Love Me, Please Look - Chapter 4
Chapter 4: First Dances and Farewells
The university’s welcome party was held, as usual, in the grand auditorium.
It followed the familiar structure: opening remarks from school officials, a formal speech from the student council president, and finally the highlight—a social dance.
Zhang Shixu stood confidently on stage, delivering his closing line. “On behalf of the entire student body, I warmly welcome our new classmates.”
With that, he stepped back and gave a graceful bow. The auditorium erupted in cheers.
Down in the crowd, Chen Nan jabbed their Beta roommate Jin Heng in the ribs, beaming with pride. “Look at him—our Zhang Shixu’s a legend.”
Jin Heng smacked his elbow away. “You’re just riding his coattails.”
Chen Nan ignored the jab, grinning. He was used to Jin Heng’s deadpan sarcasm and had long learned to tune it out. His eyes stayed fixed on Zhang Shixu as he walked offstage.
The school leaders rarely stayed past the president’s speech. They’d already gathered at the doors, waiting to depart. Zhang Shixu slipped away to see them off.
“Good evening, teachers. Principals.”
Dressed in a custom-fitted suit provided by the university, Zhang Shixu looked every bit the model student—refined, sharp, and full of promise.
The secretary clapped him on the back. “Excellent work, Zhang. You did great tonight. Everyone’s impressed—keep it up.”
The other faculty nodded in agreement, clearly pleased. Zhang Shixu, always composed, replied with a calm smile, “Thank you, teachers. I’ll do my best.”
Once the leaders had left, Zhang Shixu returned to the hall. The formalities were over, and the social part of the evening was underway.
Students were mingling, chatting in groups, or pairing up to dance in the center of the room. Chen Nan and Jin Heng were already sipping drinks, watching from a distance.
Before Zhang Shixu could reach them, he found himself surrounded.
A group of Omega students awkwardly nudged each other forward. Clearly nervous, they hesitated to speak.
Zhang Shixu offered a gentle smile and asked kindly, “Is there something I can help you with?”
Faces turned pink instantly. His kindness only flustered them more.
Finally, one brave Omega was nudged to the front. Head lowered, he mumbled, “H-Hi, senior… could we… get your contact info?”
Zhang Shixu tilted his head slightly, smiling kindly. “No need to be so shy. If you want something, speak up. Confidence is important.”
He reached out to straighten the Omega’s wrinkled collar gently. “But I’m sorry, I can’t share my contact information. If you ever need help, your counselor or the campus forum is a great place to start.”
With a polite nod, he excused himself. “I still have something to take care of. Enjoy the party.”
The group stood frozen as he walked away—clearly rejected, but somehow still enchanted.
“He’s so good-looking, I can’t even be sad!”
“Ugh, I wish I’d spoken up first…”
“Bravery wins again, huh?”
Chen Nan, leaning on a table in a fitted dark blue suit with a couple of undone buttons (looking effortlessly bold), teased him the moment he arrived.
“Yo, giving out WeChats again?”
He wore his usual “flirt” energy like a badge of honor—though if it weren’t for his great looks, his fashion sense would definitely count as public disturbance.
Originally, Zhang Shixu was supposed to hand over the student union role this year. But he’d stayed on to help with the welcome event.
Before he could respond, a familiar voice called from behind.
“Shixu.”
He turned. Zhou Ying was approaching—hand-in-hand with a new Omega.
Zhang Shixu plastered on a tight-lipped smile, silently cursing his luck. Barely a week or two since their breakup, and Zhou Ying already had someone new?
Chen Nan instantly stepped forward, protective like a guard dog. “What do you want?”
The Omega beside Zhou Ying flinched at Chen Nan’s tone, hiding behind Zhou Ying.
But Zhou Ying only smiled calmly and looked past him to Zhang Shixu. “Relax. I just came to introduce my boyfriend.”
He gently squeezed the Omega’s hand, as if to offer reassurance.
