Chapter 1 - First Day, First Glance

The gates of Linshan High stood tall under the soft glow of the morning sun.

Chen Yu paused just outside, his eyes scanning the sprawling campus beyond. The buildings were large and elegant, pathways lined with trees, and students moved everywhere—laughing, talking, full of life.

“…It’s bigger than I imagined,” he murmured, a small smile forming on his lips.

For a moment, excitement bubbled in his chest.

A new school. A new start.

Then—

“Hey! Don’t just stand there like a tourist.”

A familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

Chen Yu turned instantly, his smile widening. “Lin Jie!”

Lin Jie jogged toward him, relaxed as ever, hands in his pockets. He stopped right in front of Chen Yu and bumped his shoulder lightly.

“…Still the same,” Lin Jie teased. “You always get distracted so easily.”

Chen Yu laughed. “…And you’re still impatient.”

“Of course,” Lin Jie replied. “If I don’t drag you around, you’ll get lost in five minutes.”

They exchanged a quick look—comfortable, effortless.

Years of friendship didn’t need explanation.

Together, they stepped into the campus.

Students crowded the walkways, voices overlapping, energy buzzing in every corner. The first day excitement was impossible to ignore.

“Seminar hall should be this way,” Lin Jie said, glancing ahead.

Chen Yu nodded, following beside him, his gaze wandering curiously around.

“…There’s so many people,” he said softly.

“Try not to bump into anyone,” Lin Jie replied casually.

“…I won’t—”

Before he could finish—

thud

Chen Yu walked straight into someone.

“…Whoa—!”

He stumbled back slightly, blinking in surprise.

“…Who put a wall in the middle of the hallway?” he blurted instinctively.

For a second, there was silence.

Then Chen Yu looked up—

And froze.

The person in front of him wasn’t just tall.

He was imposing.

Sharp features, straight posture, and eyes that were calm yet piercing—like they could see right through him. There was no unnecessary movement, no wasted expression. Just quiet authority.

A senior.

A very noticeable one.

“…Careful where you’re going,” the senior said.

His voice was low, steady… controlled.

Not loud—but enough to make Chen Yu instinctively straighten.

For a split second, Chen Yu forgot what to say.

Then his usual smile returned, a little sheepish this time.

“…Ah—sorry. My fault,” he said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck.

The senior didn’t respond immediately.

His gaze lingered—just for a moment longer than expected.

As if he was… observing.

Measuring.

“Chen Yu!”

Lin Jie’s voice cut in from ahead.

Chen Yu turned instantly. “Coming!”

Without thinking too much about it, he gave a quick grin and rushed forward to catch up.

“…You really did bump into someone,” Lin Jie said, amused.

Chen Yu laughed lightly. “Not just someone… he looked like he runs the whole school.”

Lin Jie smirked. “Then try not to offend him on day one.”

“…Too late,” Chen Yu replied.

They reached the seminar hall just in time, slipping into empty seats as the event began.

Students settled down, whispers fading into quiet anticipation.

Chen Yu leaned slightly toward Lin Jie.

“…Hey,” he whispered, “…that senior earlier—did you see him?”

Lin Jie shrugged. “Didn’t get a good look. Why?”

Chen Yu rested his chin on his hand, thinking.

“…He just felt… different.”

Soon, the atmosphere shifted.

The room fell silent as someone stepped onto the stage.

“Student Council President—Li Wei.”

Chen Yu’s eyes lifted—

And widened.

“…It’s him.”

The same senior.

Standing under the spotlight now, composed and untouchable.

His posture was flawless. His voice, when he spoke, was calm and commanding—like someone used to being listened to.

Not just a student.

Someone with presence.

Chen Yu watched without realizing it.

“…He really does run the place,” he murmured under his breath.

Lin Jie chuckled quietly. “Told you to be careful.”

On stage, Li Wei continued speaking, his tone steady, his expression unreadable.

But for a brief moment—

His gaze shifted.

And landed on Chen Yu.

Just for a second.

Then moved away.

After the event, the day carried on normally—introductions, classrooms, new faces.

Chen Yu quickly blended in, laughing, joking, making others feel at ease.

Bright. Easygoing. Alive.

The kind of person people noticed without trying.

But somewhere else—

Li Wei stood alone, watching the campus from a distance.

His thoughts were unusually unfocused.

That boy…

The one who had bumped into him.

The one who smiled so easily.

Why do I remember him?

His expression remained calm, but his eyes darkened slightly.

Lively. Unpredictable…

…Interesting.

As the sun began to set, Chen Yu walked home beside Lin Jie, laughing about the day like nothing had changed.

But something had.

A brief collision.

A simple glance.

And a name that now lingered quietly in both their minds.

Li Wei.

✨ Some encounters last only seconds… but leave impressions that don’t fade.

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