The rest of the class flowed like a blurry stream around Li Wenya. Words were spoken, chalk tapped against the board, laughter whispered between students—but none of this mattered inside her brain.
All she could focus on was the boy sitting beside her.
Xi Yanli sat still, back straight, one hand idly twirling his black pen. He didn't glance at her, didn't speak, didn't move unnecessarily. Yet his presence felt suffocating, like an invisible storm cloud hovering over her head.
Why is he so calm? Doesn't he recognize me from yesterday?
She dared to glance at him again, but he was now scribbling on his notebook with a cold elegance that made her stomach churn. His handwriting looked like printed calligraphy—precise, powerful, and strangely intimidating.
Li Wenya shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to stay out of his peripheral vision.
Her mind flashed back to the fight in the alley, to the glint in his eyes.
What if he does remember me… but is just pretending not to?
She bit her lip nervously.
At that moment, Peng Xiao's voice cut through her internal panic.
"Li Wenya."
She snapped to attention like she'd been electrocuted.
"Read paragraph three," the teacher said flatly, gesturing at the textbook.
Her eyes darted down to the page, but the words were swimming in her vision. She hadn't even opened the book.
She scrambled to find the right spot, but her hands were too shaky. Her fingers slipped on the paper, and the sound of a muffled chuckle came from somewhere in the classroom.
Her ears burned.
Just when she thought it couldn't get worse, a smooth, quiet voice beside her spoke.
"We're on page 24."
Xi Yanli.
Her heart nearly stopped.
She turned slightly toward him. He still didn't look at her. His gaze remained fixed on his notes, as if offering the page number was nothing more than a reflex.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
He didn't respond.
She read the paragraph in a low, shaky voice. When she finally finished, Peng Xiao nodded and moved on, and she sank into her chair like a deflated balloon.
Why is he helping me? What does it mean?Maybe he didn't recognize her. Or maybe… he was just biding his time.
The rest of the period dragged on like a never-ending nightmare. When the bell rang, she flinched.
Xi Yanli stood up smoothly, taking his bag and heading for the door. He hadn't said another word.
But just before he walked out, his eyes briefly met hers.
Cold. Calm. unreadable.
And then he was gone.
After Class
Li Wenya sat frozen at her desk.
One girl slid into the chair in front of her. It was Xu Jia, one of the friendlier students who often tried to chat with her.
"Li Wenya!" she whispered, eyes sparkling. "You're so lucky! You got the best seat in the class now!"
Li Wenya blinked. "Lucky?"
"Yes!" Xu Jia giggled. "Sitting next to Xi Yanli! Isn't he so cool? I heard he's been abroad before. He only transferred back this year. He's like… mysterious and smart and scary-hot. Did you see that scar?"
"Bandage," Li Wenya corrected weakly.
"Same thing," Xu Jia waved her hand. "Anyway, it suits him. Like a battle wound."
A battle wound indeed, Li Wenya thought darkly.More like a red flag.
As Xu Jia continued to gush, Li Wenya's thoughts drifted again.
She needed a plan. Fast.
Avoiding him completely clearly wasn't an option now. But maybe… she could still survive by being invisible. Just keep quiet. Stay out of his way. Don't stand out. Don't engage.
Simple. Logical.
She nodded to herself.
And yet, in the pit of her stomach, she couldn't shake the ominous feeling.
As if the story had only just started.