Chapter 3: 𝓢𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓣𝓸𝓸 𝓒𝓵𝓸𝓼𝓮
The rain had stopped by morning.
Linyun City looked different after a storm.
The air felt cleaner, quieter. Puddles reflected the pale sky, and everything carried that faint, damp scent that lingered after rain. Students walked across the campus in a slower rhythm than usual, some avoiding the wet ground, others stepping straight through it without care.
Lu Zhen arrived early.
He always did.
Not because he liked it—but because it meant fewer people.
Fewer voices.
Fewer chances for unnecessary interaction.
The classroom was almost empty when he entered.
Just a few students scattered across the seats, speaking in low voices. Lu Zhen didn't look at them. He walked straight to the back, to the same corner seat he had taken yesterday.
Routine.
It made things predictable.
He placed his bag down, pulled out a notebook, and leaned back slightly in his chair, gaze drifting toward the window.
Gray clouds still lingered in the sky.
It might rain again.
"…You're early."
Lu Zhen didn't react immediately.
He didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"You again," he said flatly.
Lin Xu stepped into view, holding a cup of coffee in one hand.
"Good morning."
Lu Zhen ignored the greeting.
There were plenty of empty seats.
Plenty.
But Lin Xu still walked past them—
and stopped right beside him.
"…Don't."
Lu Zhen's voice came out low.
Lin Xu paused.
"Don't what?"
"Sit here."
Lin Xu glanced around the room, then back at him.
"There's space."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
Lu Zhen didn't answer.
Because he didn't have one.
Or maybe—
he didn't want to say it out loud.
Lin Xu watched him for a second longer, then quietly pulled out the chair anyway and sat down.
Close.
Closer than yesterday.
Lu Zhen's expression darkened slightly.
"…You don't listen."
"I do," Lin Xu replied calmly. "I just don't always agree."
"That's not how listening works."
"It is for me."
Lu Zhen exhaled slowly, turning his gaze back toward the window.
Annoying.
Unnecessarily persistent.
And yet—
he didn't move.
Lin Xu placed the coffee cup on the desk between them.
"I got an extra."
"I didn't ask for it."
"I know."
"…Then why?"
Lin Xu shrugged lightly.
"You looked tired."
Lu Zhen's fingers paused against the page of his notebook.
For a brief moment—
just a second—
he didn't say anything.
"…I'm fine."
"You don't look like it."
"I didn't ask for your opinion."
Lin Xu didn't respond.
He just slid the cup slightly closer.
Not forcing.
Just offering.
Lu Zhen stared at it.
The faint warmth rose from the lid, the scent subtle but noticeable.
He hesitated.
Then—
"…I don't drink this."
"Then don't."
"…Why bring it, then?"
Lin Xu's lips curved slightly.
"In case you did."
Silence settled between them again.
Not tense.
Just… there.
Lu Zhen clicked his tongue quietly under his breath and pushed the cup slightly back toward Lin Xu.
"I don't take things from strangers."
Lin Xu nodded once.
"That's fair."
A pause.
"…We're not strangers anymore, though."
Lu Zhen's hand stilled.
His eyes flickered slightly—but he didn't look at him.
"…Don't assume things."
"I'm not assuming," Lin Xu said softly. "You told me your name."
"That doesn't mean anything."
"Maybe not to you."
Lu Zhen didn't reply.
The classroom slowly began to fill, voices growing louder, footsteps echoing as more students arrived. The space that had been quiet moments ago was now crowded again.
But the seat beside him—
remained occupied.
And for some reason—
Lu Zhen didn't feel the same urge to leave.
—
Halfway through the lecture, Lu Zhen noticed something.
Lin Xu wasn't taking notes.
He wasn't distracted either.
He was just… listening.
Calm. Focused.
Like nothing around him bothered him.
"…Aren't you writing anything?" Lu Zhen asked suddenly.
Lin Xu glanced at him, slightly surprised.
"Do you want me to?"
"That's not what I asked."
"I remember better this way."
"…That's inefficient."
"Not for me."
Lu Zhen frowned slightly, looking back at his own notes.
Messy. Rushed. Unnecessary, maybe.
"…You're strange," he muttered.
Lin Xu smiled faintly.
"You've said that before."
"Because it's true."
"Then you must find me interesting."
"I don't."
"Hmm."
Lu Zhen tightened his grip on his pen.
"…Stop talking."
Lin Xu didn't reply this time.
But the faint trace of a smile didn't leave his face.
—
When the lecture ended, the room filled with movement again.
Students stood, conversations starting up as they gathered their things.
Lu Zhen remained seated for a moment longer.
Then he stood up.
So did Lin Xu.
"…Don't follow me today," Lu Zhen said, not looking at him.
There was a brief pause.
Then—
"Alright."
The answer came easily.
Without hesitation.
Lu Zhen frowned slightly, glancing at him for the first time.
"You're agreeing?"
"Yes."
"…Just like that?"
Lin Xu nodded.
"Yes."
Lu Zhen stared at him, trying to find something—anything—that suggested he wasn't serious.
But there was nothing.
Just that same calm expression.
"…Fine."
Lu Zhen turned and walked toward the door.
This time—
he didn't hear footsteps behind him.
No presence.
No quiet following.
Just space.
He should have felt relieved.
That's what he wanted, wasn't it?
Distance.
No unnecessary attachment.
No one lingering where they didn't belong.
And yet—
As he stepped out into the hallway—
something felt…
off.
Lu Zhen slowed slightly.
Just for a moment.
Then continued walking.
He didn't turn around.
But for some reason—
the empty space beside him
felt louder than it should have.