Chapter 4: 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓴 𝓽𝓸𝓸 𝓜𝓾𝓬𝓱
The campus felt louder than usual.
Or maybe—
Lu Zhen just noticed it more today.
Voices overlapped in the hallway, footsteps echoing against the floor, the distant hum of conversations filling every corner. It wasn't different from any other day.
But something about it felt… off.
Lu Zhen walked through the crowd, expression unchanged, hands in his pockets.
He didn't stop.
Didn't look around.
And yet—
His gaze flickered slightly.
Just for a second.
Like he was expecting something.
Someone.
He frowned faintly and looked away.
Annoying.
—
The lecture hall was already filling up when he arrived.
Lu Zhen stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room briefly before he could stop himself.
Back row.
Left side.
Empty.
His steps slowed.
Just a little.
Then continued like nothing had happened.
He walked over and took his usual seat, placing his bag down with quiet precision.
Routine.
Everything was normal.
Exactly how it should be.
So why—
He exhaled softly, leaning back in his chair.
"…Tch."
The sound came out low, almost irritated.
At what, he wasn't sure.
The seat beside him remained empty.
No unnecessary conversation.
No distractions.
Peaceful.
That's what he wanted.
—
The lecture began.
Lu Zhen opened his notebook, pen moving steadily across the page as the professor spoke. His handwriting was neat, controlled, every word placed carefully.
Focused.
At least—
he was supposed to be.
His pen paused.
Just for a moment.
Then continued.
A few minutes later—
It stopped again.
"…What's wrong with you?"
The mutter slipped out under his breath.
He clicked his tongue softly, pressing the pen harder against the paper before forcing himself to continue writing.
This was ridiculous.
It didn't matter.
He didn't care.
—
Halfway through the lecture, someone took the seat beside him.
Lu Zhen didn't look up.
He didn't need to.
He already knew.
"…You said not to follow you."
His voice was low, flat.
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"I didn't."
Lu Zhen's brows furrowed slightly as he finally turned his head.
Lin Xu sat there, calm as ever, placing his notebook on the desk.
"I have a class here," he added simply.
Lu Zhen stared at him.
"…You're lying."
"I'm not."
"You didn't come yesterday."
"I had something to do."
"…And today you just happened to sit here?"
Lin Xu met his gaze, unbothered.
"Yes."
Silence.
Lu Zhen looked at him for a moment longer, like he was trying to find something off in his expression.
But there was nothing.
Just that same calm, steady look.
"…You talk too much," Lu Zhen muttered, turning away again.
Lin Xu didn't respond immediately.
Then—
"You didn't like it when I wasn't talking either."
Lu Zhen's pen stopped.
The words hung there, quiet but direct.
"…Don't assume things."
"I'm not," Lin Xu said softly. "I just noticed."
Lu Zhen tightened his grip slightly, eyes fixed on the page.
"…There's nothing to notice."
"Hmm."
That was all Lin Xu said.
No argument.
No push.
Just acknowledgment.
And somehow—
that made it harder to ignore.
—
The rest of the lecture passed in silence.
Not uncomfortable.
Not exactly calm either.
Just… something in between.
When it ended, students began leaving again, the usual noise filling the space.
Lu Zhen packed his things without looking at Lin Xu.
"You're leaving?" Lin Xu asked.
"Yes."
"I'll come with you."
"No."
The answer came immediately.
Firm.
Lin Xu paused.
Then nodded.
"Alright."
Lu Zhen stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
He didn't wait.
Didn't check.
Didn't slow down.
—
But as he stepped out into the hallway—
he hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
almost unconsciously—
he glanced back.
Lin Xu was still there.
Not following.
Not moving.
Just standing beside the desk, watching him quietly.
Their eyes met.
Only for a moment.
Then Lu Zhen looked away first and walked off.
Faster this time.
As if that brief second—
meant something it shouldn't.
—
Outside, the sky had darkened again.
The clouds had returned.
Heavy.
Unsettled.
Like something waiting to fall.
Lu Zhen stopped near the steps, staring ahead without really seeing anything.
"…He didn't follow."
The thought came uninvited.
Unnecessary.
He frowned slightly.
Why would that matter?
That's what he wanted.
Distance.
Space.
No one constantly stepping into his life like they belonged there.
And yet—
The silence felt different.
Again.
Lu Zhen exhaled slowly, running a hand through his damp hair.
"…Annoying."
He muttered it under his breath.
But this time—
He wasn't sure if he meant Lin Xu.
Or himself.