Time feels abstract—a measure of matter in motion, of change unfolding. Everyone treats it as constant, yet Einstein’s relativity whispers of "time dilation."

The simplest proof? Five minutes in a bathroom stall versus one minute waiting outside.

From classroom to principal’s office meant crossing half the campus. Yet it felt like a blink. My mind churned with uncertainties about what awaited. Before I knew it, we stood outside the principal’s door.

*Knock knock knock.*

The vice principal rapped lightly, waiting. I prayed silently for no answer—just let me go home now.

"Come in!"

The voice shattered my hope. The principal straightened his collar, eyes flicking between me and Xia Tong.

"So the other party has arrived."

Xia Tong’s face stayed blank, as if his words meant nothing. Her gaze drifted to the door—to me.

"Principal, I’ve brought Ye Xi."

The vice principal sank onto the sofa, fanning himself with his collar. That walk had clearly winded him.

My eyes locked onto Xia Tong first. The girl who’d upended my life.

Her ink-black hair flowed like liquid silk over slender shoulders.

Her expression was glacial. Dark eyeshadow framed long lashes, shielding eyes that glinted with distant light—yet held a hidden sorrow, buried deep beneath icy armor. A sharp, elegant nose. Lips pale as snow, pressed tight. She wore a plain white dress that looked effortlessly expensive on her.

Unlike when I’d seen her two days ago, she seemed settled in this cold stillness.

"So you’re Ye Xi?"

The principal studied me, his tone thick with doubt.

"Yes…"

*I wish I weren’t. Then I wouldn’t be here.*

"You know why you’re here. High school forbids dating. You’re aware?"

He smiled, but his voice cut like a blade.

Years of surviving my sister Xiaoxi’s moods had sharpened my people-reading skills.

*Nothing’s harder to decode than Xiaoxi’s face.*

Once, I’d snatched the last chicken leg from her plate. She’d just smiled sweetly: "Don’t eat too much." I’d felt smug.

Next day, I pulled a lacy bra from my homework folder at school. I knew who’d made it—*obviously*. Got branded the "underwear thief."

Had to apologize myself that night. Never stole food from Xiaoxi again. Her expressions? Pure witchcraft.

"I know."

*Everyone knows that rule.*

"When did you and Xia Tong start dating?"

His eyes shifted to her.

"We didn’t! We’ve only met once—I didn’t even know her name until today!"

Truth was all I had. This was worse than being wronged like Dou E. Dragged into this mess for nothing.

The principal turned to Xia Tong. "So what you said was true?"

*She already explained. Why drag me here?*

"I’m sorry, Principal. I lied."

"He helped me days ago. I wanted to thank him. I only knew he attended Yinghua High—not his class. I took this shortcut to save time."

"You can ask my father to confirm!"

Xia Tong bowed slightly, voice thick with regret.

*So… she played me?*

All this just to say thanks? This Xia Tong… *more trouble than Xiaoxi.*

"Just that?" The principal sounded skeptical.

"Yes. I’ll fix the trouble I caused."

"Ridiculous!"

He finally snapped. Honestly? I’d snap too. I’d seen reckless kids—but never *this* reckless.

"Do you grasp how severe this is? In this school’s history, nothing compares!"

"An apology? Will that undo the damage? ‘Fix it’?"

The vice principal leaned close, whispering urgently in the principal’s ear.

"Xia Tong," the vice principal said smoothly, "how do you plan to resolve this?" He kept murmuring to the principal, who visibly calmed.

"I’ll film a video explaining everything!" Xia Tong declared, confident.

The vice principal glanced at the principal. "It’s… reasonable. Their own words will carry more weight than a school notice."

"Do I have a choice? Fine." The principal sighed, defeated.

*Scary capitalists.*

I’d caught every whispered word. Money really does make the ghost push the millstone.

"Film it now. Before this spirals further."

His tone forgave her, but anger simmered beneath.

