Episode 1: The Empty Seat

The first day after summer break was loud.

Students were catching up with friends, exchanging holiday stories, and complaining about homework they hadn't done.

Zi Xuan hated days like this.

He adjusted the strap of his bag and quietly walked into the classroom.

His goal was simple:

Find a seat. Stay invisible. Survive.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans.

The only empty seat was beside Zhao Ming.

Everyone knew who Zhao Ming was.

Third-year student.

Basketball captain.

Top of the academic rankings.

Popular enough that half the school seemed to know his schedule better than their own.

Zi Xuan considered turning around and leaving.

Instead, he sat down.

As he placed his books on the desk, Zhao Ming looked over.

"You're the transfer student?"

Zi Xuan nodded.

"Zi Xuan."

"Zhao Ming."

The conversation died immediately.

Zi Xuan silently celebrated.

The teacher entered a few minutes later.

Classes began.

Throughout the morning, Zi Xuan focused entirely on his notes.

At least, he tried to.

Every now and then he could feel Zhao Ming talking to classmates around him.

Laughing.

Answering questions.

Helping people.

It was exhausting just listening.

How did someone have that much social energy?

Lunch break arrived.

The classroom emptied within seconds.

Zi Xuan remained seated.

He preferred eating alone.

Less noise.

Less attention.

More peace.

He had just opened his lunchbox when a shadow fell across his desk.

"You're not going to the cafeteria?"

Zi Xuan looked up.

Zhao Ming.

"No."

"You always eat alone?"

"Usually."

"Oh."

To Zi Xuan's surprise, Zhao Ming sat down.

"Can I stay here?"

"You don't need my permission."

"Good answer."

Zi Xuan blinked.

What did that even mean?

For the next ten minutes, Zhao Ming talked while Zi Xuan mostly listened.

Somehow the silence never felt awkward.

After school ended, Zi Xuan was among the first to leave.

The walk home was peaceful.

Finally.

No crowds.

No conversations.

No Zhao Ming.

His phone vibrated.

A notification.

Unknown Number.

Zi Xuan frowned.

Who was texting him?

He opened the message.

Chat

Unknown Number: Is this Zi Xuan?

Zi Xuan: Who is this?

Unknown Number: Zhao Ming.

Zi Xuan: How did you get my number?

Zhao Ming: Class group.

Zi Xuan: Oh.

Zhao Ming: You always reply with one word?

Zi Xuan: Maybe.

Zhao Ming: This friendship is going to be difficult.

Zi Xuan: Friendship?

Zhao Ming: Too soon?

Zi Xuan: Very.

Zhao Ming: 😂

For some reason, Zi Xuan smiled.

Just a little.

A tiny smile that disappeared as quickly as it came.

A few minutes later another message arrived.

Zhao Ming: By the way.

Zi Xuan: ?

Zhao Ming: You're better at talking through text.

Zi Xuan: Am not.

Zhao Ming: That's the longest thing you've said all day.

Zi Xuan: ...

Zhao Ming: See?

Zi Xuan stared at his screen.

Was Zhao Ming always like this?

Zhao Ming: What are you doing?

Zi Xuan: Reading.

Zhao Ming: Novel?

Zi Xuan: Yes.

Zhao Ming: What kind?

Zi Xuan: Mystery.

Zhao Ming: Wait.

You read mystery novels too?

Zi Xuan: Too?

Zhao Ming: My shelf is literally full of them.

Zi Xuan: Really?

Zhao Ming: There it is.

Zi Xuan: What?

Zhao Ming: Two words.

Progress.

Zi Xuan rolled his eyes.

Yet somehow he kept replying.

The conversation continued for nearly an hour.

Mostly Zhao Ming talking.

Mostly Zi Xuan answering.

But unlike most conversations, it didn't feel tiring.

At 9:47 PM, another message appeared.

Zhao Ming: Random question.

Zi Xuan: What?

Zhao Ming: Were you nervous today?

Zi Xuan paused.

How had Zhao Ming noticed?

Zi Xuan: Maybe.

Zhao Ming: New schools are difficult.

Zi Xuan: You noticed?

Zhao Ming: Of course.

Zi Xuan: Why?

Zhao Ming: Because you looked like you wanted the floor to swallow you whole.

Zi Xuan laughed.

Actually laughed.

Alone in his room.

At a text message.

Zi Xuan: That's rude.

Zhao Ming: But accurate.

Zi Xuan: Maybe.

Zhao Ming: There you go again.

Zi Xuan: What?

Zhao Ming: Maybe.

It's your favorite word.

The conversation slowed after that.

Both had school the next day.

Eventually Zhao Ming sent one final message.

Zhao Ming: Good night, Zi Xuan.

Zi Xuan: Good night.

The chat ended.

The room became quiet again.

Zi Xuan set his phone aside.

Then picked it up again.

Then looked at the conversation.

For no reason at all.

Or maybe there was a reason.

He just didn't know it yet.

On the other side of the city, Zhao Ming was staring at the same chat.

A small smile appeared on his face.

The quiet transfer student was interesting.

Much more interesting than he had expected.

And neither of them knew it yet, but that single conversation was about to change the entire school year.

End of Episode 1 ✨

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