The evening air was cool, a gentle breeze sweeping through the mostly empty streets. The once-bustling roads had quieted, the glow of streetlights flickering on as night settled in. Hua Rong walked alongside Xu Lingwei, their steps unhurried, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps filling the silence between them.
"Why doesn't anyone come to pick you up?" Hua Rong asked, tilting her head toward him.
Xu Lingwei kept his gaze forward, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Didn't you say you wanted to hang out?" he replied. "That's why I told them not to send a car.
Hua Rong blinked in surprise before a small smile crept onto her lips. "So, where are we going?" she asked, though, in truth, she hadn't decided yet. She had invited him out, fully expecting him to refuse—but he hadn't. That, in itself, was unexpected.
Xu Lingwei thought for a moment before answering, "I don't really hang out anywhere."
Hua Rong tilted her head curiously. "Then why did you agree to come with me?"
At her sudden closeness, he instinctively stepped back, his expression growing slightly frustrated. "Because you always ask me," he muttered. "And I got tired of refusing you."
Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked ahead, leaving Hua Rong behind. She blinked, then quickly caught up, grabbing his wrist before he could get too far.
"What are you doing?" Xu Lingwei asked, tugging his arm back.
"You said you don't go out much," Hua Rong replied, tightening her grip. "That means you rarely walk around on your own. What if you get lost?"
His movements stilled, and for a moment, Hua Rong swore she saw the tips of his ears turn red. His lips parted, but no words came out.
"Wait…" Hua Rong narrowed her eyes, leaning in closer. "Do you have a fever?" She placed a hand on his cheek, and his body instantly stiffened.
Then, in the next second, he jerked away. "You're annoying!" he snapped, his voice sharper than usual. Without giving her a chance to respond, he took off running down the street.
Hua Rong gaped at him. "Hey! You'll get lost!" she shouted, adjusting the weight of her backpack—one that carried her archery set—before sprinting after him.
"I won't!" Xu Lingwei yelled back, but his voice had softened, almost playful.
They ran through the streets, weaving past the occasional passerby, the cool wind brushing against their faces. Hua Rong was starting to laugh—there was something strangely fun about this. Then, all at once, Xu Lingwei skidded to a stop in front of a shop window.
Hua Rong slowed to a walk, following his gaze. Inside the shop, a television screen displayed a dancer moving effortlessly across a stage, their body in perfect harmony with the music. The neon lights of the store reflected in Xu Lingwei's maroon eyes, making them glimmer. He didn't blink, completely entranced.
She had never seen this expression on him before—not irritation, not his usual cold indifference. This was something else.
Hua Rong stepped closer, her voice softer this time. "Hey… do you like dancing?"
Xu Lingwei's gaze snapped away from the screen, his posture stiffening. "No, I don't," he said, turning away. "There's no profit in dancing."
Liar.
Hua Rong frowned. She had seen him before—early in the mornings, practicing alone in the academy's dance room, lost in his own world.
Before she could stop herself, she reached out and cupped his face with both hands, forcing him to look at her. His skin was warm beneath her touch.
"But I like it," she said, her voice steady. "I like it when you dance. When you get lost in your thoughts. I really like it."
For the first time, he didn't push her away. His expression softened, his hazel brown eyes flickering with something fragile, something raw. Then, slowly, he raised his hands and held hers. His grip was warm, hesitant.
It was then that Hua Rong realized—he wasn't just quiet. He wasn't just cold. He was someone who had always held himself back. Someone who had never let himself be seen.
The sound of tires rolling to a stop shattered the moment. A sleek black car pulled up beside them, the tinted window sliding down.
"Young Master Xu Lingwei, get in," came a familiar voice. His driver.
Hua Rong immediately dropped her hands, and Xu Lingwei took a step back.
For a brief second, he hesitated. Then, without a word, he turned and stepped toward the car.
Hua Rong clenched her fists. She wanted to say something—to tell him their hangout wasn't over, that she still had more to say. But the words caught in her throat.
