The week after their te-night chat, Jenny found herself noticing more things.

  Like how Li Wei always came back from practice just before sunset, sweat-soaked and quiet. How he hung his jersey by the window to dry. How his pylists were loud enough to hear faintly through the walls—mostly hip hop and mellow pop.

  He noticed things too.

  Like how Jenny came home limping slightly after training, how she always stretched by the railing before heading to her room, and how she always greeted the auntie at the undry shop downstairs—even if she was half-asleep.

  They didn’t talk every day. Sometimes they just exchanged nods. But the silence between them wasn’t awkward anymore. It was... familiar.

  One chilly morning, Jenny walked out with her thermos and a slice of toast in hand. She had an early shooting practice and barely slept. Her limbs ached, and her eyes were half-closed as she locked her door.

  “Rough morning?”

  She turned, and there he was—Li Wei, hoodie up, gym bag slung over his shoulder, sipping from a convenience store coffee.

  Jenny raised an eyebrow. “You’re already awake?”

  “I always am. You just don’t notice.”

  “Fair point.”

  Li Wei held up a spare coffee cup. “Want one? I grabbed an extra.”

  Jenny hesitated for half a second before taking it.

  “…Thanks.”

  She sipped. Strong, a little sweet—just how she liked it.

  They walked together down the stairs. Neither of them said much, but it didn’t feel strange. They stopped outside the building, where their paths split—her to the gym range, him to the university court.

  Li Wei spoke first. “Big comp soon?”

  Jenny nodded. “Nationals. Might be my st year to qualify for the international bracket.”

  Li Wei whistled low. “No pressure.”

  Jenny smiled faintly. “None at all.”

  He looked at her for a moment. “You’ll make it.”

  Jenny blinked.

  “…Thanks.”

  He jogged off without another word, and she stood there for a beat, coffee in hand, warmth creeping into her fingers and maybe into something else too.

  Later that week, a small commotion buzzed around the basketball court.

  Jenny’s friends dragged her to watch another inter-college scrimmage—Li Wei’s team vs. an international exchange squad. She didn’t pn to go, but they insisted.

  And there he was again. In his element. Focused. Effortless. Jenny watched, quiet and wide-eyed.

  But this time, when Li Wei scored a perfect three-point shot and gnced up at the stands, his eyes found hers.

  Just for a second.

  Then he was gone in the game again.

  That night, back on their terraces, they met again.

  “You came,” he said, wiping sweat from his neck.

  Jenny leaned against the railing. “You pyed like you wanted me to.”

  He chuckled. “Maybe I did.”

  Jenny rolled her eyes, smiling.

  “You want to grab coffee sometime?” Li Wei asked, eyes casual but tone a little careful.

  Jenny looked at him, her heartbeat doing that annoying thing again.

  “…Sure,” she said.

  And just like that, something between them shifted.

  A step closer.

  Not just neighbors. Not just athletes.

  Something more.