New Faces, New Dynamics
[Scene: The next day at the college, Xiao Tian and Li Wei are walking together toward the library. It’s a quiet morning, and they seem comfortable in each other’s company. Just as they reach the library entrance, they hear a familiar voice.]
[Cheng Wei calling from behind]
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
Xiao Tian! I thought I saw you slacking off again.
[Xiao Tian turns around with a grin]
Xiao Tian
Cheng Wei, you always think I’m slacking. What are you doing here?
[Cheng Wei shrugs, catching up to them]
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
Looking for you, obviously.
[Cheng Wei's gaze shifts to Li Wei, raising an eyebrow]
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
And who's this? Don’t tell me you're making new friends without introducing us.
[Xiao Tian playfully nudges Li Wei]
Xiao Tian
Cheng Wei, meet Li Wei. Li Wei, this is Cheng Wei. He’s a professional in pretending to study but always somehow aces the exams.
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
Nice to meet you too, man.
[Cheng Wei leans toward Xiao Tian and whispering loudly enough for Li Wei to hear]
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
You didn’t mention he’s one of the serious types.
Xiao Tian
That’s because he actually is serious. Unlike you.
Li Wei
It’s fine. I get that a lot.
[Just as the conversation lightens up, a familiar voice calls out to Li Wei from across the courtyard.]
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
Li Wei! I’ve been looking everywhere for you!
[Mei Lin jogs over, smiling brightly]
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
You’re impossible to find these days.
[Li Wei turns to her, his expression softening]
Li Wei
Sorry, Mei Lin. Got caught up with some stuff. Mei Lin, this is Xiao Tian and Cheng Wei.
[Mei Lin flashes a charming smile]
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
Hi! I’m Mei Lin, Li Wei’s best friend and designated chaperone, apparently.
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
Chaperone? Are you making sure he stays out of trouble?
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
Pretty much. He can get so lost in his books sometimes that someone has to drag him out of the library for some fresh air.
Xiao Tian
Sounds familiar. He’s been skipping lunch with me lately.
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
Then we have something in common.
[Xiao Tian winks playfully at Li Wei]
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
Looks like you’ve got your hands full.
[Just as the four settle into casual conversation, a figure approaches from the side of the courtyard—Zhao Rui, Xiao Tian’s childhood friend, known for his straightforward attitude.]
[Zhao Rui with his hands in his pockets, he casually strolls up to the group]
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
Xiao Tian, I thought you’d be buried in your games, but look at you, socializing.
Xiao Tian
You act like I don’t have a life outside of games.
[Zhao Rui glances at Li Wei and Mei Lin, then Cheng Wei]
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
Who’s this? New recruits to your crew?
Xiao Tian
This is Li Wei and Mei Lin.
And you already know Cheng Wei.
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
Nice to meet you both.
[Zhao Rui turns to Xiao Tian]
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
What’s this? You making plans without me?
Xiao Tian
We were just about to grab lunch. You in?
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
Of course. Lead the way.
[Scene shifts to a lively café near the campus. The group sits at a round table, chatting casually. Mei Lin and Cheng Wei are joking about their latest classes, Zhao Rui is recounting a funny story from his childhood with Xiao Tian, and Li Wei is quietly observing, occasionally smiling at their banter.]
Mei Lin(Li Wei's friend)
So, Li Wei, how did you get mixed up with this crowd?
Li Wei
I think Xiao Tian sort of… adopted me.
Cheng Wei(Xiao Tian's friend)
That sounds about right. He has a habit of collecting people.
[Xiao Tian mockingly defensive]
Xiao Tian
Hey, I don’t collect people. I just know quality when I see it.
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
Sure, sure.
[Zhao Rui leans forward toward Li Wei]
Zhao Rui(Xiao Tian' childhood friend)
And what do you think of Xiao Tian? Is he annoying you yet?
[Li Wei glances at Xiao Tian, then smiling faintly]
Li Wei
Not yet. But there’s still time.
[Xiao Tian holds his hand over his heart dramatically]
Xiao Tian
Ouch. The betrayal.
[Later, as the group finishes their meal, Xiao Tian and Li Wei linger outside while the others head off in different directions.]
Xiao Tian
That wasn’t so bad, was it? Hanging out with everyone.
Li Wei
No, it was fun. I’m not used to being around so many people, but they’re all… nice.
Xiao Tian
Yeah, they’re good people. Zhao Rui and I go way back, and Cheng Wei has been stuck with me since high school.
[Li Wei pauses for a moment]
Li Wei
Thanks for… inviting me along. I didn’t realize I needed it.
[Xiao Tian grins, his playful nature returning]
Xiao Tian
But don’t get too used to it. You’re still stuck with me.
Li Wei
I think I’m okay with that.
[The chapter ends with the two of them walking back to campus, side by side, as their bond deepens and the dynamics of their new friendships begin to unfold.]
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