The classroom buzzed like a hive the next morning.
Rows of desks had been pushed together, and colorful flyers were scattered across them. Some students argued about themes, others scribbled sketches of costumes, and a few simply gossiped.
Liang Meiyu sat near the window, her pen hovering over her notebook. Her eyes strayed outside, where the late autumn sun filtered through golden leaves. For once, she wasn't thinking about rumors or whispered insults.
Instead, her chest carried something heavier—her own voice, the one she had finally dared to use.
She had spoken up yesterday. She had stood her ground.
And now, the class looked at her differently.
Some were curious. Some wary. Some… respectful.
Meiyu's lips curved faintly before she pressed them together. It felt strange, but also freeing.
"Alright, settle down," the class monitor clapped his hands. "We need to finalize our booth idea for the cultural festival. Any suggestions?"
Immediately, voices overlapped. Maid café. Haunted house. Fortune telling.
Meiyu listened quietly, her hand propping up her cheek. She didn't notice Zhao Yichen leaning against the back wall, his arms crossed. His sharp eyes never left her.
She had changed.
That timid, apologetic girl he liked to tease was gone. Yesterday, when she raised her voice, he had felt something dangerous stir in his chest. Pride. Jealousy. And something even more possessive.
And now, watching her ignore him? Unbearable.
He pushed off the wall and strode forward. "Tch. You're all noisy." His deep voice cut through the chatter, making the room pause. "Why don't we just vote and get it over with?"
Some students nodded, relieved. Others rolled their eyes.
But his gaze slid sideways—straight at Meiyu.
Her pen stopped moving. She raised her eyes, lashes fluttering. For a brief second, they locked eyes.
His heart jolted.
Meiyu, however, only tilted her head and said nothing.
That calmness stung more than any insult.
Before Yichen could react, a smooth voice chimed in.
"I think Meiyu should help decide," Gu Haoran said from across the room. His tone was casual, but his smile was warm, as if inviting everyone to agree. "She's good with ideas, right?"
Dozens of eyes turned toward her.
Meiyu blinked, heat creeping into her cheeks. "I—"
"Yeah," another classmate said. "She's always drawing during breaks. Maybe she can design something."
The sudden attention made her fingers tighten around her pen. She wanted to shrink back. But then…
She remembered yesterday.
She remembered standing tall.
And so, she drew a slow breath, forcing her shoulders to relax. "Maybe… we could do something with traditional lanterns? It's unique, and we can decorate them ourselves. People like taking photos, so it might be popular."
Silence fell.
Then, one by one, voices rose in agreement.
"That's a great idea."
"Yeah, we can even sell snacks alongside!"
"Lanterns would stand out at night!"
The monitor clapped his hands. "Lantern booth it is."
Meiyu lowered her gaze, hiding a small, proud smile.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed both boys watching her.
Haoran's expression was gentle, approving.
Yichen's, however, was darker—like someone whose territory had just been trespassed.
---
After the meeting, students began assigning tasks. Meiyu ended up in charge of designing the lantern patterns.
As she sketched quietly, someone dropped into the chair across from her.
She didn't have to look up to know who it was.
"Lanterns, huh?" Yichen leaned forward, resting his chin in his palm. His eyes glinted, half amused, half challenging. "You've got guts, speaking up like that."
Meiyu's pen stilled. "And why shouldn't I?"
He smirked. "Because people will start paying attention to you. You might not like that."
She finally met his gaze. For once, her eyes didn't waver. "Then let them look."
For a heartbeat, silence hung between them.
Yichen's smirk faltered. A flicker of heat spread through him at her boldness, though his pride refused to admit it.
"Don't regret it," he muttered, standing abruptly.
As he walked off, his hand clenched at his side. That fire in her eyes… it was his, and his alone.
He wouldn't let Haoran—or anyone else—see it.
---
Later that afternoon, as students practiced in the courtyard, Meiyu carried her sketchbook outside. She wanted quiet.
She didn't expect Haoran to be waiting by the benches.
"Hard at work already?" he asked lightly, smiling as he tilted his head toward her sketchbook.
Meiyu blinked. "You're not busy?"
"I am," he admitted, sitting down beside her. "But I thought you might need help. Besides, I wanted to see your designs."
He leaned closer, close enough that she could smell the faint scent of fresh ink and soap.
Her heart thudded.
"They're nothing special," she murmured, flipping the page.
Haoran studied the delicate drawings of lanterns, each patterned with flowers and birds. "They're beautiful," he said softly. "Just like you."
Her breath caught.
Before she could answer, laughter rang out from nearby.
She turned—and saw Yichen standing at the courtyard edge, hands shoved into his pockets, his gaze burning.
Meiyu's chest tightened.
She didn't know why, but suddenly, the space between the three of them felt charged—like lanterns waiting to be lit.
---
That night, as Meiyu lay in bed, she hugged her pillow tightly.
The memory of Haoran's warm words lingered.
So did Yichen's piercing stare.
Her heart whispered in two directions, leaving her restless.
She wanted peace. But deep down… she knew things were only beginning.
---
Cliffhanger Ending:
The cultural festival had not even started, yet already, sparks were flying.
And Meiyu was caught at the center of a fire that promised to burn brighter with every passing day.