly said " I mean I was analysing how much I understood". Sweat dropped.
Chen said " in free time come to my office and if anyone have other problems come with zhou kai".
Class was like " professor why are you so otherworldy innocent if we came with this devil he eat us raw".
Lunch break arrived with the soft ringing of the campus bell.
Chen had just stepped out of the building when someone "accidentally" collided with him—lightly, precisely, almost calculated.
"Oh—Professor Chen," Professor Xiao said, steadying him far too quickly to be truly accidental. "What a coincidence."
Chen blinked once, then smiled politely. "Senior Xiao."
Xiao's lips curved, clearly pleased. "Going to eat? Perfect timing. Let's go together."
Before Chen could politely refuse, he was already being guided—no, gently escorted—toward the cafeteria.
They took seats near the window, sunlight spilling across the table. Xiao chatted easily, asking about classes, students, trivial things. Chen responded calmly, posture relaxed, hands folded neatly as he ate.
After a brief pause, Chen spoke, voice thoughtful.
"Senior… could you help me with something?"
Xiao's eyes lit up instantly, like someone had just handed him a gift. "Of course. Anything."
But before Chen could continue—
"Professor!"
A loud, familiar voice cut through the cafeteria.
Xiao looked up—and his expression shifted.
Zhou Kai was charging toward them, slightly out of breath, hair a mess, eyes sharp with urgency. One of his hands was firmly gripping the wrist of an unfamiliar boy.
The boy—clearly the new student—looked startled, almost dragged along by sheer momentum.
"Ah—!" Juri barely had time to react.
Zhou Kai stopped at their table, chest rising and falling as he huffed.
"Professor, sorry for interrupting."
Chen looked surprised. "Zhou Kai? What's going on?"
Zhou Kai tightened his grip unconsciously and pulled Juri forward.
"You said anyone with problems should come to your office, right?" he said quickly. "He needs lessons. To make up."
Juri froze. "I—?"
Zhou Kai continued without pausing, words spilling out,
"So I thought, why not bring him straight to you? Saves time."
Chen glanced at Juri, then gently said, "You didn't have to run and I think I told you to come in free time that doesn't mean to come in break time."
Zhou kai smiled sheepishly and glanced at juri who was breathing fast .
Only then did Zhou Kai realize how tightly he was holding the boy and loosened his grip. Juri straightened his uniform, clearly relieved.
"I'm sorry," Juri said softly, bowing a little. "I didn't know we were coming here."
Xiao watched the scene quietly, eyes narrowing just a fraction.
Zhou Kai finally noticed Xiao sitting beside Chen.
His gaze flicked between them—too close, too casual.
His jaw tightened.
Especially when he remembered why he ran here in the first place.
A post.
On the forum.
A photo of Chen and Xiao walking together earlier.
That was enough.
Zhou Kai pulled out a chair and dropped into it uninvited, positioning himself squarely between the table's edge and Chen's attention.
"I saw you here," he said, tone too casual. "Thought I'd join."
Chen hesitated, then nodded. "Sit properly."
Zhou Kai immediately straightened.
Juri hovered awkwardly until Chen gestured. "You can sit too."
Juri obeyed, sitting quietly, shoulders relaxed, eyes lowered—gentle, harmless, completely unaware of the tension thickening the air.
Xiao leaned back slightly, smile unreadable.