Friday arrived like a threat with good lighting.
Yunbei No. 1 Senior High pretended to be a temple of discipline, but Friday nights belonged to its hidden second religion: release. The kind of release nobody talked about in class group chats, but everybody somehow found their way to.
For Jiang Yue, Friday meant one thing: air.
A chance to get out of the apartment, out of the performance, out of the slow suffocation of schedules and shared spaces and Wei Nianzhan's calm eyes that made him feel like his thoughts were transparent.
He didn't even care where he went, as long as it wasn't home.
Unfortunately, the universe had heard that and decided to be funny again.
At 4:50 p.m., as students packed up for the weekend, Xu Zhe leaned over Jiang Yue's desk with the grin of a man about to drag someone into disaster.
"Party," Xu Zhe said.
Jiang Yue didn't look up from his notebook. "No."
Xu Zhe blinked. "Why not."
"Because I'm studying," Jiang Yue said, as if the words didn't taste wrong in his mouth.
Xu Zhe stared at him harder. "Who are you and what did you do with Jiang Yue."
Jiang Yue sighed. "Teacher Gao did it. She cursed me."
Xu Zhe slapped the desk lightly. "Even better. You need a party to cleanse your spirit. Come on. Han Yong's friend is throwing one. Parents are out of town. Everyone's going."
Jiang Yue's jaw tightened at the name Han Yong. "Why would I go to anything connected to him."
Xu Zhe shrugged. "Because it'll annoy people. And because Tang Ruo will be there."
Jiang Yue's pen stopped.
He looked up slowly. "Why is that supposed to convince me."
Xu Zhe grinned. "Because you hate her. And because she's been sniffing around your house like it's a tourist site."
Jiang Yue's chest tightened. He didn't want to think about Tang Ruo leaning over Wei's notes, smiling like she belonged there.
He snapped his notebook shut. "Fine," he said, tone careless. "I'll go."
Xu Zhe's grin widened. "Yes. That's my boy."
Then Jiang Yue added, casual, "Wei's going too."
Xu Zhe froze. "What."
Jiang Yue shrugged. "I said it. It's true now."
Xu Zhe stared at him like he'd just committed a felony. "You cannot just summon Wei Nianzhan to a party."
Jiang Yue smiled sweetly. "Watch me."
That evening, at home, the air felt tense before anyone even spoke.
Wei Nianzhan was at the dining table, studying as usual. Jiang Yue came in louder than necessary, tossing his bag onto the sofa, making sure Wei noticed him.
Wei's eyes lifted briefly. "You're early."
Jiang Yue smirked. "You missed me."
Wei's gaze returned to his book. "No."
Jiang Yue walked to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of water, and leaned against the counter. "I'm going out tonight."
Wei didn't look up. "Tell your parents."
Jiang Yue's mouth twisted. "I am telling my parent representative right now."
Wei's pen paused for half a second. "Where."
"A party," Jiang Yue said, casual.
Wei's eyes lifted immediately. "No."
Jiang Yue blinked. "No?"
Wei's voice stayed calm, but there was something sharper under it. "Not in final year."
Jiang Yue laughed. "Who made you my father."
Wei's gaze held his for a moment. "No one."
"Then stop," Jiang Yue snapped.
Wei didn't flinch. "Your mother will worry."
Jiang Yue's jaw tightened. "Don't use her."
Wei's expression tightened slightly, like he remembered that line from before. "Fine. I'm telling you. It's stupid."
Jiang Yue's smile sharpened. "It's happening."
Wei stared at him for a long beat. Then he said, calm as a knife, "If you go, people will film it. They'll talk. It will become a problem."
Jiang Yue's chest tightened. "Everything is a problem now."
Wei's gaze didn't soften. "Then don't add more."
Jiang Yue stared at him.
His irritation flared, mixed with something else—something like being cornered.
He leaned forward slightly. "You're not actually worried about rumors," he said, voice low. "You're worried about losing control."
Wei's eyes narrowed.
Jiang Yue smiled, cruelly accurate. "Because if I go and do something stupid, it reflects on you too. Right? 'Wei Nianzhan's stepbrother.' 'Wei Nianzhan's family.'"
