Yaxi was once again the first to arrive at Classroom 201. The morning light barely seeped through the windows, casting a pale glow on the desk at the far end of the rightmost row.
Even fate seemed to cast its gentle gaze upon him.
But winter's chill cut deep, and even the sunlight felt frigid.
Yaxi carefully took out the milk she had warmed at home and placed it on Chen Ling's desk. Her fingers, swollen and cracked from frostbite, stuck out awkwardly from her torn gloves, which offered no protection against the biting cold.
After setting it down, she stared hungrily at Chen Ling's desk—her eyes traced every detail: the stark contrast of the record bookends, the sticky note in the upper right corner. She absorbed everything, inch by inch, as though drinking in the sight.
It was like a desert starved for rain, soaking up every drop; like a drowning man clawing for breath.
His desk was immaculate yet subtly rebellious, much like its owner.
She was always harsh on herself. Despite arriving nearly an hour earlier than most students, she allowed herself only fifteen minutes here before retreating to the classroom at the opposite end of the floor.
Yaxi and Chen Ling's classrooms were the farthest apart on this level.
Yet Yaxi found solace in this distance. At least it followed a straight line, something tangible that could be measured.
As people, however, they inhabited two entirely different worlds. Their starting points diverged, their paths never crossed, and their timelines folded into separate dimensions. She was mud, while he was the moon. She languished in purgatory, while he soared in heaven.
Chen Ling was the epitome of perfection—a prodigy destined for greatness. He ranked first in his grade, captivated hearts as the prince of Haiyan High, and was poised to become the provincial champion. His future stretched endlessly before him, glittering with promise.
Yaxi, on the other hand, was a stray weed abandoned by all. Unloved, surviving on the fragile hope that her mother might one day return, she clung to life threadbare. If she were to die alone in her room, perhaps no one would ever know.
Yaxi knew what she felt for Chen Ling was covetousness, bordering on obsession. In her feverish fantasies, she walked beside him as his childhood friend, the one who brought him milk each morning—or even as his girlfriend, sharing kisses and whispered intimacies under the covers.
Girlfriend. That was what she wanted to be.
The second class ended, but she hadn't heard a word. Math, her least favorite subject, happened to be Chen Ling's strongest. Even science exams couldn't stump him—he scored near-perfect marks every time.
This made her hate math even more. The red crosses slashing across her test papers seemed to jeer at her futile dreams of being close to Chen Ling.
Thankfully, the second period was—
"Old Yang, catch!"
A crisp, pleasant voice drifted in from the window on the right.
Yaxi's heart thundered, and heat rushed to her ears.
Today, Chen Ling had come to see Lu Ziyang again. They were childhood friends, inseparable since youth.
Yaxi owed her seat next to Lu Ziyang to his abysmal physics grades. After weeks of subtle persuasion and relentless pleading, Chen Ling had convinced the teacher to let them sit together, granting her the miracle of being within thirty centimeters of him several times a week.
"Could you pass this over?"
Yaxi's head snapped up. Chen Ling was speaking to her.
Today's miracle involved passing something.
The next moment, her heart sank.
What Chen Ling handed to Lu Ziyang was the very milk she had left on his desk that morning.
Suppressing the ache in her chest, she stole a timid glance at him. Chen Ling's face was strikingly handsome, softened by a faint smile. His elegant fingers pinched the top of the milk carton, leaving just enough space for her to take it.
She hesitated for three seconds, debating whether to show him her swollen hands or the worn-out gloves. Finally, she discreetly pulled off the glove beneath the table and reached out to accept the milk.
"Damn, Yaxi, your frostbite looks terrible! Don't you use any ointment?"
Lu Ziyang's loud voice drew curious stares from the entire class.
Yaxi lowered her head and slammed the milk onto his desk.
"Drink it," she said icily.
Lu Ziyang's eyes widened. "Damn, Yaxi, why are you so mean? Don't you love me anymore? I thought I was your sweet, caring desk buddy."
…
Love your father!
Who said I treated you kindly? Who said I cared?
"Don't bully your desk mate," Chen Ling interjected softly.
"How am I bullying her? This is how we usually are," Lu Ziyang muttered, pouting despite his towering frame. Without hesitation, he squeezed Yaxi's shoulder, feeling nothing but bones beneath.
"We're always affectionate, aren't we, desk buddy?" Lu Ziyang flashed her a playful grin.
Yaxi brushed his hand away with icy indifference.
"Old Yang, at this rate, you'll never win anyone's heart."
The teasing voice, smooth as silk, sent a shiver down Yaxi's spine. She recognized it instantly.
Sure enough, Xu Xiaoyi leaned in through the window.
With Xu Xiaoyi's arrival, there was no longer any room for Yaxi.
After all, this was Xu Xiaoyi—Chen Ling's girlfriend, the object of Lu Ziyang's secret admiration.
Lu Ziyang immediately dropped his act, stammering, "What nonsense. You lovebirds can keep your expertise to yourselves. Go away."
"What brings you here?"
Chen Ling glanced around to ensure no teachers were nearby, then gently took her hand, cradling it in his to warm it.
Passing classmates sighed enviously at the sight of the school's golden couple.
"It's freezing. Why are you still wearing that short skirt from the uniform?"
Chen Ling's voice was soft, almost hypnotic.
"I'm performing with Ah Xiu and others tonight."
"You didn't tell me."
"I got you a ticket," Xu Xiaoyi whispered into his ear. "Steal away with me tonight, Mr. Chen."
Her voice was low, laced with unmistakable intimacy. From her vantage point, Yaxi caught every word of their lovers' exchange.
"Alright," Chen Ling murmured back, his voice rich like aged wine, tinged with a lazy laugh. He sounded drunk on her words.
Yaxi's heart clenched. Just as she was about to make an excuse to leave, she heard Xu Xiaoyi exclaim in mock surprise:
"Oh? Isn't this the milk I give you every day? Bad boy, giving my milk to someone else. If you keep this up, I won't bring you any more tomorrow."