The night sky above the campsite looked like a canvas brushed with stars. The lanterns rose slowly, each one carrying fragile wishes written in trembling hands. Some floated straight and sure, while others wavered as though reluctant to leave the earth.
Meiyu hugged her arms around herself, watching her lantern drift away until it was swallowed among dozens of others. Her wish felt small compared to the glittering sky. Courage… Would one word be enough?
"You look like you're trying to talk the lantern into answering you."
She turned, startled. Yichen was standing close—too close—his expression unreadable in the flickering light. His hair caught the fire's glow, making him look untamed, dangerous, and… oddly vulnerable.
"I wasn't," she murmured.
"Then why do your eyes look like they're chasing it?" he asked.
Her breath caught. Before she could answer, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Next time you need courage, you don't need a lantern. Just call me."
Her chest tightened. She looked away quickly, afraid her face might give her away.
From a distance, Haoran's calm gaze caught hers. He didn't step closer, didn't interrupt—but the softness in his eyes was enough to steady her heart. Unlike Yichen's storm, Haoran was an anchor.
And yet… which one did she need more?
---
The teachers organized a circle of games around the fire—an old camp tradition to keep the students entertained. Someone suggested a round of "Truth or Dare," and laughter erupted as dares grew bolder with every turn.
Meiyu sat hesitantly at the edge. She didn't want to draw attention, but fate had other plans.
"Liang Meiyu!" a voice called. "Your turn!"
The circle hushed, all eyes on her.
Her palms dampened. "Truth," she said quickly.
The boy who'd called her grinned. "Alright then. Who's the person you trust the most right now?"
Gasps and whispers filled the circle. Eyes darted between Yichen, lounging lazily with an unreadable smirk, and Haoran, sitting quietly with calm composure.
Meiyu's heart raced. Her mind screamed for her to stay silent, but the circle demanded an answer.
Finally, she whispered, "Myself."
A ripple of surprise moved through the group. Some laughed, some scoffed. But Yichen's eyes narrowed, studying her, while Haoran's faint smile deepened.
For the first time, she hadn't let anyone else's shadow decide for her.
---
Later, when the games ended, Meiyu slipped away from the fire to cool her cheeks. She found herself by the river, where the lanterns reflected like fallen stars on the water.
"You handled that well," Haoran's voice came softly behind her.
She turned. He stepped closer, his calm presence wrapping around her like warmth on a cold night.
"You really think so?" she asked.
He nodded. "Choosing yourself isn't selfish, Meiyu. It's strength."
Her throat tightened at his words. "But… sometimes I feel like no matter what I choose, I'll hurt someone."
Haoran's gaze softened. "The ones who truly care for you don't break so easily."
Her chest ached. She wanted to believe him.
But before she could answer, another voice cut in, sharp and possessive.
"What are you doing here?"
Yichen strode up, his tone low and dangerous, eyes flicking between them.
Meiyu stiffened. Haoran didn't move, didn't flinch. Instead, he inclined his head slightly. "Just talking."
"Talk somewhere else," Yichen snapped, stepping between them. His hand caught Meiyu's wrist, firm but trembling with something she couldn't name.
Her pulse leapt. "Yichen, wait—"
"Don't disappear like that again," he muttered, softer now, but his grip didn't loosen.
Haoran's eyes flickered, unreadable in the firelight, but he said nothing more. He simply turned and walked away, leaving a silence heavier than words.
Meiyu's wrist tingled where Yichen held her. For once, she didn't pull away.
---
Far from the riverbank, Lin Qian stood behind the shadows of the teacher's tent. Her smile was as sweet as poisoned honey.
"Perfect," she whispered, slipping a folded piece of paper into a box meant for tomorrow's camp evaluations.
On it, in messy but convincingly disguised handwriting, was a complaint:
Liang Meiyu has been sneaking out at night, meeting boys in secret. She's a distraction to everyone.
She tucked it beneath the others, certain the teachers would read it in the morning.
No matter how brightly Meiyu's lantern glowed tonight, Lin Qian was determined to drag her down into the dirt by sunrise.
---
❓️❓️❓️❓️❓️
Will the teachers believe Lin Qian's false complaint and turn against Meiyu, or will someone step forward to protect her before the damage is done?