*Whispers of attraction*
The afternoon sun filtered through the tall windows of Florist Shanghai High’s library, casting golden patterns across the polished wooden tables. The final class of the day had ended, and most students had dispersed toward extracurricular activities or the school gates. Eric, however, lingered in the quiet sanctuary of the library, ostensibly reviewing notes for an upcoming economics examination. In truth, his attention repeatedly drifted to the figure seated two tables away: Gao Liam Shen.
Liam sat alone, his slender fingers turning the pages of a literature textbook with deliberate care. His expression remained serene yet guarded, as though he were shielding himself from the world behind the barrier of his book. Occasionally, he paused to jot notes in a small, leather-bound diary he kept tucked beside him—a private ritual that Eric had noticed during morning classes.
Eric observed the subtle details that had already begun to etch themselves into his mind: the way Liam’s long lashes cast faint shadows on his cheeks when he read intently, the soft curve of his lower lip caught gently between his teeth in moments of concentration, and the delicate flush that rose on his pale skin whenever someone passed too closely.
Rising from his seat with silent decision, Eric gathered his materials and approached Liam’s table. He moved with the natural authority that characterized him, yet tempered it with an unusual gentleness reserved for this particular moment.
“Mind if I join you?” Eric asked, his deep voice low enough not to disturb the library’s tranquility.
Liam startled slightly, his wide eyes lifting to meet Eric’s. A deeper blush spread across his face as he nodded quickly. “O-of course not. Please.”
Eric pulled out the chair opposite Liam and sat, placing his notebook between them. Up close, Liam’s beauty was even more striking—almost fragile, like porcelain that might crack under too firm a touch. Eric found the thought oddly compelling; it awakened a protective instinct he rarely felt.
“You’re adjusting well?” Eric inquired, leaning forward slightly. His tone was warm, inviting confidence.
Liam offered a small, hesitant smile. “It’s… different from my old school. Everyone here seems so accomplished. It’s a little overwhelming.”
Eric’s lips curved in a reassuring half-smile. “You’ll find your place. And you’re already sitting next to the best guide the school has to offer.” His words carried a playful confidence, yet his gaze held genuine sincerity.
Liam’s heart stuttered at the directness. He lowered his eyes to his book, fingers tightening around his pen. “Thank you, Eric. You’ve been kind.”
A comfortable silence settled between them for a moment, broken only by the distant rustle of pages. Eric studied Liam openly now, noting the faint tension in his shoulders. “If anyone gives you trouble,” he said quietly, “tell me. This school can be intense, but no one will bother you once they know you’re under my watch.”
Liam’s breath caught. The possessive undertone in Eric’s voice sent an unexpected thrill through him. He dared to meet Eric’s eyes again, finding an intensity there that made his pulse race. “I… I appreciate that.”
Before Eric could respond, Gu Muyu’s voice echoed softly from the library entrance. “Eric! Basketball practice starts in ten. Coach will have our heads if we’re late.”
Eric exhaled a mild sigh but rose gracefully. “Duty calls.” He gathered his belongings, pausing to rest a brief, reassuring hand on Liam’s shoulder—a touch light yet deliberate. The contact lingered just long enough to send warmth spreading through Liam’s body. “See you tomorrow, Liam.”
As Eric strode away with Muyu, Liam remained frozen for several seconds, his skin tingling where Eric’s fingers had rested. Only when the library emptied further did he open his diary with trembling hands.
In careful, looping script, he wrote:
Today, Eric spoke to me alone. His voice is deeper than I imagined, and his eyes… they look at me as if they truly see me. When he touched my shoulder, I thought my heart would stop. I want to be closer to him. I want to know what his embrace feels like. I want—
He paused, cheeks burning, then closed the diary swiftly, pressing it to his chest.
Outside, as Eric jogged toward the gymnasium with Muyu, his thoughts circled relentlessly around the shy transfer student. A quiet smile touched his lips. Gao Liam Shen had ignited something within him—a desire not merely to possess, but to cherish and protect.
And Eric Lam, accustomed to obtaining whatever he set his sights upon, had already decided: Liam would be his.
* To be continue...