Wei's jaw flexed. He almost slipped—his voice sharpened for a second.
"I don't care what people say," Wei said.
Jiang Yue blinked. "Liar."
Wei's gaze held his. For a second, something real flashed there—something hot and frustrated—then it vanished behind calm again.
"I'm coming," Wei said suddenly.
Jiang Yue froze. "What."
Wei closed his book. "To the party."
Jiang Yue's heart kicked hard, shocked. He forced a laugh. "Why."
Wei's expression was flat. "To make sure you don't do anything irreversible."
Jiang Yue stared at him, then smiled slowly. "Wow. So you do care."
Wei's gaze sharpened. "Don't misunderstand."
Jiang Yue shrugged like he didn't feel dizzy from the idea. "Fine. Tell the parents."
Wei's eyes flicked toward the hallway, then away. "I'll tell my father."
Jiang Yue's stomach dropped at the thought of Wei Chengyu's reaction. "He'll say no."
Wei's voice was calm. "He won't."
And annoyingly, Wei was right. Wei Chengyu didn't say no. He said, "Be back by eleven," in the same tone he used for deadlines and expectations, and then he added, "Nianzhan, watch him."
Jiang Yue wanted to scream.
Instead, he smiled sweetly and said, "Yes, sir."
His mother looked relieved, which made Jiang Yue feel guilty, which made him angrier, which made him want to leave faster.
By 8:30 p.m., they were walking through Yunbei's cooler night air toward a residential complex where rich kids lived and parties happened behind closed doors.
Jiang Yue walked a half step ahead, hands in his pockets, pretending he wasn't aware of Wei beside him.
Wei wore a black jacket over his uniform, hair neat, expression calm. He looked like someone who had accidentally entered the wrong movie.
Jiang Yue couldn't resist. "You look like you're here to arrest people."
Wei's voice was flat. "You look like you're here to get arrested."
Jiang Yue laughed. "We're a perfect team."
Wei didn't answer.
At the apartment door, music thumped through the walls. Laughter leaked out. Someone shouted something drunken already.
Xu Zhe opened the door with a grin. "You came!"
Then his grin froze when he saw Wei.
"…You actually came," Xu Zhe whispered, reverent, like he'd summoned a god.
Wei nodded politely. "Hello."
Xu Zhe stepped aside immediately, like he was letting a VIP pass. "Welcome. Please don't judge us."
Wei walked in.
Jiang Yue followed, and the party swallowed them whole.
The living room was crowded: students in half-unbuttoned uniforms, girls with lipstick too bold for school, boys with hair styled for rebellion. Drinks lined the coffee table. The lights were dim. The air smelled like soda, alcohol, and perfume.
Jiang Yue felt his lungs expand.
Freedom.
For the first time all week, he wasn't being watched by teachers or parents.
He was being watched by peers, which was different. Less heavy. More chaotic.
Then Tang Ruo appeared, of course, like the universe had a contract with her.
She stood near the kitchen, holding a cup, laughing with friends. When she saw Jiang Yue, her eyes glittered.
When she saw Wei behind him, her smile changed.
Sharpened.
Tang Ruo walked over smoothly. "Wow," she said. "Wei Nianzhan at a party. Did the earth tilt."
Wei's expression didn't change. "Hello."
Tang Ruo smiled at him. "Hello."
Then she looked at Jiang Yue. "Did you force him."
Jiang Yue smirked. "He forced himself."
Wei's gaze flicked to Jiang Yue, warning.
Jiang Yue ignored it.
Tang Ruo leaned closer to Wei, voice bright. "Do you want a drink. It's just soda mixed with something. Very… youthful."
Wei's gaze moved to the cup in her hand. "No."
Tang Ruo pouted. "Come on. It's Friday."
Wei's voice stayed calm. "No."
Tang Ruo laughed, delighted. "You're so strict."
Jiang Yue felt irritation flare again, hot and stupid.
He grabbed a cup off the table, filled it with something that tasted like citrus and regret, and took a big sip.
