"That's it for today!" Wang Wuxi announced, stretching her arms above her head before placing her hands on her hips. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips as she stood up.
Li Wei gathered the scattered papers in front of him, tapping them into a neat stack. "Mine's done too," he said, sounding just as drained.
The doorbell rang.
"Gao Xuan, get the parcel," Wuxi said, already reaching for her phone.
"What parcel?" Gao Xuan asked as he walked toward the door.
"My dad sent dinner," she replied offhandedly.
Gao Xuan retrieved the neatly packed food delivery and set it on the table. The rich aroma filled the room. Without hesitation, Wuxi pulled out two packets, tucking them into a small carry bag along with her shoes.
"Take two each," she said as she zipped up the bag.
Li Wei smirked, flicking his lighter open. "Your father is really a great man."
"Yeah," Wuxi murmured, her expression briefly softening. "He's always worried about my health. Told me to stay away from street food while working, so he sends these instead."
Li Wei took a slow drag from his cigarette. "Does he even know what kind of work you do?"
A flicker of something unreadable crossed Wuxi's face, but she quickly masked it with a scoff. "No, he doesn't," she admitted. "But don't worry—once I find a better job, I'll leave all this shit behind."
She slung the carry bag over her shoulder and extended a hand toward Li Wei. He wordlessly passed her a cigarette. She placed it between her lips but didn't light it.
Then, without another word, she turned toward the door.
"Well, I'm off," she said casually, stepping into her shoes as she walked out.
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving only the faint scent of smoke in her wake
It wasn't too late, yet the streets were quieter than usual. The faint hum of distant traffic blended with the occasional flicker of streetlights. Wang Wuxian took a slow drag from her cigarette, exhaling a thin wisp of smoke into the night air. She walked with no particular destination in mind, her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket, the rhythmic tap of her boots against the pavement the only sound accompanying her.
As she passed a row of street benches, her gaze caught a lone figure sitting in the dim glow of a streetlamp. Long black hair cascaded past her shoulders, parted neatly in the middle, and she wore a light peach dress that reached her knees, the puffed sleeves hugging her wrists. The girl sat unnervingly still, lost in thought, her expression unreadable.
It took Wuxian a few seconds to recognize her.
Hua Rong.
How could she not? The only female student in all of Blackthorn Academy.
Wuxian considered walking past. It wasn't her business. But something made her stop. With a small sigh, she flicked the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath her boot before ruffling her bangs with a breath. Then she approached.
"Hey, kid," she said, her voice casual but firm. "What are you doing alone out here?"
Hua Rong blinked, snapping out of whatever thoughts had consumed her. She looked up, confused. "What?"
Wuxian plopped down beside her, stretching out her legs. "You should head home. Your parents must be worried sick."
Hua Rong hesitated, her fingers tightening in her lap. "No one's waiting for me at home," she murmured, her voice quiet but steady. Then, with a pointed glance, she added, "And what about you? Shouldn't your parents be worried about you too?"
Wuxian chuckled, a short, dry sound. "I'm an adult. I can stay out as late as I want. Unlike you."
"Being grown up doesn't mean you can do whatever you want," Hua Rong said, her tone sharp yet distant.
Wuxian's smirk faltered slightly. She turned her gaze toward the empty street, watching as the wind rustled a few fallen leaves across the pavement.
For a moment, she was no longer sitting here, but years in the past—waiting outside on cold nights, unable to stay still inside the house. Back then, her father was always late. Work, he said. Responsibilities. She never complained, but she couldn't sleep until she heard the sound of the door unlocking. Sitting alone on the porch, waiting, just like this
Wuxian tilted her head, studying the girl beside her. "Are you waiting for your mother or father?" she asked, her voice light, yet edged with curiosity.
Hua Rong's gaze flickered toward her before dropping back to her lap. She hesitated for a moment, then muttered, "I was told not to talk to strangers. So go away."
That made Wuxian laugh. A sharp, amused sound that echoed through the empty street.
"Yeah, you're right," she admitted, stretching her arms behind her head. "But I think you should make an exception for this stranger. You see, I'm different." She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "You can tell me whatever's on your mind, and just like that—" she snapped her fingers, "—I'll be gone, like a genie. A stranger you'll never see again."
Hua Rong looked at her, eyes lingering for a second too long. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
"You're funny."
Wuxian grinned, tapping her fingers against her knee. "That's what they all say.
Hua Rong hesitated for a moment before parting her lips, her voice barely above a whisper. "Well... there's a guy."
At that, Wuxian's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Oh, a boy?" she teased, nudging Hua Rong lightly. "Must be nice to be a teenager. Falling in love, all that drama."
