CHAPTER 10 — Misplaced Attention
By the next day, the atmosphere had settled again.
At least—
On the surface.
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Zhang Xiao Qi walked into class without pause, her expression calm as ever.
But the moment she stepped in—
She felt it.
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More attention.
More awareness.
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Not because of what she said.
But because of who had noticed her.
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"…She rejected Gu Yichen."
"…And he didn't even get annoyed…"
"…That's the strange part…"
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Zhang Xiao Qi ignored all of it and took her seat.
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Across the room—
Li Xinyue was already watching her.
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Cold.
Focused.
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But this time—
There was something else mixed in.
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Irritation.
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"Yichen."
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Her voice was softer than usual.
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Gu Yichen, who had just entered, paused slightly.
Then smiled.
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"…Xinyue."
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Familiar.
Easy.
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Natural.
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Because this—
Was not new.
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They had known each other for years.
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"Lunch later?" she asked.
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Casual.
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But not careless.
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Gu Yichen glanced at her.
Then—
Without hesitation—
"…Not today."
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Silence.
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Because that—
Had never happened before.
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Li Xinyue's expression didn't change immediately.
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"…You're busy?"
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"…Something like that."
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A pause.
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Then his gaze shifted.
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Toward Zhang Xiao Qi.
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That was enough.
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— Shifted Focus
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Li Xinyue followed his line of sight.
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And understood instantly.
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"…You're serious?" she asked quietly.
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Gu Yichen didn't deny it.
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"…I told you. I like interesting things."
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A pause.
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Li Xinyue's fingers tightened slightly.
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"…She's not your type."
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"…Maybe not before."
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He smiled faintly.
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"…But people change."
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Li Xinyue looked away.
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But her gaze didn't soften.
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Because this—
Was no longer just about Zhang Xiao Qi.
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It was about control.
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And something else.
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Her eyes shifted—
To the other side of the room.
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Where Lu Zeyan sat.
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Calm.
Detached.
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As if none of this concerned him.
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— Hidden Interest
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Her gaze lingered for a second too long.
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"…You're wasting your time," she said suddenly.
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Gu Yichen raised a brow.
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"…On who?"
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"…Both."
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A pause.
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"…Him."
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Her eyes flickered briefly toward Lu Zeyan.
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"…and her."
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— Indifference
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Gu Yichen followed her gaze.
Then chuckled softly.
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"…You're still the same."
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"…And you're different."
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"…That's not a bad thing."
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"…It is when it's unnecessary."
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Meanwhile—
Zhang Xiao Qi sat quietly, flipping through her notes.
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Not once looking up.
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But she had heard enough.
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"…So that's the dynamic."
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A faint smile touched her lips.
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Interesting.
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Because now—
This wasn't just about her.
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The classroom door opened again.
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entered.
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As always—
The room shifted.
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Not dramatically.
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But noticeably.
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His presence alone—
Commanded attention.
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He took his seat without a word.
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Didn't look at anyone.
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Didn't acknowledge anything.
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But that—
Only made people look more.
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Li Xinyue's gaze followed him again.
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More controlled this time.
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But still there.
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Because unlike Gu Yichen—
Lu Zeyan was not easy to approach.
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And that—
Made him more desirable.
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For a brief moment—
Lu Zeyan's gaze lifted.
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Not toward Li Xinyue.
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Not toward Gu Yichen.
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But toward Zhang Xiao Qi.
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Just once.
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Then gone.
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— Realization
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Zhang Xiao Qi noticed.
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Of course she did.
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"…So even this is shifting."
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Her fingers tapped lightly against her desk.
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Slow.
Measured.
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Now—
The lines were different.
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And Pei Ruoxi—
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Still unmoved
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Zhang Xiao Qi closed her book.
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"…This is getting complicated."
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A pause.
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Then—
A faint smile.
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"…Good."
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Because complicated games—
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Were the most interesting to win.