"Here are the requirements for this course. Don't worry, you will do all these by group. I'll give you the freedom to choose your members up to 5 people. However, not because you're in a group, I'll allow freeloading. You'll be graded individually." The substitute lecturer of Entrepreneurship class introduced her lists of class projects early this semester, causing heavy groans from sleepy students in the dark air conditioned lecture hall.

She then continued to instruct, "Next meeting, submit and present the business plan executive summary, so I can evaluate your product concepts. That's all. Class dismissed." As the projector got turned off, the professor began to pick up her things. Likewise, many students began murmuring among themselves some complaints, while others rushed to pick their things up and submit their class withdrawal forms to the Deans Office.

On the other hand, other business major students could only cry after class and hurried to get reliable group members for these demanding requirements.

"Heyyy. Wanna be together, senior?" A sweet voice rang to Gu Yixing's ear. She turned and saw the school belle, Li Jiaoxian, the goddess she's been admiring from afar sitting beside her all this time.

"What?! Together? You and me?" Gu Yixing sobered up from her hangover and sleepiness. Deep inside she's having panic, mainly a system function on how to interpret that misleading question, operated by her delusional self.

"Yeah. For these class works." Li Jiaoxian innocently smiles as she lean her chin on his hand without knowing how her cute gestures cause internal disfunction to the other party.

Upon the mention of classworks opportunity, despite agreeing earlier to her classmate to withdraw from this class, Gu Yixing fell into temptation and agreed to team up with her crush instead. "Oh... K. Sure. hehe" She awkwardly responded.

Other negotiations for groupings wasn't as smooth as Gu Yixing and Li Jiaoxian's talk. Accountancy major sophomores Liu Fen and Wu Zihan are currently being badgered by Philosophy major students pleading for help and an infamous repeating Business Management major senior.

"Hey, You know who I am, right? I'm in the Basketball varsity team and your senior. How about I join you group, juniors?" Senior Lin Zhiruo insisted to join the top students with a smug attitude.

At the same time, Yu Xi spoke for herself and her friend and pleaded, "Can we join too? This is our elective subject. We're told this is an easy A class but it seems like we got scammed."

Liu Fen sighed and began to explain, "Including our absent friend, we can only fit two more members in our group. I'm sorry senior, but we could only allow the two girls to join our group. Can you find another group instead. I'm sure someone else is also looking for group mates."

Lin Zhiruo threw a fit and complained, "Are you serious? Just the girls, you bastards? These two are old enough to find a group on their own!"

Liu Fen already expected this type of response from him, however he's not a pushover. With perfect timing, seeing another senior get up in front of them, he suggested, "I'm really sorry but there must be someone here who will be willing to group with you senior, right?" They all pierced their gazed to this senior that's picking up his thing on the desk.

The lights were switched open, lighting up the whole room. Their gazes brought shiver to Han Ke Xin's nape. He overheard those conversations and he couldn't bother to deal with them. "Can they just stop staring? There's no way I'll group with that leech!" Ke Xin complained to himself.

"Please, group me with anyone but him! I had enough of that gay pervert! Didn't you guys know? He ditched my name last minute back then! Can you imagine that?" Lin Zhiruo loudly expressed his dissatisfaction.

"Senior, can you at least be quiet?" Liu Fen tried to stop him as he thought to himself "Everyone knows you deserved it anyway. Who are you to complain?"

Yu Xi mumbled to herself, "Ugh... There he goes again."

Lin Zhiruo continued to talk loudly, "What? I'm just telling the truth! That pervert thinks he's all that just because he's a little smarter than us. But everyone knew he's dumb when it comes to sucking-"

Ke Xin was about to leave and let go of them talk behind his back but at the mention of vulgar words targeted towards him, he couldn't help but stop his tracks. "The nerve of you, your mom, and your inbred ancestors!!!" Han Ke Xin cursed internally.

"That's enough. Anyway, it doesn't change the fact that we can only let the girls in on our group. I'm really sorry to break it to you, senior." Liu Fen sternly cut the senior off.

"What?!!"

Han Ke Xin fished out his phone from his pocket and talked back to the senior who's been yapping as he likes. "Hey, do you know that your chats don't really get deleted on the internet even if you unsent them already? Ever heard of screenshots?"

