CHAPTER 3 — Lines That Shouldn't Cross
The hallway was quieter than expected.
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Zhang Xiao Qi walked without stopping.
Unhurried.
Unbothered.
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But behind her—
Eyes followed.
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Not openly.
Not obviously.
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But enough.
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"…She really didn't interfere."
"…That's not like her."
"…Or maybe she's pretending?"
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Whispers lingered in the air like something unfinished.
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Zhang Xiao Qi ignored all of it.
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Because this—
Was only the beginning.
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— Interruption
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"Xiao Qi!"
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A voice called out behind her.
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Bright.
Familiar.
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Annoying.
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She stopped.
But didn't turn immediately.
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"…What?"
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Su Melling caught up quickly, slightly out of breath.
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"You just left."
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A pause.
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"…So?"
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Su Melling hesitated.
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"…You saw what happened."
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Zhang Xiao Qi finally turned.
Her gaze calm.
Flat.
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"I did."
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"…And you didn't do anything."
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There it was.
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Expectation.
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The same expectation that once controlled everything.
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Zhang Xiao Qi tilted her head slightly.
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"…Do you want me to?"
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Su Melling froze.
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"…That's not what I meant—"
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"Then what do you mean?"
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Her voice wasn't loud.
Wasn't sharp.
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But it cut cl
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"I'm not your shield," Zhang Xiao Qi said.
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Simple.
Direct.
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"I don't step in unless I choose to."
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Silence.
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Because that—
Had never been said before.
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Su Melling lowered her gaze slightly.
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"…You've changed."
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A faint pause.
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"…Yes."
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No denial.
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No explanation
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"…You have."
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A new voice entered.
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Calm.
Measured.
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Both turned.
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Zheng Meng Ying stood a short distance away.
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Expression cold.
Eyes sharp.
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Observing.
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"…You noticed," Zhang Xiao Qi said lightly.
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"…It's obvious."
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A pause.
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"…People don't change without reason."
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His gaze didn't soften.
Didn't shift.
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"…Especially not you."
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— Judgment
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Zhang Xiao Qi smiled faintly.
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"…And what kind of person do you think I am?"
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A pause.
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Zheng Meng Ying answered without hesitation.
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"…The kind who uses influence to control outcomes."
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"…And now?"
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"…The same."
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Silence.
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Because even now—
He didn't trust her.
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— No Defense
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"…You're not wrong," she said.
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Calm.
Unbothered.
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"…Just incomplete."
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A slight shift in his gaze.
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Interest—
Barely there.
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Before the conversation could continue—
Footsteps approached.
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Light.
Measured.
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Pei Ruoxi.
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She stopped beside them.
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Not close.
Not distant.
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Just enough to be present.
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"…You're blocking the path."
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Her tone was neutral.
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But the moment she spoke—
Everything stilled.
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Zhang Xiao Qi turned slightly toward her.
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"…Are we?"
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A pause.
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Pei Ruoxi didn't respond immediately.
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Her gaze moved between them.
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Then settled—
On Xiao Qi.
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"…Yes."
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Simple.
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Direct
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It wasn't about the hallway.
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It never was.
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Zhang Xiao Qi understood that.
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"…Then we'll move."
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She stepped aside.
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Not yielding.
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Just… adjusting.
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Pei Ruoxi walked past her.
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Close enough—
That their shoulders nearly brushed.
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But didn't.
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A deliberate distance.
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A deliberate control.
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"…You're different," Pei Ruoxi said quietly.
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Not turning.
Not stopping.
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Zhang Xiao Qi smiled faintly.
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"…So are you."
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A pause.
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Then—
Pei Ruoxi continued walking.
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Without responding.
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— After
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The hallway returned to normal.
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Noise resumed.
Movement continued.
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But something had shifted.
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Again.
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Zheng Meng Ying watched her for a moment longer.
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"…You're creating distance."
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"…No," Zhang Xiao Qi replied.
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A pause.
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"…I'm creating choice."
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And this time—
She would decide—
Who stood beside her.
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And who didn't survive the story at all.