The moving truck stopped in a quiet residential lane lined with neat houses and tall trees .
A girl stepped out first ,holding her bag properly on her shoulder .
She looked around once .
"Peaceful" she said simply."good place ".
Her name was Xu Anqi.
Behind her ,her mom glanced at the house and sighed in relief .
" Atleast lts quiet here.you can focus on your studies".
Xu Anqi nodded."yeah."
She wasn't here for excitement .
She was here for a fresh start.
As workers carried boxes inside ,Xu Anqi stepped slightly outside the gate .
Thats when she noticed the house next door.
A boy stood on the second - floor balcony.
He wasn't doing anything dramatic - just reading a notebook,completely focused,like nothing around him mattered .
Xu anqi looked at him for a second .
"..... Studious type ," she muttered .
Then she turned away .
No interest in staring longer .
On the balcony,Lu Beichen noticed her.
A new neighbour .
She glanced at him briefly and left .
No reaction.No curiosity.
He didn't care .
And went back to his notebook .
NEXT MORNING -SCHOOL
The classroom was noisy and full of morning chatter .
Then the door opened .
The noise slowly reduced .
A girl stepped in .
Xu Anqi .
She wasnt flashy ,but she naturally drew attention. Calm steps,steady
expression and a quiet confidence.
"Hello, iam Xu Anqi, " she said politely .
"I just transferred here."
The classroom atmosphere warmed instantly.
"Welcome!"
"She's so pretty...."
"Sit here!"
Xu Anqi gave a small polite smile ."Thank you. "
She adjusted quickly .observing everything around her .
The teacher looked at the seating chart.
"Alright .... Xu Anqi, take you seat ".
A pause .
Then -
" you will sit next to Lu Beichen. "
The room instantly shifted .
Whispers spread .
"...she's sitting there ? "
"No girl lasts long beside him...."
"He ignores everyone..."
Xu Anqi heard it .
But didn't react .
Only a small pause .
She slowly turned her head .
And saw him .
Lu Beichen .
Sitting near the window.
Surrounded by a few boys ,talking casually - but still distant in a way that seperated him from everyone else .
Girls from other rows kept looking at him .
Some admired him .
Some hesitated .
But he ignored all of them .
Completely.
Then his eyes shifted .
And landed on her .
A brief moment .
Recognition .
Xu Anwiet his gaze .
Neither of them looked away immediately.
No friendliness .
No warmth.
Just awareness .
The teachers voice broke the silence .
" Xu Anqi ,go sit there "
She walked forward.
Step by step.
And sat beside him.
Placed her books neately on the desk .
Lu Beichen didn't look at her .
Not even once.
Xu Anwi turned slightly .
" Hi ," she said once .
No response.
A second passed .
Then she added lightly :
"I ' m your neighbour ..... Both at home and here ."
That finally made him turn his head slightly.
Cold eyes met hers .
" ..... Unnecessary coincidence, "he said flatly .
Xu Anqi blinked once .
Then smiled faintly .
" maybe, " she said " or maybe not ."
And in that moment -
Neither of them knew it yet ...
This coincidence was the beginning of something neither of them could ignore .