CHAPTER 11 — Public Lines
The tension didn't stay quiet for long.
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By midday—
It had already spread.
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Not as rumors.
But as expectation.
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Because something was about to happen.
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Zhang Xiao Qi stepped into the cafeteria without hesitation.
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The moment she entered—
Conversations slowed.
Eyes turned.
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Not subtle anymore.
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Open.
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Curious.
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Waiting.
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"…She actually came here…"
"…After everything?"
"…Is she trying to prove something?"
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Zhang Xiao Qi ignored all of it and walked toward the counter.
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Calm.
Unbothered.
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As if she didn't notice the entire room watching her.
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— The First Move
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"Zhang Xiao Qi."
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The voice came from behind.
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Clear.
Cold.
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Li Xinyue.
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Zhang Xiao Qi stopped.
Then turned.
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"…Yes?"
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Li Xinyue stepped forward, her posture straight, her gaze unwavering.
"You've been causing quite a disturbance lately."
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A few students shifted slightly.
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Because this—
Was no longer subtle.
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Zhang Xiao Qi tilted her head.
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"…Have I?"
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"Don't pretend."
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A pause.
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"You rejected Gu Yichen."
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Silence.
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That wasn't the real issue.
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They all knew it
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"And yet," Li Xinyue continued,
"…you keep drawing attention."
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Her gaze sharpened.
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"…from people you shouldn't."
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A faint shift.
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Zhang Xiao Qi understood.
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"…You mean him?"
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Her eyes flickered briefly—
Toward the entrance.
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Right on cue—
walked in.
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The room stilled.
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Instantly.
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He didn't rush.
Didn't look around.
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But the moment he appeared—
Everything centered.
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— Collision
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Li Xinyue's gaze followed him.
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Unhidden this time.
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"…Yes," she said quietly.
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Zhang Xiao Qi smiled faintly.
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"…Then that's your problem."
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Gasps.
Whispers.
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Because that—
Was direct.
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— Escalation
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"You're overestimating yourself," Li Xinyue said.
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"…Am I?"
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"…You think just because you caught his attention—"
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"I didn't."
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A pause.
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"…And I don't care to."
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Silence.
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Because that—
Was worse.
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— Third Entry
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"Well, that's harsh."
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A familiar voice cut in.
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Gu Yichen.
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He stepped in casually, but his gaze was sharp.
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"…You're rejecting me and denying him at the same time?"
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A faint smile.
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"…That's impressive."
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Now—
Three points.
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Zhang Xiao Qi.
Li Xinyue.
Gu Yichen.
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And approaching—
Lu Zeyan.
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Gu Yichen stepped beside Zhang Xiao Qi.
Close.
Deliberate.
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"…Have lunch with me," he said again.
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Public this time.
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Not subtle.
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— Reaction
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The room held its breath.
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Zhang Xiao Qi didn't hesitate.
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"…No."
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Again.
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Same answer.
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Li Xinyue's expression tightened.
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"…You're doing this on purpose."
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"…Doing what?"
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"…Provoking people."
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"…She's not."
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The voice was calm.
Low.
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Lu Zeyan.
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He had stopped beside them.
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Close enough—
To be involved.
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— Authority
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His gaze moved once across the space.
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Then settled.
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"…You're escalating this unnecessarily," he said.
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Not to Zhang Xiao Qi.
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To Li Xinyue.
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— Impact
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Silence dropped heavily.
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Because that—
Was a stance.
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Public.
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Clear.
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— Breaking Point
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Li Xinyue let out a quiet breath.
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"…So you're taking her side."
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"…I'm stopping disorder."
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A pause.
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"…Don't confuse the two."
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— Hidden Move
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At that moment—
A message spread quietly across the student forum.
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Screens lit up.
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Whispers shifted.
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"…Wait—what is this?"
"…Presentation records…?"
"…The system log… it was altered…"
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— Turn
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Li Xinyue froze.
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Because the file—
Showed the truth.
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The schedule change.
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Not made by Zhang Xiao Qi.
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But redirected.
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Externally.
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— Source
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Far away—
lowered her phone.
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Calm.
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"…That should balance it."
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No emotion.
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Just correction.
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Zhang Xiao Qi glanced at the screen briefly.
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Then back at Li Xinyue.
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"…Next time," she said quietly,
"…be more careful."
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No one spoke.
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Because now—
The lines weren't just drawn.
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They were exposed.
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And for the first time—
Zhang Xiao Qi didn't just react.
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She stood at the center—
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And didn't move.