"Yes!"

Xia Tong nodded sharply, relief washing over her face.

"And write a self-criticism letter. It’ll be posted publicly. Understood?"

"Mm." She didn’t seem to care.

"Xia Tong, you’re newly enrolled. Based on your exam scores, we’ll place you in Class A."

Before she could speak, he added: "Report there after this. I’ll inform your homeroom teacher."

"…Alright." Xia Tong hesitated, like she wanted to say more.

"Both of you return to class. Handle personal matters privately. The damage this time…" The principal’s glare lingered, but he held back—likely mindful of her family’s influence.

"Thank you, Principal."

"Thank you, Principal."

*Escape. Please.* We walked out, Xia Tong trailing half a step behind me.

Passing the bamboo grove at the campus heart, she called softly:

"Ye Xi."

I turned. She hurried forward in tiny steps, closing the five-meter gap until barely an arm’s length separated us.

"Is… something else wrong?" I leaned back slightly.

She stepped closer, maintaining that careful distance. "I… wanted to thank you."

"It’s nothing. Don’t mention it. I’d help a stray cat the same way." I rushed the words. "Just a small thing."

"Oh?" She tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement. "So I’m no different from a stray cat to you?"

"No! I didn’t mean—"

"I understand. But truly… thank you. Without you, I might not have reached the hospital in time." Her voice turned serious.

"If that’s all, I should go—" I turned to leave.

"Wait!" Her fingers caught my sleeve. "That was just the first thing. I haven’t finished."

I faced her again. "What else?"

"Which class are you in?"

"Class G." *Just that? My heart’s pounding for nothing.*

"I see." Her shoulders slumped, almost imperceptibly.

"And… about that confession earlier. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things in front of everyone." Her voice dropped to a whisper.

"It’s fine. Just post the video fast. I don’t want attention…"

"…"

"I’ll go. You film it." *Perfect. Escape now.* But her fingers tightened on my sleeve. I turned back to find her staring, eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

*What? What did I do?* I replayed my words. Nothing wrong… right?

…

…

Yinghua Academy, Junior High Division. Class A, Grade 9.

Between classes, phones buzzed nonstop. Gasps and shouts filled the air. A short-haired girl approached Xiaoxi.

"Xiaoxi! Is this your brother?" She thrust her phone forward.

Xiaoxi took it. There he was—her brother, caught mid-class, being escorted out by a teacher.

"Probably got in trouble again. Tang Tang, since when do you care about my brother?" Xiaoxi teased lightly.

"No! Read the post title!" Tang Tang scrolled down.

*"Top Freshman Confesses Publicly at Assembly: Which Pig Got This Prize Cabbage?"*

Xiaoxi’s instincts screamed warning.

*"Dragged off by the vice principal—I’m in that class. Definitely him!"* The comment already had 200+ replies.

All ranting: *"How’s this guy so lucky? I’m way better-looking!"*

"Xiaoxi, is that really your brother?"

"…Probably."

She couldn’t mistake that back.

"Told you I wasn’t wrong! Your brother’s amazing. Even our boys are gossiping about Xia Tong. Who knew he’d win her over? Seriously impressive."

*Impossible.* I know all his friends. No secret girlfriend!

Xiaoxi’s mind raced through recent days. Frustration coiled tight in her chest.

*Could it be… that girl he mentioned the day before yesterday? But they’d only just met!*

"Xiaoxi, Xiaoxi."

Tang Tang shook the girl, her body stiff as a board.

"I didn’t expect you’d get scared too? Haha…"

"Yeah. Never thought my brother was this capable—just went ahead and found himself a girlfriend?"

The girl handed the phone to Tang Tang, her voice icy.

"Well, class is starting. I’m heading back!" The short-haired girl, sensing the tension, took the phone and hurried to her seat.

In the unseen front row, the girl clenched her teeth, grinding them till they nearly shattered.