The academy felt quieter than usual.
Zhao Han stood alone in the practice yard, sword in hand, repeating the same movements over and over again. Precise. Controlled. Unwavering.
Just like always.
But his thoughts were not.
They kept drifting.
Back to him.
Li Xian.
Zhao Han's grip tightened slightly.
Annoying.
That was what he told himself.
Too loud.
Too careless.
Too… distracting.
And yet—
Silence had settled into the spaces Li Xian used to fill.
No teasing remarks.
No effortless laughter.
No presence beside him.
It should have been better this way.
So why wasn't it?
Zhao Han's blade cut sharply through the air, faster than before.
I should hate him.
The thought came instantly. Naturally.
Because he had every reason to.
Because of his father.
Because of that past.
A truth buried deep, never spoken aloud.
A truth Zhao Han had uncovered on his own… long ago.
Even his father didn't know that he knew.
His expression darkened slightly.
Li Xian… is his son.
That alone was enough.
Enough to draw a line.
Enough to keep his distance.
Enough to hate him
And yet—
Zhao Han's movements slowed.
His thoughts betrayed him again.
That moment in the forest.
The way Li Xian stepped in without hesitation.
The way he said—
"Stay safe."
Zhao Han's brows furrowed.
Why?
Why would someone like him say that… like that?
Not joking.
Not teasing.
Not careless.
Real.
Zhao Han exhaled sharply, forcing the thought away.
"It means nothing."
It had to mean nothing.
Because if it didn't—
His grip on the sword tightened again.
Then everything would become complicated.
Later that evening, Zhao Han stood by the window, gaze fixed on the distant horizon.
Li Xian had already left.
The academy felt… different.
Colder.
Zhao Han's eyes darkened slightly.
I don't need him.
The words came firmly.
But something within him resisted.
A faint, irritating contradiction.
He wanted to hate him.
Truly. Completely.
But at the same time—
There was something else.
Something he refused to name.
Something that made the silence feel heavier than it should.
Zhao Han closed his eyes for a brief moment.
"…This changes nothing."...