It burned slightly.
Good.
Xu Zhe appeared beside him instantly. "Okay," Xu Zhe whispered, "this is amazing. Tang Ruo is targeting Wei. Shen Yichen would faint if he saw this."
Jiang Yue took another sip. "Let her."
Xu Zhe stared at him. "You're acting like you don't care."
Jiang Yue smiled, sharp. "I don't."
Xu Zhe didn't look convinced.
Music grew louder. People started playing drinking games. Someone dragged Jiang Yue into a circle.
Jiang Yue didn't resist. He drank like he had something to prove.
He told himself he was drinking because it was fun.
Not because every time he looked across the room, he saw Tang Ruo smiling too close to Wei.
Not because Wei was standing there, calm and polite, not moving away, not moving toward, like he was immune to everything.
Not because Jiang Yue hated that immunity.
Jiang Yue lost a game on purpose just to drink more.
By his third cup, his face felt warm.
By his fifth, the room felt softer around the edges.
Xu Zhe hovered near him, eyes worried now. "Slow down."
Jiang Yue laughed. "Why. Are you my nanny too."
Xu Zhe frowned. "You're drinking like you're trying to drown something."
Jiang Yue leaned closer, whispering conspiratorially. "Maybe I am."
He stumbled slightly when he stood, and Xu Zhe grabbed his arm.
Across the room, Wei's gaze snapped toward them.
Jiang Yue felt it like a hook in his ribs.
Wei walked over calmly, cutting through the crowd. "Enough," he said quietly.
Jiang Yue laughed when he saw him. "Oh. Look. The police arrived."
Wei's eyes narrowed slightly. "Give me the cup."
Jiang Yue held it away, childish. "No."
Wei's voice lowered. "Jiang Yue."
Hearing his name like that—steady, controlled—made Jiang Yue's stomach flip in a way he hated.
He leaned closer, breath hot with alcohol. "What," he whispered. "You don't like me having fun."
Wei's gaze flicked over his face, assessing. "You're drunk."
Jiang Yue laughed softly. "Good job. You can observe."
Wei's jaw flexed. He reached for Jiang Yue's wrist.
Jiang Yue jerked away and almost lost his balance.
Wei caught him instantly, hand firm on his elbow.
The touch was solid. Controlling. Not gentle.
Jiang Yue froze.
His pulse spiked.
The crowd around them kept moving, loud and careless, but Jiang Yue's world narrowed to the pressure of Wei's hand and the heat in his own face.
Wei's voice was low, clipped. "We're leaving."
Jiang Yue stared at him, lips parting. "Why. Afraid I'll embarrass you."
Wei's gaze sharpened.
For a second, he almost slipped. His voice came out too honest, too tight.
"I'm afraid you'll get hurt."
Silence hit Jiang Yue like a wave.
Wei's eyes widened slightly, like he realized what he'd admitted.
He tightened his grip, expression snapping back into control. "Come on," he said colder. "Now."
Jiang Yue's chest felt too full. Too hot.
He wanted to laugh it off. He wanted to push Wei away.
Instead, he did something worse.
He leaned in closer, eyes bright with alcohol courage. "You care," he whispered, smiling.
Wei's jaw tightened. "Stop."
Jiang Yue's smile widened. "Why. Does it scare you."
Wei didn't answer.
He simply pulled Jiang Yue through the crowd, one hand firm at his elbow, steering him like a problem he refused to let explode.
They pushed through the doorway into the hallway outside the apartment.
The music muffled instantly.
The silence was sudden, heavy.
Jiang Yue stumbled, then laughed again, breathless. "Wow. You kidnapped me."
Wei didn't let go. "Walk."
Jiang Yue leaned against the wall, head spinning. "No."
Wei's eyes narrowed. "Don't be difficult."
Jiang Yue smiled, lazy. "It's my brand."
Wei stared at him for a long beat, then exhaled through his nose like he was trying not to lose control.
He looked down the hallway, then back at Jiang Yue.
"Fine," Wei said.
