The next morning felt… off.
Whispers followed Li Xinyi everywhere.
"Is it true?"
"She was with Chen Zeyan yesterday…"
"Is she crazy?"
Her hands tightened around her bag.
Wang Yutong leaned in. "See? I told you. This is how it starts."
But Xinyi stayed quiet.
Because deep down… she didn't regret it.
---
Class had barely started when the door opened.
He walked in.
Chen Zeyan.
Late, as always.
But today… his eyes found her instantly.
Like he was searching.
Like she mattered.
Her heart skipped again.
---
Break time.
Xinyi stepped into the hallway alone—
Big mistake.
"Li Xinyi."
A sharp voice stopped her.
She turned.
Lin Ruoxi.
Perfect hair. Perfect uniform. Perfect smile—
But her eyes?
Cold.
"You're getting bold," Ruoxi said, stepping closer. "Talking to *him* like that."
"I wasn't—"
"Don't lie." Her voice dropped. "Everyone knows Chen Zeyan doesn't get close to anyone."
Xinyi swallowed. "It's not like that."
Ruoxi laughed softly. "Then what is it?"
Silence.
Because Xinyi didn't have an answer.
---
Ruoxi leaned closer, her voice turning dangerous.
"Let me make it simple for you."
A pause.
"You don't belong near him."
Her words hit harder than expected.
"People like you?" she continued, eyes scanning Xinyi. "Soft, innocent… break easily."
Xinyi's chest tightened.
"And Zeyan?" Ruoxi smirked. "He breaks people."
---
"Enough."
A voice cut through the tension.
Cold. Sharp.
Familiar.
Chen Zeyan.
Ruoxi straightened immediately. "Zeyan, I was just—"
"I don't remember asking you to talk to her."
Silence.
The air shifted.
Ruoxi forced a smile, but her eyes burned. "I'm just protecting what's mine."
That one sentence—
Changed everything.
Xinyi's heart dropped.
*What's mine…?*
---
Zeyan's expression darkened.
"You don't own me."
Ruoxi's smile faded.
For the first time… she looked shaken.
---
He stepped closer.
Not to Ruoxi.
To Xinyi.
Close enough that the world around them disappeared again.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.
Her breath caught.
This… wasn't the same cold boy.
This was someone softer.
Real.
"I'm fine," she whispered.
His jaw tightened slightly—like he didn't believe her.
---
Then suddenly—
He grabbed her wrist.
"Come with me."
Her eyes widened. "W-what—?"
But he didn't explain.
Didn't slow down.
He just pulled her away—
Through the hallway… past the stairs… up to the empty rooftop.
---
The door slammed shut.
Silence.
Wind blowing softly.
Just the two of them.
---
"Why didn't you stay away?" he asked, turning to her.
His voice wasn't cold anymore.
It was… frustrated.
Confused.
Almost angry.
Xinyi looked at him, heart racing.
"I tried," she said softly.
"Then try harder."
"Why?" her voice shook. "Why are you pushing me away but… still coming close?"
That question—
Hit.
Hard.
---
For the first time…
Chen Zeyan had no answer.
His eyes searched hers.
Conflicted.
Broken.
---
Then quietly… almost like he hated admitting it—
"Because you're different."
Her heart stopped.
"And I don't like it."
---