Chapter 1 — The Transfer Student

The autumn sun shone through the classroom window, falling across rows of desks. Outside, the smell of osmanthus flowers drifted through the air. Students were chatting and laughing until the homeroom teacher clapped her hands.

“Quiet down, everyone,” Ms. Liu said with a smile. “We have a new student joining us today. Please welcome him kindly.”

The sliding door opened, and a tall boy stepped in. His uniform was perfectly neat, his hair trimmed short, and his expression calm but distant.

“My name is Lu Yichen,” he said softly. “I transferred from Beijing No. 4 High School.”

His voice was low and polite, but it carried no warmth.

“You’ll sit by the window, next to Jiang Rui,” Ms. Liu said.

“Here!” A cheerful voice called out immediately.

Jiang Rui was already half-standing, waving his hand. His hair was slightly messy, and his smile was bright like sunlight after rain. When Lu Yichen walked over, Jiang Rui grinned.

“Hey, I’m Jiang Rui. Welcome to Class 2–3! Need help finding anything?”

Lu Yichen shook his head slightly. “No, thank you.”

The short answer didn’t bother Jiang Rui. He only laughed. “Alright, but if you ever need help, I’m the guy to ask.”

All morning, Jiang Rui tried to talk, but Lu Yichen stayed quiet, focused on his notes. Still, Jiang Rui noticed small things—the way Lu’s handwriting was clean and perfect, how he always kept his sleeves buttoned, how he never joined the noise around them.

During lunch break, Jiang Rui turned toward him again. “Let’s eat together. The cafeteria’s fried noodles are pretty good.”

“I brought my own lunch,” Lu said, opening a neat bento box filled with rice, vegetables, and egg.

Jiang Rui leaned closer, eyes wide. “Wow, that looks so nice! Did you make it yourself?”

Lu paused. “No. My grandmother did.”

“Ah, lucky,” Jiang Rui smiled. “My grandma only knows how to ask if I’ve eaten.”

For a moment, Lu Yichen’s eyes softened. His lips moved slightly—almost a smile, quick and shy.

Jiang Rui caught it and felt something warm inside.

The rest of the day passed quietly. When the final bell rang, most students rushed out. Jiang Rui lingered by the window, looking at the fading sunlight.

He glanced at Lu Yichen, who was packing his books carefully. “Hey, want to walk together?”

Lu hesitated, then gave a small nod.

They walked side by side under the golden sky, the sound of cicadas fading as the wind carried the smell of autumn. They didn’t talk much, but it wasn’t awkward—just quiet, like the beginning of something neither of them could name yet.

Jiang Rui looked at Lu Yichen and smiled.

“See you tomorrow, Lu Yichen.”

Lu looked up, surprised for a second. “Mm. See you.”

And just like that, a small warmth began to melt the edge of winter in Lu Yichen’s heart.

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