The final day of the test arrived, and all the students sat in their assigned classrooms, completing their exams. Students from every section were mixed together, creating an atmosphere of quiet concentration and tension. After what felt like an eternity, the test finally ended, and the teachers announced a short break—two to three days off for students to visit their families. It was a rare opportunity since all the students had been confined within Blackthorn Academy's walls for months.
As soon as the announcement was made, the academy buzzed with activity. Students hurriedly packed their bags, eager to leave, their chatter filling the hallways. Even Hua Rong joined in, quickly gathering her things. Across the room, Xu Lingwei was doing the same. They hadn't spoken since that day—since that argument. A strange silence stretched between them, unspoken words weighing heavily in the air.
Hua Rong changed into a white dress that reached just above her knees, a simple frock with a full sleeve till her wrist. She braided her hair neatly and slung her bag over her back before slipping into a pair of sneakers. By the time she stepped out of the dormitory, Xu Lingwei was already gone—probably at the entrance, waiting for his own ride.
As she made her way through the bustling corridors, Lin Zeyan passed by, offering a casual wave.
"Let's meet after vacation," he said with a smirk.
Hua Rong nodded in response before finally reaching the academy entrance. Just as she was about to step outside, a familiar voice called out to her.
"Hua Rong!"
She turned to see Wuhao Li approaching with his usual mischievous expression.
"Don't forget—after the vacation, you still owe me a proper pose," he reminded her, his grey eyes twinkling with amusement. "And this time, no excuses."
Before she could even reply, he was already walking backward with a smirk, disappearing into the crowd of departing students.
Rolling her eyes, Hua Rong stepped past the academy gates, taking in the crisp air of freedom. However, just as she was about to leave, her gaze landed on a sight that instantly soured her mood—Tang Moyu, standing with Xu Lingwei. Worse, she was holding his hand.
That damn girl.
But Xu Lingwei wasn't even looking at her. His expression was distant as if he wasn't fully present. Yet, it was Tang Moyu who noticed Hua Rong first. At first, her eyes held disbelief, as if she couldn't recognize her, then they narrowed suspiciously before widening in realization. A gasp escaped her lips.
Oh, she recognized me. Time to walk away.
Hua Rong turned on her heel, ready to ignore the scene entirely, but the sharp click of heels followed her, growing louder until Tang Moyu abruptly stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
"What are you doing here?" Tang Moyu demanded, her breath slightly uneven—had she run over just to stop her?
Hua Rong raised a brow. "Walking."
Tang Moyu scoffed. "Did you come to pick someone up?" She glanced around, as if searching for a guardian. But then, realization struck—if Hua Rong was waiting for someone, wouldn't they be with her?
Smiling sweetly, Hua Rong replied, "Nope. I study here."
For a second, Tang Moyu's eyes widened in shock, but she quickly masked it with a smirk. "Expected," she sneered. "Considering how furious and troublesome you were back then, it's no surprise you ended up in a place like this."
Hua Rong's expression remained neutral, but her voice turned teasing. "Huh. What about your friend? Even he's here. Your perfect, model friend."
"Xu Lingwei?" Tang Moyu scoffed. "Unlike you, he didn't come here because he was a troublemaker. He's here on his own will."
That made Hua Rong pause. Her amusement faded slightly. "On his own will? What do you mean?"
Tang Moyu's lips curled into an arrogant smirk. "You don't deserve to know. After all, you're nothing."
Hua Rong let out a dramatic sigh, placing a hand on her cheek. "I wonder if I'm still 'nothing' after sharing a room with him."
Tang Moyu's composure shattered instantly. "A room? What are you talking about?!"
Hua Rong's smirk deepened. "Oh, you don't deserve to know."
Tang Moyu's face twisted in anger, her lips pressing into a furious scowl, her hands curling into fists. Her expression was priceless—like someone who had just bitten into something extremely bitter.
Before she could say anything else, the loud hum of an approaching bus filled the air. Hua Rong's ride had arrived.
Turning on her heel, Hua Rong walked toward the bus, but just as she was about to step on, she tossed one last remark over her shoulder. "Oh, and one more thing—I really don't like sharing a room with him. He really does take advantage of me."
It was a lie, of course. But who cared? It was worth it just to see Tang Moyu's face twist in absolute rage.
With a playful wave, Hua Rong climbed onto the bus. "Bye-bye!"
The doors shut, and the bus pulled away, leaving Tang Moyu standing there, her fury evident in every inch of her stiff posture. Watching the academy fade into the distance, Hua Rong let out a breath, a victorious smirk lingering on her lips
.....
Hua Rong finally reached her house, adjusting the weight of her bag as she made her way up the steep, elevated road. The path was uneven, slightly cracked from years of wear, and each step felt heavier than the last. Living in a hill-like area had its charm, but right now, it was nothing but an obstacle standing between her and much-needed rest.
When she pushed open the door, silence greeted her. The house was empty, as it always was. She sighed, setting her bag down near the entrance before making her way to her room. Slipping out of her travel clothes, she changed into something more comfortable—a loose white shirt and soft sweatpants. After tying her hair up into a messy bun, she made her way to the kitchen, brewing herself a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled the space, bringing a bit of warmth to the cold, quiet house.
Cup in hand, Hua Rong stepped out to the doorway, settling down at the edge with her legs stretched out before her. The view from here was breathtaking, a long winding road leading down the hill, surrounded by trees that swayed gently in the afternoon breeze. She took a small sip of her coffee, letting the warmth spread through her before her gaze wandered down the road. It was then that a memory surfaced—one she hadn't thought about in a long time.
The first time she had brought Xu Lingwei here.
He had stood right where she was sitting now, his eyes wide with excitement as he took in the surroundings. "In this place... your house is here?" he had asked, his tone filled with curiosity and a hint of disbelief.
"Yes," she had replied, feeling a strange sort of pride in showing him her home. That day, she had been especially eager to bring him along, to share a part of her world with him.
Without thinking much, she turned to him with a playful glint in her eyes. "Do you want to have a race?" she had asked, tilting her head toward the steep road below.
Xu Lingwei had stared at the downward slope, taking in the challenge. His hesitation lasted only a moment before his lips curled into a grin. "Yes!" he had agreed enthusiastically.
The memory played out vividly in her mind—how they had sprinted down the hill, their laughter ringing through the air as they stumbled over dips in the road, falling more times than they could count. But they had never stopped. Even after crashing onto the ground, they had gotten up, brushed off the dust, and continued. At some point, they had laughed so hard that the neighbors had shouted at them for making too much noise.
A small smile tugged at Hua Rong's lips as she took another sip of her coffee. The warm breeze wrapped around her, carrying with it the distant echoes of their laughter from that day. The past had a funny way of sneaking up on her when she least expected it.
Leaning her head back slightly, she let herself get lost in the moment, allowing the warmth of the coffee and the cool air to absorb her. Some memories, no matter how distant, never truly fade.