Lin Xhiruo reddened, "You shut up! who would believe your lies?! I'm the one warning you! If you dare to say shit about me, I swear I'll-"

"Beat me up?" Ke Xin cut him off. "I warned you, didn't I? If you don't want people to know who's the pervert and full of himself, then shut up!" Even with the thick glasses, Ke Xin's anger was evident. He continued to warn him, "Don't try me. EVER! Because guess what-Nothing you do could ever faze me... not even that sorry display of your 2-inches ego!" He subtly raised his middle finger and then left the room.

Lin Xhiruo continued cursing while the bystanders snickered among themselves about what the two-inches ego meant and how cool this quiet senior was.

Han Ke Xin, walked through the hallway, with his head down while carefully treading the path, so that he doesn't bother other people. On the way he passed by Gu Yixing and Li Jiaoxian discussing where they would meet to conceptualize their mock business proposal. Gu Yixing burst her bubbles hearing Li Jiaoxian just invited her friends to be part of their group, realizing they're not going to be alone in this project. She caught a glimpse of Han Ke Xin, knowing what transpired in the past, she wondered what he would do about this group project thing.

On the way, Han Ke Xin walked past many students rushing to get into classrooms and others that couldn't wait to leave like him. In the sea of people, like a slow motion, he looked outside through the window pane glasses and saw two spiders nesting on the tree branches. His younger brother who liked insects like spiders used to watch nature documentaries. This scene reminded him that some orb-weaving male spiders dance to enthrall female spiders... only to end up being eaten if they fail. Such a cruel fate, knowing not everyone would survive even if you try to give your best in everything.

He walked until he reached the bus stop, waited for a couple of minutes until his bus arrived. His phone vibrated, he doesn't have that much expectations about it, he knew it'd be his family or probably some random scams and promotions. He flipped his phone and saw notifications of his mom's messages.

On top of their previous conversation where Ke Xin's mom asked how is he doing at school and casual "It's fine" reply, his mom informed him of a sudden news.

[Phone chat message]
Mom: Ke Xin, don't come home on your birthday next week. Your dad and I will have to look after your grandma. She fell and got admitted in the hospital. Your sister has tournament as well, she's not going to be at home too. In the mean time, focus on your studies. Okay?

Feeling concerned, Ke Xin started to type on his phone: "Is grandma okay? How is she doing, mom? Can I go with you-"

His mom sent him another message.

Mom: Ke Xin, I'll send you money instead. Use it to treat your friends or classmates some foods outside.
Mom: It's been a month since the semester started, I'm sure you already have a few friends there. Treat them kindly, okay?

Ke Xin immediately retracted the words he typed.

Ke Xin: Okay mom.
Ke Xin: Take care of grandma for me.
Ke Xin: Thanks.

Han Ke Xin closed his phone and took a deep sigh. If not for his mother's reminder, he would have forgotten his birthday. Last year, they had a simple dinner, and the celebration quickly turned sour as his dad demanded answers as to why he suddenly left school, flew back to Taiwan, and locked himself to their house and family diner.

Ke Xin looked outside the bus' window and the sunset painted orange and magenta hues on the skyline and cityscape. "What should I eat for my birthday?" He playfully asked himself in his inner thoughts. Like a mentally challenged individual that he is, an alter ego in his thoughts responded, "You should get chocolate cake, pizza, chicken, dancing spiders, and potato fries as your side vege."

"Sounds yummy enough," he mumbled to himself.

He got off the bus station near his apartment after over a ten-minute ride. He walked for a few blocks until he arrived in a residential apartment units. This part of the city is undergoing rapid gentrification, while other condo units stand tall and obviously costly, his apartment building are just among the few housing units that still stands and could cater to his budget. He walked through the stairs, heard families having unfiltered daily arguments, caged dogs barking at every strangers passing through the hallways, and kids crying. It's loud and a little bit messy, but it was natural and normal.

After finally reaching the sixth floor, he was sweating and slightly panting. He got inside his apartment furnished with own bathroom, kitchen, spacious living room, comfortable loft bed and wide study table under the bed. His mom bought him some kitchen appliances, so he could cook for himself. Aside from that, his computer PC and old TV was also brought here for him to use. On the living room, there were sliding glass separating it from the veranda where his mom left some houseplants and succulents.

Ke Xin took off his clothes and changed into comfortable shirt and shorts. He slumped on the sofa, the sunset rays gently shone on his face as it was filtered through the thin white curtains draping from the ceiling to the floor. The atmosphere was just perfect for his dramatic mood. He left out a huge a sigh and finally complained.

"Where am I gonna find some friends to celebrate my birthday with when I can't even find some decent group mates?"