The classroom had never felt so loud.
Normally, Liang Meiyu could fade into the background while the storm of chatter and laughter passed her by. But today, every voice seemed to bounce off the walls and land directly on her.
"She really said that?"
"Liang Meiyu? The quiet one?"
"No way, she actually stood up for herself?"
Meiyu's fingers gripped her pen tightly. The rumors and giggles no longer pierced her the way they once did. Instead, she sat tall, her back straight, her gaze fixed on the chalkboard, as if their whispers were nothing but distant echoes.
She had spoken.
Her voice had trembled, yes, but it had cut through like a blade. And for the first time in her life, she hadn't been pushed aside.
But silence was heavy around her desk.
Zhao Yichen sat diagonally across, his chair tipped back, arms crossed loosely, but his dark eyes—usually sharp with mischief—kept stealing glances at her. His smirk was gone. In its place was something unsettled, almost dangerous.
Chen Haoran, two seats away, leaned forward on his desk, chin resting on his hand. He wasn't even pretending to look elsewhere. His gaze on her was warm, admiring, like he was seeing her for the first time all over again.
The weight of their attention made her pulse quicken. Meiyu wanted to shrink back like before. But she wouldn't. Not anymore.
---
By lunchtime, she could hardly breathe in the stuffy classroom. Meiyu slipped out quietly, hugging her bento box to her chest, and made her way to the rooftop. The cool air welcomed her, ruffling her ponytail, calming the storm inside.
She had barely unwrapped her chopsticks when the door creaked open.
Haoran stepped out, carrying a carton of milk.
Meiyu's eyes widened. "Chen Haoran?"
He gave her that easy smile that always made her chest feel lighter. "I figured you'd come here. You always do when you want peace."
Her cheeks warmed. "You… noticed?"
"I notice a lot more than people think," he said, sitting beside her. The sunlight caught in his hair, softening his features. "And today, I noticed something even more important."
She blinked. "What?"
"That courage of yours. The way you stood up earlier—it wasn't just brave, Meiyu. It was… beautiful."
Her heart skipped. The word clung to her like a secret melody. Beautiful? No one had ever used that word for her.
"Th-thank you," she murmured, eyes dropping to her rice.
Haoran leaned closer, lowering his voice. "You don't have to fight alone anymore. If anyone tries to make you small again… I'll be there."
Before she could gather her scattered thoughts, the rooftop door slammed open.
"Oi, Liang Meiyu!"
Zhao Yichen strode in, hands in pockets, gaze sharp and stormy. His presence filled the rooftop like thunder rolling in.
Meiyu froze. "Yichen—"
He stopped in front of her, eyes darting from her to Haoran. His jaw clenched. "What's this? Lunch date?"
Haoran chuckled, unfazed. "Does it matter?"
"It does if she's hiding up here with you instead of facing everyone." Yichen's voice was low, rougher than usual.
Meiyu's chest tightened. "I'm not hiding! I just—wanted quiet."
His eyes flickered. For a second, something unreadable passed through them. But he smirked, tilting his head. "Quiet, huh? Didn't look so quiet earlier when you snapped back in class."
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "That's… different."
Haoran's voice was calm but firm. "You should be proud of her, Yichen. She's not the same girl you tease anymore."
Yichen's smirk faltered. His pencil-sharp gaze cut to Haoran, then back to her. Something unfamiliar twisted inside him—something he didn't want to name.
---
The next morning, the atmosphere in class had shifted. Where once she had been invisible, now eyes followed her everywhere. Some curious, some approving, some skeptical.
During homeroom, their teacher clapped her hands. "Class 3-B, I have exciting news! This year, we'll be participating in both the autumn school trip and the cultural festival!"
The classroom erupted in cheers.
"Really? Both?"
"This is gonna be amazing!"
"We need to start planning!"
The teacher laughed. "We'll discuss the trip details later. For now, think about what your class wants to do for the festival—cafés, haunted houses, stage plays, anything! Start brainstorming!"
Meiyu's pulse quickened. Festivals meant performances, attention, standing in front of people. The thought terrified her. But also… something deep inside whispered that she couldn't back down now.
"Liang Meiyu should join the performance team!" a girl suddenly piped up.
"Eh?" Meiyu blinked in shock.
"She has that sweet voice, right? She'd be perfect on stage!"
"I agree!" another chimed in. "She'd be so cute!"
Her cheeks flushed crimson. "W-wait, I—"
"Done. She's in," the teacher said cheerfully, scribbling her name down before Meiyu could protest.
Her heart pounded. Performing? On stage? She'd never imagined such a thing.
Before she could catch her breath, Yichen's lazy drawl cut through the noise.
"If she's doing it, I'll do it too."
Heads turned instantly.
"What? Zhao Yichen too?!"
"This play will be epic!"
Meiyu's eyes widened. "Why would you—"
"Can't have you tripping over yourself in front of the whole school, can I?" He smirked, though the faint pink on his ears betrayed him.
Haoran raised his hand smoothly. "Then count me in as well. Someone has to keep the balance."
The girls squealed in delight. "Kyaa! Both Chen Haoran and Zhao Yichen with Meiyu? This is like a drama!"
Meiyu's head spun. Just like that, her quiet existence was gone.
---
That evening, as the sun painted the sky orange, Meiyu lingered outside the school gates. She clutched her bag tightly, her thoughts swirling.
She had wanted to be braver. But this—this felt overwhelming.
A shadow stretched beside her. Yichen leaned against the gate, his posture casual, but his gaze sharp.
"You really know how to mess up the quiet life, huh?" he muttered.
Meiyu frowned. "I didn't ask to be chosen…"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping. "Then prove them right. Don't let anyone push you down again. Got it?"
Her breath caught. For the briefest moment, his eyes softened, and she saw something raw beneath the arrogance.
But before she could reply, he ruffled her hair roughly. "Because if you cry on stage, I'll laugh at you forever."
She swatted his hand, cheeks burning. "You're impossible!"
He only grinned, but inside, his chest ached with something unfamiliar.
From across the street, Haoran waved, walking toward them with his easy smile. "Don't listen to him, Meiyu. You'll shine. And I'll help you every step of the way."
Caught between their gazes—one teasing but protective, the other warm and encouraging—Meiyu realized something had changed forever.
Her smile, once timid, now carried strength. And both boys were watching it like it was the only thing in the world they couldn't afford to lose.
---