The university forum updated faster than the weather.
A new post appeared quietly at first—no dramatic title, no excessive punctuation—just a single image attached with one line of text.
"Professor Chen is with Zhou Kai. Where are they going?"
The photo wasn't particularly clear.
It was taken from behind a row of gingko trees near the humanities building. The angle was slightly tilted, as if the photographer hadn't expected to capture anything at all. But the figures were unmistakable.
Liang Chen—tall, neat, carrying his book bag over one shoulder, glasses catching the afternoon light.
Beside him, Zhou Kai—hands stuffed into his pockets, posture lazy but steps oddly synchronized with the professor's.
They weren't touching.
They weren't speaking in the photo.
But they were walking together.
And that was enough.
Within minutes, replies multiplied.
— Isn't that the troublemaker from Class C?
— Why is Professor Chen walking with a student?
— Didn't he already have rumors with Professor Xiao?
— Wow, Zhou Kai's guts are insane.
Speculation bloomed like mold.
Fifteen minutes later
Xiao stood in the faculty lounge, phone in hand.
He had just finished a meeting and was halfway through a cup of coffee when the notification buzzed. At first, he ignored it—then another followed. And another.
Annoyed, he unlocked his phone.
The image loaded.
His fingers froze.
The coffee cooled.
Fifteen minutes.
That was how long Liang Chen had been gone.
Xiao stared at the screen longer than necessary, jaw tightening just slightly. He didn't comment. Didn't like or reply. He simply locked his phone again and placed it face-down on the table.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
Meanwhile — On the path outside campus
Liang Chen had no idea he was already the center of a digital storm.
He walked at an easy pace, matching Zhou Kai without effort. The afternoon sun filtered through tree branches, casting shifting patterns across the stone path. Students passed by occasionally, some greeting Chen politely, others sneaking curious glances at the pair.
Zhou Kai noticed every single one.
His shoulders were tense, though he tried to look relaxed.
"So," Kai said, clearing his throat, "there's a café near the university."
Chen hummed in acknowledgment. "Mm?"
"It's quiet," Kai continued. "Not too crowded on weekdays. Good for… teaching. Silent. Aesthetic environment."
Chen turned his head slightly, amused.
"Oh?" he said lightly. "Are you coaching me now? Trying to take me somewhere, hm?"
Zhou Kai stopped walking.
Just for a fraction of a second.
His brain short-circuited.
He froze mid-step, then forced out a laugh that sounded a little too loud.
"Professor, you jest," Kai said quickly. "I wouldn't dare."
Chen smiled.
A real one.
"Relax," Chen said. "I'm only teasing."
Zhou Kai nodded, but his heart was already sprinting laps.
They resumed walking, side by side.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Chen broke the silence.
"You've changed," he said.
Kai's steps faltered slightly.
"Changed?" he echoed.
Chen nodded thoughtfully. "At first, you were bratty. Hard to listen to. Always challenging authority."
Zhou Kai winced internally.
Accurate.
"But now," Chen continued calmly, "look at you. Attending lectures. Asking questions. Being… a good boy."
Zhou Kai's ears burned instantly.
Red crept up his neck like a betrayal.
If anyone overheard this, they would absolutely misunderstand.
He lowered his head, muttering internally:
If someone listened to this without context, they'd think Professor Chen was blind.
He forced a grin.
"Guess detention worked," Kai said lightly.
Chen chuckled. "Perhaps."
They reached the corner of the street where the campus noise softened into something gentler. A small café stood there, half-hidden by climbing ivy and wooden beams.
Zhou Kai stopped.
"Professor," he said, pointing. "This is the one."
Chen looked up.
The café's sign was carved wood, the lettering elegant and understated.
Moonleaf Café
Chen's gaze lingered.
"It really is good," he said softly. "And the name is beautiful too."
Zhou Kai watched him.
For a moment, the world narrowed to the way the professor's eyes reflected the sign, the way his voice softened unconsciously.
Zhou Kai thought:
Love really is cruel.
Majestic.
And utterly hopeless.
Somewhere else — the forum explodes again
A new comment appeared under the original post.
They're at Moonleaf Café.
Another photo followed.
This time, from the front.
The name of the café clearly visible.
The replies went feral.
— MOONLEAF?? That's basically a date café.
— I go there with my girlfriend…
— Is Professor Chen even aware of this???
— Where's Professor Xiao now lol
The rumor had officially grown legs.
And it was walking fast.