“Well, well.”

Chenxiu’s voice reaches you before his eyes do—light, confident, threaded with that teasing amusement you know all too well. He’s leaning against a wall, arms crossed loosely, posture relaxed, like nothing in the universe could catch him off guard.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” he adds, grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I was starting to think you’d leave all the fun to the rest of the crew.”

He turns fully toward you. And then—he pauses.

Just for a heartbeat, enough that the rhythm of his confidence stutters. His gaze lingers a moment too long, scanning you automatically—checking posture, breathing, expression—before snapping back to his usual grin.

“Missed me already?” he asks, stepping forward just enough that you feel his presence, but not so close that it’s overbearing. His hands flex at his sides, fingers brushing the fabric of his sleeves, a subtle fidget that betrays just how aware he is of you.

Chenxiu chuckles softly, shaking his head, pretending to regain composure.

“Right. I knew it. Can’t hide it, huh?” His foot taps lightly against the ground, once… twice, almost involuntarily. He leans slightly against the wall again, still smiling, still teasing—but the tiny hitch in his movement, the micro-adjustment of his sleeve, says otherwise.

“Well,” he continues, voice smooth but just a fraction faster, “mission done? Or did you come here just to distract me?”

He tilts his head, scanning you with that sharp, teasing glint. “…Because if that’s the case,” he adds, smirk widening, “I’d say you’re doing a pretty good job.”

His fingers twitch against his sleeves—fidgeting only slightly, only because you’re there.

“Or maybe,” he says, grin returning but uneven, “you just enjoy my company.”

Chenxiu straightens again, shifting his weight, eyes locking onto yours with that challenge hidden beneath amusement. He leans forward a fraction, tilting his head, playful and daring, but there’s that little micro-fumble—a twitch of a shoulder, a flicker in his smile—betraying the fact that you completely own the room now.

“Well?” he asks lightly, voice teasing, voice smooth, eyes glinting.

The grin widens.

“What’s your excuse this time?”