Chapter 17 – A Quiet Storm
The summer air clung to the evening like a silken veil, heavy with the scent of rain. Sang Zhi sat on the edge of her bed, phone pressed tightly to her ear, listening to the quiet hum on the other side of the line.
"Gege," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "are you… free right now?"
Duan Jiaxu's gentle laugh traveled across the static. He always sounds so calm, she thought, heart pounding. "For you? Always."
His voice carried a warmth that made her throat tighten. She wanted to say something casual, but her words tumbled over each other. "I—I just wanted to know… when you'll be back in town."
"Soon," he said softly. "Why? Did something happen?"
The question pierced straight through her flimsy calm. She bit her lip. If I tell him everything, will he think I'm being childish again? But the memory of the afternoon—of the boys who had cornered her outside the school gate—refused to leave her alone.
"Nothing big," she said quickly. "Just… I miss you."
There was silence, then a sigh from Jiaxu's end. "I'll come by this weekend. Wait for me."
The weekend came with steady rain, drumming against the windows as Sang Zhi waited by the door, her heart leaping at every passing sound of footsteps outside. When the knock finally came, she nearly tripped rushing to open it.
He stood there, slightly damp from the rain, a faint smile playing at his lips. "You look like you were waiting for a package," Jiaxu teased, stepping inside.
"I was waiting for you," she shot back, then flushed at how bold it sounded.
As they sat together in the living room, her earlier fear slipped out. "Some guys… they bothered me after school," she admitted, eyes fixed on the floor. "It's nothing, really…"
The warmth in Jiaxu's gaze hardened instantly, a quiet storm gathering in his eyes. "Names," he said. "Tell me."
Sang Zhi shook her head. "It's fine now."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping. "Zhi Zhi, I'm not going to let anyone hurt you. You know that, don't you?"
Her breath caught. For a moment, it felt like the entire room narrowed down to just his voice, his eyes, and the unwavering promise in them.
Later that night, after dinner with her parents—where Jiaxu effortlessly charmed everyone as usual—he walked her to her room.
"You're growing up fast," he said, half-smiling, but his gaze lingered on her longer than usual. "Too fast."
"And you're still treating me like a little kid," she murmured.
"Because I don't want you to get hurt." His hand rested briefly on her head, ruffling her hair. "Stay out of trouble, hmm?"
But as he turned to leave, Sang Zhi watched his retreating figure and felt an ache blooming in her chest. I don't just want you to protect me… I want you to see me.
Outside, the rain kept falling, quiet and relentless—like feelings neither of them had yet dared to name.
End of Chapter 17