CHAPTER 5 — Pressure Points
By the time Zhang Xiao Qi returned to class, the atmosphere had already shifted.
Not loudly.
Not obviously.
But enough.
People looked at her differently now.
Less familiarity.
More caution.
Even curiosity.
---
She took her seat without a word.
Calm.
Unbothered.
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Su Melling was already there.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
The faint mark on her face hadn't fully faded.
She didn't look at Xiao Qi.
Didn't speak.
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Good.
Zhang Xiao Qi preferred it that way.
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The teacher entered shortly after, and the class settled.
For a while, everything seemed normal.
Lessons.
Notes.
Routine.
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Until the door opened again.
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"Sorry, I'm late."
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A male voice.
Smooth.
Casual.
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Every head turned.
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Gu Yichen.
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He walked in like he owned the room, hands in his pockets, expression relaxed.
The teacher frowned slightly but said nothing.
That alone said enough.
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"Take your seat," the teacher said.
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Gu Yichen nodded, then—without hesitation—walked toward the empty seat beside Zhang Xiao Qi.
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Not random.
Not accidental.
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Deliberate.
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He pulled the chair back and sat down.
Close.
Too close.
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"…You don't mind, do you?" he said lightly.
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Zhang Xiao Qi didn't look at him.
"I do."
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A pause.
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Then he smiled.
"…That's unfortunate..."
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The lesson continued, but his attention didn't.
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"…You've changed," he said quietly.
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Zhang Xiao Qi kept writing.
"So has the weather."
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He chuckled under his breath.
"…That's not what I meant."
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"I know."
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Silence.
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Then—
"…You didn't step in earlier."
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There it was again.
---
Everyone was fixated on that.
---
Zhang Xiao Qi finally stopped writing.
Turned her head slightly.
Looked at him.
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"And you care?"
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A pause.
---
Gu Yichen met her gaze, smile still there—but his eyes sharper now.
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"I'm curious."
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"…Then stay curious."
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She turned back.
Ending it.
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But he didn't push further.
Not yet.
---
Because curiosity—
Was more interesting when it wasn't satisfied.
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— Escalation
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Across the room, Li Xinyue watched the entire interaction.
Her expression darkened slightly.
---
Of course.
---
In her eyes, Zhang Xiao Qi stepping back didn't make her less of a threat.
It made her unpredictable.
---
And unpredictability—
Was dangerous.
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The bell rang again.
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Break time.
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This time—
No one approached Xiao Qi.
---
But they didn't ignore her either.
---
They watched.
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Carefully.
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— Medical Department
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Elsewhere—
The atmosphere was entirely different.
---
Quiet.
Focused.
Controlled.
---
walked through the medical department without stopping.
---
White coats.
Low voices.
Sharp minds.
---
This was her space.
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"Ruoxi, you're back."
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A student greeted her.
Respectful.
Careful.
---
She nodded slightly.
Nothing more.
---
Because she didn't need to say much.
Her presence alone was enough.
---
At the far end—
Someone looked up.
---
.
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His gaze paused on her.
Longer than necessary.
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"…You returned earlier than expected."
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Pei Ruoxi didn't slow down.
"…My schedule didn't change."
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A pause.
---
"…Your pattern did," Shen Yu replied.
---
She stopped.
Just slightly.
---
Then turned.
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Their eyes met.
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"…You're observing too closely."
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"…You're leaving traces."
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Silence.
---
Because both statements were true.
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"…And what have you concluded?" she asked.
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Shen Yu studied her for a moment.
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"…That you're adjusting to something."
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A pause.
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"…Something external."
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Pei Ruoxi's expression didn't change.
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"…Then your conclusion is incomplete."
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She turned again.
Walked away.
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Ending it.
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But Shen Yu didn't look away.
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Because now—
He was certain.
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Something had changed.
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And he would find out what.
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— Back to Xiao Qi
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Zhang Xiao Qi stood by the window.
Alone.
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Watching the campus.
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Thinking.
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"…So they're all moving now."
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A faint smile touched her lips.
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Good.
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Because a stagnant game—
Was boring.
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And this time—
She wasn't here to follow the story.
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She was here—
To break it properly.
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From the inside.