Chapter 2: A Cold Neighbor

The cafeteria buzzed with voices and clattering trays, the air thick with the smell of fried dumplings, soy sauce, and steamed rice. Lin Qianyu stood in line with her tray, looking around curiously. She was new, after all, and everything from the menu board to the noisy tables felt both exciting and overwhelming.

“Hey, transfer student!” a cheerful voice called.

Qianyu turned to see a round-faced boy waving at her. His smile was wide, his glasses slightly crooked. “Come sit with us! I’m Guo Minghao. This is Xia Yinyin,” he introduced, pointing at the short-haired girl beside him.

Qianyu smiled warmly. “Thanks! I was just wondering where to sit.”

The three found a table near the window, and conversation flowed easily. Yinyin asked her about her old school, Minghao cracked jokes that made both girls laugh, and Qianyu felt her nerves begin to fade.

Still, her eyes wandered.

At the far corner of the cafeteria, Chen Yuze sat alone, one leg crossed lazily over the other, a book propped open in front of him. His lunch tray looked untouched, and he didn’t seem to notice or care that every table around him was deliberately empty.

“Why does he sit alone?” Qianyu asked before she could stop herself.

Yinyin’s chopsticks froze midway. “You mean Chen Yuze? Don’t you know his reputation?”

Guo Minghao leaned in dramatically. “He’s the coldest guy in school. Rude to teachers, terrifying to classmates. They say he once fought three seniors at once and won.”

Qianyu blinked, unimpressed. “That just makes him sound lonely.”

Her friends exchanged wary looks. Yinyin whispered, “Don’t get involved with him. Everyone who tries gets pushed away. Better to keep your distance.”

Qianyu nodded politely, but in her heart, she disagreed. Distance wasn’t always the answer.

......................

After lunch, classes resumed. Qianyu returned to her seat beside Chen Yuze, placing her books neatly on the desk. He didn’t glance at her once.

During history class, Mr. Liu called on him. “Chen Yuze, tell us about the reforms of Emperor Wu.”

Silence. Yuze leaned back in his chair, his eyes half-lidded, as though he hadn’t even heard.

The teacher’s brow furrowed. “Chen Yuze!”

Finally, Yuze looked up, annoyance flickering in his gaze. “I don’t know.”

A ripple of whispers filled the room. Some students smirked, others shook their heads. Mr. Liu sighed heavily. “Sit down. I expect more from you.”

Beside him, Qianyu’s hand tightened on her pen. She couldn’t understand him. Was it arrogance? Laziness? Or something deeper?

When the bell rang, she tapped her pen against her notebook and leaned toward him. “Hey.”

He didn’t respond.

She tried again. “If you don’t understand history, I could help you. I’m pretty good at memorizing dates and stuff.”

Finally, his eyes cut to her sharp and icy. “Did I ask for help?”

“No,” she admitted, unfazed. “But offering it is still nice, isn’t it?”

His brow twitched, a sign of irritation. “People like you are annoying.”

Qianyu’s lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Good. That means you’ll remember me.”

For a moment, his expression froze caught between irritation and confusion. Most people would’ve backed away by now. Yet this girl, with her soft voice and stubborn smile, stood her ground.

“Tch,” he muttered, dragging his gaze back to the window. “You talk too much.”

Qianyu chuckled softly, returning to her notes. She didn’t mind. Somehow, even his rejection felt like progress.

......................

By the end of the day, clouds gathered outside, casting shadows over the schoolyard. Students rushed to pack their things, eager to escape before the rain fell.

Qianyu lingered, sliding her notebooks into her bag carefully. As she zipped it closed, she noticed Chen Yuze still sitting, staring blankly out the window. His desk was messy, his books stacked carelessly.

She hesitated, then asked, “Aren’t you going home?”

He didn’t reply.

Qianyu tilted her head. “Or are you waiting for the rain?”

This time, his gaze flickered briefly toward her. Something unreadable flashed in his eyes, but he said nothing.

The first drops pattered against the glass, and thunder rumbled faintly in the distance. Qianyu stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

“Well, see you tomorrow then,” she said lightly, waving before heading out.

For the first time, Chen Yuze’s lips curved just slightly. Not a smile, but the ghost of one.

As the rain fell harder, he closed his book slowly, eyes lingering on the empty space beside him.

Maybe… not so annoying after all.

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