"It's not like that," Hua Rong protested, shaking her head. "It's... complicated."
Wuxian arched a brow. "Go on, I'm listening."
Hua Rong exhaled, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I think he likes me."
"Then what's the problem? Do you not like him?" Wuxian asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
"It's not about whether I like him or not," Hua Rong murmured. "The thing is... he's taken."
Wuxian's eyes widened. "Taken? You mean—he's in a relationship but still likes you?"
"No, it's not that," Hua Rong quickly clarified. "I mean, there's already someone set for him. A certain person he's expected to marry in the future. But right now, because he's young, because we're young, he likes me. But eventually... he'll have to leave me for her."
Wuxian let out a low whistle, leaning back on the bench. "Wait, hold on—so you're saying this guy likes you, but there's someone else he's already arranged to marry? And that person isn't you, so even if you two got together, it wouldn't last?"
Hua Rong nodded, her expression unreadable.
"Did the guy say that to you himself?" Wuxian asked, crossing her arms.
"No..." Hua Rong admitted. "The person he's supposed to marry is the one who told me."
Wuxian gave her an incredulous look. "And you believed them?"
Hua Rong hesitated. "They're childhood friends. They've known each other forever. They're really close."
"Okay," Wuxian said, nodding slowly. "And?"
"And... that person loves him. A lot. Probably enough to do anything for him."
"Alright, fine. Forget about them for a second," Wuxian said, turning to face Hua Rong directly. "What do you think about him? Do you want to be with him?"
Hua Rong opened her mouth, but no words came out at first. She gripped the hem of her dress, her fingers twisting the fabric. "I don't know," she admitted. "But if I stay... I don't think I can handle having something precious taken away from me later. That's why..." She took a shaky breath. "That's why I'm distancing myself."
Wuxian was silent for a moment, watching her closely. Then, with a small sigh, she leaned back against the bench, gazing up at the night sky.
"So, you like him."
Wuxian's words weren't a question. They were a statement, plain and clear.
Hua Rong's face flushed instantly, her fingers twitching slightly as she turned her gaze away, unwilling to meet Wuxian's knowing eyes. "I don't deserve him," she muttered under her breath.
Wuxian raised an eyebrow. "And why do you think that?"
Hua Rong hesitated, staring down at her hands. "I mean... he's a good person. A kind one. Unlike him, I—I'm always furious. I get angry easily. I fight. I cause trouble."
"Hmm." Wuxian smirked. "Opposites attract, you know."
Hua Rong shook her head. "No. It's not like that." Her voice was laced with frustration, but not toward Wuxian—toward herself. "He told me to stop fighting. He wanted me to be a better person. And I—I promised him I would. But I kept breaking that promise."
Wuxian tilted her head, listening carefully. "So, he started hating you for it?"
"No," Hua Rong whispered, her voice almost trembling. "He... he proposed."
Wuxian's eyes widened slightly. "Wait, what?"
"He didn't know," Hua Rong continued, gripping the hem of her dress. "He didn't know I had already broken my promise. And if I accepted his proposal, it would've felt like deceiving him. So... I rejected him."
Wuxian let out a low whistle. "Damn."
Hua Rong swallowed hard, her voice barely holding steady. "But then, after so many years... we met again. And now... he's messing with my feelings, saying he holds a grudge against me for breaking his heart."
Wuxian let out a breath, watching Hua Rong's conflicted expression. "Sounds like he never really let you go."
Hua Rong's eyes widened, her breath hitching at Wuxian's words.
Wuxian stretched her arms above her head before looking down at Hua Rong with a knowing smile. "I think you should give him a chance," she said, her voice firm but gentle. She tucked her hands into her pockets and added, "Because love isn't always about being the perfect match. Sometimes, it's about being understood by the right person."
Hua Rong swallowed, gripping the fabric of her dress. "But—"
"But nothing," Wuxian cut in, tilting her head slightly. "From everything you just told me, it sounds like he never stopped liking you. Even after all these years. Even after being rejected. If he's still here, still holding onto you despite everything… then maybe, just maybe, he'll accept you exactly as you are."
Hua Rong opened her mouth, but no words came out. A part of her wanted to argue, to deny it, but deep down, she knew Wuxian's words weren't far from the truth.
Wuxian smirked as she stood up, dusting off her pants. "Anyway, that's just my two cents," she said with a shrug. "Do whatever you want with it."
She turned to leave but then glanced back over her shoulder, her smirk softening into something more genuine. "But don't waste your time running from happiness, kid. If it's still within reach… grab it."
And with that, she walked away, leaving Hua Rong staring after her, lost in thought.