Episode 2: Saved a Seat

The next morning, Zi Xuan arrived at school earlier than usual.

Part of him blamed it on wanting a quiet classroom.

The other part refused to admit he was curious whether Zhao Ming would talk to him again.

When he entered the room, Zhao Ming was already there.

The senior sat casually at his desk, reading something on his phone.

The moment he noticed Zi Xuan, he waved.

"Morning."

Zi Xuan nodded.

"Morning."

"Wow."

Zi Xuan stopped.

"What?"

"Two words before first period. You're improving."

Zi Xuan regretted speaking immediately.

Classes passed slowly.

During math, Zhao Ming secretly passed him a small note.

Zi Xuan unfolded it under the desk.

Are you always this serious?

He stared at the paper.

Then wrote back.

Are you always this annoying?

A few minutes later, another note appeared.

Yes.

Zi Xuan had to bite his lip to stop himself from laughing.

Lunch break arrived.

The classroom instantly became noisy as students rushed outside.

Zi Xuan packed away his books and prepared to find a quiet corner somewhere.

Before he could stand, Zhao Ming appeared beside his desk.

"Come with me."

"No."

"You didn't even ask where."

"I don't need to."

Zhao Ming grinned.

"Fair."

Despite refusing, Zi Xuan somehow found himself walking toward the cafeteria beside Zhao Ming.

The cafeteria was crowded.

Students filled nearly every table.

Zi Xuan immediately considered turning around.

Too many people.

Too much noise.

Too many eyes.

Then Zhao Ming pointed toward a table near the window.

There was an empty chair.

Only one.

"Sit."

Zi Xuan frowned.

"You were saving that seat?"

"Maybe."

"For who?"

Zhao Ming looked at him.

Zi Xuan suddenly realized the answer.

"Oh."

"You're welcome."

For some reason, warmth spread through his chest.

It wasn't a big thing.

Just a chair.

A simple empty seat.

Yet nobody had ever specifically saved him a place before.

As they ate, several students walked by.

Most greeted Zhao Ming.

A few looked surprised to see Zi Xuan sitting with him.

One girl even whispered loudly to her friend.

"Since when are they friends?"

Zi Xuan pretended not to hear.

Unfortunately, Zhao Ming definitely heard.

"Ignore them."

"I'm trying."

"They gossip about everyone."

"Even you?"

"Especially me."

Zi Xuan glanced at him.

"You don't seem bothered."

Zhao Ming shrugged.

"I learned a long time ago that people will talk no matter what."

"That's easy for you to say."

"Why?"

"Everyone likes you."

For the first time, Zhao Ming looked genuinely surprised.

Then he laughed.

"That's definitely not true."

Before Zi Xuan could ask what he meant, the bell rang.

Lunch was over.

That evening, after finishing his homework, Zi Xuan's phone buzzed.

A familiar notification appeared.

Chat

Zhao Ming: Emergency.

Zi Xuan: ?

Zhao Ming: I need a book recommendation.

Zi Xuan: That's not an emergency.

Zhao Ming: It is to me.

Zi Xuan: Dramatic.

Zhao Ming: Accurate.

Zi Xuan: What kind?

Zhao Ming: Mystery.

Zi Xuan: Obviously.

Zhao Ming: See? You know me already.

Zi Xuan: Unfortunately.

Several seconds passed.

Then another message arrived.

Zhao Ming: Can I ask something?

Zi Xuan: Depends.

Zhao Ming: Why do you always eat alone?

Zi Xuan stared at the question.

Most people never asked.

They simply assumed.

Zi Xuan: I like quiet.

Zhao Ming: That's all?

Zi Xuan: Mostly.

Zhao Ming: Hmm.

Zi Xuan: What?

Zhao Ming: Nothing.

A minute later another message appeared.

Zhao Ming: You know, you don't have to sit alone if you don't want to.

Zi Xuan: I know.

Zhao Ming: Good.

Zi Xuan: Why?

Zhao Ming: Because I already saved tomorrow's lunch seat.

Zi Xuan froze.

Zi Xuan: You what?

Zhao Ming: Too late.

Already decided.

Zi Xuan: What if I don't come?

Zhao Ming: You will.

Zi Xuan: Confident.

Zhao Ming: Extremely.

For the first time in a long while, Zi Xuan found himself looking forward to tomorrow.

And that realization was far more dangerous than he wanted to admit.

End of Episode 2 ✨📱🍃

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