Liam Bennett didn’t believe it, only thinking that Ethan Carter was just clueless.

　　“Borrowing notes is the most common way to strike up a conversation!”

　　Ethan Carter lowered his head to write, his handwriting elegant and clear. Without even looking up at Liam Bennett’s teasing, he replied, “Then how many times have you tried to strike up a conversation with me?”

　　“I’m different, I’m a straight guy.” Liam Bennett pouted, deliberately emphasizing the word “straight.”

　　Because of the pun in his name and his rather youthful, baby-faced looks, Liam Bennett was often misunderstood about his orientation. A few times when he tried to date, girls just saw him as a girlfriend, which left quite a shadow on him, so he cared a lot about this and always made a point of stressing it.

　　Ethan Carter couldn’t help but laugh, ignored him, and kept writing.

　　He had just finished writing down the exam scope when there was a bit of commotion at the back door of the classroom. Ethan Carter glanced back casually, meeting a face full of delight.

　　“Senior! Senior Lin!”

　　It was a girl whose face was somewhat unfamiliar, waving at him excitedly. Even though she tried to keep her voice down, she couldn’t hide her happiness.

　　Ethan Carter was a bit surprised, but still got up and walked to the back door. When he returned, he was holding a carefully wrapped umbrella and a Starbucks paper bag that smelled of coffee.

　　Second Brother asked offhandedly, “Who was that?”

　　Ethan Carter put the paper bag on the table. “A junior, returning my umbrella.”

　　To show her thanks, she also brought a cup of coffee.

　　Liam Bennett rested his chin in his hand, giving him a meaningful “oh”: “Almost forgot, borrowing an umbrella seems to be a good way to strike up a conversation too.”

　　“No, she’s just a junior I met in the library.” Ethan Carter explained helplessly, “Last time it rained when the library was closing, and she happened to come to Xilai to find me with an umbrella, so I lent her my spare.”

　　Liam Bennett grinned, “Got it, just being helpful.”

　　“But actually, striking up a conversation doesn’t really work,” he put on a solemn, devout expression, “Our Hehe’s true love is studying.”

　　Second Brother nodded along, “Hehe just isn’t interested in romance, only wants to study. Last time our senior sister held her wedding in the school auditorium, and Hehe caught the bouquet. Didn’t everyone say then that this bouquet wouldn’t be passed on anytime soon? Hehe’s busy with studies, no way he’s getting married early.”

　　It was just banter at first, but when he heard the word “marriage,” Ethan Carter suddenly stiffened, and the smile on his face faded.

　　Just then, the last member of the dorm, Henry Sullivan, came back. He glanced at the paper bag on the table and asked, puzzled, “Didn’t you three say you weren’t going out after class? Who bought Starbucks?”

　　Ethan Carter said, “It was from the junior who borrowed my umbrella at the library last time.”

　　Liam Bennett and Second Brother weren’t coffee drinkers, so Ethan Carter pushed the paper bag toward Henry Sullivan and asked, “Want it?”

　　“Sure, thanks.”

　　Henry Sullivan knew he didn’t like anything bitter, so he took it without hesitation.

　　The bell rang, break was over, the professor resumed the lecture, and the classroom quieted down again.

　　Ethan Carter was taking notes when someone gently poked his shoulder.

　　He turned to look at Henry Sullivan beside him, and saw a freshly unfolded pink note lying in his large palm.

　　On the note, in bold writing, was a single sentence—

　　I like you.

　　Liam Bennett and Second Brother also noticed the commotion between the two, and when they saw what was written on the note, they both stared at Henry Sullivan in shock.

　　Even though he was a famously rich and handsome guy, they hadn’t expected him to play it this… daring.

　　Liam Bennett couldn’t help but give a “bro, awesome” gesture.

　　Henry Sullivan was speechless at their wild imaginations. He smoothed out the creased note, revealing the words at the beginning: Senior Lin.

　　The full sentence was: Senior Lin, I like you.

　　Henry Sullivan pointed at the coffee and mouthed: It fell out of the cup holder.

　　Obviously, this was the handiwork of that junior girl just now.

　　It wasn’t the “my roommate fell for my roommate” drama that Liam Bennett and the others had imagined.

　　Henry Sullivan placed the note on the table, pressing it forward with his long fingers and giving Ethan Carter a slight nod.

　　Ethan Carter just frowned slightly and shook his head.

　　He didn’t take it.

　　Henry Sullivan thought Ethan Carter was annoyed. He’d seen this kind of thing too many times and was used to it, so he didn’t try to give the note to him again, just put it back in the coffee bag.

　　By the time class was over, it was already evening. Henry Sullivan stretched his arms after sitting for so long and asked, “Let’s go eat. Going to the library tonight?”

　　With midterms approaching, they were used to spending time in the library, but today Ethan Carter uncharacteristically declined.

　　“No, I have relatives coming over, I need to go out for dinner with them.”

　　After parting with his roommates, Ethan Carter went back to the dorm to change his coat and headed out. He wore a long woolen overcoat, wrapped up in a windproof scarf and mask, looking very warm.

　　But it was only how he looked.