Just before getting inside, Xu Lingwei glanced back at her.
Then the door shut, and the car drove off, disappearing into the night.
Hua Rong stood there, staring after it, a strange weight settling in her chest.
....
"What?! Are you coming back?!" Hua Rong almost shouted into the phone, her voice echoing through the nearly empty dormitory room.
On the other end, her mother chuckled. "What? Are you not happy?"
"No! I mean, of course, I'm happy! But didn't you say it was a year-long trip? Why are you coming back in just a few months?" Hua Rong asked, gripping the phone tighter.
"The contract we were expecting didn't come through," her mother explained, her voice gentle. "And the one we did get will end sooner than we thought. Aren't you happy that I'll be back soon? I can make lunch and dinner for you so you can focus on your studies."
Hua Rong's heart nearly stopped.
No. No. This was bad.
If her mother found out where she was, it would be a complete disaster.
"Yeah! Super happy! Come back soon!" Hua Rong said quickly, then ended the call before her mother could sense the panic in her voice.
Oh, she was so not good.
This was beyond bad.
Hua Rong needed to do something—and fast.
Without wasting a second, she tossed her phone onto the bed, shoved her sneakers on, and sprinted out of the dormitory. She practically flew down the hallway, dodging confused students left and right.
There was only one person who could help her now—Teacher Jiayi.
Where is she? Hua Rong's eyes scanned the hallway as she made a beeline for the staff room.
And there she was.
Hua Rong ran straight to her, stopping just short of crashing into the desk.
"Hua Rong?" Teacher Jiayi looked up, startled. "What happened? You look like you just ran a marathon."
Hua Rong, still panting, gripped the edge of the desk. "I want to go back to my original school!"
Silence.
The teacher's expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "Don't ask for the impossible. Go back to your dormitory." She adjusted the papers on her desk, clearly dismissing the conversation.
Hua Rong clenched her fists. "But I can't stay here! It's—it's suffocating!"
Jiayi finally glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Suffocating? What are you talking about?"
Hua Rong panicked. She needed a reason—fast.
"My roommate is a male! My classmates are all male! I just—I can't do this anymore!" She waved her arms dramatically. "I am the only girl in a school full of delinquents! Do you know what that feels like?!"
Teacher Jiayi's sharp gaze landed on her.
Damn it. She wasn't buying it.
"Isn't there any way I can leave?" Hua Rong pleaded, her voice turning desperate.
Jiayi tapped her pen against the desk, looking thoughtful. Then, after a long pause, she finally spoke. "Actually… there is one way."
Hua Rong's eyes lit up. "Really?! What is it?!"
Jiayi smirked. "Complete the year obediently, and then you'll be free."
Hua Rong felt her soul leave her body.
"BULLSH—" She barely stopped herself from cursing and took a deep breath instead. "Teacher, please! I have to get out of here in a few months! Haven't I been an obedient student? Can't you do something?"
Jiayi didn't look impressed. If anything, her smirk deepened.
"Obedient?" she echoed, tilting her head.
Hua Rong's stomach dropped.
Oh no.
That tone was never a good sign.
She quickly lowered her gaze, regretting every life decision that had led her to this moment. What was she even expecting? A miracle?
Just as she was about to turn and accept her doomed fate, Jiayi called out.
"Hua Rong."
Hua Rong hesitated, turning back.
Jiayi slid a piece of paper across the desk. "These are the ways to earn points. If you collect 100,000 points, you can leave this place as an 'excellent student.'"
Hua Rong stared at the paper. Then, back at Jiayi. Then, back to the paper.
One hundred thousand?!
Her heart practically jumped out of her chest. Overwhelmed with happiness, she nearly lunged to hug Jiayi—
—but before she could, the teacher casually pushed her chair back. "I don't think you can achieve that in just a few months, though."
Hua Rong's smile twitched. Right. Of course, there was a catch.
But it didn't matter. She had no choice.
She had to get out of here before her mother returned.
Taking a deep breath, she grabbed the paper, determination blazing in her eyes.
Game on.