The classroom buzzed with chatter as Mr. Liu clapped his hands. “Alright, students. For this project, you’ll form groups of four. You’ll research a historical event and prepare a short presentation. You have two weeks. Choose wisely your grade depends on teamwork.”
Immediately, desks scraped against the floor as students gathered in clusters, calling out to their friends. Excitement filled the air everyone, it seemed, except Chen Yuze.
He sat slouched in his chair, gaze fixed on the window, earphones dangling around his neck though no music played. His desk was an island untouched by the chaos around him.
Lin Qianyu chewed her pen cap thoughtfully. Most people avoided him, but she remembered the rain. Remembered how he had tilted the umbrella toward her even while pretending he didn’t care.
Decision made, she turned toward him. “Let’s be in the same group.”
His head shifted slightly, eyes narrowing at her. “Not interested.”
“Good thing I didn’t ask if you were interested,” she replied with a cheeky grin. “I was informing you.”
Before he could argue, Qianyu stood and waved at Xia Yinyin and Guo Minghao. “Over here! Join us!”
Yinyin looked hesitant, glancing nervously at Yuze, but Minghao bounded over eagerly, arms full of notes. “Sweet! Our group is complete.”
Chen Yuze scowled, clearly annoyed. “I didn’t agree.”
“You didn’t refuse either,” Qianyu countered brightly.
His sharp retort died on his lips. He clicked his tongue, leaning back with folded arms. “Do what you want. Just don’t expect me to help.”
......................
The first group meeting didn’t go smoothly. Minghao threw out wild ideas (“Let’s reenact the Battle of Red Cliffs with toy boats!”), Yinyin worried about presentation slides, and Qianyu tried to organize everyone’s thoughts.
Through it all, Yuze sat silent, tapping his pen idly against the desk.
Finally, Qianyu nudged him. “What do you think?”
He glanced at her lazily. “About what?”
“About our topic. We need something strong. You’re smart you must have an idea.”
A flicker of something passed through his eyes, quickly hidden. “I don’t care.”
Yinyin shifted uncomfortably. Minghao frowned. “Why’s he even in our group if he’s just going to sit there?”
“Because I said so,” Qianyu replied firmly before Yuze could lash out. She looked him straight in the eyes. “Even if you don’t care, you’re part of this. So, Chen Yuze pick a topic.”
For the first time, silence hung heavy between them. Her words weren’t playful this time; they carried weight, daring him to prove he wasn’t just an empty shell.
His fingers drummed once on the desk before he muttered, “Taiping Rebellion.”
Minghao blinked. “Wait, seriously? That’s… actually good.”
Qianyu’s lips curved into a slow smile. “See? You do care.”
He glared at her, but a faint flush rose in his ears. He turned away sharply, muttering, “Tch. Whatever.”
......................
After class, Yinyin caught up with Qianyu as they walked down the hall. “You’re… really brave. No one ever talks to Chen Yuze like that.”
Qianyu laughed lightly. “Maybe that’s the problem. No one bothers to try.”
Yinyin shook her head. “Or maybe you’re just crazy.”
“Maybe,” Qianyu admitted, though her eyes softened. She thought of the umbrella again, of the quiet way he’d walked into the rain alone. Beneath the coldness, she was certain there was more.
......................
The following afternoon, the group gathered in the library to start research. Minghao was sprawled over books, Yinyin typed furiously at a laptop, and Qianyu scribbled notes in her neat handwriting.
Yuze leaned against the shelf, arms crossed, expression unreadable. He looked bored out of his mind.
“Here,” Qianyu said suddenly, sliding a textbook toward him.
He didn’t move. “I told you, I’m not doing this.”
“You already did,” she reminded him sweetly. “You chose the topic. Which means you’re in.”
His jaw tightened.
“And,” she added, leaning closer with a mischievous grin, “if you don’t help, I’ll just sit here and keep staring at you until you give in.”
Her words startled him enough that he blinked, caught off guard. She… what?
Minghao snickered from across the table. “Careful, Yuze. She’s serious.”
Yinyin elbowed him, whispering, “Don’t provoke him!”
But instead of exploding, Yuze reached out at last, flipping open the book with a sigh. His long fingers traced the text lazily, but his voice was steady when he spoke. “If you’re going to cover this rebellion, you’ll need to explain the economic collapse and its social roots. Otherwise, it’s just another bloody story.”
Everyone stared.
Qianyu’s eyes widened in delight. “That’s… actually brilliant.”
He froze, unused to genuine praise. Her smile was so bright, so sincere, that for a moment, his chest tightened unexpectedly.
He looked away quickly, muttering, “Don’t overreact. It’s basic knowledge.”
Qianyu only beamed wider. “Basic or not, I’m glad you’re in our group.”
......................
That night, as Yuze walked home alone, rain still clinging faintly to the pavement, he found himself remembering her smile.
Annoying. Persistent. Too bright.
And yet… he hadn’t felt this strangely alive in years.
***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***
Updated 14 Episodes
Download
Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Comments