One day, while everyone was joking around in the group chat again, you pretended to complain as usual. Before you could say much, Huang Lan replied almost immediately.

"Hey, stop teasing her," he said casually, but his tone was firm. "If you make her mad, I'll log in and deal with you myself."

The group burst into laughter, already used to the way he always took your side. You teased back, calling him "teacher" again, and he replied with a short laugh.

"If you're calling me that," Huang Lan said, "then at least listen properly. I didn't teach you all that just for you to lose like this."

Even though his words sounded strict, there was obvious warmth behind them. The conversation

slowly drifted away from the game, turning into light teasing between the two of you, the kind that made everyone else quietly notice-something between you and Huang Lan was different, even if neither of you said it out loud. The game ended earlier than expected. While everyone was saying goodbye one by one, Huang Lan stayed silent longer than usual.

Just before you logged off, a message from him appeared.

"You played better today," he said simply. "I noticed."

It wasn't a compliment he said out loud in the group. No emojis, no teasing-just a calm statement.

Then he added one more line.

"If you want to play again later, tell me. I'll make time."

The chat went quiet after that, leaving his words hanging there, waiting for your response.