CHAPTER 7 — Unspoken Favor
By afternoon, the incident in the hallway had already spread.
Not officially.
But enough.
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Zhang Xiao Qi didn't need to ask to know.
The looks said everything.
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Curiosity.
Caution.
Interest.
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She walked into class like nothing had happened.
Calm.
Unremarkable.
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Yet—
More people noticed her than before.
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"…She came back like nothing happened."
"…After that?"
"…And Lu Zeyan stepped in…"
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That part carried weight.
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Because unlike others—
rarely involved himself in things that didn't concern him.
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Which meant—
This did
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Gu Yichen leaned back in his chair, watching her openly this time.
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"…You're getting popular," he said lightly as she sat.
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Zhang Xiao Qi didn't look at him.
"I doubt that."
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"…No, really."
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A pause.
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"…You caught someone's attention."
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His smile deepened slightly.
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"…That's harder than it sounds."
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She ignored him.
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But her mind registered it.
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Because he wasn't wrong.
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— Presence
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The classroom door opened again.
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Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
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But the moment he entered—
The atmosphere shifted.
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Lu Zeyan.
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Calm.
Composed.
Effortlessly put together.
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His presence wasn't loud.
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It didn't need to be.
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Girls glanced up instinctively.
Some straightened.
Others pretended not to look.
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Because he was that kind of person—
The one who didn't seek attention—
But always had it.
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— Natural Authority
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He walked to his seat without pause.
Every movement controlled.
Measured.
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Not stiff.
Not distant.
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Just… precise.
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Even the teacher didn't question his late arrival.
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That alone—
Said enough.
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— Brief Contact
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As he passed Zhang Xiao Qi—
His gaze flickered.
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Just once.
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Quick.
Subtle.
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But intentional.
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She noticed.
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Of course she did.
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"…Still watching," she thought.
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— The Difference
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Across the room—
Someone else watched too.
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Li Xinyue.
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Her gaze moved between them.
Calculating.
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Because something felt off.
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Lu Zeyan didn't intervene without reason.
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And Zhang Xiao Qi—
Wasn't someone worth his attention.
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At least—
She shouldn't be.
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— Another Side
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Elsewhere—
In the medical department—
stood beside a lab table, sleeves neatly rolled.
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Focused.
Precise.
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"Your results are perfect again," someone said in awe.
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She didn't respond.
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Because perfection—
Was expected.
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— Familiar Presence
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The door opened quietly.
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She didn't turn.
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"…You're here."
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A pause.
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"…You noticed."
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His voice was calm.
Low.
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Lu Zeyan.
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— Childhood Link
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He stepped closer, stopping at a comfortable distance.
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Not too near.
Not distant.
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Familiar.
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"…You shouldn't be out so soon," he said.
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Pei Ruoxi finally looked up.
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"…I've already returned."
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"…That doesn't mean you should."
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A pause.
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"…You're pushing again."
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Unlike before—
His tone wasn't sharp.
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It was quieter.
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Controlled.
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Almost… patient.
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Because with her—
He didn't need force.
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— Unspoken History
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"…You've said that before," she replied.
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A faint pause.
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"…And you didn't listen before either."
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Silence.
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But not uncomfortable.
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Because this—
Was familiar.
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— Subtle Care
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He placed something on the table.
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A small container.
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"…You didn't eat properly."
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Not a question.
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A statement.
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Pei Ruoxi glanced at it briefly.
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Then back at him.
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"…You're assuming."
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"…I'm certain."
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A pause.
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Then—
She reached for it.
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Opened it.
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And ate.
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— Quiet Understanding
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No thanks.
No acknowledgment.
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But she didn't refuse.
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And that—
Was enough.
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— Watching from Afar
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From the doorway—
Shen Yu observed silently.
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"…So that's how it is."
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His gaze lingered on Lu Zeyan.
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Then on Pei Ruoxi.
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Interest deepened.
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— Back to Xiao Qi
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In the classroom—
Zhang Xiao Qi rested her chin lightly against her hand.
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"…So he's involved on both sides."
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A faint smile appeared.
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Interesting.
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Because now—
She wasn't the only one making moves.
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— End
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Some connections were visible.
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Others weren't.
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But the most dangerous ones—
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Were the ones no one fully understood.
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And right now—
Only one person saw both ends of it.
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Lu Zeyan.