After writing the whole script, I was exhausted. My hands were numb. I couldn't even feel them anymore. The thing Xiaomei told me earlier about possible rumors made me uneasy. I *hate* when people start judging and look at me differently. That's probably the biggest reason I avoided going out in my original world.
It was dark outside. Everyone had already left the school premises, and here I was—still sitting, writing the punishment.
After handing my punishment work to the teacher, I left the class and headed toward the carriage. Xiaomei stopped me and asked,
"Aren't we going to meet the third prince?"
"No… we can't. He might be tired," I replied.
That was a lie. I was just afraid people would talk more. I hated it—so much.
When we reached the carriage, both of my brothers were waiting for me. The moment I saw them, something inside me cracked. I ran up and hugged them both at the same time.
Today was… a *hell* of a day.
So many new faces. People I don't even know. I don't know who is a friend, who is an enemy—who might end up hurting me.
I know you might think, *"Why did you ask Jin Wei for help?"
It's because… he's the only person I know there. My brothers aren't with me in that school, and I don't think I did anything wrong.
My eyes stung. Tears gathered before I could stop them. The warmth I felt from my brothers made me believe I could breathe again—and with that, I started crying like there was no tomorrow.
Both of them panicked. They didn't know what to do. They only knew I was punished—not why. Junjie tried to calm me, but I don't think I would be calm until I cried my heart out. I felt alone—completely at the mercy of someone in that school. Junjie gently patted my back, as if telling me, *"It's okay. We are here."*
A few minutes later, I tried to hold back my tears and stepped away from them.
Junyue spoke, "What happened?"
"I'm… just tired. Let's go home," I whispered.
He nodded, and we got into the carriage. I stayed silent the whole time—because I still can't understand how I cried in front of them. I've always been the kind of person who doesn't cry in front of others. The only person I could ever cry in front of… was my mother.
I stared out of the carriage window, the world outside blurring as the lantern lights passed one by one.
Today, it wasn't the school that broke me.
It was the realization… that I am truly not home.
Silence settled between us.
Junyue's hands were clasped tightly in his lap, his brows slightly furrowed as he watched me quietly. Junjie, who usually sat with relaxed confidence, leaned forward—his eyes red at the edges, as if he was holding back his own worry.
They didn't say anything.
But the way Junyue looked at me—as if searching for something he couldn't fix—
And the way Junjie gently adjusted the shawl around my shoulders, even though I wasn't cold—
It told me everything.
They were scared.
Not of what happened at school…
But they saw their sister vulnerable for the first time in their life.
I am not home yet.
*But for the first time today… maybe I don't have to fight alone.*
Jun Yue's POV
I sat across from her in the carriage.
She didn't speak. She didn't lift her head. And for once, she didn't try to be strong.
I had always believed she was spoiled—rude at times, careless, someone who never understood the weight of her actions. People tolerated her because they cared. I tolerated her because… it was expected.
But today, when she cried like that—silently, desperately—I realized something.
Spoiled children don't cry like people trying not to break.
For a moment, she looked like someone standing alone in a place no one else could see.
Junjie kept glancing at me, as if asking if I knew what to do. But what does one do when someone who pretends to be unbothered suddenly stops pretending?
I didn't have answers.
I only knew one thing.
I don't like her because everyone cares for her.
I care for her *because no one should ever make her cry like that again.*
I didn't say anything for the rest of the ride.
The carriage wheels slowed as we reached the residence—the place Father once said was meant for her. I never understood why. Until today, I never tried to.
Junjie stepped down first and offered his hand to her. She took it weakly.
I followed behind them, watching as she walked through the courtyard without looking back… as if afraid that if she did, she might fall apart again.
She didn't wait for anyone.
No greetings. No explanations.
She just crossed the threshold of the house, pushed open the doors to her room, and disappeared inside.
The sound of the door closing was quiet.
But it felt like something changed with it.
I remained standing outside the room for a moment longer.
Not because I wanted to speak.
But because… I didn't want her to feel alone when she woke up.