Two months later, Ivy sat in her usual spot at the back of the classroom, staring out the rain-speckled window. Her mind drifted far from the lesson, back to a memory she wished she could erase.
The creak of the classroom door snapped her from her thoughts. All eyes turned as a tall man entered, flanked by two bodyguards in dark suits. His presence filled the room instantly—heavy, commanding.
"Ivy!" the teacher's sharp voice cut through her haze. "Pay attention!"
She flinched and turned toward the blackboard, but when her eyes lifted again, her breath caught.
It was him.
The same man who had pulled her back from the edge just two nights ago. His black hair was neatly tied, his expression unreadable.
Ivy froze, her heart racing. Of all the people she never wanted to see again, it had to be him.
He turned toward her with a small, warm smile—almost playful, completely at odds with his bodyguards and commanding aura.
"I'm Qin Jingze," he said. "King of China. CEO. I'll be hanging around today to see what school life is like here."
Gasps and giggles erupted around the room.
"A king?!" someone whispered.
"No way—he's way too young!" another muttered.
"He's so handsome…" a girl in the front row sighed.
Qin Jingze's gaze swept lazily across the classroom, amusement tugging at his lips. But when his eyes landed on Ivy, the playful glint sharpened—deliberate, like he had been searching for her all along.
Her pulse hammered. She ducked her head, wishing she could melt into her desk. Why was he here? Why was he looking at her like that?
The teacher, flustered, cleared her throat. "O-of course, welcome, Mr. Jingze. Please, have a seat anywhere."
But Qin Jingze didn't move toward the empty chair at the front. Instead, he strode down the aisle—closer, closer—until he stopped right beside Ivy's desk.
The air thickened around her as he leaned slightly, his voice low but audible to the whole class.
"I think," he said, eyes locked on hers, "I'll sit here."
The room erupted again—half outrage, half excitement. Ivy's knuckles turned white around her pencil. It slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Her cheeks burned as whispers rose like a tide.
Qin Jingze crouched, picking up the pencil. Their hands brushed briefly, enough to make her stomach twist. He returned it with a slow, deliberate smile, dark eyes never leaving hers.
"I didn't need your help," she muttered, face unreadable. "I can pick it up myself."
"Of course," he replied, playful yet edged enough to make her pulse spike. "I promised I'd check on you, remember?"
Her mind froze. The memory of that night—the rooftop, the edge, the way he had grabbed her—flashed unbidden. She wanted to look away, to disappear, but his gaze rooted her in place.
The bell rang for lunch. Students rushed out. Ivy packed her bag, expression blank. Outside, Qin Jingze leaned against the wall, bodyguards nearby.
Girls swarmed him. "He's so cool!"
"Did you see his smile?"
"Do you think he's single?"
Perfect. With so many distractions, maybe she could slip away. Hugging her bag, she slipped into the quiet wing of the school—the anime club, her sanctuary.
"You're late, Ivy!" Emma laughed, waving her over.
Ivy managed a faint nod and dropped her bag.
Meanwhile, Qin Jingze scanned the school for her, moving from hallway to hallway. "Where could she be?" he muttered under his breath, his usual amusement gone, replaced by an intensity that made even his bodyguards pause.
Back in the anime club, Ivy sat quietly while the others argued over which anime had the best plot twists. Her small escape from the chaos outside.
Suddenly, the door opened.
"Hello, Ivy," Qin Jingze said, stepping fully into the room. His voice was soft, yet carried an authority that silenced everyone.
Ivy stiffened, hugging her bag tighter.
"Still quiet," he murmured, sliding into the empty chair beside her. The faint scent of him—clean, intoxicating—made her stomach twist.
"I… I don't know why you're here," Ivy whispered.
"Why am I here?" he echoed. "I told you—I promised I'd check on you."
Her chest tightened at the memory of that night. "You… don't need to," she muttered.
He tilted his head, studying her like she was the most fascinating puzzle. "I know. But I wanted to. And I always keep my promises."
The other members exchanged shocked glances.
Finally, Anastasia raised her hand. "I… I have to ask—uh, Ivy, who's this guy?"
Ivy glanced at Qin Jingze. "He's… no one. Just someone visiting our school to see what school life is like," she said carefully.
"I don't bite," he said softly, a faint warmth in his voice that made the teasing atmosphere fragile.
Emma leaned closer. "Wow… he's intense. Is he your… boyfriend?"
Ivy's face remained unreadable. "N-no! He's not—just… someone I met."
"I didn't come here for introductions," Qin Jingze said quietly. "I just wanted to make sure she's safe. That's all."
Ivy's pulse slowed slightly, but unease still tangled with confusion and curiosity.
---
Outside, the bell rang and students filed out. Ivy packed her bag and walked toward the school gate, Qin Jingze silently following.
At the gate, a massive black luxury car slid up beside her. Before she could react, a bodyguard opened the door and gestured for her to get in.
She froze. "This is not happening," she muttered. "I… I don't care why you're here, but leave me alone!"
The students around them gasped, whispering at the sight of the sleek car.
Qin Jingze's lips curved faintly. "Leave you alone?" he repeated softly. "I don't think that's an option."
Ivy's stomach twisted. "Step away from the car. I'm not getting in!"
"I'm not asking," he said. "I'm giving you a choice. You can trust me, or…" His voice trailed, leaving the warning implicit.
"I said leave me alone!" she snapped again.
"I can't," he said softly. "Not after what happened. Not when you're still… you."
Her fists clenched. "You don't know anything about me!"
"Yeah, I don't—but I wanted to," he murmured.
The world blurred—whispers, phone flashes, stunned friends. Ivy clenched her bag and finally, frustrated beyond measure, turned and walked away.
"Wait—" Qin Jingze's voice called after her, calm yet persistent. He followed, slipping a piece of paper into her hand. A number. "I won't force you to do anything you're not comfortable with," he said quietly, watching her disappear into the crowd.