Episode 4: The Message That Stayed

Zi Xuan stared at his phone screen for several seconds.

"I notice a lot of things about you."

The words seemed simple, yet his heart reacted strangely. He read the message again. And then again.

Why would Zhao Ming say that?

Most people barely noticed him. He was the quiet student who sat near the window, submitted assignments on time, and rarely drew attention to himself. Yet somehow Zhao Ming always seemed to know where he was.

Zi Xuan shook his head.

"You're overthinking."

He placed the phone beside his pillow and turned off the lamp.

A few seconds later, the screen lit up.

Zhao Ming: Still awake?

Zi Xuan immediately grabbed the phone.

Zi Xuan: Maybe.

Zhao Ming: That's not an answer.

Zi Xuan: Then yes.

Zhao Ming: I knew it.

Zi Xuan frowned.

Zi Xuan: How?

Zhao Ming: Because you replied in three seconds.

A smile escaped him.

Zi Xuan: Stalker.

Zhao Ming: Observer.

Zi Xuan: That's somehow worse.

For the first time that day, Zhao Ming sent a laughing emoji.

Zi Xuan found himself smiling at the screen.

The conversation continued for almost an hour.

They talked about books.

Then movies.

Then teachers they disliked.

Then random things that made no sense at all.

At some point Zi Xuan glanced at the time.

11:47 PM.

He blinked.

Had they really been talking for that long?

Zi Xuan: We should sleep.

Zhao Ming: Probably.

Zi Xuan: Then sleep.

Zhao Ming: You first.

Zi Xuan: Why?

Zhao Ming: To make sure you actually do it.

Zi Xuan rolled his eyes.

Zi Xuan: Goodnight.

Zhao Ming: Goodnight, Zi Xuan.

For some reason, seeing his name there made his chest feel warm.

He quickly locked the phone and buried his face in the pillow.

The next morning—

"Zi Xuan!"

His friend practically jumped into the seat beside him.

"What?"

"You look happy."

"I do not."

"You do."

"I don't."

"You smiled at your phone."

Zi Xuan froze.

His friend gasped dramatically.

"THERE'S SOMEONE."

"There isn't."

"There absolutely is."

Zi Xuan ignored him and opened his notebook.

Unfortunately, his friend refused to let it go.

"Who is it?"

"No one."

"Is it someone from our class?"

"No."

"Senior?"

Zi Xuan's pen stopped moving.

His friend pointed immediately.

"IT'S A SENIOR."

"Lower your voice!"

The classroom erupted with laughter.

Zi Xuan wished the floor would swallow him whole.

At that exact moment, someone appeared at the classroom door.

The room instantly became quiet.

Zhao Ming.

Several students turned to look.

The senior was popular enough that everyone recognized him.

Zi Xuan's friend looked at Zhao Ming.

Then at Zi Xuan.

Then back at Zhao Ming.

A look of realization appeared on his face.

"No way."

Zi Xuan covered his mouth before he could say anything else.

"What are you doing here?" Zi Xuan asked.

Zhao Ming lifted a notebook.

"You forgot this in the library yesterday."

"Oh."

Their eyes met briefly.

Something felt different.

Not uncomfortable.

Just different.

Like they were becoming aware of each other in ways they hadn't before.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Neither moved.

Neither spoke.

The silence stretched.

Then Zhao Ming suddenly smiled.

"I'll see you later."

Zi Xuan nodded.

"See you."

As Zhao Ming walked away, several classmates immediately surrounded Zi Xuan.

"What was that?"

"Since when are you friends with him?"

"Why does he know your classroom?"

"Why did he bring your notebook personally?"

Zi Xuan groaned.

This was going to be a very long day.

What he didn't know was that the day was about to become even more complicated.

Because during lunch break, a girl from Zhao Ming's grade was preparing to confess her feelings.

And Zi Xuan was accidentally going to witness everything.

End of Episode 4 📚✨👀

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