Chapter 11

Shuyi's POV

We both got ready to leave for the camping site. We had to stop by at Zack's first to pick him and Yuxin up. It is not common for the freshers to drive themselves privately since the others would be travelling in university's transport, but because Shide and I are "in a relationship" we thought going together would be enough to convince Akira. While I was in my thoughts, Shide had carried my travel bag to the car and was standing silently at the door waiting for me.

You took my bag?

Yes, it's in the car. You ready to leave?

uhmm..I started walking towards the parking with a regular sized bag on my back which had snacks for the journey. Shide was walking behind me and suddenly grabbed my bagpack and got it off me.

Heyy, I could carry that!

It looked heavy..He said with his adorable puppy eyes looking at me. The fact that he never behaves like this around anyone else except me makes my heart so happy but for obvious reasons, I couldn't show him that. Instead, I pinched his cheek looking right into his eyes which made him gulp and freeze for a moment.

Don't take your role so seriously when we're not around people okay, I don't wanna be spoiled and habitual of being pampered by you.

Why not? Shide said slowly getting closer to my face.

His seductive hoarse voice and the feeling of his breath on my cheek sent a chill down my spine. In that moment, for a second, I really wanted more of him. I shook my head and looked at my watch to avoid looking into Shide's enticing eyes so close to mine.

We....better go now...Zack must be waiting. I said slowly still avoiding his direct gaze. I was deeply embarrassed at myself for being so attracted to a person who probably is not even into men.

Yes sir, your wish is my command.

I quietly followed him to the car.

Zack and Yuxin were already waiting for us when we reached their building.

"Hey, get in!" I got out of the car window and gestured Zack.

"I'm so excited about this. I've never been to a camping trip in my life. Have you Shuyi?"

"Yes, both my brother and I compelled our parents to send us on summer camps every year."

The 3 hour long drive didn't feel tiring at all since I was having fun after a long time. Zack is a great company, he makes jokes all the time and keeps the mood light, Yuxin is the sweetest, she is basically the mother of the group always making sure all of us have eaten. And Shide, in a short time, he has become an integral part of my life. Just listening to his voice is meditating to my ears, seeing him smile fills my heart with joy. I don't know what I feel for him is just gratitude or really more than that.

"Shide, you've been driving for 3 hours straight. You must be so stiff and tired by now." Yuxin lightly slapped Zack's shoulder and frowned at him. "What kind of a friend are you, why don't you drive rest of the journey and give Shide a break?"

"I don't really mind, Shide why don't you stop the car at the side of the road and rest at the back seat, I can drive"

Shide just nodded. He stopped the car and got out of the driving seat. I was looking at Zack putting on his seat belt when suddenly Shide opened my side of the car door.

"If I sit at the back, you sit with me"

I was a little confused as for what should I respond to this. Why was he acting so possessive of me all of a sudden. I couldn't get the chance to respond before Yuxin pulled me out and sat in my place.

"Shide is right, couples should always sit together" She winked at Shide.

He opened the door to the back seat for me and I hesitantly got in. It was strange how much Shide was enjoying acting the part of my boyfriend, making me wonder how would it be like to really be his partner. I passed him a bottle of water since he looked really exhausted.

"Thank you" he smiled with tired eyes.

"It's still a long drive ahead, why don't you take a nap till we reach the camp site"

He just nodded and slowly placed his head on lap. I was too stunned to resist and responded naturally by holding his head and waist in my arms. I could see Zack's wicked smirk in the rear view mirror and immediately lifted my hand from his head.

"Shide....sleep on your seat" I said quite loudly to wake him up.

"Shhhh...I'm tired, and you're lap feels comfortable"

He held my hand and placed it back on his head. I could hear Zack and Yuxin giggling, but after everything Shide was doing for me, letting him sleep in my lap was the least I could do.

I woke up to Zack shaking my shoulder.

"Hey wake up, we've reached. Both of you, meet us at the registration booth"

Zack and Yuxin went in first. I pressed my eyes for a few seconds before slowly opening them to find Shide still peacefully sleeping in my lap. I got close to his ear and whispered his name, "Shide, wake up"

He trembled to the sudden sensation of my breath and turned his head upwards completely reducing the distance between both our faces. I couldn't stop my eyes from gazing down at his soft pink lips so close to mine, imagining how would it feel to taste them when suddenly I realised Shide was staring back at me.

His glistening eyes touched me deeper than any hands ever could, it was hard to contain my overpowering heart but I didn't wanna risk my connection with him. He was helping me as a friend, and I would never take advantage of it. I pulled back a little and removed my hand from underneath his head.

"We should go out now, they must be waiting."

Shide looked a little curious at first, but he slowly got up from my lap and stretched his arms. He didn't look at me or say anything, instead just got out of the car. I followed and stood next to him.

I could sense people looking at us from all directions since Shide's post of our picture on social media had already confused many, and now both of us showing up together was enough to confirm the rumours of us being together.

Shide's POV

I opened my eyes and saw Shuyi a hair's breadth away from my face. His eyes were filled with passion and I could sense his desires by his loudly pounding heart. I wanted to hold him, touch him, tell him how he's been making me feel all this time but before I could muster the courage to speak anything, he pulled back from me. My heart sank. All the rush and desire vanished into thin air, of course I misinterpreted his actions, he doesn't see me that way. I felt foolish and embarrassed and got out of the car to escape the awkward situation. Shuyi came out right after and stood next to me. I felt a little sad thinking how our "relationship" is only a mere act, and how Shuyi can never be mine in reality, but right now wasn't the time to sulk. I promised to help him so I couldn't be swayed by my feelings. Coming here together definitely worked in making people believe that we were dating, however Akira still had an evil grin on his face and looked unimpressed.

"Shide, I'm going to the registration booth"

"Um..alright. I'll get the bags out"

Zack had already registered so he guided Shuyi a little about the procedure and came back to help Shide.

"Hey, I wanted to talk to you earlier but since Shuyi was around, I avoided bringing up Akira's topic. My mom got the access to the CCTV recording enough to charge Akira with defamation. She wasn't sure what punishment the board of directors will decide on for him after seeing it, however I convinced her to make it as severe as possible"

"You're a good person Zack" Shide said patting his shoulder. Yuxin called him right after so he just smiled at Shide and left.

Shide took out his phone and dialed a number, "hey dad, I need to ask you a favour"

After the registrations were complete, all the freshers were allotted tents in pairs, everyone except Shuyi.

"Excuse me" Shuyi asked the person sitting at the registration booth "I didn't get a tent"

The person laughed lightly "You're Shuyi right? Your boyfriend has already made arrangements for your stay.