Jin Heng, watching Chen Nan’s dramatic shielding, couldn’t help but chuckle. He stepped up too—tall and steady like a second barrier.
Zhang Shixu sighed, resting a hand on his forehead. This was becoming a scene.
He gently pushed his two human walls aside and stepped forward to greet Zhou Ying’s new partner with grace. “Hello, I’m Zhang Shixu.”
Zhou Ying seemed relieved at his composure. “This is Tian Tian—he’s a freshman Omega.”
Tian Tian blushed hard but extended his hand. “Senior Zhang… I know who you are. You’re amazing.”
Behind him, Chen Nan muttered under his breath, “Well, I’m sweet and also hot.”
Jin Heng tugged discreetly at Chen Nan’s sleeve to shut him up.
Watching Zhou Ying act so smug made Chen Nan’s bl00d boil. With nowhere to direct his frustration, he stomped on Jin Heng’s foot out of spite. Jin Heng winced in pain but said nothing.
With steam practically coming out of his ears, Chen Nan stormed off to the corner with a drink in hand, fuming alone.
Jin Heng leaned in and whispered something to Zhang Shixu, clearly suggesting he go talk to Chen Nan.
Zhang Shixu smiled politely to Zhou Ying and Tian Tian. “Well, I’ll let you two chat. I’m heading off.”
He left the couple behind and didn’t look back.
Tian Tian turned to Zhou Ying nervously. “Do they not like me?”
Zhou Ying gave him a reassuring pat. “Of course not.”
Tian Tian ducked away. “Don’t mess up my hair!”
Zhou Ying laughed and took his hand again. “Come on, let’s go explore a bit.”
Meanwhile, Zhang Shixu wandered aimlessly. He had no interest in rejoining his friends just yet.
His chest felt tight, like something was pressing down on him. He couldn’t breathe.
He ended up outside the auditorium, sitting quietly in the corridor. It was empty, peaceful—just what he needed.
Hunched over with his head resting on his knees, he clenched and unclenched his hands, trying to ground himself.
He didn’t know how long he sat there before someone gently tapped his shoulder.
He looked up, eyes still damp, only to find a perfectly styled Qi Junhe standing in front of him in an elegant white suit.
The contrast was striking—Zhang Shixu, tear-streaked and slumped over, and Qi Junhe, looking like he’d walked out of a fashion magazine.
It was almost comical, like Qi Junhe had bullied him.
What’s wrong? Qi Junhe’s brows were furrowed in concern.
Zhang Shixu wiped his eyes quickly. “It’s nothing. Why are you here?”
Qi Junhe glanced at the space beside him, hesitated, then sat down without hesitation.
He gently pulled Zhang Shixu into a hug—like how Xu Xinyi used to soothe him as a child—and began patting his back softly.
Zhang Shixu didn’t even process what was happening before tears started flowing again.
Qi Junhe held him gently, as if he were holding something fragile and precious.
Ten minutes later, his suit was soaked on one side from Zhang Shixu’s crying.
Finally, Zhang Shixu sniffled and pulled away, flustered. “I think I soaked your suit…”
Qi Junhe pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped his nose.
Zhang Shixu glanced at the high-quality fabric. “That looks expensive. Are you sure?”
Qi Junhe smiled and pressed the handkerchief into his hands without a word.
Turning away in embarrassment, Zhang Shixu wiped his nose, then turned back and muttered, “Thanks.”
Qi Junhe simply smiled again, reached out, and wiped a leftover tear from his chin. It’s nothing.
Zhang Shixu’s cheeks burned. He fanned his face, trying to calm down. “So, did you come out here for something?”
I wanted to ask if you’d dance with me, Qi Junhe signed and said gently, offering his hand like a true gentleman.
Zhang Shixu didn’t hesitate. He placed his hand in Qi Junhe’s.
The moment their hands touched, Qi Junhe gripped it firmly—as if this wasn’t the first time they’d held hands, and as if they were never meant to let go.