Before Jiang Yue could react, Wei stepped closer and grabbed Jiang Yue's wrist, pulling him away from the wall.
Jiang Yue stumbled forward—into Wei's space.
Their bodies collided lightly, close enough that Jiang Yue could feel Wei's warmth through layers of fabric.
Jiang Yue's breath caught.
Wei's gaze dropped to Jiang Yue's mouth for half a second.
Then snapped back up, expression tightening.
Jiang Yue's heart hammered.
Alcohol made him stupid.
Alcohol made him brave.
Alcohol made him say things he shouldn't.
"You're not calm," Jiang Yue whispered, voice rough.
Wei's jaw flexed. "You're drunk."
Jiang Yue laughed softly. "And you're lying."
Wei stared at him.
The hallway light buzzed above them. Somewhere inside the apartment, music thumped like a heartbeat.
Jiang Yue's head swam, but his focus sharpened on one thing: Wei's eyes, dark and steady, looking at him like Jiang Yue was a problem and a temptation at the same time.
Jiang Yue didn't think.
He leaned in.
Not fast. Not dramatic. Just… closer, like he was pulled.
Wei's hand tightened on his wrist.
For a second, Jiang Yue thought Wei would shove him away.
Instead, Wei's grip shifted—pulled.
And suddenly Jiang Yue was being pressed back against the wall, Wei standing in front of him, close enough that Jiang Yue could feel his breath.
Jiang Yue's mouth parted.
Wei's voice was low, controlled, but it trembled at the edge. "Don't."
Jiang Yue's eyes half-lidded. "Make me."
It was a stupid line.
It was also a challenge.
Wei's gaze flicked over his face like he was fighting a war inside himself.
Then Wei did something that made Jiang Yue's entire body go cold and hot at the same time.
Wei kissed him.
It wasn't soft.
It wasn't gentle.
It was sharp, controlled, like Wei was trying to stop something by doing it.
Jiang Yue froze for half a second, shocked.
Then the alcohol and the anger and the need all slammed together and he kissed back, fingers grabbing Wei's jacket like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
The hallway disappeared.
There was only heat, breath, the pressure of Wei's body close, the taste of citrus and something darker.
Wei pulled back abruptly, breathing hard.
His eyes were darker now, control cracked.
Jiang Yue stared at him, mouth swollen, heart pounding.
Wei's voice came, low and rough. "We're leaving."
Jiang Yue laughed softly, dazed. "Yeah," he whispered. "We are."
Wei's hand tightened on his wrist again, and he dragged Jiang Yue toward the stairs.
Down the stairwell, out into the cold night air, the alcohol hit Jiang Yue harder. His head spun. He stumbled.
Wei caught him again.
Always catching him.
Jiang Yue leaned into Wei's shoulder without permission, breathing against his collar.
Wei stiffened, then didn't push him away.
They walked home in silence, the city quiet, streetlights flickering over them like surveillance.
By the time they reached the apartment door, Jiang Yue's hands were shaking.
Wei opened the door quietly.
Inside, it was dark. Their parents were asleep.
The silence inside the apartment was thick.
Wei guided Jiang Yue down the hallway toward his room.
Jiang Yue stumbled into the doorway, then turned suddenly, grabbing Wei's sleeve.
Wei froze.
Jiang Yue's voice was hoarse, too honest. "Did you mean it."
Wei's gaze held his.
For a moment, Wei looked like he wanted to lie.
Then he almost slipped again—his voice came out too quiet.
"I don't know."
Jiang Yue stared at him, chest aching.
Wei's jaw tightened. He stepped back, pulling his sleeve free gently.
"Sleep," he said, voice cold again.
Then he turned and walked away, disappearing into the dark.
Jiang Yue stood in his doorway, breathing hard.
His mouth still tasted like Wei.
His wrist still remembered Wei's grip.
His mind spun, trying to catch up.
He had wanted to provoke Wei.
He had wanted Wei to react.
He had gotten what he wanted.
And now, in the darkness of his new room, Jiang Yue realized the mistake wasn't the drink.
The mistake was thinking he could control what would happen once Wei Nianzhan finally cracked.