Two months later, Ivy sat in her usual seat at the back of the classroom, staring out the rain-speckled window. Her mind drifted far from the lesson, back to a memory she wished she could erase.
The creak of the classroom door snapped her out of her thoughts. Heads turned as a tall man entered, flanked by two bodyguards in dark suits. His presence filled the room instantly—heavy, commanding.
"Ivy!" the teacher barked, cutting through her haze. "Pay attention!"
Ivy flinched and turned toward the blackboard. But when her eyes lifted, her breath caught.
It was him.
The same man who had pulled her back from the edge just two nights ago. His black hair was neat, his expression unreadable.
Her heart raced. Of all the people she never wanted to see again, it had to be him.
He turned toward her, a small, warm smile flickering across his face—playful, almost teasing, entirely at odds with the bodyguards at his sides.
"I'm Qin Jingze," he said. "King of China. CEO. I'll be hanging around today to see what school life is like here."
Gasps and giggles erupted.
"A king?!"
"No way—he's way too young!"
"He's so handsome…"
Qin Jingze's gaze swept the classroom lazily, amusement tugging at his lips. But when it landed on Ivy, the playfulness sharpened into something deliberate, something meant only for her.
Her pulse hammered. She ducked her head, wishing she could melt into the desk. Why was he here? Why was he looking at her like that?
The flustered teacher cleared her throat. "O-of course, welcome, Mr. Jingze. Please, have a seat anywhere."
But Qin Jingze didn't move toward the front. His long strides carried him straight down the aisle… closer… until he stopped beside Ivy's desk.
The air thickened around her as he leaned slightly, voice low but audible to the class.
"I think," he said, eyes locked on hers, "I'll sit here."
Whispers erupted again. Ivy's knuckles whitened around her pencil. It slipped from her fingers, clattering to the floor. Her cheeks burned as all eyes turned toward her.
Qin Jingze crouched to pick it up, brushing his hand against hers. The contact was fleeting, but enough to make her stomach twist. He returned the pencil with a slow, deliberate smile.
"I didn't need your help," she muttered. "I can pick it up myself."
"Of course," he replied, playful yet edged, making her pulse spike. "I promised I'd check on you, remember?"
Her mind froze. The memory of that night—the edge, the fall, the way he had caught her—flashed unbidden. She wanted to look away, to disappear, but something in his gaze rooted her to the spot.
The bell rang for lunch. Students rushed out. Ivy packed her books, expression blank. Outside, Qin Jingze leaned against the wall, bodyguards poised nearby.
Girls swarmed him, giggling, whispering. Perfect. Maybe she could slip away unnoticed. Hugging her bag, she melted into the flow of students and disappeared toward the quiet wing of the school.
She entered the anime club—a small, hidden room with five members sharing snacks and debating storylines. Her little escape from reality.
"You're late, Ivy!" Emma laughed.
Ivy nodded faintly and dropped her bag.
Meanwhile, Qin Jingze scanned the halls, his expression darkening as he found no sign of her.
"Where could she be?" he muttered under his breath.
Back in the club, Ivy listened as her friends argued passionately over anime plots, unaware of the storm outside.
"Hello, Ivy," Qin Jingze said, stepping fully into the room. His voice, soft yet authoritative, made everyone quiet.
Ivy stiffened. She hugged her bag and avoided his gaze.
"Still quiet," he murmured, moving closer, sliding into the empty chair beside her. The subtle scent of him made her stomach twist.
"I… I don't know why you're here," she whispered.
"Why am I here?" he echoed. "I promised I'd check on you."
The memory of that night surged. Ivy swallowed hard, wishing she could vanish.
"You… don't need to," she said.
"I know," he said. "But I wanted to. And I always keep my promises."
The other club members were frozen, mouths open in surprise.
Qin Jingze leaned slightly, brushing her shoulder. "You don't have to talk. Just… let me be here."
Her pulse hammered. She wanted to protest, to push him away. But with a faint sigh, she relaxed just enough to meet his gaze.
"There," he said quietly, satisfied.
Anastasia raised her hand, hesitant. "I… I have to ask—uh, Ivy, who's this guy?"
Ivy glanced at him, feeling the weight of his presence. "He's… just someone visiting our school."
"I don't bite," he added softly, his voice warm.
Emma whispered, "Is he your… boyfriend?"
"No! He's not—just someone I met," Ivy replied, emotionless, unwilling to reveal the rooftop memory.
"I didn't come for introductions," he said. "I just wanted to make sure she's safe. That's all."
"Safe… from what?" Isabella asked.
Qin Jingze didn't answer. He leaned back, relaxed but alert, like a predator observing its surroundings.
Finally, the bell rang, and students filed out. Ivy packed her bag and left the club, Qin Jingze following silently.
At the school gate, a massive luxury car slid up beside her. Before she could react, a bodyguard opened the door, gesturing for her to get in. Ivy spun, stunned.
"This is not happening," she muttered. "I… I don't care why you're here, but leave me alone!"
Qin Jingze smiled faintly. "Leave you alone?" His tone was teasing yet serious. "I don't think that's an option."
"I'm not getting in!" she snapped.
"I'm not asking," he said softly. "You can trust me, or…" He let the sentence hang.
Her instincts screamed to run, but she remembered the night he had saved her.
"I said leave me alone!" she yelled again.
"I can't," he replied gently, "not after what happened. Not when you're still… you."
Her pulse raced. She wanted to scream, to bolt. But the crowd of students and the car melted away—she was locked in a silent standoff with him.
"I don't know what you want from me!" she shouted.
"I want you safe. That's it. Nothing more… for now," he said, voice soft, protective.
For a moment, everything faded—the car, the whispers, the school. Just the two of them, tense, unspoken.
"I'll wait," he said, straightening. "But I'm not leaving."
Ivy's mind raced. She wanted to argue, deny, run—but deep down, she knew this was only the beginning.